subject: Senior, Weight Management And Special Needs Pet Products In The U.s.-aarkstore Enterprise [print this page] Although senior, weight management and special needs (SWM) products for pets have been around for many years, they have yet to achieve a level of market penetration commensurate with the proportion of senior and overweight pets, and in the current market climate these segments appear to be ripe for significantly greater development. Along with the intense health and "premiumization" focuses in the pet market overall, key market drivers include the growing numbers of "qualified" pets. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the percentage of the U.S. dog population age 6 or more increased from 42% in 1996 to 44% in 2006, while the percentage of cats age 6 or more rose from 37% to 44%. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that 44% of dogs and 57% of cats were overweight or obese as of 2008, up 1 and 4 percentage points, respectively, since 2007, with older animals displaying a much higher incidence of obesity/overweight.
Considering the market as a whole, Packaged Facts estimates U.S. retail sales at $4.3 billion in 2008, with sales projected to climb to 2013, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of over 9%. Building on expert analysis developed across Packaged Facts' extensive pet market research collection, this all-new report examines every area of the market, segmenting it into four categories: (1) pet food, including nutraceutical treats; (2) prescription pet medications; (3) devices and other non-food assistance products, including mobility devices (harnesses, wheelchairs, footwear, etc.), hygienic products, bedding, toys, and watering and feeding devices; and (4) pet supplements. For each of these categories, the report examines key competitive trends, leading marketers, and the product trends shaping the market now and into the future.
