7 Things Businesses Need to Know About Pet Owners

In the past, domesticated dogs and cats were expected to protect the home and control pest population. These days, however, pets are treated as a member of the family, and their owners are more than willing to spend resources to ensure their health and well-being. Almost 85 million families own pets in the United States alone, and these pet owners are spurring the growth and success of businesses related to pet care and ownership.

Even businesses that don’t directly deal with pet products and services benefit from the patronage of pet owners. There are companies like PrideBites that specialize in designing and manufacturing dog toys for brands that belong to different industries. The businesses that commission these toys either sell the toys as merchandise or use them in marketing campaigns that bring their brands closer to pet owners. On social media, many community managers use images of pets to generate buzz and engage with their customers and clients, even if the products or services they are offering are not closely associated with pet care.

If you’re planning to reach out to pet owners or considering them as the target of your next marketing campaign, you need to be familiar with this segment of the market. Below, we’ve gathered a few facts about pet ownership in the US:

1. In a little more than 3 decades, the rate of pet ownership has gone up by 12%. According to American Pet Products Association, 68% of all US families own a pet, and the rate of pet ownership in the country hit its highest numbers in 2019-2020. The same survey shows that cats have overtaken dogs when it comes to pet popularity. About 94 million cats are situated in various homes across the country, compared to 90 million dogs.
2. Pet owners are also more willing to spend money on their furred family members. On average, Americans spend over $50 billion per annum on their pets. According to 2018 data, a good chunk of the expenses goes to pet food followed by veterinary care, pet supplies, and finally, pet grooming.
3. Millennials are now considered to be the biggest pet-owning demographic in the world, overtaking aging Baby Boomers. More than that, the said generation has been deemed the most conscientious pet owners. A typical millennial pet owner is likely to splurge on their pets by buying food and medicine, and even seemingly non-essential items like clothes and toys. In fact, millennials are responsible for the highest number of sales in the pet care industry.
4. Millennials openly invest more time and money on their pets. Most of their purchases are focused on veterinary care and products, as opposed to Baby Boomers who spend most of their pet budget on pet food.
5. Also, millennials tend to gather more information about a certain product or service before finalizing their purchase. When it comes to veterinary care, for example, they prefer spending money on preventative measures over treatment.
6. Trend reports also suggest that millennials treat their pets as children, which is why they are very open to spending on garments and accessories for their pets. Some also use their pets as a means to prepare themselves for the responsibilities of having a baby.
7. Aside from pet essentials, specialized pet products and services are experiencing a spike in sales. Pet owners aren’t solely focused on purchasing food, veterinary services, and toys. They are also willing to spend on spas, daycares, and many more. In addition, modern pet owners are also more likely to buy high-end natural pet food, fashionable clothing from pet boutiques, and other expensive pet pampering and grooming services. They also spend on pet technology like smart feeders and microchips.

To grab the attention of pet owners, marketers and businesses need to take note of the changing attitudes and spending habits when it comes to pet ownership. Keep these facts in mind when you’re designing your next marketing campaign for pet owners.