by John Boguhn

Created on: November 01, 2009   Last Updated: November 06, 2009

America loves its pets - dogs and cats being the favorites. According to the American Pet Product Manufactures Association, 68 million dogs in the U.S have families. Forty million households have at least one dog; 24% care for two, and 13% have three or more. Cat lovers carry similar numbers with 34.7 million households having at least one. Of those, 51% have two or more. Birds come in a soft third, being in 3.4% of homes. A variety of small animals - guinea pigs, fish, reptiles, etc. - fill the gap. They are all pampered with great care and expense. The pet retail market generates nearly $43.4 billion annually. It's larger than the entire U.S. toy industry and growing at a record rate.

They're more than pets - they're family. Their importance is reflected in the attention directed at them. Dog owners visit the veterinarian 2 or 3 times a year, spending on average $200.00 - not including emergency visits. Cat owners make similar visits, spending around $125.00 every 12 months. In many cases, it is more than owners visit their own doctors. Owners pamper their pets without limits. It's more than just rhinestone-studded collars and cute doggie dishes these days. Today's market encompasses a much larger product line, offering everything from custom couture to designer vitamins. It offers more practical items as well, like under-the-skin locater chips and Micro I.D. collars with flash drives containing all their relevant information. But the real value for owners - and what the pets seem to care about more - are those things that make their life better and more comfortable. A soft bed, tasty treats and a friendly groomer is all they really want. Even with the trends toward personal care going extreme with things like pet oxygen spas and private airlines, keeping it simple is the key. Someone to walk them while you're working and a hotel that includes pets are the kind of services that count, because it's really about sharing your life and spending time with them. To be taken care of is the real reward.

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