2025
9
US Pet Health Market Report 2025
2025-10-31T02:01:50+00:00
REP828D8FA8_3FAF_4867_A806_BFC96AE030B9
3695
188108
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Report
en_GB
The pet health market is undergoing a major transformation as consumers increasingly view pets as integral family members. This humanization trend is reshaping the industry, prompting consumers to invest significantly…
US
Pets
simple

US Pet Health Market Report 2025

"Pet owners are humanizing their companions, leading them to critically seek trusted validation for health decisions. Brands face a clear mandate: educate and empower consumers to directly influence purchasing outcomes."

David Hamlette, Research Analyst - Health and Wellbeing

David Hamlette, Research Analyst - Health and Wellbeing

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Market predictions
    • What consumers want and why
    • Opportunities
  2. MARKET DYNAMICS

    • Market context
    • Annual inflation held steady in July, but the full impact has yet to be captured
    • Graph 1: headline CPI and core CPI, 2021-25
    • Retail sales remain strong, but tariff-driven price hikes will test the spending resilience of consumers amid the incoming holiday season
    • Graph 2: retail sales, 2024-25
    • Consumer sentiment dipped as near-term inflation expectations worsen
    • Graph 3: Consumer sentiment index, 2022-23
    • Market drivers
    • Tariffs could impact vet bills in the long run
    • Rise in holistic health and wellness priorities extending to pets
    • Graph 4: current health goals, 2025
    • Graph 5: change in pet health priorities, 2024
    • As traditional family structures evolve, many find pets are taking on the role of children
    • Single consumers prioritizing pets’ health over their own
  3. CONSUMER INSIGHTS

    • Consumer fast facts
    • Pet ownership
    • Dogs still reign as man’s best friend, but so do cats
    • Graph 6: pet ownership, by gender, 2025
    • Temptation centers around “Cat Dads” to break pet stereotypes
    • Target the pet-as-child market for growth in younger and queer consumers
    • Graph 7: pet ownership, by age and LGBTQ+ identity, 2025
    • The rise of DINK-WADs
    • Location of pet purchased
    • Create bundles for consumers willing to take a trip to the shelter
    • Graph 8: pet purchase location, 2025
    • Partner with adoption centers to make an even greater impact
    • Build confidence in non-traditional pet retailers
    • Graph 9: Select pet purchase location – cat owners, by age and experience
    • Graph 10: select pet purchase location – dog owners, by age and experience
    • Build confidence in non-traditional pet retailers
    • Ailments of pet(s)
    • Focus on prevention by combining routine care with quick-relief solutions
    • Graph 11: pet ailments experienced, 2025
    • Allergy and immunity supplements ensure pets are healthy inside and out
    • Functional treats target digestive health
    • Pet skin health sees a BPC crossover with skin care for dogs
    • Highlight products that address both current health issues and future preventative care
    • Graph 12: pet ailments experienced, by age of dog, 2025
    • Focus joint health marketing on larger dog breeds
    • Cats range in ailments based on age, with weight management being an opportunity for those with kittens
    • Graph 13: pet ailments experienced, by age of cat, 2025
    • The growing trend of weight management tools expand into pet health, offering solutions beyond dieting
    • Frequency of pet visits
    • Consumers are recognizing the importance of vet visits, even if they might be costly
    • Appeal to younger pet owners by highlighting hassle-free vet visits
    • Graph 14: frequency of pet visits, by age, 2025
    • Expand access to pet care: telehealth for rural communities
    • White space opportunity: middle-income consumers willing to spend more to save more in the long run
    • Urgency of vet visit when sick
    • Highlight symptom relief as large dog owners are more comfortable waiting…
    • Graph 15: select urgency of vet visit when sick, by size of dog, 2025
    • …while the same is true with more experienced pet owners
    • Graph 16: select urgency of vet visit when sick, by experience, 2025
    • VEG ER reassures younger pet owners that the vet isn’t a scary place
    • Pet health products usage and interest
    • Look into NPD for innovative health products as usage is low, but interest is growing
    • Graph 17: usage and interest in pet health products, 2025
    • Experienced pet owners are not using products, but showing the most interest
    • Graph 18: interest in pet health products, by experience, 2025
    • Find ways to push lower-income pet parents from interest to usage
    • Graph 19: usage and interest in pet health products, by age and income, 2025
    • Format preferences
    • Soft chews, functional treats and liquid drops are leading formats
    • Graph 20: preferred formats for pet health products, 2025
    • Offer flexible product lines for multi-pet households
    • Graph 21: preferred formats for pet health products, by pet ownership, 2025
    • Aid younger dog owners figure out what works best for their pets
    • Graph 22: preferred formats for pet health products, by age, 2025
    • From lickables to functional drinks, formats are no longer confined to merely swallowable solutions
    • Purchase influencers
    • Tap into key purchase drivers: focus on older pets and larger breeds
    • Graph 23: purchase influencers for pet health, by dog and cat age and size, 2025
    • Target younger pet owners by emphasizing the sustainable, local and organic sourcing of pet products
    • Graph 24: select purchase influencers for pet health, by age, 2025
    • Highlight vet-recommended and ease of administration for those willing to invest more
    • Graph 25: select purchase influencers for pet health, by income, 2025
    • Barriers to pet care
    • High vet bills serve as a barrier across all incomes
    • Graph 26: select barrier to pet health – high cost of vet bills, by income, 2025
    • Consumers need help deciding what is best for their fur babies…
    • …especially newer male pet owners, to overcome the emotional stress of responsibility
    • Graph 27: select barriers to pet health, by age and gender, 2025
    • Hill’s motivates consumers that you are still human even when not taking care of one
    • Innovation in pet health products
    • Boost retention: bundle tech, subscriptions and personalized pet nutrition
    • Graph 28: select innovations in pet health products, 2025
    • Prioritize affordable, healthy meal options over supplements for lower-income consumers
    • Graph 29: select innovations in pet health products – fresh/refrigerated pet meals, by financial status, 2025
    • The Farmer’s Dog pairs refrigerated meals with hyper-personalization
    • Attitudes and behaviors in pet health
    • Pet owners are prioritizing their pets’ holistic health and taking steps to ensure they thrive
    • Graph 30: attitudes and behaviors around pet health, 2025
    • Empower new pet parents with tech for confident health choices
    • Graph 31: select attitudes and behaviors around pet health- use technology to monitor my pet’s health, by age and experience, 2025
    • Helping alleviate lack of confidence in newer pet owners
    • LG shows how tech can benefit the pet and the home
    • Leverage calming supplements for those pets with separation anxiety
    • Graph 32: select attitudes and behaviors around pet health – my pet’s mental health is important to me, by work-from-home status, 2025
    • Brands promote calmness as a priority to overall wellbeing
  4. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research questions (cont)
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Generations
    • Pet ownership
    • Graph 33: pet ownership, 2025
    • Future pet ownership
    • Graph 34: pet ownership, 2025
    • Number of dogs owned
    • Graph 35: current number of dogs owned, 2025
    • Number of cats owned
    • Graph 36: current number of cats owned, 2025
    • Current and future pet ownership
    • Graph 37: current and future pet ownership, 2025
    • Amount of time dog has been in the family
    • Graph 38: amount of time dog has been in family, 2025
    • Size of dog breed
    • Graph 39: size of dog breed, 2025
    • Age of dog
    • Graph 40: current age of dog, 2025
    • Age of cat
    • Graph 41: current age of cat, 2025
    • Urgency of vet visit when sick
    • Graph 42: urgency of vet visit when sick, 2025
    • Birth rates

US Pet Health Market – Trends and Insights

  • The pet health market is undergoing a major transformation as consumers increasingly view pets as integral family members.
  • The humanization trend is reshaping the industry, prompting consumers to invest significantly in their pets’ wellbeing. Remarkably, 36% of consumers identify high veterinary costs as a primary barrier to adequately managing their pet’s health, creating a clear demand for affordable OTC solutions.
  • Despite the persistent barrier of high veterinary costs, savvy consumers are actively seeking cost-effective alternatives. Brands must seize this opportunity by delivering innovative products that effectively address pet health needs while maintaining affordability.
  • The industry’s future will be decisively shaped by evolving pet ownership demographics and the growing integration of technology in the health management of their pets.
  • Brands must focus on developing solutions that resonate with these shifting consumer preferences and position themselves as leaders in this burgeoning market.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Insights into pet health product usage and consumer interest
  • Analysis of barriers to pet care, including high vet costs
  • Trends in pet ownership and demographics
  • The humanization of pets and its market impact
  • The role of technology in pet health management
  • Innovations in pet health products
  • Purchase influencers for pet health products

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