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Awareness on the Rise
More pet owners recognize the importance of keeping wellness and first aid products
on hand, and retailers report rising interest and sales as a result.
January 2019 Pet Product News International
BY SANDY CHEBAT
Pet industry professionals report rising awareness of irst aid and wellness products for cats and dogs. From e-collars, bandages and wound care items to
ear-cleaning products, hot spot treatments and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, more dog and cat owners want treatments and preventives they can manage
at home.
“We’re seeing an increased awareness of the pet first
aid and wellness product category in general, and it is
driving growth in the category,” said Tom Wien, director
of marketing at Cardinal Pet Care in Azusa, Calif. “People
are becoming more knowledgeable about over-the-count-
er remedies and first aid products and how they can be
used to treat their pets’ minor injuries and health condi-
tions. They’re also seeing how preventive care for pets
can help reduce injuries, sickness and vet visits.”
An example of this, Wien said, is e-collars or “cones.”
Instead of only purchasing them post-surgery, pet owners
now realize these items can help promote “the healing of
routine cuts, skin infections and insect bites by preventing
the dog or cat from licking them and creating a hot spot.”
This understanding pairs with pet owners focusing
more on solving problems rather than simply masking
symptoms, industry insiders said.
“We are seeing an obvious trend towards treating the
root cause of a problem instead of the symptoms,” said
Sarah Hudson-Sims, buyer for Pets on Broadway in Port-
land, Ore. “It’s really an across-the-board change in atti-
tude by both our customers and our staff toward treating
pet wellness issues.”
Retailers and manufacturers said that among con-
sumers seeking these products, there has been a rise in
demand for natural and even organic products that are
made in the USA.
“We’re seeing an increase in customers seeking out
natural alternatives as opposed to using medicine or the
veterinary route to fix common health ailments,” said
Toni Shelaske, owner of Healthy Pet Products, which has
stores in Pennsylvania. “Even with hot spots and skin
issues, they’re working at home instead of going to the
vet.”
Hudson-Sims agreed and cited increased sales in
herbal and homeopathic remedies at Pets on Broadway.
In particular, dog and cat owners want preventive
aids that contain no chemicals, dyes or preservatives,
said Beth Sommers, president and chief merchandising
officer of Pura Naturals Pet in Ardsley, N. Y. She added
that USA-made products are a major focus as well.
“This trend has been influenced by a variety of things,
[such as] our constantly changing government tariffs, and
the widely recognized safe manufacturing and labor practices that are a focus of USA-made products,” she said.
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“People are becoming more
knowledgeable about over-the-
counter remedies and first aid
products and how they can be used
to treat their pets’ minor injuries
and health conditions. They’re also
seeing how preventive care for pets
can help reduce injuries, sickness
and vet visits.”
—Tom Wien of Cardinal Pet Care
