Tough times in the US - Pet spending only increase 5%

[WRBass]

With money tight, many spending less on pets!

http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/223563

"Standard and Poor's estimates that the pet industry will grow by at least 5 percent annually in the next five years. Spending has gone from $17 billion in 1994 to $43.4 billion this year."


Here is another story about the "economy trending downward":

http://www.toptechnews.com/news/GTA-...d=12300DYKH7I3

"The economy may be trending downward, but video-game software and hardware sales in the U.S. keep going up. Game sales are up 37 percent over the same time last year, according to the NPD Group, a leading market-research firm. Hardware sales are up 34 percent.

Projected as High as $23 Billion

On Thursday, NPD said video-game sales in May were about $1.1 billion, bringing total sales for this year so far to about $6.6 billion. NPD projected that 2008 games sales could go as high as $23 billion. In 2007, games sales were $18 billion, an increase of more than 40 percent over 2006. "

[jokn388]

Pets need food......I think. Pet food has been going up in price, as is all food. Makes sense to me

[Ericman197]

It depends how you want to look at it, because there's more to it than just anual spending. If people had fewer pets, that isn't a bad thing. I couldn't care less if pet stores had to close shop. That is, the pet stores that sell animals from breeding mills. I don't want to see reputable breeders losing business, but they tend to be more flexible. Many of the good breeders do it as a hobby or side job rather than a sole source of income, so I don't think we're going to lose any lineages here.

Now, if people are just spending less on the pets that they own... well, it could be good or bad. My dogs get the necessary appointments to the vet, and that's about it. Their food isn't anything special, they get toys, bones and treats from time to time but I don't think I spend that much on them.

[WRBass]

My point is that Americans over all still have plenty of disposable income. (I don't own a pet, so I see it as extra money. Maybe I'm wrong.) Spending is up 150% in 14 years! Yet, it's reported as bad news that spending will only increase 5% this year.

[txbasschik]

I think people are just spending less on the pet care *conveniences*. Bathing their dogs instead of taking them to a groomer. Buying the cheaper pet food. Giving their animals their shots and heartworm meds at home. You can take your animal to the vet for a checkup, find out what shots and meds the animal needs, and buy those shots and meds at the local feed store, or online. Saves *hundreds* of dollars!!!

Cherie