Smart Pets Home Insights: U.S. Dog and Cat Trends

The U.S. pet market is evolving rapidly, from care routines and food preferences to smart living solutions. In this blog, we explore the latest trends from the 2024 report, highlighting shifts in pet ownership behaviors, dietary choices, and innovative smart home technology. Discover how Smart Pets Home is transforming pet care with cutting-edge solutions for dogs and cats.

1. Increasing Number of Pet Households: The Rise of Multi-Dog Families

Growth in Pet Households:

Since 2010, the number of pet-owning households in the U.S. has steadily increased, with a sharp rise in pet ownership during the pandemic. However, as economic conditions have shifted and population dynamics change, pet ownership has slowed since 2020. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), the total number of pet-owning households in 2024 is expected to reach 82 million, up from 73 million in 2010, but with a more gradual growth rate.

Trends in Dog and Cat Households:

While dog ownership has consistently outpaced cat ownership, the number of cat-owning households is on the rise. The specific trends are as follows:

• Dog-owning households: 39% in 2010, expected to rise to 44% by 2024.
• Cat-owning households: 33% in 2010, expected to drop to 30% by 2024. However, it is projected that the proportion of cat-owning households will rebound to 35% by 2030.

The Multi-Dog Trend:

An interesting development in pet ownership is the increasing trend of multi-dog households in the U.S. As of recent data:

• 70% of dog-owning households have just one dog.
• 23% of dog owners have two dogs.
• 8% have three or more dogs, up from 5% in 2018.

By comparison, multi-cat households are more common:

• 16% of cat owners have three or more cats.
• 8% of dog-owning households have three or more dogs.

2. New Trends in Pet Food: Growth of Fresh, Semi-Moist, and Raw Diets

Shift in Pet Food Preferences:

The pet food market in the U.S. is undergoing a significant transformation. While dry food remains the staple for most pets, there is a rising demand for fresh, semi-moist, and raw diets. The APPA report highlights the following trends:

• 63% of dog owners still primarily feed dry food, down from 74% in 2018.
• 67% of cat owners continue to feed dry food, but this is also a slight decline from 69% in 2018.

More pet owners are also opting for pet foods that feature human-grade ingredients, superfood elements, or eco-friendly packaging. Over 50% of pet owners reported purchasing pet food with additional attributes in the past year.

3. The Rising Demand for Pet Furniture: Dog Beds and Cat Houses as New Trends

Growing Demand for Pet Furniture:

In recent years, pet owners are increasingly providing their pets with dedicated sleep spaces. In dog households, there is a clear trend towards purchasing specialized dog beds. Survey data reveals:

• 46% of dog owners allow their dogs to sleep in their beds.
• 20% provide a standard dog bed for their pets.
  
  

For cat owners, the demand for pet beds and houses is also on the rise:

• 55% of cat owners allow their cats to sleep in their beds.
• 27% provide an open-style cat bed.
  
  

The Rise of Smart Pet Furniture:

Pet owners are no longer just focused on traditional beds and houses. The demand for smart pet home products is rapidly growing, with more households opting for technologically advanced options. The Smart Pets Home（SPH） Smart Pet House, for example, not only provides a comfortable living space but also incorporates interactive features that are gaining popularity among modern pet owners.

The Smart Pet House of the Smart Pets Home connects with the pet’s smart collar and smart door, allowing pet owners to monitor and manage their pets’ daily activities remotely. The smart pet home technology integrates with an app that lets owners control the environment, adjusting the temperature, humidity, and air quality to create an ideal habitat for pets.

4. Pet Care Technology: Enhancing Pet Ownership with Smart Solutions

The future of pet care is evolving with the integration of pet care technology. The SPH Smart Pet House is an example of how technology is enhancing the pet-owner relationship. With smart pet furniture and connected devices, pet owners can ensure their pets are living in an optimal environment while maintaining control over essential factors like temperature, air quality, and the pet’s entry/exit behavior.

Through the integration of an interactive smart collar and a smart door, pets can move freely, while the pet owner can monitor and adjust the house settings using a simple app interface. This level of interaction and control allows for a higher level of pet care, blending convenience, comfort, and emotional bonding.

Conclusion: A Future of Smarter, Healthier Pet Care

As the U.S. pet market continues to evolve, we are witnessing a shift towards more personalized and technologically advanced pet care products. From multi-dog households and exotic protein pet foods to the rise of smart pet homes like the SPH Smart Pet House, the future of pet ownership is becoming more interactive and innovative. Pet owners are increasingly looking for ways to enhance their pets’ lives, while also improving their own interaction and connection with their furry companions.

The integration of pet care technology with products like the smart dog house of the Smart Pets Home represents a new era of pet care, where technology and emotional support coexist. As pet ownership continues to evolve, we can expect even more advancements in how we care for our pets, providing them with healthier, more comfortable, and engaging living environments.

By focusing on these emerging trends and innovations in the U.S. pet market, businesses and pet owners alike can ensure they are prepared for the future of pet care.

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Cindy

Verified Buyer

5/20/24

Our two cats started using it right away and we all love it! No more smells and it is always clean and ready for the next visit. Super quiet clean cycle and much less litter tracked onto the floor. Definitely a 5 star product!

Was this review helpful?

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Cindy

Verified Buyer

5/20/24

Our two cats started using it right away and we all love it! No more smells and it is always clean and ready for the next visit. Super quiet clean cycle and much less litter tracked onto the floor. Definitely a 5 star product!

Was this review helpful?

2

1

Cindy

Verified Buyer

5/20/24

Our two cats started using it right away and we all love it! No more smells and it is always clean and ready for the next visit. Super quiet clean cycle and much less litter tracked onto the floor. Definitely a 5 star product!

Was this review helpful?

2

1