THE
PET Food Manufacturer’s Association (PFMA) have published
their annual report for pet food sales and pet keeping trends
covering the year 2001. As before, the report is now published
online, with graphics and interesting statistics and links for
every pet owner to browse.
The PFMA’s introduction on their website states: “The
broadening knowledge about pet animal nutrition and food technology
enabled the industry to develop and diversify in leaps and bounds.
Today, with the industry nourishing a large pet population and
with around 90% of all pet owners feeding prepared pet food
at least once a week, pet food is one of the most significant
market sectors. The market for prepared pet food was worth just
over £1.5 billion in 2000. Pet food offers the total daily
calorie requirements for a pet in a product which is easy to
use and enjoyed by your pet.”
Petfood market
The
trend for increased pet food sales continued ever upwards
in 2001, with combined dog and cat food sales accounting for
a massive total of £1,456 million, and 1272,000 tons.
The PFMA’s 2001 Breakdown for prepared pet foods includes
sales and tonnage of bird food (as birds are the third most
popular pet animal in the UK), although bird food sales are
dwarfed by the greater dog and cat food sales.
Growth
of the market
Over
the years, pet food sales have consistently increased. This
trend is accounted for by increases in the pet population,
a growing use of pet food as part of the overall diet, a greater
variety of diets and the benefits and value for money that
pet foods offer. However, prepared pet food accounts only
for approximately 60% of the dogs’, and 65% of the cats’
regular calorific intake.
* During the year 2001, there were 7,900 people directly employed
in the manufacture of pet food. This consists of 5,400 male
employees and 2,500 female employees
Pet keeping trends 2001
As
always, the PFMA’s statistics on Briton’s pet keeping
tastes and trends makes for fascinating reading.
Just under half the households in the UK own a pet, ranging
from dogs, cats and rabbits to the more exotic snakes and
spiders. Dogs and cats have traditionally been the most popular
British pets. Their population has remained fairly stable
over the past six years and in 2001 amounted to 13.6million.
However, over the past 10 years changes in lifestyle and how
households are structured has affected the relative populations
of dogs and cats with the cat population gradually increasing
to out-number dogs.
Dog ownership had shown a gradual decrease over recent years,
with more people living alone, and with more couples both
going out to work. Urban living and modern working lifestyles
favour the free living, independent cat over the more dependent
dog. Cat ownership is greater in the more urban South. Dog
ownership tends to be more popular in urban areas - 65.2%.
• Of the 24.5 million UK households, just under around
45% own a pet. In 2001 the number of households owning pets
was: Dogs: 4.8million. Cats: 4.8million. 540,000 households
own a budgie.
• Of the households owning a dog, 78.5% have only one
dog and the remainder have two or more. Of the households
with cats, 62.2% have one cat and the remainder have two or
more. The highest levels of cat ownership is in the 35 -44
age group. The highest levels of dog ownership is in the 45-54
age group.
• The 2001 dog population is broken down into: Toy 5.7%,
Small 20.8%, Medium 26%, Large 43.6%, Giant 3.8%
• It has been estimated that approximately 59% of dogs
are pedigrees.
The most popular breeds are:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Border Collie
4. (Joint) Jack Russell and German Shepherd
92% of cats are moggies or “non pedigrees”
Pet (millions)
Dog 6.1
Cat 7.5
Budgerigar 0.75
Rabbit 1.1
Fish 24.7
Gold 14.7
Tropical 9.3
Marine 0.7
Guinea pig 0.73
Hamster 0.86
Canaries 0.26
Other birds 1.06
There
is a growing trend among pet owners towards owning unusual
or exotic animals.
Snakes, reptiles and tropical fish are all growing in popularity,
however ownership of exotic pets demands time and commitment
from the owner. Prospective owners should be aware that such
animals often require specialist attention and should seek
appropriate veterinary advice before acquiring them.
The results of the US Pet Food Institute survey released in
February 2001, show that in 2001, the US pet cat and dog populations
continued to grow. The number of pet cats is over 75 million,
while the number of dogs grew from 59 million to 60 million.
According to a survey carried out by the European Pet Food
association, FEDIAF, there are currently 47 million cats in
Europe, and 41 million dogs. Around 55 million European households
own a pet.
