CATS, DOGS AND TECHNOLOGY: FUTURE TRENDS IN PET CARE PROMISE NEW INNOVATION

Ask a futurist and you’d learn that future trends in pet care hint at a business that’s sitting at the cusp of an innovation boom with several emerging trends redefining pet health, nutrition, and products to cater to millennial and Gen Z pet owners. Future trends in pet care aim to capitalize on new paradigms of convenience, customization and connectivity. Top shifts would encompass new developments like telehealth veterinary apps, fresh food delivery, wearables with biometrics, genetic testing, pet tech, and premium services.

Pandemic pet adoption driving nearly $100 billion currently estimated in the US pet market unleashed demand for veterinary advice from home as anxious new owners monitor pet health. Startups like Fuzzy and Airvet connecting licensed vets to pet parents via video consultations seven days a week offer convenient access remotely. Prescriptions and follow-ups arrive seamlessly by mail post-appointment. As healthcare delivery moves outpatient, such virtual vet connections build lifetime care.

Seeking healthier, safer alternatives to commercial kibble also gains momentum. Brands like NomNomNow, PetPlate and Ollie preparing human-grade recipes tailored to pet dietary needs, then flash-freezing and shipping fresh weekly captures consumer trust through transparency around sourcing and nutrition science. Balancing common allergens and supplements supports immunity and digestion.

Similarly DNA testing helps determine risk for hereditary conditions ahead of onset. Companies like Embark vet and Wisdom Panel screen over 350 dog and cat breeds to inform owners of genetic predispositions around weight, food sensitivity, inherited diseases and even behavioral traits. Knowing health profiles early allows better lifestyle modifications.

Wearables like smart collars with GPS, activity/calorie tracking and medical alert sensors also enter the market, connecting pets to owners through wellness dashboards. Monitoring activity levels and vitals remotely keeps aging or injured pets safe while avoiding anxiety during daycare/boarding stays.

Pet tech also now ranges from automated pet feeders controlled remotely via apps to self-cleaning litterboxes. Surveillance cameras with treat tossing allow reassuring pets from afar. Smart bowls even translate barks explaining needs. As pandemic puppies age amidst hybrid work schedules, tech assists owners juggling responsibilities.

Also premium services supporting busy owners like pet taxis shuttling pets to grooming appointments, dog walking apps aggregating local freelance walkers for spontaneous bookings, and resort-style boarding amenities draw appeal and offer lucrative opportunities ahead.

Based on readings of future trends in pet care, the industry sits poised for vigorous ascent this decade as innovative companies tap technology, customization and premium care services to cater to millennial pet parenting preferences through convenience-driven, health-focused and connected care.