ohmidog!

Once again, America’s spending on pets has grown despite the recession, with a 5.4 percent increase in 2009, according to the American Pet Products Association.

The APPA’s annual comprehensive review shows spending on animals, food, supplies, veterinary care, groming, boarding and pet sitting jumped to $45.5 billion in American in 2009, up from $43.2 billion in 2008.

The association projected another increase — of  nearly 5 percent – in 2010.

While growth came in all categories, health-care spending showed the biggest increase, with an 8.5 rise in spending on veterinary care — a result of medical advances leading to a greater range of services available.

“From CAT scans, root canals and cancer surgery to antibiotics, anti-depressants and even grief counseling, pet owners have more medical choices and spending options than ever before. This leads to an anticipated growth of another 6% in this category for 2010,” the APPA said.

As services available for pets continue to become more parallel to those for humans, the gap in the quality of life between humans and their pets is quickly disappearing, said APPA President Bob Vetere.

“We feel our pets give us so much it is no longer enough to simply give them a treat. We want to keep our pets healthier, longer, and are willing to spend what it takes to make it happen,” he said.

Service-based businesses like dog walkers, pooper-scoopers, trainers and even massage-therapists are booming, and day care, pet walking and pet sitting continue to be in high demand — parly a result of pet owners working longer hours.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is a not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958. Its mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry.