Why Do Pet Owners Pay More for Made in the USA Pet Products?

Why Do Pet Owners Pay More for Made in the USA Pet Products?

The reasons why buyers will spend more money on domestically produced pet toys, accessories, and other hard products. 

The ongoing COVID-19 epidemic continues to damage imported items and the supply chain in many industries, including the pet business. According to industry insiders, demand for American-made pet toys, collars, leashes, shampoos, conditioners, and other goods has surged rapidly in recent years.

"It used to be about great quality and safety, and it still is," said Jerry Moffett, vice president of sales and marketing for RuffDawg, a Worcester, Massachusetts-based toy manufacturer. "However, with most imported goods still plagued by constant supply chain challenges, availability, as well as the capacity to transport and deliver them on schedule, is undoubtedly a big driver of demand for made in the USA items."

RuffDawg manufactures long-lasting rubber chew toys using nontoxic and FDA-approved ingredients.

"We make quality products, and our top line is unbreakable with a lifetime warranty," Moffett explained. "We developed the new Crinkit retrieving toy in late 2021, which is an empty water bottle enclosed in a firm rubber shell that generates a fascinating crinkly-crunchy sound when dogs bite down."

According to Denise Strong, owner of Pawz on Main, a pet boutique in Cottonwood, Arizona, demand for American-made items has always been strong.

"USA-made things are higher in quality, and they contribute to the US economy," she remarked.

Claudia Loomis, president of CB Pet Market, which has outlets in New Jersey, agreed.

"Created in the USA hard goods are becoming more popular because pet owners believe that products made in the United States are of higher quality, and it supports American businesses and employees," Loomis explained.

Despite the popular perception that items created in the United States are superior, she added that pet owners still want to know how the products are made.

"Made in the USA does not always imply sourced in the USA when it comes to physical items," Loomis explained. "Many of these goods contain foreign textiles or components."

Educated pet owners who enquire about the origins of pet food and treats desire comparable knowledge about other items, according to Loomis.

"As a result, buyers are increasingly inquiring about the origin of components of the USA-made hard items they are purchasing," Loomis explained.

According to Dave Colella, proprietor of Earthdog, a Brentwood, Tenn.-based maker of eco-friendly dog items, the need for more American-made goods appears to be a long-term trend—which is a good thing.

"I'd like to think that as time passes, people become more conscious of America's shift toward outsourcing practically everything," Colella said. "[And] that there is an increasing pushback against it, or at the very least an interest in seeing whether there is a local product that satisfies a certain need, which more and more [do today]."

Price Increases

According to the United States Department of Labor, the consumer price index increased by 7% in 2021, the highest gain since June 1982. Consumers are witnessing price rises wherever they turn, including in pet supplies.

"Inflation is now the norm—we see it in all items, whether for dogs or their owners," Strong added.

Moffett noted that, despite the fact that RuffDawg manufactures all of its goods in-house, raw materials, packaging, labor, and freight prices have risen.

"We don't have an option but to pass that [increase] on to our clients," he explained.

Colella agreed with Moffett, stating that while his business dislikes raising prices, it was forced to do so last year after absorbing price hikes on practically every component used in its production operations.

"We recently encountered some really significant production challenges with one of the trim producers we've employed for many years after their firm sold," Colella explained. "At the time, it would have been far cheaper to outsource that trim manufacture to China, but that's not how we work."

Earthdog is in the midst of outsourcing all of its ornamental trim work to another manufacturer in the United States.

"As a consequence, several of our best-sellers have been updated," Colella explained. "In certain situations, [we] have improved on earlier items in terms of appearance and feel." We're expanding our three-quarter-inch-wide collar selection with numerous new designs."

Despite the impact of inflation on product pricing, sales and demand are still increasing. So far, RuffDawg has more than quadrupled its sales in 2022, while 2021 witnessed a more than 75 percent growth over 2020, according to Moffett.

"A pet parent may be hesitant to spend money on large-ticket products, but they may still buy a new toy or collar for their greatest buddy," Moffett said. "In my 30-plus years,

With years of expertise, the pet industry has always been recession-resistant."

Pricing Trends

Emphasis on Value

Toys, collars, leashes, shampoos, and conditioners produced in the United States are growing popular among pet owners. However, as the cost of materials and raw materials continues to climb, the price of USA-made pet items will rise progressively, according to industry experts. Educating pet owners about the value of items created in the United States might help alleviate price shock for some.

"Price has always been an issue with pet toys, but the ones created [in the USA], you get your money's worth when you buy them," said Errin West, co-owner of The Cat Connection, a Dallas pet boutique. "Imported toys may contain components that break down sooner, but American-made toys are proven and true."

The Cat Connection sells a variety of American-made products ranging in price from $2.99 to $14.99. West stated that things that cost more than $14.99 must be "fancy and excellent quality" in order for customers to spend that much money on them.

"We've always tried to buy products manufactured in the United States, and people are now catching on," West added. "I believe that the quality of the toys is the most important [thing]." If it is created in the United States, it must be of high quality; otherwise, it cannot be sold at a premium."

Jerry Moffett, vice president of sales and marketing at RuffDawg, a Worcester, Massachusetts-based toy company, concurred. While many pet owners link manufactured in the USA pet items with greater pricing, he claims that many are unconcerned about what the tag says since they believe these products are meant to endure.

"Consumers are well informed, and they recognize that made in the USA items provide greater value and, as a result, maybe slightly more expensive," he added. "When you provide the buyer a safe, exciting, and attractive toy that dogs adore, the sky is the limit [with USA-made items]." [If] it's built of high-quality materials that are sturdy and long-lasting, it will always justify the price."

Trade Talk

Adam Baker is the creator and president of Boulder, Colorado-based SodaPup.

How has the demand for manufactured USA pet toys and accessories have risen in recent years? What services does SodaPup provide in this area to suit the demands of pet owners?

There are three reasons why the demand for made in the USA pet goods has skyrocketed in recent years. For starters, many spent more time at home with their pets or obtained pets for the first time during the epidemic. Second, for geopolitical reasons, there is increased support for US manufacturing. Finally, the global supply chain issue has drawn attention to the benefits of indigenous production.

Despite global supply chain issues, SodaPup has suffered a relatively little interruption in manufacturing and supply. 100% American production is a cornerstone of the SodaPup brand. It's what customers desire. SodaPup specializes in enrichment goods like rubber and nylon toys that discharge treats and soft meals, as well as novel lick mats and feeding systems. We see ourselves as an innovation firm focused on developing the categories in which we compete with creative designs that are both useful and enjoyable.