Is the pet industry recession-proof?

[The Sceptical Chymist]

-Givign away your pet is one of the last things people do, but there is nothing really recession proof on that regard.

Well, like human healthcare I think the animal health/pet supply industry is fairly recession-resistant, though not completely.  Nothing really is that I know of, and there are limits to which people are going to care for their pets.  In times of famine, people have been known to....well, you know.  Animals are a good source of protein, let's just put it that way.

But if OP or anyone else is looking for a good stock to buy, a company like Zoetis that specializes in making animal medicines might be a good choice.  I probably wouldn't invest in anything in the retail business, like Chewy and the like, because I think they would see their profits decline during a recession--but my opinion is that you just can't go wrong with healthcare, whether it's human or animal.  People have loved their pets for centuries and veterinarians aren't going broke, I can tell you that.

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[Gyfts]

Here's another perspective: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/05/higher-housing-costs-force-more-pet-owners-to-surrender-their-dogs.html

The stories above are merely anecdotes, not calculations of the pet industry's growth. Point is, some people will give up their pets if it means they'll survive economically.

Most countries treat dogs as property or useful tools. Only in the developed world is there such affection for pets.

Stay-at-home orders created a perfect environment for pet ownership. Long hours spent in the office that once discouraged potential parents from adopting were replaced by the possibility of being present while working remotely. For the first time, half of the people employed pre-COVID-19 have been working from home, trading long commutes for quarantined conference calls, clearing social calendars, and yearning for emotional connection, which for many, has been filled by their pets. Consequently, animal adoption rates skyrocketed more than 110 percent, and fostering grew 197 percent comparatively year-over-year, according to Pethealth Inc. For existing pet parents, the stay-at-home rules offered a chance to spend more meaningful time and invest more deeply in their pets. The pandemic has made people become used to pets.

And what's tragic is that a lot of these pets went back to the shelter to get euthanized because irresponsible owners did not have the foresight to comprehend that COVID lockdowns/WFH settings were only temporary. Combine the economic turmoil and the result was predictable.

[Cryptomultiplier]

The first question I asked myself in soliloquy is this; is recession not a result of fiat affecting transactions?
The pet industry is also a part of society. The human society in which we live and reproduce love to acquire things that are deemed valuable no matter how expensive, just so as to keep body, mind and soul happy after earning. Covid-19 taught a hard lesson in the subject of companionship around the world and people saw how an unconventional means of relationship worked to help them stay fluid and present during those times. Acquiring Pets, potted plants, music instruments no matter how expensive did not really matter, so long the cash was available. It is all a means to an end.
The pet industry and other industries inclusive are experiencing the effect of recession. As long as exchanging cash to fulfill a desire still exists, and with the current global economic standings, I conclude on the fact that the pet industry isn't recession proof. Almost every sector of the economy right now is affected by the recession, without no exception for the pet industry. We only pray for the best in these times and for grace in spending wisely!

[2stout]

Nope, the existing pets that already have owners will most likely be fine.  However, the affect will be less pets finding homes, whether adopted or bred, which will in turn have a domino effect--> less pet food being bought--> less pet toys and accessories being bought --> overall, breeders struggling with sales to name a few.

[lizarder]

But when it is expected that during an economic crisis, people would pull back on spending on their pets, it turned out the opposite. According to research by Edge by Ascential, the pet industry is forecasted to reach $281 billion by 2023.

I try to summarize some sectors that are vulnerable and resistant to the recession process, by looking at various considerations that support sectors in the US.

• Global Market

• Financial sector

• Real Sector

These three sectors are relatively large in the US, so the potential for recession is greater, in fact this is a picture of the most recession-prone sectors in various countries.
While the business industry that has resilience during a recession.

• Health

• Technology

• Education

Because these three industries are not sensitive to rising interest rates and these industries are needed by many people when the economy is in recession.

Meanwhile, the pet industry did not have a major impact on the occurrence of a recession, because the supply and expenditure of this industry was not directly related to secondary or primary needs. (replaceable)
Furthermore, a recession is associated with a declining domestic product, a negative real economy in two or more quarters and a major slowdown or contraction in economic activity or vice versa.

Animal protection laws: Countries now have written laws that protect pets against maltreatment and suffering. These laws are really enforced in developed countries and not in Africa where pests are exploited.

Including animal protection laws, but in the next comment you said that stray dogs and cats are caught for slaughter.

In some developing countries, dogs and cats are good meat. They are reared for meat and stray dogs or cats are captured and slaughtered. African culture doesn't support keeping animals as pets. Most dogs are reared for hunting or for guiding flocks. This part of the world has some of the best-hunting dogs, that can kill rabbits and bring the meat to the owner without several bites.

Do legal references only apply to pets, but not to wild animals.
This confuses me?
As far as I know the law is used in a general sense, there are no exceptions in its application.
If your assumption is correct, then the person living in the area you mentioned is breaking the law.

Covid-19 Pandemic:
>snip

The area where I live, COVID-19 has started to disappear, activities involving face-to-face meetings are running as usual, although the economic impact has not recovered 100%.
However, it seems that it is no longer in the dangerous category, just waiting for the economic recovery to continue, because people still cannot get out of the economic problems that hit when Covid-19 occurred.

[Fortify]

Over the past months, the world has been ravaged by inflation and people are losing their purchasing power due to the high cost of goods and services. So many sectors of the economy are in a deep recession that has resulted in business failure. The pet sector is also suffering from inflation. In June 2022, pet food inflation in the U.S. reached 10.3%, Canadian had 8.1% and Europe has 8.8%.

But when it is expected that during an economic crisis, people would pull back on spending on their pets, it turned out the opposite. According to research by Edge by Ascential, the pet industry is forecasted to reach $281 billion by 2023. Many economists believe that the pest industry is recession-proof. In the past two recessionary dips of 2001 and 2008, pet spending actually grew unabated each year by 7 percent and 5 percent respectively. Moreover, it has followed a steady trajectory of growth over the past 30 years.  It's rare to find a sector that offers both growth and defensiveness in recessions like the pet industry.

Reasons for the growth of the pet industry

Pets are now part of the family: There are now around 108 million dogs in the United States– roughly one dog to every three humans. In the U.S., 70% of all households now own a pet (an increase from 56% in 1988), which means there are now more households with pets than children. The bond between pet owners and animals is getting closer. Everyone is treating their pets like children.  

Thirty years ago, dogs couldn’t come into the house, then they were allowed in the bed, and soon they will have their own room. With pets increasingly viewed as members of the family (even often taking the place of children as millennials wait longer to get married and have kids), spending on pet-care has consistently grown.

You gave an impression of everything that happened when the country was not in recession and while some of it does make sense, what we've seen recently is an anomaly. The Covid recession spawned all sorts of societal changes, like much more working from home, spending more time stuck at home (sometimes in the garden) and being socially isolated - which spurned a massive uptick in people adopting pets to help keep them company. Sadly that effect seems to have worn off and like the fickle people we are, many people have now switched back to working in the office and unfortunately some others have decided that they are unable to care for the animals they made such a big commitment to and have started abandoning them.

[dothebeats]

They may not be severely affected, but this industry will still get a taste of the recession. I have 3 cats that I regularly take to the vet and it's slowly getting expensive. Also, every week I make sure to buy $15 worth of cat litter and $20 on their food. Fast forward to now, cat litter costs $17 and their food $25. It may not be much of an increase but over time, it'll pile up. Pet supplies and food, which is under a lot of industries will take most of the hit. They can't do anything but be forced to up their prices if they want to stay afloat in this dire economic condition.

[Ucy]

Well, the pets should be beneficial enough to be worth the efforts/money that are used to sustain them otherwise they would end up being a burden to the extent of canceling the joy their owners derive from them.
Instead of owning just a pet donkey, have one that drives you to & from market once in a while. That should help it exercise its body while being beneficial to you at thesame time. I won't be surprised if they already have their gyms over there whereas they could be using the kind of energy they generate in the gym to help you do some important works

[savetheFORUM]

Well, the pets should be beneficial enough to be worth the efforts/money that are used to sustain them otherwise they would end up being a burden to the extent of canceling the joy their owners derive from them.
Instead of owning just a pet donkey, have one that drives you to & from market once in a while. That should help it exercise its body while being beneficial to you at thesame time. I won't be surprised if they already have their gyms over there whereas they could be using the kind of energy they generate in the gym to help you do some important works

I would guess that the pets in question would be stuff like cats and dogs. Many people in the entire world have cats and dogs which means that if you are producing food for these animals then you could still sell them when the pandemic happens or economy goes bad.

Because not like people would start to starve their cats and dogs, even the homeless people share their food with their pets and that means we are going to never see the pet industry going to be bankrupted at all. It is the same as food industry, even on the worst situation people will still need to eat something and that is the important part, as long as you get to eat something, the food industry will keep on surviving.

[Gayong88]

I think for a very few consumers who are willing to spend money on a service or product that benefits their animals and Being recession-proof is really what every business strives for. But pet industry experts say pet owners may have to face some tough decisions as more and more pet owners can't afford their pets. Since pets are considered part of the family, these families may have to let go of their furry friends due to financial difficulties.

[Davidvictorson]

Regarding the OP's query, it is important to note that no company is completely immune to the state of the economy. This implies that both direct and indirect effects will always exist. As you correctly noted, 70% of American families now have a pet, making the pet industry essentially a luxury business. Since individuals are losing their jobs, homes, vehicles, and other possessions, you can be sure that they won't be hiring an expensive dog trainer or spending money on other expensive pet accessories. That is one of the ways recession is having an indirect impact on the pet sector.

[TimeTeller]

Regarding the OP's query, it is important to note that no company is completely immune to the state of the economy. This implies that both direct and indirect effects will always exist. As you correctly noted, 70% of American families now have a pet, making the pet industry essentially a luxury business. Since individuals are losing their jobs, homes, vehicles, and other possessions, you can be sure that they won't be hiring an expensive dog trainer or spending money on other expensive pet accessories. That is one of the ways recession is having an indirect impact on the pet sector.

We can indeed see the impact indirectly even on the pet industry.
Definitely, who would spend good amount of money for training and other pet accessories?
But of course, it is not only in the pet industry but all the other industries are also affected.
In time, they will always recover because pets are always part of the families.
They will just go thru time of being frugal with their pets. As they need to address their personal needs first.
I think, this kind of situation should not be a surprise at all, unless you are rich and you have no problem with your expenditures.

[Zilon]

People got more closer to their pets while the pandemic lasted and ever since then pets became more like members of various families. Staying at home back then as a result of the covid-19 pandemic made correction to so many things that were neglected due to busy schedules including having time for pets and has people spent more time at home they got to see the need to spend on their pets because it was looking like a competition as everyone were forced into staying at home

I was opportune to stay with a close relative during the pandemic who happened to have a Cockapoo a skinny dog back then who was looking malnourished because the owner my relation was always busy with work and returns late at night but when the pandemic came seeing how attractive his neighbours dogs looked he took up the challenge and was so amazed how lovely his dog turned out to look within the few months he spent indoors.

I will see my Senior cousin drafting his monthly budget and at the first 5 items on his monthly budget happens to be the dogs food. It was so serious that he ensured the dog never lacked his feed. One of the key food the dog ate was
which was around $35 then in which most times i do the buying

[Stella Mese]

I don't think the pet industry is recession-proof. the only industries that will survive during a recession are those that provide primary needs such as the food or food industry. When the crisis is prolonged, people will start to leave their hobbies and prioritize the most important thing, namely food. so it is the food industry that will withstand the recession. because everyone needs food. because it's a primary need.

Human needs are divided into three, namely
1. primary (main / food)
2. secondary (secondary/clothing/home/clothing etc.)
3. tertiary (additional needs / hobbies, etc.)

When a recession arrives, it is the tertiary and secondary needs that are most vulnerable and most likely to be affected.

[Dunamisx]

So many sectors of the economy are in a deep recession that has resulted in business failure. The pet sector is also suffering from inflation. In June 2022, pet food inflation in the U.S. reached 10.3%, Canadian had 8.1% and Europe has 8.8%.

Though this may sound a little bit funny but that's just the reality about inflation, every sector is been affected and now the it is also experienced in the animals sector who else is free from the influence of inflation other than going on a look for an alternative that can byecut the inflation through the financial economy, the solution which is believed here is in adoption of cryptocurrency and bitcoin precisely could bring huge amount of difference from how the rate of fiat currency is dealing with economic market price, both humanbeings and animals got affected but a new approach with digital currency serve a preferable option as solution because things had gone bad already that only a change in the system of financial economy can only serve a better opportunity in crypto than fiat.

[OgNasty]

I don’t agree that the pet industry is recession proof. Shelters around me are already asking people to adopt due to animals being dropped off. People are leaving their pets as costs rise and they’re forced to deal with difficult financial choices. While pets have become part of the family, it would seem they are expendable in tough times.

[Dunamisx]

I don’t agree that the pet industry is recession proof. Shelters around me are already asking people to adopt due to animals being dropped off. People are leaving their pets as costs rise and they’re forced to deal with difficult financial choices. While pets have become part of the family, it would seem they are expendable in tough times.

I think he's not getting the whole idea, we are not saying that pet industry have build a resistant to the effective and implication of the ongoing inflation across the world, of course many areas of the economy were affected and alot of businesses have suffered great loss but in a crypto economy, this may be totally avoided because the currency in question here is not fiat but crypto, the liberty is there in using it because it is decentralized and permit me to say bitcoin of all crypto because other cryptocurrencies appears centralized to me, so why should the pet industries be excluded from this, except they have a change in mode of financial operations in their economy as well.

[virasisog]

I don’t agree that the pet industry is recession-proof. Shelters around me are already asking people to adopt due to animals being dropped off. People are leaving their pets as costs rise and they’re forced to deal with difficult financial choices. While pets have become part of the family, it would seem they are expendable in tough times.

We've been experiencing the same thing in our country. Shelters are asking people to adopt their rescued pets and even asking for donations for them to sustain the needs of those animals. Everyone and everything is badly affected by this recession. Even if pets are part of our families, the price of their necessities has increased as well. We could save them yet we can't deny the fact that it's aching our pockets most of the time.

[lucates]

Seeing record inquiries about dog and cat returns, the tightest squeeze on living standards since at least the 1960s, is forcing many owners to decide the additional cost of food and vet bills isn't manageable. It comes amid warnings of recession  and as Uk households are dealing with a massive crisis in their energy bills. Even Netflix subscriptions fell during this time due to a cost-cutting drive.

[SaveOurSea]

Seeing record inquiries about dog and cat returns, the tightest squeeze on living standards since at least the 1960s, is forcing many owners to decide the additional cost of food and vet bills isn't manageable. It comes amid warnings of recession  and as Uk households are dealing with a massive crisis in their energy bills. Even Netflix subscriptions fell during this time due to a cost-cutting drive.

That is correct - i am working 20 hrs a day and i am also planning to unsubscribe the Netflix to reduce some costs.
Someone once advices - take care of pennies and dollar will take care of you

Isn't it too much to work 20 hours a day and if it's me it looks like I'm really feeling tired,
it is important to reduce unnecessary expenses,
I agree with someone who advised you, especially with the current condition of inflation