For most families, the resident dogs and cats are more than pets; they’re an important and much-loved part of the family, and they’re spoiled silly! From pet food to apparel, tags to tutus, the pet supply industry is one that continues to grow and shows little sign of slowing down.
In 2023, the U.S. pet industry reached a record $147 billion in total expenditures, according to the American Pet Products Association. Anyone in the personalization industry can use that to their advantage and grow their own business by offering many of the items “pet parents” are looking for. Let’s look at just a few of those items you can provide and personalize using the equipment you likely already have in your shop.
One of the first things that probably comes to mind is personalized pet tags. There is a large variety of quality tags available for personalization, whether engraving, UV printing, or sublimating, ranging from the very basic round tag to blinged out and fabulous. Your customer can choose from an array of shapes, sizes, and colors personalized with their pet’s name and their contact information, or even indicating that the pet is microchipped and should be scanned for contact information. This simple little item can be fun to create, but could be what ultimately ensures that someone’s wandering lost friend makes it back home safely.
You’ll need something to attach the tag to, and there are collars available that can be personalized for your pet with their name, your phone number, their vet, or whatever you wish. Leatherette collars in various colors, for example, are perfect for this and are available in sizes for the tiniest teacup pup to the bigger breeds.
They’ll be the envy of the dog park when you take them out in style with a sublimated personalized bandanna that slides right over their existing collar. You can also turn any T-shirt or jersey with polyester content into an adorable custom personalized “outfit” for a pampered pooch. Just remember, the higher the polyester content, the better, brighter, longer-lasting results you’ll get.
Heat transfer material also works great for T-shirt or bandana decoration and gives you more options for the fabric and colors that can be used. Toddler or child shirt sizes will work best for most dogs, but you might need an adult size for a larger breed. There are size charts available online as well as instructions for how to measure the dog for the best clothing fit.
All pets need to eat, right? I’m pretty sure they’ll feel extra special with a personalized bowl created just for them! There are all kinds of pet bowls on the market to choose from, stainless steel, ceramic, powder-coated, and even collapsible bowls that are great for travel or hiking. It’s up to you and your decorating capabilities how many options you want to offer. Ceramic bowls are perfect for full-color personalization with sublimation. Powder-coated stainless steel can be laser-engraved or UV printed for full-color personalization. Bowls are typically available in a variety of sizes colors.
If you look at what you’re already selling, you’ll find products you can market to pet owners, or to pet supply stores, veterinary clinics, or groomers. Keychains, bag tags, bags, photo panels, mugs or picture frames, and ornaments can all be personalized with a favorite photo of a pet or business information, and they all make great gifts or promotional items. The substrate options for any of these items are vast and of varied price points, so there’s something to fit every budget.
Pets add so much enrichment to our lives, but as much as we hate to say goodbye, the time inevitably does come when our loyal, loving friends leave us. Create a memorial to the years of happy memories they leave you with a personalized picture frame holding a cherished photo, or a shadow box that holds their collar, tags, photo, or even a favorite toy.
Any of the items we’ve talked about can be meaningful memorial gifts for someone who’s lost a much-loved pet. A garden spot can be a tribute in the yard with a personalized stone or garden stake marking the memorial. Beautiful urns are also available that can be customized with a photo or engraved name and the dates they lived.
People love their pets through all stages of life and will spend a lot to care for and spoil them. Add a few of these items to your website or showroom and show customers what you have to offer; be their one-stop shop and let them spend with you! You likely already have what you need to personalize these products in your shop, and even many of the products, and they lend themselves well to either online or brick-and-mortar shops. Adding pet products is a great way to expand what you offer and grow your business without having to make a large upfront investment.
