Beverly Hills Chihuahua Envy: Pet Owner's Feel Pinch

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Beverly Hills Chihuahua’s top dog, Chloe, voiced by Drew Barrymore, won't deign to dine on Alpo.

Some pet owners would be happy to splurge on even that. The current economic standing looks like it is causing, amongst other things, a cutback in pet spending.

This year, Americans are set to spend an estimated $43.4 billion (approximately $13.5 billion on pet services and supplies), according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. But now owners may have to scale down on their pet spending budget.

Gone may be the days when Tinkerbell, Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua walks the red carpet clad in the latest couture. Well, maybe Tink can stay up to date with the latest lines but frugal spending may have to spill over to Fido (or Fluffy, Spot, etc.), says Ada Nieves, who designs clothing, accessories, and creates birthday parties and other celebrations for dogs.

“The dog shoes, the sunglasses, those are probably the first things products to go, unfortunately,” she says.

As in most other areas of spending, discretion will likely be key in how pet owners conduct purchases. “With the economy going the way it is, pet owners may skip out on buying the cute hats and jewelry for their dogs.” (Probably those $9 pawdecures too!)

Dogs like Chloe may, too, be barking about the residuals of layoffs and recessions, possibly being forced to sleep on the carpet instead of a canopy dog bed or doggy sofa. Some dog beds, like the Black Eagle Chaise Lounge or the NY City Taxi Cab Pet Bed, www.pawpalaceonline.com, cost $599 and $249, respectively. While the sight of a Chihuahua peeking its head out of a plush yellow taxi may be cute enough to splurge, the reality is that pet owners will likely scale down and stick with the essentials.

"You won't see a drop in sales for items like dog food," says Nieves.

For dedicated dog lovers, the pooch may take priority over their own extra spending wishes (at least that’s what Nieves says). “If the choice comes down to a purse for the owner or a carry bag for the dog, I’d say go with the carry bag,” says Nieves. A cheaper one, too: Paw Palace, an online pet product company www.pawpalaceonline.com, , sells carriers for as low as $49.99, while others go up to as much as $698.99.

But just because the economy is freezing-up, doesn't mean your pet should suffer this winter.

“Sweaters may not drop in sales,” says Nieves, who also founded the group, New York City Chihuahua chapter, and adding that certain dogs, specifically Chihuahuas, both short-haired and long-haired are vulnerable to cold weather. We can't all live in Beverly Hills.