New Report: 54% of U.S. Households Own Pets; Baby Boomers Emerge as Key Demographic

Title: New Report: 54% of U.S. Households Own Pets; Baby Boomers Emerge as Key Demographic

From 2010 to 2014, the overall rate of pet ownership has held fairly steady, going from 53% of U.S. households to almost 54%. This equates to 61 million households in 2010 vs. 64 million in 2014, according to a new report, U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2015-2016.

Ownership rates hold strong due to steady participation by Gen X and Millennial adults in the pet market; while Baby Boomers emerge as the most essential consumer segment.

Key findings:

o Boomers have broken the historical pattern of slacking off in pet ownership as they age.  Instead, they have superimposed their proclivities toward health/wellness and self-pampering onto their pets. 

o If Boomers' "rule-breaking" behavior with regard to pet ownership continues, the result will be robust pet market participation in the senior cohort, where pet ownership rates have historically been far below average. 

o The new report speculates that the aging Boomer market sector will continue to help drive market growth for many years to come.

Press Release Follows

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- From 2010 to 2014, the overall rate of pet ownership has held fairly steady, going from 53% of U.S. households to almost 54%. This equates to 61 million households in 2010 vs. 64 million in 2014, according to U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2015-2016, a new report by market research publisher Packaged Facts.

To purchase the report or for more information visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/redirect.asp?progid=87384&productid=8918228.

The percentage of households that own dogs has held steady for the last four years, at about 38%.  Since 2008, almost 6 million more dog-owning households have come into the market.  Households with cats have basically stayed flat between 2008 and 2014.  In 2014, about 25% of U.S. households had cats, or about 30 million households. Overall, more than half of U.S. households own either a dog or a cat. Among other animal types, reptiles have seen something of an increase in popularity from 2010 to 2014.  In contrast, households with fish have declined.

The age bracket from 18-44 (Millennials and Gen Xers) represents a combined 27 million pet owners as of 2014, or almost 2 million more than the next major bracket (45-64, essentially Baby Boomers). Pet ownership has shown marked gains among Gen Y adults over the past few years, as ownership rate was just 50% as recently as 2010 but reached 59% in 2014 and was as high as 66% in 2012. 

Despite the strong tendency toward pet ownership among 18-44 year olds, it's Baby Boomers who are poised to be the pet industry's most influential demographic group.  Boomers have broken the historical pattern of slacking off in pet ownership as they age.  Instead, they have superimposed their proclivities toward health/wellness and self-pampering onto their pets. In and of itself, this is very good news. But the news gets even better in that Boomers are rapidly aging into the senior bracket (the oldest Boomers turn 69 in 2015). 

If Boomers' "rule-breaking" behavior with regard to pet ownership continues, the result will be robust pet market participation in the senior cohort, where pet ownership rates have historically been far below average. On the other hand, if Boomers retroactively revert to traditional patterns of reduced pet ownership among seniors, the market may find itself challenged indeed. Packaged Facts views this latter scenario as less likely, and instead expects the aging Boomer to help drive market growth for many years to come.

U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2015-2016 combines Packaged Facts' extensive monitoring of the pet market with a proprietary Pet Owner Survey hot off the presses, making it the go-to source for a complete understanding of the U.S. pet industry. The report evaluates current trends and future directions for marketing and retailing, along with consumer patterns across the full spectrum of the market, including veterinary services, pet food, nonfood pet supplies, and non-medical pet services (grooming, boarding, training, etc.).  For more information on or to purchase U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2015-2016 or other reports in Packaged Facts' industry leading catalog of research reports on pet products and services, visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pet-products-services-c124/.  

About Packaged Facts – Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, consumer packaged goods, and pet products and services. Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased at www.PackagedFacts.com and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

Please visit Packaged Facts on LinkedIn for more insights.  Follow us also on Twitter and Google+.

Press Contact:                                                                                       

Daniel Granderson
240.747.3000 
dgranderson@marketresearch.com

Sales Contact:                                                                                       

Jeff Miller
jmiller@marketresearch.com

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New Study: Cats Have a Positive Effect on Owners' Moods

Today, being a self-proclaimed "cat lady" is a badge of kitty pride, with most owners saying that they treat their cats like people, or even like their children, and proudly post selfies with their cats. Nearly all cat owners also believe their furry felines have a positive impact on their overall well-being. 

A new study, called  "Lighten the Day"  -- uncovered the following findings about the positive impact cats have on their owners:

• Cattitudes: According to the survey, cats are naturally soothing animals. Ninety-five percent of cat owners agree that their cat lightens their mood, while 88 percent say that their cat helps them unwind after a long and stressful day. When it comes to relaxing at home with their cat, the majority of cat owners say that it's more relaxing than working out, getting a massage or even interacting with other humans. The same goes for their relationships, too. After a long and stressful day, more than two-thirds (65%) of cat owners would rather hang out with their cat than be intimate with their partner, and over one-third (35%) would rather snuggle with their cat than their significant other.
• A Cat's Best Friend: Don't come between a cat and its owner. According to the study, two-thirds of cat owners say their cat is their best friend and for those with children, 72 percent consider their cat to be another child. Many also admit to doing things for their cat that they would typically do with a friend or family member, such as talking (57%), playing games (57%) and buying gifts (46%). 
• Insta-cats: Cat owners love to share their affection for their cats on social media and more than three-fourths of cat owners (78%) believe that celebrity cat owners make it cool to have a cat. According to the study, over half (53%) of 18 to 24 year olds have posted selfies of themselves with their cat. In addition, one in five of cat owners ages 25 to 34 have created online profiles and posts from the perspective of their cat. To further tap into this trend, ARM & HAMMER™ Cat Litter is launching today a dedicated Instagram channel @armandhammercat that will share content, such as cat-related stats, tips and humorous posts with this community.
• About the Survey
  The was commissioned by ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ and conducted by Edelman Berland (www.edelmanberland.com) among 1,514 cat owners and nationally representative U.S. adults, ages 18+, between February 27 and March 12, 2015.  The margin of error for this study is ± 3.1% among the nationally representative sample. 

Press Release Follows

New ARM & HAMMER™ Cat Litter Study Finds that Cats Have a Dramatically Positive Effect on Owners' Moods

ARM & HAMMER™ launches Clump & Seal™ Lightweight Cat Litter aimed to "Lighten the Day" for cat owners

EWING, N.J., April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, being a self-proclaimed "cat lady" is a badge of kitty pride, with most owners saying that they treat their cats like people, or even like their children, and proudly post selfies with their cats. Nearly all cat owners also believe their furry felines have a positive impact on their overall well-being. Despite this kitty-craze, dealing with heavy, dusty and smelly cat litter doesn't always lighten their mood. That's why Church & Dwight, Co., Inc., the makers of ARM & HAMMER™ Cat Litter, conducted a study to uncover how new Clump & Seal™ Lightweight litter can ultimately "lighten the day" for cat owners and their pets.  

According to the study, cat owners purchase an average of 230 pounds of cat litter every year – more than the average weight of a baby elephant. In fact, one-third of cat owners (34%) say the weight of the litter is their biggest frustration, and they wish it weighed less. The study also found that nearly half of cat owners (46%) feel that changing cat litter is worse than cleaning the toilet.  

"We understand the frustrations that come with transporting litter and changing the litter box," said Melissa Martin, Vice President, Marketing, Pet Care - Church & Dwight, Co., Inc. "That's why we're inviting consumers to 'lighten their day' with new Clump & Seal™ Lightweight litter that guarantees 7-Day odor control, is 50%  lighter than regular ARM & HAMMER™ clumping cat litter and 100%  dust-free."

To shed light on the study findings and to further educate cat owners about how they can "Lighten the Day" and solve common litter problems, ARM & HAMMER™ has partnered with Mieshelle Nagelschneider, cat behaviorist and author of The Cat Whisperer. "Litter box issues are by far the number one complaint among cat owners," said Nagelschneider. "An easy solution is using a lightweight, quality cat litter, like Clump & Seal™ Lightweight, that's easy to handle, provides long-lasting odor control, and is dust-free."

The "Lighten the Day" study also uncovered the following findings about the positive impact cats have on their owners:

• Cattitudes: According to the survey, cats are naturally soothing animals. Ninety-five percent of cat owners agree that their cat lightens their mood, while 88 percent say that their cat helps them unwind after a long and stressful day. When it comes to relaxing at home with their cat, the majority of cat owners say that it's more relaxing than working out, getting a massage or even interacting with other humans. The same goes for their relationships, too. After a long and stressful day, more than two-thirds (65%) of cat owners would rather hang out with their cat than be intimate with their partner, and over one-third (35%) would rather snuggle with their cat than their significant other.
• A Cat's Best Friend: Don't come between a cat and its owner. According to the study, two-thirds of cat owners say their cat is their best friend and for those with children, 72 percent consider their cat to be another child. Many also admit to doing things for their cat that they would typically do with a friend or family member, such as talking (57%), playing games (57%) and buying gifts (46%). 
• Insta-cats: Cat owners love to share their affection for their cats on social media and more than three-fourths of cat owners (78%) believe that celebrity cat owners make it cool to have a cat. According to the study, over half (53%) of 18 to 24 year olds have posted selfies of themselves with their cat. In addition, one in five of cat owners ages 25 to 34 have created online profiles and posts from the perspective of their cat. To further tap into this trend, ARM & HAMMER™ Cat Litter is launching today a dedicated Instagram channel @armandhammercat that will share content, such as cat-related stats, tips and humorous posts with this community.

To help cat owners better care for their pets and lighten their day, new ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ Lightweight litter is the only cat litter that has unique technology that forms a tight seal around odor and destroys it with powerful odor eliminators and ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda for up to seven days of odor control. ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ Lightweight Cat Litter is available in two varieties: Fresh Scent and Multi-Cat in 9lb. and 15lb. boxes at leading retail outlets nationwide. Suggested retail prices range from$11.99 to $18.49.

Experience the confidence of seven-day odor control with new Clump & Seal™ Lightweight Cat Litter. For more information, visit http://www.clumpandseal.com/,www.facebook.com/armandhammer and @armandhammercat on Instagram.

About the Survey

The was commissioned by ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ and conducted by Edelman Berland (www.edelmanberland.com) among 1,514 cat owners and nationally representative U.S. adults, ages 18+, between February 27 and March 12, 2015.  The margin of error for this study is ± 3.1% among the nationally representative sample. 

About ARM & HAMMER™

For more than 165 years, ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda's familiar orange box has been a trusted fixture in both the refrigerator and home. The brand was founded in 1846 when Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight began to produce and sell sodium bicarbonate under the ARM & HAMMER™ brand name. Today, Church & Dwight, Co., Inc. manufactures a variety of cleaning, freshening and deodorizing products for the home, family, pets, and body under the iconic ARM & HAMMER™ brand name. For more information visithttp://www.clumpandseal.com/.

About Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc., headquartered in Ewing, NJ, manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household, and specialty products under the ARM & HAMMER™ brand name and other well-known trademarks like OxiClean™.

Media Contact: 
Amanda Pasquariello
212-704-4509
Amanda.pasquariello@edelman.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150423/201172

SOURCE Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.clumpandseal.com

Diabetes Study Finds Significant Increase in Rates of Type 1 Diabetes Among U.S. Non-Hispanic White Youth

Study published today in the journal Diabetes Finds Significant Increase in Rates of Type 1 Diabetes Among U.S. Non-Hispanic White Youth.

•       The study included data from more than 2 million children and adolescents living in diverse US geographic regions, 19 years old and younger, newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over the 8-year study period.
•       From 2002 to 2009, the rate of type 1 diabetes rose from 24.4 per 100,000 youth in the first year of the study to 27.4 per 100,000 youth in the last year of the study.

Full press release below.

SOURCE: Kaiser Permanente

PASADENA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The rate of non-Hispanic white youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes increased significantly from 2002 to 2009 in all but the youngest age group of children, according to a new study published today in the journal Diabetes.

The study included data from more than 2 million children and adolescents living in diverse geographic regions of the United States. Within this population, researchers identified 5,842 non-Hispanic white youth, 19 years old and younger, newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over the 8-year study period. They found that from 2002 to 2009, the rate of type 1 diabetes rose from 24.4 per 100,000 youth in the first year of the study to 27.4 per 100,000 youth in the last year of the study. The study is based on the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth registry, one of the largest and most contemporary studies of diabetes in U.S. youth.

"Type 1 diabetes is the predominant form of diabetes diagnosed in childhood. The incidence has been rising in many other countries, particularly in Europe, but data from large populations in the U.S. were limited," said study lead author Jean M. Lawrence, ScD, MPH, MSSA, of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation. "This project provides a much larger and more geographically diverse sample than previous studies in the U.S."

The study also showed that the increases were most pronounced among children aged 5 to 9, with smaller increases among those 10 to 14 years old and 15 to 19 years old, but there was no increase in incidence among children 4 years old and younger. In addition, the rate of increase was slightly higher for boys than for girls, according to the researchers.

"Our findings indicate that the rates of type 1 diabetes in youth are increasing," Lawrence said. "These trends will continue to be monitored in the U.S. by the SEARCH study to help identify trends in type 1 diabetes in non-Hispanic white youth and youth from other racial and ethnic groups, and to identify potential causes of these increases.

"We have been seeing more children being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over the 8 years of this study and these children will require specialized health care as they enter young adulthood."

The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study is a national multicenter study aimed at developing a deeper understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents in the United States. The study, which started in 2000, involves centers located in five states — California, Colorado, Ohio, South Carolina and Washington — and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in childhood, with only 5 percent of all people with diabetes having this form of the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. In type 1 diabetes, the body loses its ability to produce insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy for daily life. Insulin therapy and other treatments are required to help people with type 1 diabetes manage their condition, live long, healthy lives and to prevent or delay diabetes-related complications that may affect their eyes, nerves and kidneys.

Additional study authors include Giuseppina Imperatore, MD, PhD, of the Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Dana Dabelea, MD, PhD, of the Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver; Elizabeth J. Mayer-Davis, PhD, of the Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina and School of Medicine, University of North Carolina; Barbara Linder, MD, PhD, of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Sharon Saydah, PhD, of the Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Georgeanna J. Klingensmith, MD, of the Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; Lawrence Dolan, MD, of the Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati; Debra A. Standiford, MSN, CNP, of the Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Catherine Pihoker, MD, of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle; David J. Pettitt, MD, of the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute; Jennifer W. Talton, MS, of the Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Joan Thomas, MS, RD, of the Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Ronny A. Ball, PhD, of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine; and Ralph B. D'Agostino, Jr., of the Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, for the SEARCH For Diabetes in Youth Study Group.

For an infographic that details everything you need to know about type 1 diabetes and youth, go here: http://share.kaiserpermanente.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Kaiser-Permanente-Infographic-Type-1-Diabetes-Oct-2014.pdf

About the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation 
The Department of Research & Evaluation conducts high-quality, innovative research into disease etiology, prevention, treatment and care delivery. Investigators conduct epidemiology, health sciences and behavioral research as well as clinical trials. Areas of interest include diabetes and obesity, cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, aging and cognition, pregnancy outcomes, women's and children's health, quality and safety, and pharmacoepidemiology. Located in Pasadena, California, the department focuses on translating research to practice quickly to benefit the health and lives of Kaiser Permanente Southern California members and the general population. Visit kp.org/research.

About Kaiser Permanente 
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 9.3 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to kp.org/share.

For more information: 
Vincent Staupe, vstaupe@golinharris.com, 415.318.4386 
Sandra Hernandez-Millett, sandra.d.hernandez-millett@kp.org, 626.405.5384

Breast Biopsy Device Market: US vs. Europe

Breast Biopsy Device Market: US vs. Europe

With just under 60% of the amount spent in the U.S., European health authorities bought close to 500,000 more biopsy needles for breast cancer treatment and prevention.

SOURCE: iData Research

Full press release appears below.

VANCOUVER, July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - According to breast cancer biopsy market data released by iData Research (www.idataresearch.com), the European health authorities brought almost 500,000 more biopsy needles in 2013. Notably, the U.S. market focuses more on expensive minimally invasive technologies. European healthcare clearly favors cost-effective breast cancer technology, purchasing significantly greater volumes due in part to national breast screening programs.

"Europe sees more than four times the purchases of inexpensive SLC (spring-loaded core) needles than the United States," explains Dr. Zamanian, CEO of iData. "And this is done at a fraction of the cost." The same needle to diagnose and treat breast cancer in the United States can be more than 70% cheaper in Europe.

Other key information in iData's analysis of the U.S. and European Breast Biopsy Device Markets include:

• At-Risk Women over 40: In both the U.S. and Europe, aging demographics are driving the purchase of breast cancer treatment and diagnosis technology. Most breast cancer diagnoses occur after a woman reaches the age of 40.
• New Minimally Invasive Technologies in the U.S.: Minimally invasive vacuum-assisted breast biopsy(VABB) devices in the United States receive considerably more attention, with notably more unit sales and a market value nearly twice as large as that of Europe. With the added focus, the U.S. has visible markets for new technologies that use stereotactic x-ray guidance, ultrasound, as well as magnetic resonance and molecular imaging guidance techniques.
• Growing U.S. Market Value: Moving towards 2019, the European market for breast cancer needles is projected to grow by just over $10 million. Comparatively, the U.S. market is projected to grow by almost$33 million. Average product prices will stay relatively stable overall for both markets. Greater numbers of unit sales are anticipated in the U.S., but will be roughly comparable to European unit sales numbers. The greater U.S. market value will be derived by higher prices.

Hologic led the U.S. breast cancer needle market with their minimally invasive VABB needle products. C. R. Bard dominated the less expensive U.S. core needle market, and also held a commanding presence in Europe in this same market. Hologic still struggles to gain significant breast biopsy device traction in Europe, with most of their breast biopsy device revenue coming from the United States. Other U.S. and European competitors include Devicor, Intact Medical, Mammotome, Argon Medical and Carefusion.

For Further Information

The Global Breast Biopsy Devices report is part of the complete Women's Health Market series and is available for the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia and 15 countries in Europe. These reports provide a comprehensive analysis including units sold, market value, forecasts, as well as a detailed competitive market shares and analysis of major players' success strategies in each market and segment. The Global Breast Biopsy Devices report includes Spring-Loaded Core Needle, Vacuum-Assisted and Rotational Cutting Device, Stereotactic X-Ray Guided Biopsy, Ultrasound Image Guided Biopsy.

About iData Research

iData Research (www.idataresearch.com) is an international market research and consulting group focused on providing market intelligence for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. iData covers research in: Diabetes Drugs, Diabetes Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Anesthesiology, Wound Management, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Ophthalmics, Endoscopy, Gynecology, Urology and more. 

SOURCE iData Research Inc.

CONTACT:

Contact Info:

Caroline Lau
carolinel@idataresearch.net
1.604.266.6933 Ext 212
iData Research
www.idataresearch.com