Transcript continued
Chapter 11 The Small Animal Industry Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Industry Background • Almost two-thirds of U.S. households have pets – Spend more than $45 billion annually – Pet food accounts for approximately $17 billion annually – Veterinary services total approximately $12 billion annually (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Industry Background • Dogs and cats – Most common pets • Trend toward exotic pets Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. History of Dogs • Associated with humans since Stone Age – Scavenged food scraps around villages – Had appealing hunting ability • All modern dogs come from wild dogs (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. History of Dogs • Humans began to select dogs with desirable characteristics – Wide variety of traits • E.g., size, color – More than 400 recognized breeds Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Groups of Dog Breeds • • • • • • • Sporting Hound Terrier Working Herding Toy Nonsporting Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. History of Cats • Date back to ancient Egypt – Popularity may be due to killing of mice and other rodents in granaries – Had value because they rid homes and storage areas of vermin – Also served as companion animals • Today, inhabit almost every country (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. History of Cats • In U.S., used to rid homes of mice and other vermin – Caught and consumed own food – Often lived in barns or grain storage buildings • Popular today – Even though used less to catch mice Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Basics of Cat Breeds • Differ from dogs in breeding – Bred selectively only somewhat recently – Less variation among breeds – Fewer breeds • Most breeds named after regions (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Basics of Cat Breeds • Generally fall into two groups: – Shorthair – Longhair Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Exotic Animals as Pets • Large industry has developed • Strict laws now regulate importation and sale of certain animals – Illegal to import or sell most wild animals – Most endangered species protected from private sale • Animal importation risks disease • All animals entering U.S. must be quarantined Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reptiles • Fastest growing pet category in U.S. – Traditionally considered poor pets – Education has increased use • Iguanas – Most popular reptiles – Size of domestic cat – Clean, odorless, and house-trainable (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reptiles • Require special care – Washing with antibacterial soap after handling recommended – Lights and heat source required Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Health Benefits • Pets good for humans’ health – Provide simple relationships • Accepting, attentive, responsive, and nonjudgmental • Pets help children – Provide security – Have calming influence – Help develop responsibility (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Health Benefits • New benefits being discovered – Aid in humans’ healing process – Support health and well-being – Extend lives of older individuals Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Service Animals • Assist those with disabilities in everyday life – E.g., guide dog for the blind • Many organizations raise guide dogs using volunteers – Expose to everyday activities – Avoid games – Avoid human food (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Service Animals • Only approximately half of puppies become guide dogs • Hearing-ear dogs trained to listen for those who cannot • Other dogs help those who are wheelchairbound or have spinal injuries • Horses benefit humans through hippotherapy Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Pet Food • Uses many by-products and surpluses from human food – Dry dog food: mainly grain – Canned pet food: meat by-products • May contain carcasses unfit for humans • Carefully formulated to meet animals’ nutritional needs Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Animal Health • Large industry – More than $10 billion each year in U.S. – Approximately 40,000 U.S. veterinarians • Animal medical care has become highly technical (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Animal Health • Vets stress preventive measures – – – – Vaccination programs Regular dental exams Sound diet Routine exercise Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Diseases and Afflictions • Pets can pass infectious diseases to humans – Zoonoses: pet-borne illnesses – Direct or indirect contact – E.g., rabies, roundworm of dogs, toxoplasmosis in cats, psittacosis (parrot fever), ringworm, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, bite/scratch infections, allergies Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Summary • U.S. pet industry huge and growing • Americans like pets – Willing to spend on them • Pets serve many purposes, from service to companionship (continued) Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Summary • Pet types vary widely • Animal importation closely regulated • Pet business will continue to grow Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.