Well, we’re five months into 2020 and what a year it’s been already. With the virus-that-will-not-be-named causing businesses to temporarily close their doors, there’s been a huge uptake in new technology for the veterinary industry. Check out the new pet industry trends of this year (so far), and get ready to meet the new needs of your clients and their furry friends.
Pet subscription services
Subscription boxes have been all the rage for the last couple of years but recently there has been an influx of the amount of pet-related subscription boxes you can buy. With so many of us stuck at home and unable to go shopping in person, many pet owners are keeping their pets entertained with surprise gift boxes through the mail. These pet subscription boxes can be tailored for your pet, stocked full of toys and treats. They’re not just for cats and dogs either you can get subscription boxes for your rabbit (Happy Bunny Club), hamster (HamsterMail), and even your goldfish (My Aquarium Box)! Pet subscription boxes aren’t exclusively centered around treats and toys though. Some companies are creating custom meal prep boxes for pets. Butternut Box is a company in the UK that delivers meals for your dogs every day and they’re completely customizable to suit the needs of every individual canine companion. These new ways of feeding your pets come with a lot of advantages too. The food is all prepared fresh that day and it doesn’t contain any additives that might be in the canned stuff. If you’re looking for a new avenue to move into, maybe think about what kind of subscription box you could create for your loyal customers.
Ingredient-savvy owners
There’s always been a niche set of pet owners that scrutinize over what exactly is going into their pet’s food (hi! it me!). 2020 has seen a sharp increase in owners wanting to feed their pets the most nutritious and natural food they can without any nasty extras thrown into the tin. An increasing amount of pet owners want food that is free of any artificial flavors, colors, chemicals, and preservatives so they can be sure that their pets are getting all the nutrients they need. You might already have a healthy selection of food and treats in your vet practice, but if you don’t it might be worth choosing a few options to try out and see if they’re popular with your customers.
Sustainable pet care products
Green is in. The pet industry is slowly filling up with a bunch of sustainable pet care options. Consumers wanting to reduce the impact they have on the environment may not be a new concept, but it’s grown considerably more popular in the last year. Pet care companies are releasing more sustainable products for consumers, forming partnerships with recycling firms, and helping with recycling schemes by using recycled materials in their products. Some of the sustainable products already out there include dog beds, dog toys, leashes, collars, poop bags, and even cat litter. Eco-friendly dog beds are filled with 100% recycled materials. A lot of dog toys, leashes, and collars are made from bamboo which is a highly sustainable material and an attractive material for environmentally conscious consumers. There are hundreds of new products released every week that contribute to the list of sustainable products. Eco-friendly consumers are some of the most loyal customers – if you can get them into your practice and show your values align, you’ll have customers for life.
Tech for pets
Technology is constantly advancing and we’ve seen an increase in smart technology in every aspect of modern life. The growth of smart technology is no different in the pet industry and we’re likely to see more and more of it as the years go by. A few examples of smart technology currently being used in the pet industry are:
- Smart leashes that can track time and distance; perfect for when your pet needs more exercise
- Pet cameras so you can check on your pets from phone apps
- Automatic feeders for when you’re away
- Automatic toys for endless fun
- Automatic litter trays (they self-clean!)
Animal-friendly tech is paving the way for a new level of pet ownership and happy, healthy pets. Want to get your online presence ready for the rest of 2020? Get in touch today and let’s talk about getting your vet clinic the exposure it deserves.
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