Wine for your cat: Pinot Meow is non-alcoholic but contains catnip

Why have a wine on your own, when you can now have it with your pet?Source:Instagram

But have you ever felt just that little twang of guilt when you’re downing a delicious glass of Pinot, and your four-legged friend is left with a miserable bowl of water?

Well, now it looks like your dog or cat can be your new drinking buddy.

Saturday's are for #pinotmeow.

A post shared by Apollo Peak® Pet Beverages (@apollopeak) on Apr 29, 2017 at 1:45pm PDT

A US pet brand, called Apollo Peak, has come up with the genius idea of ‘alcoholic’ beverages just for your pet.

Coming in both dog and cat varieties, with names like Pinot Meow and CharDOGnay — the beverages aren’t exactly alcoholic, but they do contain catnip (which can act as a sedative for cats) and make them look a little drunk after a glass or two.

Retailing for $A15 for a 350ml bottle, the beverages eliminate the shame of drinking by yourself.

Now that's an all natural beverage. #catwine #pinotmeow #apollopeak #catsofinstagram #wakeup #winetime #beets #catnip #dogwine #sundayfunday #sundaymorning #catlover #catlovers

A post shared by Apollo Peak® Pet Beverages (@apollopeak) on Apr 2, 2017 at 6:44am PDT

The founders behind the all-natural beverages, which are made from water, beetroot, catnip, herbs and ascorbic acid allegedly provide vitamin C, fibre, potassium, magnesium and iron to your felines and canines.

In an interview with founder Brandon Zavala, the idea of creating a drop for your pet actually came from a joke.

“[It] really made me ponder the idea that this could actually be a viable product,” Mr Zavalatold Heavy.

Sharing a Pinot Meow with your cat sounds like the perfect way to end the week.Source:istock

“In the early days, myself and my two friends (who would soon become my partners) were just having fun making a beverage for cats that used catnip to make the cats look like they are having a ‘night on the town.’

“I’m a cat person and that’s really why we started with cat wines first — but since pretty much everyone in Denver is a dog owner, we realised quickly that we needed to pair our cat wines with an available dog wine too.”

The perfect #holiday treat for your #feline friends. www.apollopeak.com #cats #wine #catwine

A post shared by Apollo Peak® Pet Beverages (@apollopeak) on Dec 14, 2015 at 8:49am PST

#photooftheday #catwine #catsofinstagram 😻

A post shared by Apollo Peak® Pet Beverages (@apollopeak) on Feb 8, 2017 at 1:33pm PST

While he’s sold more than 75,000 bottles — you can’t get it in Australia just yet. So for those who like to treat their pets like people — you’ll have to hold off on a wine date just a little longer.

“We no longer reward our pets in animal terms,” Robert Vetere, the head of the American Pet Products Association, told Good Food.

Friday night #wine night with the #pup? Our #dogwine is arriving today in households across the U.S. We hope to see some fun hashtags!! #dogsofinstagram #dogs #dogstagram #dogsofinsta #puppies #puppy #puppylove #puppygram #puppyeyes #wino #doglovers #dogsofig #doggy #pawsome #paws #paw #apollopeak #catwine too.#happyhour

A post shared by Apollo Peak® Pet Beverages (@apollopeak) on Sep 2, 2016 at 5:18pm PDT

“We feel the need to reward our pets in human terms.”

“Suddenly, a tennis ball for our dog is not enough,” Vetere said.

Pet lovers are buying “high-cost collars, and premium bedding and other human-based rewards.”

While Mr Vetere said the cat and dog wines were silly, “if they bring people closer to cats, then they can’t be all bad”.

But like alcohol for humans - can too much wine for your pet have an impact on your health?

“Cat nip in small amounts is safe for pets,” Dr Melanie Hill of Swan Street Veterinary, told news.com.au.

“For cats it [catnip] stimulates then relaxes, due to specific affinity feline nervous system has for nepetine. One in three cats will not respond to catnip as they lack the receptors in their nervous system.

“Catnip is a relatively safe herb but if your cat consumes too much they may get nasty gastrointestinal side effects such as vomiting or diarrhoea,” Veterinarian Dr Josie Gollan added.

Water is best for your four-legged friend.Source:istock

Dr Gollan said that while this drink may be safe for cats, water is always best for your four-legged friend.

“Beetroot juice, Natural preservatives and Catnip are unlikely to be toxic, there is not enough clarity [in the ingredient listing],” Dr Gollan told news.com.au

“Beetroot juice can be high in natural sugars which are not good for cats with weight issues, Diabetes or Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

“Any owner with a cat with a medical condition should consult their vet before using this product. Water is always best.”