The market for pet food has grown astronomically in the past 10 years, with an estimated retail value of $43 billion dollars annually mountain food monticello. The market is projected to increase by 3% annually and continue to grow exponentially, reaching over $49 billion dollars by 2024.
There are many reasons for this growth, such as busy schedules and longer work hours. Pets are becoming increasingly popular as companions and require frequent attention that the average human just doesn’t have time for anymore.
1. Humanization of Pets
But the biggest contributing factor is the need to humanize pets. This trend is called “Humanization”, and it’s become one of the most prominent trends in pet ownership. The Humanization trend began in Japan and has spread throughout other countries. Typical humanized pet products include:
According to John Gerzema, CEO of BAV Consulting, “What we’re seeing is a desire for their pets to be a part of their family rather than just an accessory or possession.”
2. The ‘Modern Dog’
The human-pet relationship is becoming increasingly humanized because owners are seeking to make their dogs more like humans than pets. After all, most of the world’s population is dog-centric.
The ‘modern dog’ is a term that refers to a breed of dog that has been humanized to resemble humans. The modern dog is less dependent on their owners. For example, they like to lounge around more than they used to and they typically have a greater level of independence in choosing what they do and where they go, but still depend on their owners for certain needs (such as food and medical attention).
For example, a human-ized pet might be allowed to leave their cage and explore the house, but sometimes for extended periods of time (especially when a dog is outside, which can be extremely dangerous). They may also be allowed to pop into the living room while the owner is watching TV or eating dinner. This can quickly lead to problems. Leaving an animal unattended for too long can cause it to over consume food or drink.
If the pet makes noise, harasses people in any way or gets into things that are not its own, it could get in trouble with authorities and end up facing serious legal repercussions such as fines and imprisonment.
3. Leadership
The majority of pet owners consider the dog to be a pet, but human-pet interactions aren’t limited to dogs and cats. They include any living creature that is looked after by a human, even if that animal is not a pet, such as fish and birds.
The breed of the animal does not matter; it is the level of interaction between the owner and his or her pet that counts. The most important factor in determining how much interaction an owner has with pets is their leadership status. Pets are treated accordingly based on this leadership status; for example, one leader might let another follow him around for hours while another one might be confined to its cage at all times.
4. Pets Are Becoming Mature
Since pets are becoming more humanized, they are also maturing at a faster rate. For example, they are learning to walk on a leash, sit and roll over on command, and even open doors. This stress-relieving behavior is aimed at making the pets more humanized. Pets need constantly varying stimulation to be truly happy. They require exercise and other non-strenuous activities just like children do; this allows them to stay fit without requiring any effort from their owners.
5. Food
Pet food manufacturers are aggressively looking for ways to increase their sales as the market continues to grow rapidly. The pet food industry includes manufacturers of both pet food and treats (see next section).
Food is one of the most important aspects of a pet’s life. This has prompted manufacturers to try new methods and strategies to increase sales. Pet food is placed in almost every grocery store, but it can also be purchased at specialty stores, such as PetSmart and Petco.
Currently, most people buy food from these stores because they believe that the food there is healthier than food bought from the grocery store. However, manufacturers have developed ways to incorporate these characteristics into their regular brands.
This has forced them to find new ways to sell their products. They found many innovative strategies to increase their sales, such as:
6. Treats
Another way to increase profits is with the creation of pet treats. Pet treats are basically desserts that are made with food coloring, fillers and sweeteners. These ingredients are known for causing obesity, digestive problems and other serious conditions in pets. Treats have become a multi-billion dollar industry and consumption of treats is at an all-time high — it has increased by over 40% since 2009 . Treats are marketed as a healthy alternative to human junk food, which draws in the consumer’s attention.
Summary:
Many pet owners are seeking to humanize their pets for two primary reasons: 1. To reduce stress 2. To enhance pets’ bond with the owner
This humanization is part of a larger trend that is redefining the relationship between humans and animals. The BAV Consulting research report also reveals that other trends are emerging, such as a decline in dog ownership due to concerns over “puppy mills”.
