ORLANDO, FLA. — Despite inflationary pressures, family pet owners want to spend more for specific item characteristics, according to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) 2023-2024 National Pet Owners Survey. These associates consist of items made in the United States (60% of family pet owners), trademark name items (55%), fairly sourced family pet items (52%), environment-friendly items (49%) and BPA-free items (49%).
Function forward
Vitamin and supplement usage amongst dog and cat owners is on the increase, with 48% of dog owners administering these items to their animals in 2022 — up from 34% in 2018 — and 32% of cat owners offering their feline buddies these kinds of items in 2022 — up from 20% in 2018.
Along this vein, soothing items for dogs and cats are increasing in appeal. Calming toys were the most popular in 2022, with 29% of dog owners and 27% of cat owners utilizing them, however soothing supplements, chews and treats were the second-most popular amongst 21% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners, compared to simply 5% and 4%, respectively, in 2018.
Dog and cat owners are likewise significantly buying family pet treats including CBD. According to APPA, 26% of dog owners bought CBD treats in 2022, compared to 24% in 2020. This item classification is the most popular amongst both dog and cat owners.
APPA likewise asked family pet owners why they buy CBD items for their animals, and discovered that 25% of dog owners purchased them to attend to stress and anxiety or tension in 2022 (up from 19% in 2020), 15% for arthritis or joint discomfort (up from 14% in 2020), and 14% for discomfort (up from 13% in 2020). Among cat owners, 23% bought CBD items for stress and anxiety or tension in 2022 (up from 18% in 2020), 16% for discomfort (up from 13% in 2020), and 14% for arthritis or joint discomfort (up from 12% in 2020). Cat owners are likewise looking for CBD items to attend to anorexia nervosa or digestion concerns, with 11% pointing out these factors for CBD cat item purchases in 2022, up from 8% in 2020.
Sought-after characteristics
The study revealed approximately 9% of dogs and 15% of cats are thought about obese by their owners, while 9% of dogs and 12% of cats are on an unique diet plan. However, 29% of cat owners reported feeding basic or generic cat food usually, followed by 27% of owners who usually feed their felines superior diet plans. Among dog owners, 34% generally feed premium dog food, while 18% usually feed basic or generic diet plans.
Pet owners continue to buy natural, grain-free, natural, limited-ingredient and meal mixer items. According to APPA, 20% of dog owners and 19% of cat owners purchase natural family pet food; 14% of dog and cat owners purchase grain-free diet plans; 11% of dog and cat owners purchase natural family pet food; 8% of dog owners and 9% of cat owners purchase limited-ingredient diet plans; and 10% of dog owners and 12% of cat owners purchase meal mixers.
Source: American Pet Products Association
Other family pet food associates making their method into family pet owners’ shopping carts consist of non-GMO (17% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners), eco-friendly product packaging (11% of dog owners and 14% of cat owners), human-grade components (14% of dog owners and 12% of cat owners), tidy label components (10% of dog owners and 12% of cat owners), and practical components (12% of dog owners and 11% of cat owners).
Novel proteins — consisting of non-traditional choices like venison, bunny, swine, alligator and others — are ending up being more popular amongst pet moms and dads also. According to APPA, 9% of both dog and cat owners are purchasing novel protein diets, with 56% of dog owners and 41% of cat owners buying food containing venison protein. Additionally, 30% of dog owners and 43% of cat owners are purchasing pet food with bunny protein, while 28% of dog owners and 21% of cat owners are buying food with wild boar protein.
Diets featuring insect protein, quail and pheasant are also being bought by cat owners, with 25% buying insect protein diet plans, 31% buying food with quail protein, and 22% purchasing diets with pheasant protein.
Spending habits
According to APPA, 21% of dog owners and 24% of cat owners considered brand names to be “very important” in 2022, up slightly from 20% and 23%, respectively, in 2018. While brand loyalty remains an important factor for these family pet owners, economic impacts are straining spending. APPA reported 39% of pet owners spent more on their pets over the last 12 months — namely on food — while 15% spent less. However, most pet owners (46%) spent the same in 2022 as in 2021, but this is down from 57% of pet owners who maintained their pet spending from 2019 to 2020.
Overall, dog owners spent an average of $354 on pet food in 2022, up from $259 in 2018 and $287 in 2020. Cat owners spent an average of $300 on cat food in 2022, up from $228 in 2018 and $254 in 2020.
When it comes to treating, 94% of dog owners and 91% of cat owners reported purchasing treats for their companions in 2022. Treat purchasing rates are up from 92% and 86%, respectively, in 2018. Spending on treats has likewise increased from 2018 to 2022, with dog owners spending an average of $102 on treats in 2022, up from $76 in 2018 and $81 in 2020, and cat owners spending an average of $78 on treats in 2022, up from $58 in 2018 and $72 in 2020.
These increased family pet nutrition expenditures are likely the combined result of two factors: family pet product inflation and the continued proliferation of the family pet food and treat market. Rising family pet nutrition sales in recent years can be associated in part to emerging premium formats emerging in the market.
