Looking at the pet industry as a whole,  Packaged Facts  predicts steady performance in 2009 and 2010, although the market growth rate will drop back slightly due to cutbacks in some categories, according to a  press release  by Packaged Facts on their newly released report, U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2009-2010: Surviving and Thriving in Challenging Economic Times .

In the report, Packaged Facts projects sales and analyzes growth drivers and opportunities for veterinary services, petfood, non-food pet supplies and other pet services (grooming, boarding, training, etc.).

"Packaged Facts views pet humanization as a dynamic, multifaceted shift that virtually guarantees steady pet market sales not just in 2009 and 2010, but well beyond," says Tatjana Meerman, publisher of Packaged Facts, in an  article  by  www.MarketWire.com . "In most cases … cutbacks would only seriously be considered after owners have reduced spending on their own less essential needs."