Vets as pet care influencers are on a more crowded stage

Specialty pet shops and the internet have gained in influence in recent years.

June 26, 2024

Veterinarians remain a reliable source of pet information in pet owners’ eyes, but other sources of information are gaining ground among millennials and Gen Z.

Veterinarians remain a reliable source of pet information in pet owners’ eyes, but other sources of information are gaining ground among millennials and Gen Z.

NickyLloyd | iStock.com

As reported in Packaged Facts’ “U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2024–2025,” industry players should pay ever-closer attention to where and how pet owners are receiving their pet care information. Especially worth noting — including from the pet product retailing point of view — are generational shifts in consumer behavior and psychographics that have led to some erosion of the primacy of veterinarians as sources of pet care and pet health information.

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Poll: How are pet food pros adapting to rising cat ownership?

The Women in Petfood Leadership group gathered during Petfood Forum 2025 in Kansas City this spring for a networking reception on the show floor.

From mentees to mentors: How three pet food veterans are paying it forward

Pet food shopper psychographics: A generational perspective

Everyone is concerned about rising prices, but how loyal are the various generations to current pet food trends?

Pet Owner Generations

US pet ownership update

Overall pet ownership has dipped slightly, especially where dogs are concerned, with cats finally gaining ground.

Cats have gained ground in the pet ownership arena during the last several years — even before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the landscape.

Lessons from pet owner psychographics

Both dog and cat owners seem to agree on where pets belong in their humans’ lives.

Pets are undeniably part of peoples’ families, but what does that translate to in terms of things like identity and long-term ownership?

‘All of the Above’ and pet product channel shopping trends

Omnichannel shopping continues to evolve as pet owners eschew the either/or concept and use whatever’s most convenient.

The continued expectation of convenience in purchasing has led to the strengthening of the omnimarket approach to pet food shopping.

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Data shows particular political leanings when it comes to who shops where for pet food.

Everyone agrees that their pets are the best — but when it comes to politics, there are some differences in shopping channel preferences.

Pet food price inflation and retail shopping shifts

Price changes have affected how — and where — pet owners conduct their pet food shopping.

Pet food shopping continues to shift as inflation pressures, omnichannel options and pet owner preferences evolve.

Generational notes on pet food

The younger generations are firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to pet food shopping trends.

Millennials are the current pet food purchasing powerhouse generation, but as more Gen Zers become adults, they’re throwing their preferences into the trends mix.

Cross-currents in pet food expectations

Pet owners provide clear preferences in surveys, but their actual purchases don’t always bear their thoughts out.

Pet owners treat their pets like family, and with that comes the same conflicts of desire vs. practicality in pet food purchasing that exist in human food purchasing.

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The top dog kibble companies continue to see growth in usage, as does the overall category.

Dog kibble brands continue to grow, alongside and perhaps in spite of novel ingredient and similar trends.

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E-commerce and brick & mortar continue to grapple for share in an omnichannel market containing more players than ever.

Pet food shopping has far more consumer options than ever before, leading to a different experience for each pet owner depending on their needs.

Sales performance, growth prospects in US pet food

The trends are shifting in terms of pet ownership and pet food sales influences.

Dogs and cats are vying for the top spot in pet owners’ hearts more than ever, shifting pet food sales trends to match.

Pet food marketers begin to cat(ch) up

The cat segment may finally be getting its due as investors and companies alike see the available opportunities.

Cat owners have long known their animals are worth it, and now the pet food industry may be catching up.

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