The $41 Billion Pet Products Niche

By Lisa Suttora



The term "a dog's life" used to describe a pretty rustic existence for the family pet... Fido slept on the back porch, had an occasional bath in the back yard kiddy pool and for a treat, chewed on a rawhide bone.
Today however, a dog's life often means being toted around in at $400 dog carrier, sleeping in a $1000 dog house, and wearing a collar embedded with Swarovski crystals. Yes times have changed and these days dogs, cats, birds, and the like are living the high life. In 2007, Americans spent a record $41 billion dollars on their beloved pets! All across the globe, pet owners are becoming increasingly demanding when it comes to pet products and not settling for inexpensive, substandard products. These days, only the best in pet products will do and this opens up tremendous opportunity for anyone who is interested in selling in the pet products niche.

Target Market:

Fueling this growing trend in the pet product industry are empty nesters who lavish attention and money on their pets, baby boomers with disposable income and young adults who are waiting until later to have children and instead are putting their time and energy into Fido and Fluffy.

Even families of more modest means are spending money on a menagerie of pets. Families see their pets as a member of the family and are willing to spend big money on them. Additionally, the influence of popular television shows like Animal Planet, have made the family pet more revered than ever.

Product Trends:

These 5 distinct trends drive the market for pet products sales:

1. Luxury pet products. The luxury pet products industry has seen the most growth in recent years and continues to lead the pack when it comes to the sale of pet merchandise. Consumers want the best for their pets and they are willing to shell out big bucks to get the products they want. People who buy luxury pet products are generally more affluent. They also tend to buy a complete ensemble of pet accessories. The pet sweater must match the pet carrier and the very often, that must match what the owner is wearing as well. But it isn't only clothing items that are on every pet owners shopping list - There are now $430 indoor potties, $30-an-ounce perfume, climate controlled pet carriers, jeweled pet collars (with real jewels), $225 trench coats, designer pet beds, dog shoes, Halloween costumes, Zen dining tables, dog spas, even doggie nail polish!

2. Traveling pets. Have pets will travel is the mantra of many pet owners. To do this in comfort and style requires the right kind of products and accessories. Climate controlled pet carriers; pet booster seats and pet strollers enable that traveling pet to ride in style.

3. Eco-friendly pets. Eco-friendly and organic products have been a huge influence on pet products sales in the past couple years. This trend is continuing, in fact the largest growth sector in several pet product categories has been that of eco-friendly and organic products. If you sell pet products you must give your buyers some eco-friendly versions of popular pet products.

4. Exotic pets. While dogs and cats are certainly the most popular pets, we're also seeing a trend towards ownership of more exotic pets. Today there is a demand for products for birds, reptiles, fish, ferrets, mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, pot belly pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, aquatic turtles and more.

5. Fashion pets. Today's pets are so well dressed with coordinating accessories that they could easily grace the cover of Pet Vogue magazine. Pet owner fashionistas are snapping up designer style pet products at a frenzied pace. Pink-a-holic pet? There's a slew of hot pink fashion pet products out there. More into the preppy look? Outfit your pet and his products so he looks straight out of the Ivy League. Is Bowser a rock- and-roll dog? He'll look and act the part with today's pet fashion products. Pets and fashion have merged in a big way!

Product Categories:

There are literally hundreds of categories of pet products. The following 5 umbrella categories offer a lot of opportunity to drill down and look for sub-niches and micro-niches.

1. Pet Transportation. Pets are on the go! And pet strollers, pet carriers and pet booster seats, all help your pet get there safely, soundly and in style. A recent pet lover's blog featured 16 reasons your pet needs a pet stroller! Pet ramps and stairs help older pets remain comfortable in the event of health issues. Liners and barriers for automobiles help to keep your car clean and fresh (and your pet safe) while he rides around the town.

2. Pet Housing and Home Decor. A pet's home is his castle and one of the best selling pet product categories is that of pet houses, beds, kitty condos, pet couches, chairs, pillows and the like! Blankets, bowls and feeders all round out the home décor needs of a happy and well-nested pet.

3. Pet Clothing and Accessories. The possibilities are endless in the pet accessory market! Dog toys, grooming accessories, pet shoes, pet eye ware, pet safety products, grooming products, art work, pet exercisers, pet treadmills, pet games, and pet jewelry are just a small sampling of the products that are being snapped up by today's pet owner.

4. Pet Health. Pet owners are very concerned about their pet's health and the sale of pet health products are on the rise. From pet treadmills to grooming products, lotions and potions, to shampoos and nutritional supplements, people are paying as much attention to their pet's health as they are their own.

5. Pet Products for humans. A consistent trait of pet owners is that they not only like to purchase products for their pets, they also like to purchase products for themselves that represent their pets. Consider the 38 year old Chicago executive who owns two Golden Retrievers. Her home is filled with pieces of artwork, figurines, t-shirts, books and jewelry all representing the Golden Retriever breed. Pet lovers who can't own pets due to allergies or logistical reasons but still want to feel connected with a pet are also buying these types of pet products in droves.

Founder and CEO of What Do Sell®, Lisa Suttora is a noted eBay authority. An internationally known product sourcing and trending expert, Lisa has coached thousands of eBay entrepreneurs in building a successful eBay business. Lisa is the co-author of the best-selling product sourcing book "What to Sell on eBay and Where to Get It" from McGraw-Hill publishers and the Product Trending Editor for the Product Sourcing Radio Show. WhatDoISell.com, the oldest online private membership community for eBay Sellers has been serving eBay sellers since 2004. An eBay Certified Provider and a member of the Better Business Bureau, whatdoisell.com is your all-in-one solution for starting or expanding your eBay business.

http://www.whatdoisell.com To receive your free Product Trends 2008 report, please go to [http://www.producttrends2008.com]
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Pets: Taking Care of Your Pets

Now that you've brought your new friend home, it's time for the fun part -- and the hard part! This is your chance to really prove to your parents, yourself, and your pet that you're a responsible guardian.

It's a lot to live up to, but don't worry-you can do it! All you need to know is what your pet's needs are, then meet them. Basically, most pets rely on us for:

Food

• Be sure you know the diet and feeding schedule of your new pet. Get information from your veterinarian or the pet store.
• Most animals need to be fed once or twice a day. Sometimes baby animals need to be fed more.
• Don't ever give your pet table scraps -- people food (especially chocolate!) can make most animals sick.
• Introduce changes to food or feeding time gradually -- food changes can be stressful for an animal.
• Feed your pets in a quiet, protected place, so they feel safe and comfortable when they eat.

Water

• Make sure your pet has plenty of clean, fresh water.
• Water should be changed at least twice a day.
• If your pet is a fish or turtle and lives in water, be sure to clean the tank at least once a week.

Shelter

• Your pet needs a place to call home -- whether that's a tank, cage, or doghouse.
• If your dog or cat spends a lot of time outdoors, make sure shelter is available at all times. Shelter keeps pets protected from cold, wind, and rain in the winter and from the harsh hot sun in the summer.
• Even if your pet spends most of the day outdoors, he should sleep indoors at night. This will protect him from cars, bad weather, and animals such as coyotes that will attack pets.
• When it comes to shelter, remember that animals who are treated like part of the family are better-adjusted and will be more closely bonded to you. And after all, your pet IS part of your family, right?

Potty

• All animals need a place where they can go to the bathroom. Unless you're able to train them to use the toilet, cats need a litter box, gerbils need a cage, and dogs need to go outside or in a special lined area.
• Make sure you create a safe place for your pet's bathroom needs and -- this is REALLY important -- clean it regularly! After all, think about how gross it is to use a toilet that doesn't flush.
• If you have a dog and live in an apartment with no yard, you need to make sure your dog is walked often. If he goes in a public place, be sure to pick it up and dump it in a trashcan.

Exercise

• Dogs need plenty of exercise. Physical activity keeps them healthy, happy, and fit. Make sure you walk, run, hike, or play fetch with your dog every day. Not only is exercise good for your pup, but it's good for you, too!
• Cats, especially if they live indoors, also love some quality playtime with you. This is a chance to have fun and get creative with cool cat toys.
• Rodents like hamsters and gerbils will thank you for putting an exercise wheel in their cage to make life a little more interesting.

Grooming

• It's a good idea to brush and comb your pets every day to get rid of loose or shedding hair.
• Poke around to check for fleas, ticks, leaves, and other things that might be tangled in your pet's fur.
• If you can, bathe dogs once a month and cats every few months. But don't overdo it! Too many baths take away the natural oils from a pet's skin and can cause itching or rashes.
• Cats will have fewer hairballs and shed less if they're combed on a regular basis.
• If your pooch has killer doggie breath, try brushing his teeth when you bathe him.

Training, if you have a dog

• Yes, Bowzer is your buddy, but you need to be his boss! If you don't set up rules for him to follow, he may act aggressively and out of control. You don't want your dog dashing into oncoming traffic, jumping on little kids, or growling at your neighbors, right? So you need to set up rules for him to follow and help him follow them.
• You can do this in a very gentle manner without raising your voice or becoming mean. Work with your parents to determine the rules of the house. If there's a "no dogs on the sofa" policy, don't let Spot on the couch the minute your parents leave the room. It's best when all of you work together to teach your new family member how to behave.
• An obedience class is a great way to learn how to speak a dog's language and teach her the rules of your household. But don't expect her to be perfect -- there will be accidents! Just be patient and loving, and eventually the hard work will pay off.

Health care

• Just like we need annual checkups with our doctor and dentist, most pets need regular checkups, too.
• Veterinarians, or animal doctors, check your pet's general health, can answer any questions you might have, and make sure your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date.
• If you bring home a new dog or cat, you should take him to the vet right away to get checked out.

Love & affection

• Just like people, pets thrive on attention! The more love you give, the more you'll get back.
• Give your pet plenty of hugs, kisses, gentle pats, and love. Okay, so maybe you can't pet a fish, but you can still show you care by talking to it, watching it, and feeding it special treats.

Get your house ready for a new pet
Before you bring a new animal into your home, make sure your house is pet-ready. Take a tour around your home and yard with your parents, using this as a checklist:

• Are there any holes, broken concrete, drains, or swimming pools that your pet could fall into or get stuck in? They need to be fixed before your pet arrives.
• Are there any gaps in the fence, or a broken gate, that might allow your new pet to get out of your yard?
• Are there any poisons, like snail bait, antifreeze, or other toxic chemicals just sitting out? These things are super-poisonous to animals. Make sure containers are stored away in locked cupboards far out of reach.
• Check for dangling electrical cords in the house or outside. Puppies, kittens, and rodents love to chew them, thinking they're toys. Cover cords or tape them down with industrial tape.
• How about your toys? Do you have any Legos or other small pieces lying around that an animal could choke on? Keep your things out of reach of little paws.
• What about stuff that breaks? If you don't want something to get knocked over or stepped on -- maybe your mom's valuable vase or your favorite model airplane -- put it up high or away for a little while.

Pet "Don'ts"

• Don't use insect sprays and weed killers around your pets or allow antifreeze to spill in any area where pets hang out. If animals get poisons on their fur or paws, then lick themselves, they can get very sick or even die.
• Never leave a pet alone in a car on a hot day-even with the windows cracked open. Temperatures can go up quickly and cause an animal to overheat, which is sometimes fatal.
• Don't ever feed your pet chocolate, no matter how much they might beg. Dogs can't digest chocolate and can die from eating too much.
• Don't let your dog wander the neighborhood without you. She could get lost, hurt, or catch a disease from another animal. Always keep her on a leash when in public areas, like a park or busy street.
• Never give pets human medicine. Keep all medicines -- human or pet -- out of your pet's reach.

Original Post by: http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/pets/article7.html

Free Pet Sitting: Caution! What's A Value Worth for Your Pets Care?

Free Pet Sitting: Caution! What's A Value Worth for Your Pets Care?
By Shannon K Cole
This holiday season pet owners are in a scramble to find somebody to care for their pets. The first concern that often comes to mind is cost. People want a good VALUE for their dollar but do they take into consideration the VALUE they hold of their pets?

Example: I received a call from an older pet owner in November who lived a very wealthy neighborhood. She was referred by my veterinarian. She normally used one of the technicians at our veterinary clinic to care for her dog overnight but they were unavailable for the Holiday season. She asked me how much I charge & I replied $65/night. She literally gasped on the phone & said she'd get back to me. Obviously she is spoiled having the technician care for her dogs for a lower cost. When her daughter convinced her to call back to book it because she had no other choice I was already booked. She was referred to my affiliate who normally charges $75/night! However since she was referred by me she'd get the care for my rate of $65/night. This was explained to her. So why the price differences?

The technician who normally cares for the owners dog does it as a hobby for some extra money on the side. Their main source of income is working at the veterinary clinic. They are NOT bonded & insured or have a business license. They don't have a legitimate business they operate on a professional level & pay taxes on etc.

Example: I received a call from a lady on a Monday evening that she needed care for her dogs starting Wednesday through Sunday night. Apparently she had asked a friend to do it & they cancelled on her 2 days prior to her departure. Now she is a panicked search to find a sitter for her dogs before she leaves. I was already booked & could not do it on 2 days notice so again she got referred to my affiliate.

The pet owner in an attempt to save money asked a friend or relative to care for her dogs. That person has no obligation to her or contract so it is easy for them to cancel on her or possible not even show up! A professional pet sitter will have a contract or service agreement that you sign. This bonds both of you into the care for your pets. You get the guarantee they will care for your pet & you promise to pay them for that care.

Example: A couple is planning several trip to Russia to go adopt a baby. The wife works at home and is with their 3 cats most of the time. They are very concerned about their cats being left alone while they travel. They have to go away for 4 days to a seminar as a preliminary to their adoption. A co-worker of the husband volunteers to come care for the cats. At the walk through she doesn't want to walk down to the basement on a winding stair case to see the litter box area. The couple at the bottom of the stairs have to coax her down & show her an alternative stair case downstairs. While they are away its been several days & they haven't heard form the cat sitter. No text emails or calls. They finally decide to call her & she answers the phone. Tells them she is at the house right now & everything is fine. When they return home & walk in the front door the odor overwhelms them. The litter boxes obviously had not been cleaned in a few days. When confronted about the litter boxes the person states that she had cleaned them every day & even asks/offers to care for the cats on their next trip.

The pet owners had a friend/co-worker do it to save some money & not knowing of any other option. Obviously the person did not know how to properly care for cats. They had no idea if the person was actually there & showed up to care for them while they were away. The person left evidence that the cat were not properly cared for, denied it & then offered to care for the cats again. The pet owners saw a Shannon's Pet Sitting sign near their home & realized this would be a better option to look into.
Even if it is a friend, family member or kid next door looking to make some extra money, do you value your pets life & care to save a dollar? Do you want to hope they show up? Or hope they care for your pets correctly? People forget, Accidents happen & Things come up. Most likely your pet is not going to be their first priority.
To a Professional Pet Sitter - Your Pet IS the priority!
A REAL PROFESSIONAL Pet sitter is:
1) Bonded
2) Insured
3) Licensed
4) Has PET CPR, First Aid or some ANIMAL medical care training
5) Uses a service contract, and pet information forms
6) Has a website
7) Has references
8) Has a Secure Key or Lock Box system
9) Has experience & knowledge in working with animals
10) Does a consultation to meet with you & run though your pets care routine
11) Text, calls or emails regular updates with pictures of your pet while you are away
12) Books up in advance - a good pet sitter is in high demand!
Now look at that list, and consider how much more VALUE those items have and hold when it comes to the VALUE of your pets life & care while you are away.
The less items on the list mean less you will pay & the less your chances are of your pet receiving good care while you are away. The horror stories I have heard & seen over the years speak for themselves. The stories above are just a small handful of recent examples within a one month period I have heard!
When you look at Websites such as Care.com and Sittercity.com there are literally HUNDREDS of people posted on there who want to care for pets. They are college kids, retired, unemployed, men, women, teenagers & they ALL LOVE PETS, HAVE HAD PETS & WOULD LOVE TO CARE FOR YOUR PET! What I have seen as result of theses sites - people are looking for the cheapest pet care possible. I could send them the best resume possible in terms of being a professional pet care provider! Then the minute they hear my rates the emails & contact stop.
Pet sitters seem to be a dime a dozen. It's a quick, easy way for a person who likes animals to make some extra money in today's economy. The quick easy cheap way could put your pets life in danger. Is it worth their life to save a few bucks? As a client of mine repeatedly tells me: "Peace of mind is priceless!"
Shannon Cole owns, Shannon's Pet Sitting in Chicago, IL NW Suburbs. A bonded insured pet care service specializing in pets w/ behavioral problems, medical needs & senior pets. Over the years Shannon has built a strong reputation as an expert in the pet care industry. She specializes in areas of pet sitting that include pets with behavioral problems, medical needs, and senior pets. Recognizing the "Special Needs" of these pets, Shannon uses techniques, tools, intuition, patience and compassion to deliver professional loving care. Shannon strives to ensure Shannon's Pet Sitting is Chicago's Northwest Suburbs Ultimate in Compassionate & Professional Pet Care! http://www.shannonspetsitting.net
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Spay and Neuter your animals - It's actually healthier for them

Spaying your female cat or dog:

	1. Helps prevent serious medical conditions, such as ovarian/uterine cancer, uterine infections, and breast cancer.
	2. Cost Effective: Less than the cost of having an emergency c-section, treating an infection, raising a litter of puppies or kittens, or treating cancer

Neutering your male cat or dog:

	1. Has a positive effect on your pet’s behavior and helps prevent serious medical conditions, such as testicular cancer.
	2. Makes pet less likely to spray urine throughout the house and mark his territory.
	3. Tends to make pet less likely to roam and less aggressive.

Spaying your pet prior to her first heat cycle (both at 4-6 months old) and neutering your pet before maturity, offers the best protection against negative behaviors and serious health issues

If you live in the phoenix area, there is a free spay and neuter clinic in phoenix az, that will spay and neuter your animals for free. There's no excuse why your pet shouldn't get the treatment they deserve. Be a great pet owner and keep your pets up to date on all their shots and make sure and keep their nails trimmed. 

http://www.emptybowlsarizona.org/spay-neuter-clinic.html