These Design Driven Brands Are Doing Pet Care Right – Design Milk

Here at Design Milk, we’re so obsessed with our pets, we even have a Slack channel dedicated to exchanging photos of their adorable antics. As pet-people who are passionate about design, we know the struggle of toggling between fashion and function when shopping for our pets all too well. Pet products that make our animals happy and look good doing it deserve to be celebrated, so we’re sharing 5 modern brands that are doing pet care right.

Wagwear is a dog lifestyle brand that’s been making effortlessly cool and timeless pet accessories since the late ‘90s when founder Amy Harlow set out to design the puppy chic pet wear her pups deserved. With an offering that spans from brightly colored dog beds and hardy canvas carriers to their best-selling, ultra-durable dog booties, WagWear goods embody a modern, classic aesthetic inspired by Cape Cod beaches and the brand’s New York heritage. The cherry on top? WagWear’s function-first style and high-quality materials ensure that every accessory can withstand the test of time (and your dog’s adventurous lifestyle!).
Wagwear’s “Wellington boots” for dogs, WagWellies keep paws dry and protected in snow, rain, and on city streets. These stylish rubber boots are designed with open-vented slits that allow you to slip them onto your dog’s paws with ease so you can get out the door in a flash. Design Milk readers and staff have been singing WagWellies’ praises for years too, our very own director of finance swears by them for her family’s poodle, Archie! “He leaps like a reindeer in them and gets so excited to put them on,” she says – talk about an endorsement. While it may take a few tries to get your pup used to their new boots, watching the process unfold will undoubtedly make for a delightfully amusing experience.

Most dogs spend around 12 to 14 hours of their day sleeping, so doesn’t it stand to reason that they have the most comfortable bed available? That’s where LAY LO Pets comes in. LAY LO makes designer dog beds that deliver on comfort without sacrificing modern style, making for happy pets and happy people. All of LAY LO’s beds are made with orthopedic, accident-proof inserts, machine washable dig-proof covers, and are finished by hand in the brand’s facility at the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard. Every few months the brand drops a new capsule collection of their fashionable dog bed covers inspired by the latest design trends, giving you the freedom to switch things up without splurging on an entirely new bed. Pretty cool right?
LAY LO’s latest capsule collection made in partnership with Etsy and fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra combines a natural color palette with simple yet bold, geometric prints to make a stylish statement in your home. A refreshing, modern take on the classic black and white stripe pattern, the Ecru Striped Bed Cover plays up the material’s unbleached, neutral tone to add a soft, casual look to your dog’s bedding. LAY LO covers even feature non-slip bottoms, so you don’t have to worry about your dog’s bed slipping and sliding around your living room during their daily zoomies. With its fashion-forward look, durable, low maintenance construction, and a plush, ultra-cozy feel your dog will love – everybody wins with LAY LO dog beds.

Maxbone makes modern, functional pet wellness and lifestyle products designed to empower dogs and the humans who love them. Founder Parisa Fowles-Pazdro aimed to create a practical, design-driven pet brand that delivered a trendy, community-driven brand experience that’ll keep pet parents coming back for more. “Everything we make is inspired by a need, either it doesn’t exist, or it doesn’t meet our standards,” says Fowles-Pazdro. From dog apparel and treats to everyday essentials like harnesses, poop bag holders, and collars, everything in Maxbone’s lineup has a chic, cleverly designed quality that’s sure to win the favor of pet-lovers everywhere.
A new and improved take on their crowd favorite pet puffer, Maxbone’s Arabella Puffer Vest will keep your dog warm on cold winter walks. The Puffer uses new fit technology to give your pup better range of motion and a plush, vegan down-alternative fill to lock in warmth when the temperatures drop. Because Maxbone knows that a dog’s lifestyle can get ruff, they made the puffer machine washable and ultra-durable so your pup’s puffer can withstand the test of time. We love the Pearl Peach colorway for the playful pastel tone and its millennial pink likeness.

Cat people, you didn’t think we’d leave you out, did you? Meet Wiski Cat – Chicago-based makers of modern cat furniture that’ll make your cat’s favorite cardboard box look like… well, just an old cardboard box. Committed to making cat furniture that’s comfier than any of your cat’s non-conventional hangouts (see: your laundry basket, on top of the fridge, or worse, on your favorite reading chair), and more stylish than the unattractive carpet covered cat trees that crowd most pet stores, the Wiski Cat team created a stylish, comfortable cat bed that’s sure to win the hearts of even the most discerning kitties.
Made out of a single piece of thick, extra-durable felt, Wiski Cat’s Ray Felt Cat Bed has an origami-like structure that can be easily folded together without any extra tools or parts for maximum convenience. The bed’s triangular, tee-pee shape creates a cozy, cave-like atmosphere for your cat to curl up in peace, and features a plush, springy cushion that cats will adore. Give your Ray a monochromatic look by opting for the gray side of the cushion or flip it over for a pop of eye-catching mint color. The Ray’s simple, modern shape and classic neutral color make this cat nest a minimalist’s dream, and a perfect complement to your existing home decor (so you can finally recycle that cardboard box).

AAPETPEOPLE makes luxe, fashion-forward goods and apparel for pets and their people. Founded by model, actress, and multi-hyphenate, Anneliese Aeria, Dallas-based AAPETPEOPLE represents the marriage of her love of animals and fashion. For each piece of modern, innovative pet wear in their collection, there’s a complimentary item designed to be enjoyed by humans for a matching moment that’s too cute to pass up. Committed to eco-friendly practices every step of the way, AAPETPEOPLE goods make a difference – they donate a portion of their proceeds to homeless animals in need.
The Weather Proof Pet Coat and matching pullover made waves when AAPETPEOPLE launched in 2020, and we totally get why. Hand-sewn using ultra luminescent material, the Weather Proof Coat is an undeniable showstopper thanks to its eye-catching iridescent finish. The coat’s durable, waterproof, and wind resistant design make it as functional as it is stylish – it’ll keep your pup dry while adding fun and flair to dreary rainy-day walks.

>>> For more modern pet brands, visit the Design Milk Shop here! <<<
 
 
Alexa is commerce editor at Design Milk. She lives in Miami, Florida with her fiancé Alex and retired greyhound, Phoebe. A longtime art and design enthusiast, Alexa’s first stops in any new city are the art museums. When she’s not writing about her favorite DM shop picks, she might be buried in a book, binging reality tv or adventuring around her city with her partner and pup.
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