Looking for Opportunities in the Challenging Durable Pet Products Market

ROCKVILLE MD, April 4, 2024 – As reported in Packaged Facts just-released Durable Dog and Cat Pet Care Products in the US, 5th Edition, the durable pet products market has experienced challenges in the past two years that have forced sales to moderate significantly since the height of the pandemic. Inflationary conditions across consumer markets have forced down spending on non-essentials, and a decline in the dog population has had a real impact in a market where nearly 70% of sales come from dog owners. That said, there are still a number of opportunities for marketers to make the best of the situation. Two of those covered in the report include focusing on value and strengthening cat product offerings.

• With so many pet owners tightening the purse strings, continued premiumization is no longer able to propel sales of durable products as in the past. Rather, affordable products that allow households that are economically challenged to participate more fully in the durables market will be advantageous to marketers, allowing them to appeal to a wider range of pet owners including the less affluent ones often left behind by higher priced fare.

• Even more so than in the pet food market, cats are an underserved demographic in the pet durables market; cats accounted for not even one-third of durable pet product sales in 2023. Aside from the litter category, cats have historically taken second place in the pet market, with food and supplies selections geared toward cats seldom as robust as those for dogs. With the decline in the dog population, it’s high time marketers take up a focus on cat products to appeal to this more stable pet population.

Be sure to check out Packaged Facts’ latest report, Durable Dog and Cat Pet Care Products in the US, 5th Edition, for more complete coverage of opportunities and trends in this $8.4 billion market. The report covers historical and projected growth trends from 2018-2028 in seven durable product categories: toys; collars, leashes, and harnesses; carriers, crates, and housing; beds; bowls, feeders, and waterers; apparel and fashion accessories; and litter boxes and accessories. Other coverage includes consumer purchase patterns and pet owner sentiment and attitudes from Packaged Facts’ proprietary Survey of Pet Owners.

Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, the food and beverage market, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, and pet products and services. Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased at our company website and are also available through MarketResearch.com.