There was a fear in 2020 that pet adoptions would decrease and that households would return pets to shelters once lockdown restrictions eased. Fortunately, pet adoptions continue to increase. Families have also kept the pets they adopted through the pandemic, cherishing those pets as beloved members of their respective households. Additionally, we’re expected to see more positive animal welfare trends in the coming year.
Owners Will Have Broader Nutritional Choices
The sales of pet food in the United States grew by 6.4% over the past year, and it’s expected to see a 6.6% growth rate by the end of 2022. This is partly because buying options have increased to include curbside pickup and home deliveries. In addition to providing consumers with the buying options available through online retailers, there are also more choices in food types. From using eco-friendly packaging to providing fresh foods, manufacturers are developing products that meet the changing demands of customers.
Pet Medication Will Be More Widely Available
There’s an increased interest in medication and supplements for pets to ensure animals enjoy a better quality of life. This partly comes from more pet owners taking a greater interest in pet wellness and health. Additionally, there are more online alternatives available to pet owners who may not be able to visit brick and mortar pet supply businesses in their communities. The Covid-19 pandemic has also inspired more pet owners to take a greater interest in caring for the health of their pets.
There Will Be a Resurgence of Pet Care Businesses
As more businesses reopen, services for pets are also expected to rebound in the next 12 months. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many pet care services were deemed nonessential businesses and were temporarily closed. Now that restrictions have eased, and families have more pets in their care, those services are expected to rebound. More brick and mortar businesses, such as pet grooming, supply stores, and pet daycare services, should re-emerge to meet the increased consumer demand.
This is all good news for pet owners who have had to change how they care for their pets over the past year. As more choice becomes available in the pet care industries, pet owners will be able to customize the care they provide for their animals. These will keep pets healthier and provide more opportunities for homeless animals to find families to love.
