Essential summer accessories for dogs

The global pet accessory market was estimated at $21.8 billion (€20.1B) in 2023, is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7% and is forecasted to reach $42.2 billion (€48.9B) by 2032.

It’s a sector increasingly influenced by the number of owners willing to spend on their dogs’ welfare. A wide range of summer-specific dog accessories, including SPF gear, water bottles and preventative parasiticides, are now available to keep pets safe in the heat.

SPF for dogs: sprays to fabrics

Protecting pets from the sun’s harmful UV rays has only recently become a recognized concern. As the American Kennel Club notes, sunburn can lead to certain types of skin cancer and exacerbate autoimmune and skin conditions.

However, a 2022 survey of 2,000 dog owners showed that 46% did not know pets need sun protection, 55% were unaware of the effects of sunburn on dogs and 7 in 10 owners had no idea how to use dog sunscreen.

The scope of SPF gear for dogs is not limited to creams and sprays.

Brands are now making protective pet garments using the same sunscreen fabric technology used in human activewear. T-shirts in bright colors and stylish designs are the most popular SPF garments for dogs.

Hydration solutions for dogs

According to the British Veterinary Association, veterinarians see 5 times more cases of heatstroke in June, July and August. Hot weather and insufficient hydration contribute to this increase, making portable water bottles a vital accessory for active dogs.

With rising demand, the global dog water bottle industry is expected to be worth $260 million (€239.6M) by 2033, according to Future Market Insights.

Recent developments in this sector include leakproof lids, ergonomic grips, integrated food dispensers, temperature control, water level indicators and waste reduction technology.

California-based Spleash, the winner of a 2021 Pet Innovation Award, offers a water dispensing system that conveniently attaches to most dog leashes and holds 12 oz of water.

Meanwhile, US pet supplies specialist Springer Pets has created a waste-controlling travel bottle with a built-in, foldable silicone drinking bowl.

The simple but efficient squeeze-and-release design allows excess water to drain back into the bottle, saving drinkable water.

For eco-conscious pet owners, Belgium’s M-PETS produces dog water bottles made from recycled plastics, while New Zealand company Puprika uses BPA-free materials and UK-based Bonnie Woof’s bottles feature environmentally friendly polycarbonate.

Keeping parasites at bay

The flea and tick preventatives market is driven by the spread of vector-borne diseases and awareness campaigns targeting pet owners.

According to Grand View Research, it was valued at $6.6 billion (€6.1B) in 2023 and is projected to reach $7.1 billion (€6.5B) in 2024 and $10.9 billion (€10.1) by 2030.

Spot-on products account for the largest revenue share. Pet pharmaceutical industry giants Zoetis, MSD Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Virbac and Elanco lead spot-on sales.

However, a 2024 study published in Science of the Total Environment revealed that spot-on products contribute to aquatic pollution when washed into water systems.

To minimize environmental impact, brands are offering alternatives, such as collars and chewables. Last year, Certified B Corp Alzoo launched a collar made with natural ingredients such as cedarwood and peppermint oil, which repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

At the same time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Boehringer Ingelheim’s NexGard PLUS, a tasty beef-flavored chewable tablet that protects against external and internal parasites.

The brand gained additional attention earlier this year when it donated more than 1.9 million NexGard PLUS doses worth $42.6 million (€39.3M) to animal shelters.

MSD is behind the industry’s latest breakthrough: developing an injectable version of Bravecto that provides up to a year of parasite protection and is safe for puppies over 6 months old.

The injection is already available in Europe and has recently been approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) for use in the UK.