Dog Owner Survey Released
The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, (APPMA) has released some of the results of its National Pet Owners Survey for 2005-2006, (NPOS), examining the demographics, buying habits, and other traits of US owners of dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals.
New figures NPOS figures show pet ownership in the US is currently at its highest level, with 63% of all US households owning a pet (more than 69 million households), up from 64 million in 2002 and 51 million in 1988 when APPMA's tracking began. According to the 375 page survey Americans own approximately 73 million dogs, 90 million cats, 139 million freshwater fish, 9 million saltwater fish, 16 million birds, 18 million small animals and 11 million reptiles.
Bob Vetere, MD and COO, APPMA said:
"The steady increase in pet ownership confirms that a growing number of us are realising pets truly enhance our lives. Pets not only provide unconditional love and affection, research now shows they also provide significant health benefits."
Most pet owners agree with what research has shown. According to the survey, nearly all pet owners say companionship, love, company and affection are the number one benefits to owning a pet. 59% say pets are good for their health and the health of their family and help them relax. 40% say that owning a dog motivates them to exercise on a regular basis.
NPOS says three-quarters of dog owners consider their dog like a child or family member and more than half of cat owners say the same. Gift giving to pets continues to rise with 80% of dog owners and 63% of cat owners buying gifts for their animals.
A majority of dogs and cats sleep indoors with most preferring to sleep in their owner's bed, on a blanket or dog bed.
American pet owners are paying more attention to nutrition with table scraps on the decline and gourmet food and food fortified with supplements and added vitamins and minerals showing gains. One percent of dog owners are also feeding dogs kosher food.
The number of cat and dog owners insuring their pets is also increasing. Currently 3% of dogs and only 1% of cats have health insurance, up from 2% of dog owners and less than 1% of cat owners in 2002.
3% of dog owners are using homeopathic remedies (up from 2% in 2002). The use of vitamins and supplements has also increased among dog owners.
The use of dental products is increasing with a rapidly expanding dog dental market including products such as pet toothpaste, whitening strips, mouthwash and orthodontic products.
Giving pets treats continues to increase significantly with 88% of dog owners. This is especially prevalent in households where the dogt owner thinks of their dog as a child. And when it comes to toys, compared to previous levels more owners buy toys and spend more money than ever for them.
Loss of Pet - the APPMA has only just added this question to its survey so there are no comparisons in this category. It says however that pet owners are showing stronger interest in urns. Remembrance memorials are also available which incorporate a lock of their pet's fur or some other token, mixed into perennial seeds. Another option says NPOS is to make a "created diamond" from the pet's remains. Of all the created diamonds made to date, a remarkable 20% have been made from a pet's remains. Almost one-in-ten dog and cat owners are also interested in a headstone for their pet's final resting place.
Finally in its release, the APPMA states that demographics indicate that the person most responsible for purchasing pet products is 46 years old and is female.
New figures NPOS figures show pet ownership in the US is currently at its highest level, with 63% of all US households owning a pet (more than 69 million households), up from 64 million in 2002 and 51 million in 1988 when APPMA's tracking began. According to the 375 page survey Americans own approximately 73 million dogs, 90 million cats, 139 million freshwater fish, 9 million saltwater fish, 16 million birds, 18 million small animals and 11 million reptiles.
Bob Vetere, MD and COO, APPMA said:
"The steady increase in pet ownership confirms that a growing number of us are realising pets truly enhance our lives. Pets not only provide unconditional love and affection, research now shows they also provide significant health benefits."
Most pet owners agree with what research has shown. According to the survey, nearly all pet owners say companionship, love, company and affection are the number one benefits to owning a pet. 59% say pets are good for their health and the health of their family and help them relax. 40% say that owning a dog motivates them to exercise on a regular basis.
NPOS says three-quarters of dog owners consider their dog like a child or family member and more than half of cat owners say the same. Gift giving to pets continues to rise with 80% of dog owners and 63% of cat owners buying gifts for their animals.
A majority of dogs and cats sleep indoors with most preferring to sleep in their owner's bed, on a blanket or dog bed.
American pet owners are paying more attention to nutrition with table scraps on the decline and gourmet food and food fortified with supplements and added vitamins and minerals showing gains. One percent of dog owners are also feeding dogs kosher food.
The number of cat and dog owners insuring their pets is also increasing. Currently 3% of dogs and only 1% of cats have health insurance, up from 2% of dog owners and less than 1% of cat owners in 2002.
3% of dog owners are using homeopathic remedies (up from 2% in 2002). The use of vitamins and supplements has also increased among dog owners.
The use of dental products is increasing with a rapidly expanding dog dental market including products such as pet toothpaste, whitening strips, mouthwash and orthodontic products.
Giving pets treats continues to increase significantly with 88% of dog owners. This is especially prevalent in households where the dogt owner thinks of their dog as a child. And when it comes to toys, compared to previous levels more owners buy toys and spend more money than ever for them.
Loss of Pet - the APPMA has only just added this question to its survey so there are no comparisons in this category. It says however that pet owners are showing stronger interest in urns. Remembrance memorials are also available which incorporate a lock of their pet's fur or some other token, mixed into perennial seeds. Another option says NPOS is to make a "created diamond" from the pet's remains. Of all the created diamonds made to date, a remarkable 20% have been made from a pet's remains. Almost one-in-ten dog and cat owners are also interested in a headstone for their pet's final resting place.
Finally in its release, the APPMA states that demographics indicate that the person most responsible for purchasing pet products is 46 years old and is female.
posted by Margie Svete at 10:36 AM
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