The American Pet Products Association (APPA) Releases Annual Industry-Wide Spending Figures
Despite missing China-based exhibitors and lighter than usual foot traffic due to travel bans from the COVID-19 outbreak and buzz about future supplies, optimism remained high at the Global Pet Expo 2020 and with good reason. Steve King, CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), announced February 27 that U.S. sales of pet products and services are nearing $100 billion for the first time, as 2019 spending reached $95.7 billion. Global Pet Expo is the largest annual pet products trade show presented by APPA and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). APPA’s pet industry expenditures encompass spending in four major categories: Pet Food & Treats; Supplies, Live Animals & OTC (over the counter) Medicine; Vet Care & Product Sales; and Other Services.
The overall sales figures are higher than those in previously reported industry expenditures, which is a result of APPA’s efforts to refine and improve its research methodology. In some cases, categories have been revised to include services or products that were previously excluded as reliable data was difficult to obtain. Current figures are based on a review analysis of the most recent data from the top three research firms studying the pet industry–Nielsen, Euromonitor and Packaged Facts–combined with insight from industry experts and leading pet retailers, confirming underlying data.
Pet Industry Spending Breakdown:
| Category | 2019 Actual
($ Billion) |
2018 Actual Restated*
($ Billion) |
2018 Actual
($ Billion |
% Change | 2020 Forecast
($ Billion) |
2020 Forecast % Change(2020 vs 2019) |
| Pet Food & Treats | 36.9 | 34.5 | 30.3 | 7.0% | 38.4 | 4.0% |
| Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine | 19.2 | 18.6 | 16.0 | 3.2% | 19.8 | 3.0% |
| Vet Care & Product Sales | 29.3 | 27.7 | 18.1 | 5.8% | 30.2 | 3.0% |
| Other Services | 10.3 | 9.7 | 6.1 | 6.0% | 10.7 | 4.0% |
| Total | 95.7 | 90.5 | 70.6 | 5.7% | 99.0 | 3.5% |
*2018 figures have been restated using APPA’s new research methodology.
Pet Food & Treats is by far the largest spending category, with 2019 sales of $36.9 billion. Dog and cat food are the dominant category components, with the growing popularity of pet food mixers and toppers contributing to increased sales. The increase in subscription pet food delivery programs also added to the success of this category. The Pet Food & Treats category is also expected to see another four percent increase in sales in 2020.
“Consumers are more educated than ever about the ingredients that go into their pets’ food, which means they’re willing to pay more for quality products,” said King. “As the demand for natural, minimally-processed ingredients continues, we expect to see steady growth in this category.”
Vet Care & Product Sales came in at $29.3 billion, a significant jump from previously reported spending figures. In addition to routine veterinary care, surgical procedures and sales of pharmaceuticals and other products through veterinary clinics are now included. With clinics appearing in major retailers’ stores and veterinary telemedicine platforms on the rise, veterinary services are becoming more accessible.
“Scientific research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) shows that when you invest in your pets’ health, you’re investing in your own health,” said King. “Improved physical health and reduced feelings of loneliness and social isolation are just a few of the health benefits you’re likely to experience by owning a pet.”
Following Vet Care & Product Sales, Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine sold at retail accounted for $19.2 billion in 2019.
“Those attending Global Pet Expo have seen an amazing array of innovative pet toys, beds, high tech and enrichment products and habitats,” said King. “There is no shortage of ingenuity in this category, which should inspire continued and increased spending.”
New to APPA’s pet spending data, this category also includes estimated retail sales of fish, reptiles, small animals and birds, which had previously been broken out as a separate category. Live animal sales figures are difficult to come by and are a relatively small contributor to overall sales. Dog, cat and horse sales are purposely excluded as these animals are typically obtained outside of the retail pet channel.
The Other Services category contributed an impressive $10.3 billion to industry sales last year and received the second highest year-over-year growth (six percent), just behind Food & Treats. Services include boarding, grooming, insurance, training, pet sitting and walking and all services outside of veterinary care. In an effort to combat sales erosion from online retailers, brick and mortar stores are adding a wide variety of services that fall under this category, maximizing convenience for pet owners.
“Aside from echoing the current state of the pet industry, APPA’s latest industry figures remind us of just how much Americans love their pets,” said King. “By understanding consumer behavior, we’re not only fostering the success of the pet industry for generations to come, we’re notably improving the lives of pets and the humans who love and care for them.”