From the Backyard to the Bedside: How the Petcare Industry Is Evolving

Next week is National Pet Day in the U.S., reminding me how our pets have become family, and in many cases co-workers too. My dogs Poppy and Sky are no exception. Who doesn’t need unconditional love? But something else has happened too. We notice a nagging itch sooner, that their favorite treats are running low, or that they are better behaved after two walks rather than one. Over the last decade, pets have moved from the backyard to the bedside, but this past year, we’ve become even more pet crazy.

Every week another friend or colleague posts a welcome to their new furry addition. And as more families have welcomed cats and dogs into their homes amid the pandemic, another story emerged: the whole pet industry has grown significantly and changed to meet the needs and expectations of pet owners in ways that will stay with us long after COVID.

E-tailers benefited greatly from online pet purchases for food and treats to preventive medicines like flea, tick and heartworm to keep our friends healthy. Over the last year, Zoetis’ eCommerce business grew 70 percent. Just like with grocery shopping, we don’t expect this trend to reverse.

We also are much more in tune with our pets’ health now that we spend so much more time together. Going to the vet has changed too as clinics shifted to telemedicine, curbside visits, digital prescriptions and home delivery. I expect many of these practices will become permanent because they are much more convenient and less stressful for us all.

Beyond convenience, and as a pet owner, I know we all want the highest quality care possible – whether that’s through vaccinations to prevent diseases, medicines that treat pain, chewables that are easier to give to our dogs; or a diagnostic test that gives a quick result so we can treat the problem quickly and keep our pets healthy. All these customer-focused approaches support the future health of our pets and help us get the most of out of our visits to the veterinarian.

While the pandemic underscored the important companionship our pets provide, even when we start returning to normal, there’s one thing I know won’t change: families will prioritize their pets’ care and go to great lengths to make sure they’re happy and healthy -- whether they’re in the backyard, by our bedside or right by our side, where ever we go.