Keep an eye out for these pet trends in 2020

Pet parenting is a thing (and we love it!) and the pet care industry continues to grow at a rapid rate fueled by a rise in pet parenting.

Carla Bath, Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s marketing manager, says that both millennials and baby boomers are rapidly growing pet parent markets.

Here are the top pet trends South Africa in 2020:

• Technology is becoming an important part of better veterinary medicine. Trackers and wearables can provide vet’s with important information like frequency of scratching and improvements in mobility. There are also amazing advancements with 3D printing for prosthetics and surgical training models as well as a rise in telemedicine using smartphone video call features for fast veterinary care into your home.
• Cannabidiol (CBD) is being incorporated into pet care products to help pets who are suffering from anxiety, loss of appetite, cancer, etc. This area is still being actively researched and it is important that pet parents discuss any treatment with their vet.
• As we are seeing in human healthcare there is significant focus on gut health, and this is the case for our pets too. It turns out microbiotics is as important as genetics and our growing understanding of probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics is creating powerful leaps in food technology for millions of pets with ongoing gut issues.
• From pet gender reveals and first birthday shoots, to luxury hotel accommodation, specific TV channels, blueberry facials, massages at the parlour and dating apps to help your pet meet other pets – we’re cementing their poll position in the family. Thankfully getting them into a good school is one challenge you don’t need to face … yet!
• Pet parents are beginning to focus more and more on creative and varied stimulating environments for their pets. Food bowls beware; food puzzles, snuffle blankets and lickimats are coming! On the cat front, best you find a great handy man because the Jones’s may soon have a ‘Catio’ – cat patios for indoor cats who need some outdoor space.