Holiday Spending on Family includes an Increasing Number of Purchases for Pets

With the pet industry continuing to spiral upwards it is no surprise that the Christmas season becomes a focal point for retail sales. Times have changed and for the better when it comes to our pets. Pets are no longer placed on restriction while the tree is covered with ornaments and presents are scattered underneath; instead families may find that a considerable amount of space has been taken up by gifts for their animal companions.

Pets, especially dogs and cats, have become a key member of today’s family, a shift that has been credited to the growing number of empty nesters, dual-income couples that are without children and a larger percentage of singles, all creating an increase in disposable income.

According to a recent survey taken by Harris Interactive®, 88% of pet owners state that their pet is a member of their family, with dog owners coming in a bit higher than cat owners on this admission. This is an important number especially when you consider that almost two-thirds of all families own a pet. The survey also revealed that over two-thirds (69%) of pet owners let their pets sleep in the bed with them, further evidence of the humanization factor.

The growing rate of inclusion of pets in today’s family has been undoubtedly fueling the demand for pet care, services and products for their four legged friends. In fact total spending for 2007 has been estimated at over $40 billion in the United States by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), up more than $2 billion from the previous year; in Canada, pet spending is over $4 billion.

Contributing to the rise in overall spending is that pet owners are buying a higher quality of pet food, they are more concerned with the overall well-being of their family member and are therefore spending more on healthcare, and with increased disposable incomes combined with the sense of family, owners are also spending billions on pet clothing.

The trend towards dressing one’s dog is not necessarily a new phenomenon, but the intensity of this shift is definitely growing. Owner’s are now able to combine the practical with the fashionable as they build a wardrobe filled with stylish coats, hoodies, dresses, t-shirts, shoes and jewelry. Some are going as far as adding wigs to this ensemble. Prices for such items can range from the reasonable to the affluent and many degrees in-between.

The pet fashion industry has taken off evidenced by the growing number of pet fashion shows such as Pet Fashion Week in New York and events such as Woofstock held in Toronto, Ontario that generate considerable buzz and often reveal the new trends for the upcoming year. Many of the popular styles are mirrors of ‘hot’ human fashions and provide selections for all occasions such as casual park visits, birthday parties, formal dining and even weddings.

Dogs no longer have to depend on mere shells to keep the rain off or the cold out, they can opt to go with a camouflage hoodie, a faux leather bomber jacket, or a winter parka among others. For those hot summer days perhaps a sundress is in order or a lightweight t-shirt to show their personality. Whatever the occasion there is an outfit that is a perfect match for owner and dog alike.

This Christmas retail sales are expected to get a serious boost from this trend with spending estimated to reach over $3 billion in the U.S. alone. It is no longer just about buying a Santa Coat or reindeer antlers for their animals, but about treating and spoiling their pets as they would their own children. If you ask most owners how their pets feel about all of this attention, most of them will tell you that they love it and why wouldn’t they? They get to be in the spotlight, they get to be pampered and they are accepted as a full member of the family, giving a whole new meaning to the term ‘it’s a dog’s life’.

About K9 Kloud9:
Love Your Dog at www.K9Kloud9.com! K9 Kloud9 is Canadian online dog fashion retailer with a stylish selection of dog coats, shirts, dresses, jewelry, harnesses, collars, leashes, carriers and various dog accessories from around the world. Shop in English and en Español for teacup, toy, mid and large breed sizes and styles. You will also find valuable information through our dog stories, articles, forum, blog and extensive global directories listing dog breeders, rescues, pet-friendly destinations and dog insurance providers and even dog names. Or browse our online dog classifieds for puppies, products, services, events, adoptions, jobs and more.

By Ann-Marie Fleming, K9Kloud9.com

December 2007

For Comments or Questions: afleming@k9kloud9.com

©Copyright K9 Kloud9 Creations 2007

oz

Note to Publishers: If you use our articles dont forget to place a live source link to Article Avenue (Article Source) at the bottom of each articles. Thank You!

free articles and free downloads courtesy of Article Avenue

Related Links
· More about Pets
· Articles by K9Kloud9

Most read article about Pets:
Dog Worms — Don’t Let Them Get Started

Article Rating
Average Score: 4.5
Votes: 2

Please take a second and vote for this article:

Options

Printer Friendly

Send to a Friend

News ©

Rocks! or Sucks!
Donald Trump

Rocks!

Sucks!

Results Polls

Votes 132

Search Free Articles
Search Type:

Advanced Search

Free Articles Archive
Monday, December 31

Turn Your Competitors Into Collaborators

The Bedlounge Classic

The Gamble Pays Off: Online Poker

Traffic Generation and Affordable SEO Services

How To Make A Tight Rap Beats Demo On An Even Tighter Budget

Are The Days of Speculating In The Dubai Property Market Really Over?

Tips on Buying Toys As Gifts

Why Does My Beagle Dog Do That?

7 Proven Strategies For E-book Promotion

5 Effective Hair Loss Solutions
Sunday, December 30

Tips on Beating Stress

Tips on Beating Stress

Performance Exhausts Cure Those Hump Day Blues

Living The Law of Attraction in A Negative World

Pomeranian: Descendant Of The Spitz

The Advantages of Pet Crate Training

Commercial Real Estate in Cancun

Shopping at Morocco

Rajasthan Tour and Travel Information

One-Hour Payday Loans: Source of Quick Cash

Anavar – Oxandrolone Part 1

Step-by-Step Guide to Medical Tourism

THC (TetraHydroCannibinol) Drug Testing

A Shih Tzu Dog: All You Need To Know

Standards Of The German Shepherd Breed

Best Car Lease Deal: 2008 Chevy Malibu

Teen Driver Education

Malaysia Hotels Offer Excellent Lodging Experience

Liquefy Your Debt Burden

Exercise For Weight Loss And NLP For Motivation And You’ve Got It Made

Ways To Set Up A Recording Studio At Home

Recording With Compression 101

Students Loan Online: Easing The Way To Studies

Directory Submission Service

They Call It Mellow Yellow: Atomic Starts Drilling For Uranium in Colorado

How To Blog From Your Own Website
Saturday, December 29

Mother Nature’s Total Immune Boosting Breakthroughs

Fashion Trends in 2008: The 50’s is Back!

Controversy About Lyme

Ipod Accessories, Mobile Phone Accessories

Benefits of Sea Kayaking Apparel

Business Plans are For Small and Home Businesses Too

Pennant Energy Goes For The Checkered Flag in Alberta’s Kaybob Oilfield

Choose Search Engine Optimization Company

Christmas Loans – Designed To Suit The Purpose

Messi Affirms He Still Has A Lot to Learn About Football

3 Benefits of Colon Cleansing
Friday, December 28

If You Believe You Will Become Wealthy, You Will Become Wealthy

Color Postcard Printing: Increasing Sales and Online Traffic

5 Basic Rules To Fight Acne

Christmas Greetings

The IRS Has A Holiday Gift For You. Really, They Do!!

Markets and Clients: Maintaining A Healthy Relationship

Easy Forms of Exercise

Clustering Environments

Watch Your Weight While Enjoying the Holiday Season

Don’t Underestimate The Power Of A Mace Pepper Gun

The Advantages of Steel Homes

Making Money Using Forums

How To Create A Blog
Tuesday, December 25

Bodybuilding Can Help You Look and Feel Young Again

Christmas Loans – A Way To Celebrate

Internet Marketing Costa Rica

How To Make Your Computer Run Faster
Saturday, December 22

Are You A Superstar?

Why Our Gifts Mean So Much More!

Acne and Food Consumed

Quilting With Memorabilia

Dental Hygiene For Combating Halitosis

How To Prevent and Treat A Hoof Crack

Simple But Effective Tips For List Building

Competing and Winning Against The Goliaths
Friday, December 21

Creating Un-Spoiled Children

The Chihuahua’s Specific Standards

Play United Casino

Ringtones And Videotones

Heavy Spa Covers Waste Energy

The Power of Affirmations and the Law of Attraction

Scrapbooking Organizer Solutions You May Already Own

Starting Your Child’s Scrapbook – Making Memories Last

Unemployed Personal Loans: Do Not Kill Your Desires If You Are Unemployed

Security At The Cheapest Price

Various Figures About Certain Critical Illness Conditions

Careers in Security

Payday Cash Advance Loans

Experiencing Yeast Infection Problems?

What To Look For in A Fitness Home Trainer

Yoga Health News

Fine Information About Steel Frame Homes

Top Audio Surveillance Equipment Uses

Performance Tires

French Wine Can Cost Over 1000 Per Bottle

Orange County Foreclosure Search

Search Engine Marketing: For Those Who Deserve The Best in Online Services

Website Design with Slideshows and Professional Banners

Personal loans – For Those Struggling With Finance

Instant Loans Decision: Money At Your Disposal

Invest in Viatical & Life settlement

A&C Transport – Car Hire Service

Web Marketing in Costa Rica

Avail Substantial Money with Secured Loans for Bad Credit

Universal Power Corp. Sees Analogies in Key Uranium Regions

Take Loans That Match Your Individual Circumstances

Best Fixed-Odds Financial Provider

Sap Investment Maximizes Opportunity

Personal Loans Now Quick And Speedy

How You Can Benefit From Website Designers

Golf Malaga: Tips For Your Golf Holidays in Malaga

7 Basics of Marketing

Building An Opt-in Email List The Right Way

All About Mensa
Thursday, December 20

3500 Calories To Lose A Pound – Is This Formula All Wrong?

First Date Conversation Topics When Meeting and Dating Women

The River Seine In Paris France

All Needs Have Means

EcuaGold Looks to Future Success with Positive Sampling Results

Bear Spray – The Only Way To Protect Yourself In The Event Of Attack

Purify Water

Search Engine Optimization Firm

Feel The Warmth of Fun

German Shepherds In History
Wednesday, December 19

Jelqing Is A Great Workout For Your P**is

Levitra Works With High Blood Pressure And Cholesterol Medications

Life of Sir Donald Bradman
Tuesday, December 18

How You Can Choose Safe Toys This Holiday Season

Drug Abuse Symptoms in Different Areas

Rich Media is Getting Popular!

Professional Obituary Writing

Security Classification Primer

Auto Loans Online: For Convenience in Transportation

Search Engine Marketing Services

Partial Interest Valuation

Website Expansion – Plan and Flourish

Golden Reign Explores Russia’s Wild, Wild Far East

Enjoying Christmas As A Family – Dogs and Cats Welcome

Understanding, Managing and Reducing The Stress in Your Life

Online Dating Guide for Singles

Weight Loss and You

Sony Ericsson – Distinctly Marked Its Presence

Enhancing Ranking Eligibility on Foreign Search Engines in English

Older Articles

All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their submitter, all the rest © 2005 Article Avenue. Inc. You can syndicate our news using the file or ultramode.txt