Oral care is a relatively stable sector; annual sales of manual toothbrushes and floss each growing 1%, according to recent IRI data. While Americans aren’t willing to invest more funds in their oral care routines these days, they are putting money where their pets’ mouths are.
 
According to Packaged Facts, the US retail market for oral care products for pets will reach $775 million by the end of 2015, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5% during the past 10 years.  And the Rockville, MD firm predicts that the sector will grow to nearly $1 billion by 2020, holding steady to a CAGR of almost 5%. 
 
According to Packaged Facts, a number of factors are at play in the development and marketing of targeted oral care products for pets, which includes treats/chews and non-edible products such as toothbrushes and breath drops.
 
One, consumers are willing to pay more than ever for pet products, and secondly, they are also more educated in terms of product benefits.
 
Our vet has talked to us numerous times about brushing Mulligan’s teeth. Our mostly deaf Irish Terrier rescue is loved dearly, but brushing his teeth isn’t a priority. I’m in a constant battle to get my two daughters to brush correctly and floss nightly. I’m lucky if I remember to floss.
 
Mulligan will be waiting a long time before I get around to brushing his teeth. Of course, we do give him green chewy treats that look like toothbrushes. And he devours them.
 
Maybe that’s what my girls need…