Blog with Rob: See Spot Sell

Americans love their pets. According to trade group American Pet Products Association, there are now more than 80 million owned dogs in the United States, and an analysis of recent census data found there are more households with a dog than with a child. With that kind of massive demographic growth, it’s no surprise that some next-level pet products are some of today’s most lucrative or promising new small businesses.

Many are even utilizing web-based technology to ensure that even when you can’t be with Fluffy, you see her or make sure that she’s eaten. Some, like PetChatz, even allow your pet to place a video chat call to you via motion sensor, which sends you an alert via an app on your mobile device. From there you can dispense treats to your pet as well.

Another surprising enterprise is DogTV, a channel specifically designed to ease anxious dogs that are left alone for long periods of time. The channel features soothing classical music with images of other dogs and even subtle introductions of stressful stimuli (ringing doorbells and loud children) to condition dogs to get used to the human world. That service can be added to a DirectTV subscription for $5.00 a month.

According to the American Pet Products Association, spending on pet related products and services reached $55.8 Billion last year. Just 10 years ago in 2004, that number was $34.4 Billion.

So what do you think readers, could your passion for pets turn into big success?