We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Environment

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is the Pet Industry?

By Jacob Queen
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,111
Share

The term "pet industry" would include all the collected businesses around the world that make money by providing things for people’s pets. This could potentially include everything from pet healthcare to food and supplies. It is considered a fairly large industry and, overall, experts believe that people see it as an essential need, which may help the industry weather economic difficulties more easily than other areas of the economy.

One of the primary aspects of the pet industry is pet-oriented healthcare. This has several different facets, including veterinary services, research, and medications for pet illnesses. There are also many preventative products on the market designed to keep pets from developing problems along with herbal remedies and other health supplies.

Another key part of the pet industry is related to food. All pets generally need to be fed, and each type of pet may have very different food requirements. Products in the pet food industry are often targeted at specific animals, or even different products for animals at different points in their lives. For example, there is dog food that is primarily for elderly dogs, and dog food made for puppies. There are also foods made entirely of natural products with no additives for owners who worry more about their pet’s nutrition.

Pet supplies are another major part of the pet industry, and this could include products with many different potential uses, some of which are essential, while others may be viewed as luxuries. For example, there are products like cages and aquariums that are basically essential for keeping certain types of pets, and there are also products like dog beds that may not be essential, but are still generally very popular. A huge variety of pet products is already on the market and people invent new products constantly, sometimes providing people with pet-related items they never knew they would enjoy.

There are also lesser-known areas of the pet industry like service and emotional support animal products. Some companies essentially act as telehealth businesses that can connect you to vital resources for obtaining assistance animal documentation or training, for example, connecting you to a licensed mental health professional who can write you an ESA letter.

Many economic experts believe that the pet industry is one of the most stable industries around. Studies have shown that even during times of economic trouble, people still tend to consider their pets to be a high priority, and they still often spend significant money on their animals. Some pet-related products, such as various supplies, do not fare quite as well, but overall, the industry tends to hold up. This is thought to be partly because people see their animals as an extension of their families.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Logicfest — On Feb 27, 2014

Is the sale of pets part of the overall pet industry? That would seem to be the case at pet stores do get a substantial amount of revenue by selling pets to people (granted, they probably make more selling pet supplies, food, equipment and treats). If so, it would seem puppy mills -- a callous attempt to mass produce dogs so they can be sold for a profit -- make up the ugly side of that business.

By the way, anyone wanting a dog would do well to visit a local pound or adopt a mutt. There are a lot of dogs that need good homes and not all of them are purebred. Besides, mutts are extremely unique.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-pet-industry.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.