A new report from Packaged Facts, “Senior, Weight Management and Special Needs Pet Products in the U.S., 2nd Edition,” examines the market for products designed and marketed specifically for senior or overweight pets, which often overlap with products for special needs pets, including convalescing pets and those with limited mobility.

Coverage extends to products positioned on senior health and weight management in general, such as “healthy maturity” and “healthy weight” formulas, as well as products addressing specific medical conditions stemming from advancing age or overweight, as long as the product also has a prominent senior or weight management positioning. For purposes of brevity, senior and weight management products are at times referred to in this report as SWM products.

Three product classifications

Reflecting the top areas of marketer and consumer interest, the report segments SWM products into three classifications:

• Pet food and treats, including nutraceutical treats
• Supplies and devices: assistive devices and other non-food assistance products, including mobility devices (harnesses, wheelchairs, footwear, etc.), hygienic products, bedding, toys, clean-up products and watering and feeding devices
• Pet supplements