Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, American animal parents have spent more money than ever on their dogs, cats and other critters, exceeding over $100 billion in sales for the first time in industry history.

Dogs, cats and other animals continue providing solace to their humans during the COVID-19 pandemic – and they’re being rewarded with gifts! In fact, the amount of money Americans are spending on pet supplies, food, treats, vet care, and products has increased significantly since the start of 2020, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Last week, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced that the pet industry has reached over $100 billion in annual sales, the highest level in industry history.

“We have reached a critical milestone, generating $103.6 billion in sales,” said Steve King, President and CEO of APPA. “This past year presented a host of challenges that resulted in consumers across the country turning to their pets for comfort and companionship. Interestingly, the product trends we are seeing in the pet care community mirror those of consumers – a desire for a healthier lifestyle, increased focus on fitness, turning to supplements for improved well-being, and technology playing a larger role in everyday life.”

Other trends from this year’s APPA report:

• $22.1 billion was spent on supplies, live animals, and OTC meds, a 15.1% increase from 2019.
• $42 billion was spent on pet food and treats, a 9.7% increase.
• $31.4 billion was spent on vet care and product sales, a 7.2% increase.
• While $8.1 billion was spent on other services such as grooming, dog walking and boarding, this represented a 21.4% decline from the previous year. As quarantines are lifted and consumers venture out, the use of these services is expected to rise.
• Total retail sales increased by 6.7% from 2019 to 2020.
• 47% of animal parents increased the number of times they purchased online.
• Pet specialty and independent retailers experienced solid growth.
• 30% of animal parents spent more on their animals in the past year, with only 10% saying they spent less.

For more information about APPA and its annual State of the Industry Report, visit americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp.