Data reveals shifting trends in UK pet products and brands

The new Online Pet Supplies Report from Salience Search Marketing, a UK-based marketing agency, has analyzed trend patterns using historical search data to identify pet product trends in the online UK retail market.

Rising search trends in niche segments

According to the findings, between April 2023 and April 2024, “cat rag doll” had the highest search volume of 90,500 and a positive interest trend of 22%.

This was followed by the keywords “all about dog food” and “dog bowls,” which had a search volume of 27,100 and 22,200, respectively.

Keywords like “dog bowls,” “cat litter tray,” “cat litter box,” “dog treats” and “hypoallergenic dog food” also had high search volumes.

Interestingly, the search volume for “stainless steel cat litter box” is one of the lowest (480); however, this product shows the largest interest trend at 1,549%.

Similarly, “dog dry robe,” with a search volume of just 1,600, depicts an 84% increased interest trend.

Receding trends in prominent products

The keyword “dog beds” has the highest product search volume of 110,000; however, it depicts a 6% decline in interest trend.

Searches related to ‘wood pellet cat litter’ face one of the highest losses in interest trends.

“Raw dog food” has a search volume of 33,100 but shows a receding interest trend of -12%. The keyword “dog toys” followed the same figures.

“Cat litter” and “cat food” have search volumes of 22,200 each but have a declining interest trend of -13% and -6%, respectively.

Products like ‘anti-anxiety dog beds’ (-67%), ‘fresh pet dog food’ (-44%) and ‘dog toys for bored dogs’ (-36%) also show declines in both search volume and interest trends.

Preferred brands

The pet retail channels with the highest search volumes are Pets at Home and Zooplus (1.8 million and 111,000, respectively). However, both brands are witnessing a receding interest trend of -13% and -12% each.

Pet Drugs Online, an online veterinary medication supplier, is the highest-ranked “emerging brand,” with a search volume of 90,500 and a positive interest trend of 14%.

Other UK retailers with the highest search volumes include PetShop (74,000), Jollyes (60,500), Pets Corner (49,500) and VioVet (49,500).

Scrumbles, known for its gut-friendly pet food, has an increased interest trend of 97%, though its search volume is only 4,400. Dog food company Pooch & Mutt is showing an increased interest of 70%, with a search volume of 14,800.

Major pet brands

Searches for Mars’ Royal Canin and pet supplies store Pet Planet show the highest interest decline of -24% each. However, their search volumes remain significant at 22,200 and 18,100, respectively.

Harringtons Pet Food, a brand owned by Inspired Pet Nutrition, has the lowest search volume of 390.

Surprisingly, the keywords “Sheba” and “Whiskas” – 2 brands that fall under Mars – have one of the lowest search volumes, at 4,400 (-7%) and 3,600 (-13%), displaying a declining interest trend.