American Pet Products Association Releases Newest Edition of National Pet Owners Survey

Biennial research reveals trends on pet ownership, spending, shopping habits, pet acquisition and more

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) today announced the release of its biennial National Pet Owners Survey. The 2021-2022 Survey reports pet ownership has increased from an estimated 67% of U.S. households that own a pet to an estimated 70%. Millennials were also revealed to be the largest cohort of pet owners at 32%, followed closely by Boomers at 27% and Gen X at 24%.

The premier resource for members of the pet care community, this year’s Survey was expanded to include new content and additional insights on topics like online purchasing behavior, preferred method of purchasing, pet product development and coronavirus-specific questions to understand how pet acquisition was impacted by the pandemic. In addition, the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey contains a lifestyle and media study, which examines what motivates pet ownership and relationships with pets, along with habits such as internet usage, travel, work and other demographic criteria.

“For more than 30 years, APPA has been collecting and reporting consumer insight data through our National Pet Owners Survey, and each year we aim to enhance this industry resource,” says APPA President & CEO Steve King. “The newest edition of The Survey is the most comprehensive yet and we look forward to arming our members and the broader pet care community with the information needed to make strategic, informed business decisions that will help advance our already burgeoning industry.”

Key findings from the 2021-2022 study include:

• Pet spending increased during the past year, with 35% of pet owners stating they spent more on their pet/pet supplies – including food, wellness-related products and other pet care items – in the last 12 months than in the preceding year.
• Fourteen percent of total respondents (pet owners and non-pet owners) obtained a new pet during the pandemic. Additionally, at least one in four new pet owners shared their recent pet acquisition – including saltwater fish (60%), dogs (47%), birds (46%), small animals (46%), cats (40%), freshwater fish (34%), reptiles (27%) and horses (27%) – was influenced by the pandemic.
• Pet owners shopping online increased by almost 20%, from 72% in the prior year to 86% of responses in this year’s study. Before the pandemic, 60% of pet owners usually purchased pet products in person at brick-and-mortar stores. During the pandemic, in-person shopping dropped to 41%, aligning more closely with the 46% of pet owners who prefer to purchase online with purchases shipped to their home.
• Fifty-one percent of pet owners are willing to pay more for ethically sourced pet products and eco-friendly pet products.
• Pet insurance purchases amongst both dog and cat owners have also increased, nearly doubling amongst cat owners in particular.

Since 1988, APPA has collected and published the pet industry’s most comprehensive consumer research study about pet ownership, pet care practices, and preferences in the consumption of product and services by America’s pet owners. Published every other year, it is used by all sectors of the pet products industry and those looking to enter the market, including manufacturers and retailers, marketers, research and investment firms and media professionals alike to understand their consumers and define their business strategies.

Each APPA member receives an exclusive, complimentary copy of The Survey, with additional copies available at a discounted rate. The 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey is available for purchase by non-members, providing access to data surrounding key conversations in the pet care community. APPA also offers their interactive Data Portal that allows quick, customized access to data utilizing a crosstab tool. The tool allows users to build their own reports using National Pet Owners Survey data.

For more information, visit AmericanPetProducts.org/Survey.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Jun 29 2021. Filed under The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.