IKEA has launched a pet furniture line and we couldn't be happier

There are certain signs in life that act to inform you that

. They're fairly easy to spot. For example, when there are more pictures of your

 

cat around the

 

house than

 

of your son and daughter. Or

 

when you spend hours discussing the exact amount, consistency, and timing of each one of your dog's poops.

 

Oh, not to mention that surprise party you threw for his birthday. That was weird.

 

So, what about

 

buying pet

 

furniture? Does that belong on the list? Nah, that's pretty reasonable as far as I'm concerned. Luckily for everyone out there who agrees with me, IKEA have launched

 

a line of products and furniture for the modern pet, and I'm betting that our furry friends are going to be pretty darn thrilled with it. Named LURVIG - which, for your information, because I know you were interested, means "shaggy" in Swedish - the new line

 

was introduced as a pilot in five markets this October, with IKEA shoppers in

 

Japan, France, Canada, the US, and Portugal being the fortunate few who get the chance to heighten their Swedish furniture shopping experience. But don't worry if you're from elsewhere, your pets won't be missing out for long, with the company confirming that the range is set to

 

expand its reach to five additional countries in Spring 2018. So, I know you're dying to find out. What pet furniture and accessories can IKEA offer us pet fanatics out there? The answer fulfils every one of our hopes and dreams, with minimalist beds, bed frames, sofas, houses, cushions, blankets and travel bags being only some of the items on offer. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/thegingerchap/status/934767860567732224]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/meg_shuler/status/933025458899341312]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/lil_why_lack/status/926869798792790016]] Strongly believing that pets should be pets, the Swedish company - which owns stores in 41 countries - worked with a veterinarian while designing their products to ensure that they didn't humanise animals too much. Designer Inma Bermudéz spoke out about the process, saying: "Our pets have their own personalities, but they have five things in common: They love sleeping, eating, playing and exercising, and being close to us. So these behaviours have been the first thing on our minds when designing these products.

 

I feel that my pets are the ones who can really take me to the present moment. When we share our time together, my head is more free, and other worries and stress fall away. They teach us respect, and their unconditional love is priceless.”

The LURVIG range was developed with the assistance of trained veterinarian Dr Barbara Schäfer, who also works in product risk assessment at IKEA. Despite it being a fun range for owners to enjoy with their pets, the first thing the team thought about was safety. Schäfer told all about how IKEA is dedicated to creating a

 

durable product which was also safe for animals to use to their heart's content, stating:

 

“It’s really important to use an animal’s natural needs and behaviours (like how they sleep, eat or play) as a starting point. Then we can design a product that fits in with our human needs, such as style and form. Dogs will definitely chew on their toys and bring in dirt from their daily walks. Cats will definitely scratch on most surfaces and are sensitive to smell and texture. So safe, durable materials are very important.” To be honest, it's no wonder that the global retailer is jumping aboard the pet furniture craze. According to the American Pet Products Association, the new line comes as the pet industry is at an all-time high, with people across the United States expected to spend $69 billion on their furry friends this year alone. That means that overall spending in the pet industry has surpassed previous spending by a whopping $6 billion. Our pets must be living a better life than us. In case anyone out there is pondering

 

on why on earth we're spending so much on our feline friends and doggy pals, the answer is relatively simple: They're adorable and

.

 

Veterinarian Schäfer managed to sum

 

up our feelings on the matter in just a few words when she said:

 

"I share my life with three dogs and I've always missed nice pet products at an affordable price. As an animal lover I’m proud and happy to be part of this project. I would love it if it inspired people to spend more quality time with their pets." So then, what are you waiting for? Get down to IKEA right this instant and buy your pet a stately home's worth of furniture - and grab yourself some of those delicious Swedish meatballs while you're at it. I just really hope your cat likes assembling furniture.