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According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey, 67 percent of U.S. households own at least one pet, adding up to 84.9 million homes with pets. Millennials represent the largest segment of pet owners for all pet types, especially birds, small animals and saltwater fish. Additionally, 80 percent of Generation Z and millennial pet owners report owning dogs, while 50 percent own cats. What this means for home improvement retailers is that Americans are spending more on their pets than ever before. Pet owners made record-breaking purchases in food, supplies and veterinary care, totaling over $72 billion last year and the trend is holding strong in 2019 with continued growth projected for the new year.
To help your many pet-loving customers successfully negotiate the end-of-year festivities and safely usher their furry family members into a new year, consider sharing these holiday safety tips provided from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
Keep pets away from people food. Food like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions and rich holiday foods can be dangerous for pets. Clear away food after meals, keep food out of pets reach and explain to guests that pets don’t need treats from the table.
Keep holiday plants away from pets. Holly, mistletoe and lilies are dangerous if ingested by pets. Keep them out of reach.
Don’t leave pets unattended. Ensure pets are not left alone in rooms with lit candles, Christmas trees or potpourri. To avoid accidents, make sure the Christmas tree is properly secured and do not add boosters, like aspirin, to the tree’s water. These can be harmful to pets who drink it.
Provide a safe space. If pets get overwhelmed by the crowds and upset by loud noises, they should have a place to escape during parties, such as a crate, perch or quiet room with their toys and bed.
For more tips on pet-safe holidays check out (and share) these articles from AVMA: 7 Ways to Make the Holidays Safer for Pets and Holiday Pet Safety.
