IMPORTANCE

• THE IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL NUTRITIONIn today’s health-conscious society, we know how important it is to take care of each and every part our body. That includes taking different vitamins and eating a variety of different foods to provide all the nutrients needed to support different bodily functions, like calcium for our bones, fish oil for our heart and fiber for digestion. When we’re healthy and nourishing our bodies with nutrients from a balance of wholesome foods, we are more likely to receive the right micronutrients, protein and fats. We feel energized, smart and simply good all over. Just like us, our pets thrive by consuming the right variety of nutrients that play a crucial part in supporting specific bodily functions. As parallels in health care conditions of humans and their pets trend upwards, consumers are also seeking select remedies to restore and maintain the health of their cats and dogs. Data reveals 60 percent of pet “parents” take dietary supplements and 25 percent of them give supplements to their dogs. Pet owners are seeking more wholesome and natural health care solutions to manage the nutritional needs of their pets. Consumers, nutritionists and manufacturers are beginning to recognize that striving for optimal levels of nutrients may be a prudent step toward improving small animal nutrition.

• Ensure Proper NutritionMaking sure your pet is receiving the proper nutrition is the single most important thing you can do to care for your pet. A malnourished animal is prone to many different kinds of diseases, illnesses, and general discomfort. A continuous lack of even a single nutrient can cause problems later on, thus it is vital that your pet gets the nutrition it needs. When purchasing food, be sure to read the labels carefully. As a general rule, cheaper foods are generally missing several essential nutrients that your pet may need for optimal health. If you cannot afford the more expensive pet food brands, consider investing in supplements instead. These supplements can be added to your pet’s regular food. An annual checkup at the veterinarian’s office is an important part of pet care. The vet will be able to verify your pet’s health, and provide various services to prevent future illnesses (such as vaccinations). Annual checkups are not that expensive, and investing in them could prolong your pet’s life.

• Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures

  Year	Billion
  2014	$58.51 Estimated
  2013	$55.72 Actual
  2012	$53.33
  2011	$50.96

• Estimated 2014 Sales within the U.S. Market

  For 2014, it estimated that $58.51 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S.

  Estimated Breakdown:
  Food	$22.62 billion
  Supplies/OTC Medicine	$13.72 billion
  Vet Care	$15.25 billion
  Live animal purchases	$2.19 billion
  Pet Services: grooming & boarding	$4.73 billion

• Actual Sales within the U.S. Market in 2013

  In 2013, $55.72 billion was spent on our pets in the U.S.

  Breakdown:
  Food	$21.57 billion
  Supplies/OTC Medicine	$13.14 billion
  Vet Care	$14.37 billion
  Live animal purchases	$2.23 billion
  Pet Services: grooming & boarding	$4.41 billion

• 2013-2014 APPA National Pet Owners Survey Statistics: Pet Ownership & Annual Expenses • According to the 2013-2014 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 68% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 82.5 millions homes
  • In 1988, the first year the survey was conducted, 56% of U.S. households owned a pet.