Pet Trends 2006

The American Pet Products Manufacturer's Association (APPMA) estimates that Americans will have spent approximately $39.5 billion In meeting the demands of their pets in 2005! The APPMA also says there will be six important trends in the pet industry in 2006:
1. New Pet Services: people are starting to want more services to be available to care for and pamper their pets, including services such as pet behaviorists, pet hotel operators, pet butlers, pet sitters, pet massage therapists, pet communicators and pet travel agents.
2. Medical Advancements in Pet Care: medical and surgical care for pets is becoming much more sophisticated (for exotic pets, I wish the trend is toward more easily accessible quality veterinary care). Pet insurance is starting to catch on too.
3. Animal Assisted Therapy: increasing recognition of the powerful connection that people can develop with pets means more pets are being used as therapy in health care institutions and rehabilitation programs, as well as in correctional facilities and with troubled children.
4. Licensed Pet Products: I'm not sure how useful this trend is, but more commercial characters are entering the realm of pet products (such as SpongeBob SquarePants (TM) Aquarium Accessories).
5. Private Labeling: many smaller retailers are joining big box stores in introducing their own lines of value-priced store brand foods and accessories.
6. Mergers and Acquisitions: more companies are interested in taking advantage of the boom in the pet industry.
Read more on pet statistics and spending: American Pet Ownership Statistics