Pets - Americans spend $41 billion a year on pets - around 6 million dogs travel with their RVing owners
RVs and RVing  <  Roaming Times

AMERICANS SPEND $41 BILLION A YEAR
ON PETS
Around 6 million dogs travel with their RVing owners ...

A recent article in "Business Week" estimated than Americans now spend more than $41 billion a year on their pets - "more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world."  As a comparison, Americans spend about $10 billion on movies.

APPMA (the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association) recently released the results of its 2007/2008 National Pet Owners Survey.  Here are just a few of its findings:

  • Pet ownership is currently at its highest level with 71.1 million households in the U.S. owning at least one pet (63% of all U.S. households)

  • According to The Survey, there are 74.8 million dogs, 88.3 million cats, 142 million freshwater fish, 9.6 million saltwater fish, 16 million birds, 24.3 million small animals, 13.4 million reptiles and 13.8 million horses

  • "Over the past two decades we have come to realize people consider pets a part of the family and treat them accordingly,” said Bob Vetere, president of APPMA. “That has led to the evolution of everything from new and improved services and travel accommodations to food and medicines, all of which make spending time with our pets more enjoyable and help fuel the continued rise in pet ownership”

  • Pet owners are increasingly choosing specially formulated or organic pet food and say their pets are enjoying the subsequent benefits including prevention of obesity and other medical conditions

  • According to the survey, three-out-of-ten dog owners have dental products for their dog including a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, tartar/breath control/whitening products or floss

PETS AND TRAVEL

Pet owners prefer family or friends care for their animals while they are on vacation. However, other arrangements made when pet owners travel include professional pet sitting services, boarding at a kennel, taking pets along on vacation or leaving pets home alone. According to Survey, dog owners are the most inclined pet owner to bring their pet along with them on vacation.

Roaming Times checked with PetSmart about boarding charges.  ("At PetSmart, we understand your special bond because we're pet parents, too".)  A 4'x6' pet hotel room costs $21 per night, A 5'x7' room with bed and TV (?) costs $31 per night.

As an RVer, you can take your pets along with you of course.  That's just one of the wonderful advantages of RVing ...

According to the RVIA, some 1 in 12 US households now own an RV.  Some 63% have a pet.  That equates to around 6.2 million dogs are traveling with their owners in RVs.  It's a dog's life ...

RoTi pets section      Choosing a dog

6 million RVing dogs?  What do you think? ...

Readers' comments:

Rena :   Wish I were there already. Currently planning to buy my first motorhome at 62 for myself, my two greyhounds and my three cats. My two greatest worries are: first, leaving them alone in the motorhome while I visit some sites they are not allowed in, especially if it is very hot; and second, having some kind of portable playpen for them while at a campgrounds. Anyone has suggestions. Thank you.

Judika Mc :   When will RV Park owners & managers wake up? I'm a fulltime RVer & an early Baby Boomer retiree. I can't imagine a DOGLESS life! Husbands & kids come & go, but only death or human stupidity will take a well-loved dog away. Of course I spend money on my dog. It's the greatest ROI I've ever found.

Ruth Crossman :   We think a dog is better than health insurance and thats why we've never been without a dog in 36 years of marriage. We have a common bond, our dog, currently a wonderful sheltie called grace, and we get our exercise, whether we want it or not we've got to take her for a walk. We've been fulltiming for 4 years and she loves it. Everyone should have a dog and of course we spend money on pets, they're a big part of the family.

Worried Doberman owner :   My husband and I are great Dog lovers, we have been married 42 years and never been with dogs. We recently are finding that alot of rv parks are not accepting dobermans. Doberman's have received a bad reputation from what people see in the movies. In reality Dobermans are one of the sweetest dogs in the world, and would never harm a sole. Our current 8 year old doberman and our Yorkie go everywhere with us. They are one of the main reasons we bought an rv in the first place. If rv parks are going to be picking on dogs that are not allowed they should check the humane society top dogs that bite list. You will not find a Doberman in that list, but you will find Poodles, labs, cocker spaniels. We hope this current trend will soon end, but we are worried that it won't due to some people's ignorance about dogs.

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