According to statistics released February 25, 2021 by MarketWatch (compiled from data distributed by Comtex News Netword), the U.S. pet industry elevated its sales in 2020 to $99 billion from $95 billion in 2019 - and way up from 2018 when sales totaled $72 billion. This is no surprise for those of us in the pet health and pet product business. For close to two decades, the pet industry has consistently shown extraordinary growth, no matter how other sectors of the economy were faring. Recession proof has been a common descriptor for the market.

But lately the feline sector of the trade has been drawing attention. The cat industry is booming, said Michael Schrekenhofer, operations manager of Leather Brothers Feline Products, in a recent interview with Pet Product News. "And it will continue to grow even more so in the years to come." He added that cats are "quickly becoming a prioritized staple in the pet industry as a whole." That's because, among other attributes, they are small, independent by nature and can keep themselves groomed. 

Worldwide adoption rates of cats are increasing, especially among younger populations, reported PRNewswire last month, citing data from ResearchAndMarkets.com's Cat Food Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026.

Dealers Beware

"The worst thing dealers and pet product retailers can do now is hide the cat aisle in the back of the store," says Lindsy Argenti, marketing director for Coastal Pet Products. "The feline market footprint is not going to surpass that of dogs." But stores and dealerships should not be making it difficult for cat owners to find feline products. She suggests merchandising feline merchandise such as collars and harnesses near toys, food and health care products to create a one-stop cat spot for consumers that can lift sales of less common purchases. 

For the latest information on feline health - in particular regarding cat vaccines - watch for the latest edition of Durvet's ProfitBuilder, Spring 2021. 

Source: MarketWatch, February 25, 2021; Comtex News Network; PRNewwire, Cat Food Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026.