As the pet industry continues to grow, there are emerging trends that will impact pet product companies and resellers in the future. We have identified several important trends we feel are valuable to consider as you work to grow and scale your business.
1) Pet Ownership Continues to Rise
According to the latest American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey, 70% of U.S. households own a pet (up from 67% in the previous survey). During the pandemic, pet ownership surged and 14% of total respondents obtained a new pet. This trend of increased pet ownership is projected to continue.
2) U.S. Pet Products & Services Projected to Exceed $155 Billion by 2025
With the increase in pet ownership, expenditures in the pet industry continue to grow as well! In their U.S. Pet Market Outlook report for 2022-2023, leading research firm Packaged Facts projects U.S. retail sales of pet products and services will exceed $135 billion in 2023 and rise to over $155 billion by 2025! This is great news for our industry as a whole.
3) Millennials Now Own the Largest Percentage of Pets
Also per the latest APPA Survey, Millennials now own the largest percentage of pets at 32%, followed by Baby Boomers at 27%, and Gen X at 24%. Research shows younger generations, including Millennials, are often willing to pay more for pet products that best align with their personal beliefs. Understanding the buying preferences and behaviors of different age groups is important in properly positioning your pet products in the marketplace.
4) E-Commerce Sales of Pet Products Continue to Grow
Since 2018, in-store browsing has declined while the use of internet sources and shopping has increased. During the pandemic, e-commerce sales of pet products surged even more. This trend of online shopping continued as brick-and-mortar stores reopened. Research shows Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than other age groups to shop on the internet. In the future, properly positioning your products for online sales will become increasingly important.
5) Smart Pet Products and Pet Tech Are Becoming More Popular
Connected pet care is becoming more popular! Sales of smart pet products like pet cameras, automatic feeders, and automatic litter boxes that can be connected to smartphones and tablets that allow pet owners to monitor their pet’s health and activity from anywhere are increasing! Also, wearable pet trackers that use GPS to help pet owners keep tabs on their pet’s location are growing in popularity. New pet tech innovations are anticipated to be a rapidly growing category in the future.
6) Focus on Health and Wellness Continues Post-Pandemic
The pandemic elevated concerns over health and wellness for both humans and pets. This continues to impact the pet products industry in a myriad of ways. Pet owners are paying closer attention to the health of their fur babies, and they are buying products to maintain their well-being. This has also spurred an increase in vet telemedicine visits, as well as impacted all types of purchasing behavior.
7) Pet Supplements in the U.S. Projected to Exceed $1 Billion by 2025
Packaged Facts estimates pet supplement sales in the U.S. will exceed $1 billion by 2025. Other trends identified in their most recent report on pet supplements include a continued increase in online shopping, pet owners using pet supplements to help prevent or provide relief from health-related issues, and pet parents using supplements to promote overall health and wellness. Per research conducted by the APPA, vitamins and supplements are shopped online by more than half of dog and cat owners.
8) Consumers Buying Healthier Pet Food and Pet Treats
As consumers have become more aware of the dangers of chemicals, additives, and preservatives in their own food, they are looking for more natural and healthy options for their pets. Pet food and treats represent one of the largest expenses for pet owners, and 93% of dog owners report purchasing treats for their fur babies! While there are many options, consumers show a preference for products that are grain free, made with all-natural ingredients, made with limited ingredients, made with human-grade ingredients, and/or contain a novel protein. Some pet parents prefer options that are vegan or vegetarian. In terms of pet treats, “functional” treats that have health benefits are also popular.
9) Natural-Based & Eco-Friendly Pet Grooming Products Are Increasingly Popular
Natural-based, plant-based, and eco-friendly grooming products are increasingly popular. Pet parents show a strong preference for natural products without harmful chemicals that are free from ingredients shown to trigger allergic reactions or potentially harm their fur babies. Pet grooming products that help improve a condition, such as reducing itching, are also popular options. Another important factor in the growing consumer preference for eco-friendly products is a desire to help protect the environment. Research shows over half of Gen Z and Millennial consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly pet products.
10) Consumers Prefer Products Made and Sourced in the USA
The news of pet product safety recalls from other countries has made many pet parents feel safer when they see “Made in the US” and “Sourced in the US” on their pet products. Manufacturing regulations in the US are well regulated, and products made and sourced in the USA are generally perceived as being safer. US-Made products are also typically considered to be of a higher quality when they are made from natural-based ingredients. Research shows 60% of pet owners find value in purchasing pet products “Made in the U.S.” and are willing to spend more.
Pet Humanization is Impacting the Industry in Many Amazing Ways
In addition to the 10 trends we identified, there are many other exciting developments in the industry! As pet humanization continues and pets are treated as valued family members, we are also seeing increased interest in: pet apparel, daycare facilities, pet-friendly restaurants, travel accommodations, pet-themed home décor, and much, much more! There has never been a better time to sell pet products!
We Make It Easy to Create Your Own Line of Pet Products
If you are looking for a private label pet products company to help you create (or expand) your own line of pet products, working with our company could be the perfect way to quickly and easily grow your business! We offer a broad range of quality pet products for dogs, cats, and horses. We offer pet treats, pet supplements, pet grooming products, pet anti-chew spray, and pet stain and odor remover. We also offer specialized services to help you get your products to market fast. We can help you scale your business over time with our ever-expanding line of pet products.
For more information, please check out our recent blog explaining How Our Private Label Process Works.
More About Natural Pet Innovations
Natural Pet Innovations™ is a manufacturer of proprietary, natural-based, made and sourced in the USA product lines for dogs, cats, and horses. We specialize in creating turnkey private label products for our Amazon®, eCommerce, and retail partners. We are committed to offering our partners only the highest quality natural products and providing them with unsurpassed customer support. Please contact us today to learn how fast and easy it is to start promoting your own line of high-quality pet products.
