Pet & Pet Supplies Stores NAICS 459910

Sep 29, 2025 - Gen Z and Millennials Drive Growth in Fish and Reptile Ownership: APPA

• According to Pet Age, the American Pet Products Association (APPA)’s 2025 Fish & Reptile Report reveals strong growth in pet ownership among Gen Z and Millennials, with 10 million US households owning freshwater fish, 6 million owning reptiles, and 2 million owning saltwater fish. Saltwater enthusiasts are upgrading: 44% now use 56–125 gallon tanks (up 10% from 2023), and 34% use tanks over 126 gallons (up 17%). Reptile trends show turtles/tortoises leading at 43%, while snake ownership rose 22% year-over-year. The report showed rising demand for high-end tanks, lighting (saltwater: 79% ownership, 58% planned purchases), and enrichment products. Specialty retailers gained traction, with reptile purchases from local stores up 15%, while superstore sales declined 14%. Gift spending also increased, with reptile owners averaging $34.20 per gift. These shifts signal opportunities through personalized products, habitat upgrades, and omnichannel engagement, especially as younger demographics deepen their investment in pet care.
• Consumer mood indicators in the US declined, signaling growing economic unease. The Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.3 points in August 2025, driven primarily by younger consumers under 35, while confidence among those over 55 improved. Despite the dip, overall confidence remained consistent with recent months. Separately, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 55.4 in preliminary September data, down from 58.2 in August and 21% below September 2024 levels. Inflation expectati ons held steady, though concerns about pricing pressures, particularly from tariffs, persist. These indices reflect consumers’ outlook on personal finances and the broader economy, serving as key predictors of future spending behavior.

• Cat ownership and cat product purchases are on the rise, according to the 2025 Dog & Cat Report conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Cat ownership grew 23% in 2024, with 49 million households reporting owning a cat compared to 40 million in 2023. Cat owners are also purchasing more training products and products that encourage quality time outside the home. Nearly 50% of cat owners are using some kind of training method with their cat, compared to 41% in 2024. Nearly a third of cat owners have a leash (up 22% from 2018), 22% own a harness (up 69%), and 27% own a non-flea collar (up 50%). The report also noted that 53% of dog owners and 34% of cat owners give their pets vitamins/supplements in 2024, up 6% respectively in each category over 2023.
• Sales for the US pet and pet supplies retailers industry are projected to grow at a 2.01% CAGR from 2025 to 2029, slower than the expected growth of the overall economy, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The retail and wholesale sectors are driven by consumer spending, along with expenditure by businesses and the government. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the sector. The forecast said retail spending could soften with the growth of spending on consumer services. A factor that may limit consumer spending is higher tariffs on consumer goods. Lower inflation supports a moderate increase of real disposable income by about 2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Real income could suffer if prices rise due to tariff implementation.