Packaged Facts: Dog and Cat Products Just Tip of Expanding Pet Humanization Market

Pet parents of all varieties of furry and feathered animals jump on humanization bandwagon

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May 18, 2016, 09:37 ET

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most important driving forces in the pet industry is the humanization of our animal companions, but until recently the trend almost exclusively was the domain of products for dogs and cats. Today, the humanization trend is gaining mainstream momentum by expanding its reach to incorporate products for pets beyond canines and felines, according to research featured in U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2016-2017, a new report by Packaged Facts. Expansion is most apparent in the pet food segment.

"What happens in the dog and cat food markets tends to manifest itself in non-dog/cat pet food categories as well. Consumers generally want to treat all types of pets responsibly and as well as possible, and that is often expressed by seeking to provide pets with a healthier diet with high-quality ingredients," says David Sprinkle, research director, Packaged Facts.

Marketers of foods for other pets continue to upgrade product selection with better-quality premium offerings. The chief new product trends include pure and natural products, fortified/functional products, gourmet lines, products offering convenience and ease of use, and "green" features. Marketers also continue to segment the market with products targeted to specific pet species, lifestyles, and health conditions.

The humanization trend is apparent in the treat segment, with marketers in bird and small mammals segments introducing products not just similar to human food products, such as "muffins" or "yogurt drops," but also made with human-grade ingredients. Limited ingredients and natural diets are trends in the dog and cat world that have also made their way to other pet food as well, in addition to "Made in the USA" claims.

This latest edition of Packaged Facts' best-selling U.S. Pet Market Outlook projects U.S. pet market retail sales and trends during the 2016-2017 forecast period, overall and for the four categories: veterinary services, pet food, nonfood pet supplies, and non-medical pet services. It examines the most important developments shaping the market and their implications, including external and internal market drivers, industry trends (mergers and acquisitions, marketing, new product development, etc.), retail channel trends, and trends in pet ownership. To purchase a copy of U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2016-2017 visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/redirect.asp?progid=88691&productid=9867916.

About Packaged Facts – Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, consumer packaged goods, and pet products and services. Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased at www.PackagedFacts.com and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

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SOURCE Packaged Facts