APPA published new survey of the US market

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) projects that this year pet owners in the US market are expected to spend $12.2 billion (€8.2 billion) for veterinary care, up from $11 billion (€7.4 billion) last year and $8.2 billion (€5.5 billion) five years ago. Bird owners reported the same number of visits as last year (2.0), but spent significantly more on surgical visits ($190 up from $55 - €128 up from €37). Owners also took their cats to the veterinarian more often in 2010 (2.4) than in 2008 (2.1) and spent an average of $423 (€285) on surgical veterinary visits as compared to $278 (€187) in 2008. The average number of times a dog has been taken to the veterinarian in the past twelve months is almost three (2.7), which is nearly identical to the number of visits in 2008 (2.8). Interestingly, only 5% of dogs have been given a homeopathic remedy.