IT gives a whole new meaning to hair of the dog', but Britain's biggest chain of pet stores has introduced a bottle of beer for DOGS.

The ale is made in a brewery in the normal way and then packaged into a regular-shaped beer bottle complete with a metal crown' cap, just like the human tipple.

The contents have been reformulated to include more vitamins and no alcohol, while retaining the smell and taste of ordinary beer.

Originally launched in Holland under the name Kwispelbier - which means tail-wagging beer' - it has been brought over to the UK by the chain Pets At Home, which has Glasgow stores in Drumchapel and the Forge Retail Park.

It has now been given a simpler, self-explanatory label Dog Beer. The 33cl bottle will retail for £1.99.

Pets At Home said giving a dog a bottle of its own beer would help it bond with an owner who was doing the same. Dogs usually want to eat or drink what their owners are having but, for health reasons, often cannot.

A spokesman said: "While initially people may think of it as a novelty, dog beer makes a delicious treat for a thirsty dog."

It is the latest trend in the £2billion a year pet care market.

Figures indicate there are 27million pets in the UK, spread around 43% of households, with dogs (7.3m) and cats (7.2m) heading the list.

Pets At Home reported pre-tax profits of £30.9m for the 12 months to the end of March, a 55% increase on the previous year.

Chief executive Matt Davies said: "We are a nation of pet lovers. Things have to get very tough indeed before people cut back on what they are buying for their pets."

In 2007 the value of the pet food market was just over £1.7billion, says the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association.

Nearly 8000 people are directly employed in the manufacture of pet food, it added, with male workers outweighing women two to one.

Michael Bellingham, PFMA chief executive, said: "Health and nutrition is a key trend.

"Consumers are increasingly focusing on high quality, premium pet foods for their dogs, cats and other small pets.".