The increased humanization of pets and our growing emphasis on the human-animal bond are just two of the forces expected to drive growth in the U.S. and global pet industries through 2015, according to three separate market research reports.

The U.S. market for pet products and pet care services was an estimated $46 billion in 2009, according to “The Pet Industry: Food, Accessories, Health Products and Services” from BCC Research (Wellesley, Mass.). Furthermore, this market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.2 percent, reaching $56.5 billion by the end of 2014.

Pet food, the largest segment, accounted for $19.1 billion in sales in 2009. It is expected to increase 3.8 percent annually through 2014, to more than $23 billion, said the BCC report.

Veterinary care was the second-largest segment with $12.2 billion in sales in 2009. It is expected to rise 3.7 percent annually through 2014, to $14.6 billion, according to BCC.

However, the “other” segment, which includes over-the-counter medicines, is expected to show the largest increase on an annual percentage basis. Valued at $11.3 billion in 2009, it is expected to grow 6.4 percent annually through 2014, to $15.3 billion. For details, go to www.tinyurl.com/yzgttb5.

A report focusing on nonfood pet supplies offered more modest projections. According to “Pet Supplies and Pet Care Products in the U.S., 8th Edition” by Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com (New York), the U.S. pet supplies market was $11 billion in 2009, up only 3 percent from the previous year because consumers cut nonessential spending and traded down to lower-priced products.

“The word ‘restraint’ will continue to characterize how Americans shop and what they buy, making pet product appeals based on practicality, professionalism, health, safety, convenience and comfort more important than ever in wooing the nation’s 61 million pet-owning households and meeting the needs of their nearly 400 million pets,” said Don Montuori, publisher of Packaged Facts. For more information, go to www.tinyurl.com/yfz9ed7.

The importance of the human-animal bond also was highlighted in a report by Global Industry Analysts Inc. (San Jose, Calif.). “Pet Accessories: A Global Strategic Business Report” predicts the world market for pet accessories products will reach $17.2 billion by 2015.

Other factors driving growth in the global pet accessories market include rising income levels, increasing numbers of nuclear households and growth in pet ownership. For details, go to www.tinyurl.com/yzvevnn. [April 2010 PET AGE]