Raising the bar: Quality and safety in the evolving pet product market

First published:
June 2024

In today's world, pets are cherished family members, and pet owners are increasingly willing to invest in high-quality products for their furry friends. They are also looking for assurances that the items they purchase for their beloved animals meet the highest standards, mirroring the care they would expect for any family member.

This article explores the evolving landscape of the pet product industry and offers insights into how pet brands and manufacturers can adapt to changing consumer behaviours.

Massive potential in the pet product industry

The pet product market has shown exceptional growth. A recent report suggested that the pet accessories market had an estimated 6.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Y-o-Y between 2022 and 2027, and the market size is forecast to increase by USD13,243 million.

Today's pet owners are more engaged and value-driven, demanding human-grade standards for pet products. They seek premium products from brands that are transparent about sourcing, organic ingredients, absence of harmful substances, and environmental impact.

Consumer demand for safe and sustainable products has led to a proliferation of toys marketed as being chemical-free, non-toxic, recycled and biodegradable.

With dermatological issues being common in pets such as dogs and cats, their owners are paying increasingly more attention to potential allergens in textile garments, plastic toys and materials, with chemical-based toys being heavily scrutinised.

Pet product testing to ensure quality and safety

While mandatory standards for pet products are not yet in place, testing is crucial to ensure quality and safety. Conducting tests through a reliable third-party laboratory can identify potential hazards and protect the well-being of pets and their owners by examining chemical safety, mechanical resilience, and overall product performance.

Having the products tested can help brands to mitigate the risk of negative associations such as product recalls, and most importantly, to foster consumer trust in the products being offered.

What tests and standards should be used for pet products?

Here are some examples of tests/standards for different pet product categories:

How to stand out in the competitive pet product market?

Demonstrating product safety and quality is crucial to stand out in a competitive market. As consumer trends shift towards high-quality and safe pet products, it's essential to showcase the quality and safety of your products.

How can the Eurofins Softlines & Leather - Toys & Hardlines network of laboratories help?

Our Pet Product Verification Mark is strategically designed to help pet brands and manufacturers ensure the safety and quality of their pet products, enabling them to distinguish their products in the market and support their marketing or function claims and demonstrate product quality with confidence.

Our laboratories in China, Southeast Asia, North America and Europe offer pet product testing services and the subsequent verification mark for a variety range of product categories including dog leash/dog harnesses, pet blankets, pet carrying bags, pet food containers, pet garments, pet toys and soft pet bags.

For more information, please visit our Pet Product Testing and Verification webpage:
Softlines & Leather products / Toys & Hardlines products.