We Spent $52 Billion On Our Pets Last Year

[listopencil]

If we outlawed pets and taxed that money away from citizens instead, we could fund about 2/3 of the SNAP program.

We Spent $52 Billion on Our Pets Last Year
February 25, 2013 2:20 pm
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smar...rtnewspetmoney

Last year, Americans spent an estimated $52 billion on our pets—more than on both coffee and bottled water combined, according to a report issued by the American Pet Products Association.

Data stretching back to 1994 shows a clear trend: Americans are spending more on their pets than ever before. Even during the recession, spending leveled rather than dropped, a sign of just how much millions of Americans love their furry friends. If the past is any predictor of the future, that spending will only continue to rise in years to come.

It’s clear that most of our money goes into food and health care. But The Atlantic points out that grooming and treats should not be taken lightly. The $6.2 billion we spent on those two categories represents more money than Facebook made in advertising revenue last year.

The Atlantic breaks down the billions into its component parts and tracks how our wallets’ love for pets has grown over the years:

[Bowser]

That is insane.

[blaise]

Well, good. Keeps people working and gets money moving.

[mikey23545]

How dare we spend money on something we choose, rather than having Obama taking it from us and giving Pet Stamps to the less fortunate among us.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Canada has free vet care, like most other civilized societies.

[Garcia Bronco]

I spent probably 4k on my Dog last year all told and he is worth every penny.

[KC_Lee]

We Spent $52 Billion On Our Pets Last Year

Yeah...so what?

[RyFo18]

I just spent $300 after my dog chewed up a digital thermometer to get an X-Ray and have the vet tell me everything was going to be OK.

Problem is, I didn't care, and knew it would be fine. My wife was paranoid, loves this dog (as do I), and the vet knew that and told her we should bring it in.

[listopencil]

I'm sitting here trying not to think about how much money I have spent on our cat, turtle, two dogs and three sheep. Yes, I have three pet sheep. Long story.

[blaise]

I wouldn't get another cat. Not a house cat anyway. Seemed like I was always buying litter or food and cleaning that disgusting litter box.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by blaise

I wouldn't get another cat. Not a house cat anyway. Seemed like I was always buying litter or food and cleaning that disgusting litter box.

I've never had a house cat. I have always raised mine to be inside/outside cats.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

My dog costs me next to nothing. I have to buy special food for her because she has sensitive skin, but I haven't had to take her to the vet 5 times in her life and she turns 8 next month. She's easy.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

My dog costs me next to nothing. I have to buy special food for her because she has sensitive skin, but I haven't had to take her to the vet 5 times in her life and she turns 8 next month. She's easy.

I take mine to the vet once a year just cause

[RNR]

I have a cat and a dog, if it came down to Obama or either one of them this country would be led by Biden~

[Dayze]

180 per yr for shots for our dogs.

Toys and food. That's it. About 50 per three weeks/month for food. The whole food kind so it's a little more expensive but only by about 5 bucks