After a long day patrolling the neighborhood or protecting the home, pets in New Zealand have a new way to unwind – non-alcoholic wine.
The range of drinks sold by Auckland-based Muttley’s Estate has names such as Pawt, Champawgne, Purrno Noir and Sauvignon Bark.
The company presents its cat-friendly neoprene blends as a luxury that improves mood, the Telegraph reports.
The pet drinks, which contain no grapes or alcohol, offer a “perfect companion when celebrating with your furry family member,” it says.
Owner John Roberts said he started making pet wine after seeing similar products, like dog beers, abroad.
“It’s good for stressful situations,” he explained.
He says his family’s veterinary pharmaceutical company gave him the expertise to start producing a beneficial product for pets.
Roberts told AFP that he grew up with dogs and cats and remembered them being scared during fireworks.
“There was no holistic nutritional option for pets other than just high doses. We thought we could do more than just have it as a little treat for pets,” Roberts said.
Vera has quickly gained a customer base in New Zealand and Australia, and the company hopes to expand into Asia and North America.
He highlighted New Zealand’s wine-loving culture as part of success.
“I’m not sure if we would have had the same take if we had marketed it as a pet treat,” he said.
Roberts said the product already has potential sellers in Thailand and Japan and he is looking for sellers in the United States and the United Kingdom.
In the future, he also hopes to sell the product at pet shows and perhaps wine conferences.
But the company has run into problems trying to export the so-called wine because officials assume it contains alcohol.
“Some customs authorities are trying to impose wine import duties or export duties until they realize it’s not alcoholic. We’ve been able to explain it so far,” he said. /Telegraph/
Dining and Cooking