The multi-billion-dollar global pet care industry continues to grow, bringing about changes in consumer behavior. As pet owners’ needs and priorities for their furry family members evolve, new trends emerge, offering valuable insight into where this industry is heading and identifying areas with potential for significant growth.

A common thread among pet owners that becomes more apparent each year is the humanization of pets. In the U.S., 97% of pet owners say that their pets are part of their family, with 51% reporting their pet is just as much a family member as a human counterpart.

This growing connection between pets and their owners is a key driver of the evolving trends in pet care. Heading into 2025, we can expect to see this and an extension of 2024’s trends in pet owner spending. As consumer shopping habits evolve, such as a greater focus on convenience and sustainability, these changes can also impact the pet industry. Keep reading to find out what to watch for in pet care in 2025.

PET TRAVEL

A RISE IN TRAVEL

Travel rates have fluctuated over the past several years, especially due to the pandemic. However, traveling is expected to fully recover by the end of 2024, and 66% of travelers report that they are now even more interested in traveling than they were before the pandemic. Younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z, contribute to this growth by prioritizing travel; a 2025 travel forecast suggests that these generations are willing to make sacrifices to travel more.

As Millennials continue to represent the largest share of pet owners in the U.S., we can expect to see this generation not only travel more but travel with their pets in 2025, as recent findings indicate 38% of those between 18-34 years old report they often travel with pets. Since traveling with pets isn’t always possible, expect to see growth in the dog boarding sector.

SAFE PET TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

A 2024 American Pet Products Association insight report found that 55% of dog owners alter their travel plans to accommodate their pets, with 88% reporting traveling with their pets by car and 68% by plane. These modes of transportation and the willingness to accommodate pets help demonstrate the need for products that can help keep pets safe during travel.

From pet car seats and travel leashes/harnesses to travel bags and more, the pet travel accessories market is on the rise. It was estimated to be worth approximately $6.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $10.7 billion in 2032. This growth helps illustrate the need for these types of products, especially in the years to come.

Responsible pet owners want the best for their pets, and ensuring their safety is a given. As travel rates rise and the pet travel accessories market grows, we will continue to see an increase in pet travel accessories. For example, pet car seats make up a billion-dollar market with ongoing growth, helping to illustrate the need pet owners have to transport their pets safely.

At Dogtopia, we recognize how important safe travel is and why it continues to be a priority as travel rates increase. That’s why we teamed up with Sleepypod on several travel products, such as a carrier and harness, that have been crash-tested and meet U.S., Canadian, and E.U. child safety seat standards.

DOG FITNESS

THE PET FITNESS CARE MARKET

Pet wellness has become a significant priority for many pet owners and is closely tied to the growing “humanization of pets” trend across the pet industry. 69% of pet owners admit to taking better care of their pets than themselves, and 71% prioritize their pets’ needs over their own. This also extends into pet expenditure, as 83% of pet owners report there’s realistically no limit on what they would spend to ensure their pets are happy and healthy.

Under the wellness umbrella is pet fitness, which is a growing market. Valued at $5.98 billion in 2024, this market is projected to experience year-over-year growth and is expected to reach $8.91 billion in 2029. With an increase in pet owners’ awareness about maintaining their pets’ healthy lifestyles and the health concerns related to pet obesity, more attention has been directed towards fitness solutions.

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PET WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for dogs and humans alike, and many pet parents understand the importance of this for their pet’s happiness and longevity. However, in the U.S., 59% of dogs are overweight or obese, yet only 17% of dog owners recognize it.

Despite this, around 58% of pet owners have tried to help their pets lose weight (63% of dog owners), which helps demonstrate that there is an interest in maintaining pet health. With this in mind, we can look to the growing dog daycare and lodging market, which is projected to increase by $10.18 billion between 2023 and 2027. By 2025, we are likely to continue to see more pet owners turn to daycares that position wellness at the forefront, especially for those seeking solutions for their pet’s weight.

At Dogtopia, for example, we implement several in-store events that engage dogs both physically and mentally. As a daycare facility with a wellness-based focus, our agility activities keep pups active to help maintain their overall health as they rack up to 60k steps in a day (compared to 4k steps dogs had home typically take). Meanwhile, our brain games and training sessions keep dogs mentally stimulated to strengthen their problem-solving skills and communication skills.

PET FITNESS MONITORING

Wearable devices that monitor fitness levels are a technology that’s picking up steam within this pet fitness care market, especially in North America, as many pet owners are interested in the data about their furry family member’s health. Similar to the rising trend of activity monitors among humans, this shift toward monitoring pet health and maintaining their wellness is unsurprising, especially since 84% of dog owners consider their pup their child.

The global pet wearable market was valued at an estimated 2.70 billion in 2023 but is projected to have a compound annual growth rate of 14.3% between 2024 and 2030, helping demonstrate growing consumer needs and interest in this area.

Recognizing how impactful this health information can be for pet parents, Dogtopia has introduced DASH into our playrooms, a wellness activity monitor powered by PitPat. DASH provides data including a dog’s daily distance traveled and monitors the amount of time spent resting versus actively playing. This valuable data can help pet owners optimize their dog’s day and act on insights for enhanced wellness.

PET FOOD & TOY SUBSCRIPTIONS

CONSUMER CONVENIENCE

Various consumer preferences and expectations help shape the retail sector, with factors like convenience surging in popularity. 77% of consumers in the U.S. say convenience is a key factor in their purchasing decisions, while consumers, on average, are willing to pay up to 5% more for convenience, with many choosing one product/service over another if considered more convenient.

PET-RELATED SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscription-based business models can make consumer shopping much more convenient, which is what today’s customers seek. In the pet industry, subscriptions range from food to toys to various accessories, making purchasing these items a breeze, often replacing in-store shopping for many pet owners as a result.

The global dog subscription box market has been increasing steadily for several years, with no slowing down in sight between 2024 and 2031, which is why we can anticipate this purchasing trend in 2025.

Customization is a significant aspect of why subscription boxes have become so popular. Pets have their own dietary restrictions and overall preferences, and purchasing these important pet products is becoming easier with subscription boxes and recurring orders.

Subscription-based models can also extend to pet services, which is why Dogtopia has introduced wellness plans and memberships for dog daycare. Our weekly and monthly plans give your pup the playtime, exercise, structure and education they need on a regular basis, and build routines that allow dogs to thrive.

ECO-FRIENDLY PET PRODUCTS

SUSTAINABILITY DEMANDS

The push for environmental sustainability is a growing concern, especially for Millennials and Gen Z. 81% of those in these generations think that businesses should take more action to assist consumers in making sustainable purchasing decisions. Additionally, consumers, in general, are willing to pay 9.7% more for products or services that are sustainably produced or sourced, which includes waste reduction, environmentally-friendly packaging, and other sustainable practices.

SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY DOG FOOD

As the desire for sustainability increases, the dog food market continues to lean in. Ethical and environmental claims on pet food have been particularly noticeable since 2019 and continue to grow, reflecting a shift towards more conscious purchasing habits.

The desire for eco-friendly products remains strong. 61% of U.S. consumers who purchase pet food want brands to limit their environmental impact, and many seek upcycled ingredients and sustainable packaging. Meanwhile, 20% of consumers say they “definitely would” pay a premium on sustainable pet food products, and 34% said they “probably would.” This insight helps reflect where the future of dog food lies and the prioritization of sustainability within this market.

INVEST IN THE PET INDUSTRY WITH DOGTOPIA

Dogtopia sets the industry standard for advanced dog daycare and meets pet parents’ growing desire for safe and quality care services for their furry family members. We prioritize doggie wellbeing through physical and mental activities during daycare, luxury spa treatments, and secure overnight boarding, and are leading the industry on the technology front with our activity monitors and live webcams.

If you are interested in entering the successful pet industry, see why investing in Dogtopia can be right for you.