From dog walkers, to pet food, to pet insurance and veterinary care, pet care expenses can add up quickly. With inflation, the costs are only rising. In this article, we will explore the current trends in pet ownership and the associated costs, as well as how companies in the pet care industry can use a perks program like Paylode. In doing so, your company can provide value to your customers who are already in the market for a multitude of pet care services.
Pet ownership trends in the US
According to recent surveys, dogs are the most widely owned type of pet in the United States, with an estimated 65.1 million households owning at least one dog in 2023 and heading into 2024, according to Forbes. Following dogs, cats and freshwater fish are the second and third most popular pets, with approximately 46.5 million and 11.1 million households owning them, respectively.
Costs have grown alongside, with expenses reaching over $136 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. As pet ownership continues to grow, so does the need to keep pet owners engaged and satisfied with the care they pay for.
Paylode is noticing an upward trend in perks from the Paylode Marketplace such as pet food, veterinary care, pet accessories, toys, dog walkers, pet sitters, doggy day care, obedience training, and boarding services, to name a few.
The rising cost of pet care
With inflation, these costs continue to rise, making it more challenging for pet owners to keep up with the growing expenses. Some of the most significant expenses include:
- Pet food: The cost of pet food can vary widely depending on the type of food and the size of the pet. On average, dog owners can expect to spend around $250 to $700 per year on food, while cat owners can expect to spend around $180 to $960 per year.
- Veterinary care: Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and unexpected medical expenses can add up quickly. Pet insurance can help offset some of these costs, but the average annual cost of veterinary care for dogs is between $700-$1500.
- Dog walkers and pet sitters: Many pet owners rely on dog walkers and pet sitters to take care of their pets while they're at work or away from home. The cost of these services can vary widely depending on the location and the level of service, but on average, dog owners can expect to spend around $20-$30 per walk or visit.
- Pet accessories: The innovation of products for pets ranging from GPS trackable collars, to pet monitoring cameras that even have the ability to launch treats, is tremendous to say the least. These products alone can cost hundreds of dollars.
Using a perks program to provide more value
As pet ownership and the associated costs continue to rise, companies can use a perks program like Paylode to provide more value to their customers. To Book a Quick 7 Minute Demo with Paylode to see how you can power your Pet Care company with perks, Click Here! Here are some recommended perks for the Pet Care industry that you can offer to your customers:
‍Perks For Dog Walking Services & Pet Sitters: By offering tailored discounts on dog walking services and pet sitting, you can provide a first rate value add to your customers and gain a loyal following for the long term.
Perks For Pet Food & Accessories: The cost of pet food and accessories can be expensive for pet owners. With the rise of mail to home organic and customized pet food, and technologically advanced pet accessories, you can provide your customers with tailored discounts on these services via perks with Paylode like Bark Box. This will help them save their hard earned money while keeping them happy.
Perks for Doggy Day Care and Obedience Training Services: Having a secure place for your customers dog to socialize and interact with others, gain valuable social skills, as well as save you time on weeks or months of behavioral training is one of the most common services dog owners seek.
Perks for Veterinary Care & Pet Insurance: Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and unexpected medical expenses can add up quickly. Pet insurance can help offset some of these costs, but the average annual cost of veterinary care for a pet is still high. Even with pet insurance, certain issues may not be fully covered. Perks like Just Answer on Paylode is revolutionizing care for pets by providing a platform for getting answers from experts like Veterinarians to sometimes prevent going in person, therefore saving money.
Perks Marketplace‍
As pet ownership and the associated costs continue to rise, companies can use a perks program like Paylode to provide more value to their customers. By offering tailored perks for a multitude of pet services such as discounts on pet food, boarding services, doggy day care and training services, and many more, companies can go the extra mile in providing value for their customers.
With the Paylode Perks Marketplace, companies have access to a wide range of perks that can help them stand out in an increasingly competitive market and provide more satisfaction to their customers, especially in the face of rising costs due to inflation.
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