In 2007, more than half of humanity on Earth lived in urban areas for the first time. Urbanization continues, with more than one billion people now living in cities and suburbs than in rural areas, according to United Nations Population Division figures published by Our World in Data. Although people continued to have a desire for pets when they moved to cities, some preferences in companion animal ownership have changed. For example, pet owners around the world tend to prefer smaller dogs and cats, which function better in the confined living spaces of urban environments. This has also affected the pet food and treats owners purchase. In October 2022, market analysis group TGM Research conducted a survey of 15,000 people in 40 countries out of 8.1 billion people on earth about how they keep pets. Although regional differences emerged, six trends emerged as impacts of human urbanization on pet ownership.
Urbanization and pet keeping
Social trends and the humanization of pets
“Trends such as pet humanization may take hold more quickly in urban areas,” Chief Marketing Officer Tuyen Vu told Pet Food Industry in an email. “According to our report, a significant 59% of consumers worldwide consider their pets to be family members, 22% consider their pets to be friends, and 16% even consider their pets to be children. This can lead to the purchase of premium pet foods that are marketed with a focus on quality ingredients and health benefits.”
Increase in disposable income
“The cost of living is generally higher in urban areas, but wages are also often higher,” Vu says. “This will lead to increased disposable income, allowing pet owners to purchase premium pet food products that provide specialized diets based on age, breed, and health concerns.” They identify the main considerations that influence their pet food purchases as quality (81%), cost (66%), ingredient composition (53%), and their pet's specific health needs (50%) .”
Improving awareness of health and nutrition
“People living in urban areas may have access to more information and are often more aware of their pets' health and nutritional needs,” she said. “This can lead to a preference for organic, natural or specially formulated pet foods. According to our report, 50% of consumers around the world One of the key factors is choosing to address your pet’s specific needs and health concerns.”
Availability and variety
“Pet owners in urban areas have access to a greater variety of pet food products, which may influence their purchasing habits toward more diverse and specialized products,” Vu said. “This is shown from our Pet Care Report, where the independent pet store or small pet chain channel is the second most popular channel after supermarkets.
Online shopping and delivery services
“With the rise of e-commerce, urban residents may prefer the convenience of ordering pet food online,” she says. “These are driving purchasing habits to shift from in-store purchases to online shopping with an emphasis on home delivery services.According to the TGM Global Pet Care Survey 2023, online channels are the It’s the third most popular channel for purchasing pet food.”
environmental concerns
“Urban consumers are more environmentally conscious and are likely to prefer pet food that is sustainably sourced and has eco-friendly packaging. 15% of consumers say sustainability efforts are a factor in their pet food purchases, with 20%, 22%, and 16% across Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa. %. % respectively”
