An ageing population, same-sex marriage, lower marriage rates, loneliness and love affairs have given an extraordinary boost to pet-related businesses in Thailand.
Anything to do with pets -- clinics, food, recreational facilities, clothes, grooming, bakeries, supermarkets, dental and spa treatments -- is booming, with annual growth outpacing that of some consumer goods such as drinking water and fruit juice.
Pet-related businesses amounted to 29.3 billion baht in value last year, up from 17.8 billion in 2013. The market for pet-related business is forecast to reach 32.2 billion baht by the end of this year.
The pet food business is estimated to account for the largest share at 45%, followed by animal healthcare services such as pet hospitals, clinics, spas, grooming, training schools and hotels at 32%. Related products such as clothes, accessories and toys represent 23% of the total market.
Dr Kitika Chaisupatanakul, chief executive of Thonglor Pet Hospital, expects the market for pets and pet-related businesses to sustain double-digit growth over the next five years.
"It's a stellar business, you will only see it go up and up," Dr Kitika said.
Thailand's pet population was about 13.2 million in 2017, up from 10.7 million in 2012. Of the total, 62% were dogs and 23% were cats.
With continuous growth in pet numbers, new entrepreneurs are streaming into the market, providing niche products and services such as a low-calorie bakery for pets, pet cafes, aquatic treadmills -- even acupuncture treatment or filler injections and orthodontics.
There are up to 2,500 registered pet clinics and hospitals open in Bangkok and major cities. Some 80% of the total offer primary care, 15% offer secondary care and 5% provide tertiary treatment. Some hospitals provide services around the clock.
"Thonglor Pet hotel has fared well since opening 24 years ago. Business has never dropped, regardless of the economy or politics," Dr Kitika said. Thonglor Pet Hospital provides various medical services for pets, from general vaccine, X-ray and TC scans to magnetic resonance imaging.
Many pets are cured at Thonglor Pet Hospital, with spending averaging 80,000 baht per pet per year.
According to Euromonitor, Thai pet owners spend 1,770 baht per pet per year. This figure is about 54% higher than the level five years ago.
"People are ready to spend their money on pets," said Chotika Aimong, the owner of Ple Pet Mart, a wholesale store for pets. "About 300 customers come to our shop. Each spends an average of 2,000 baht per purchase."
Pet-related business has also turned out to be a magnet for retailers to draw shoppers to their stores.
For example, Paseo community mall at Ramkhamhaeng has allocated a large space for pet-related businesses, including products for pets, clinics and hotels, as well as a pet cafe that lets people play with various domestic animals.
Preeyada Sitthachai, the owner of Pet Public cafe at Paseo, said pet lovers are allowed to play with over 100 kinds of animals, ranging from common cats and dogs to exotic pets such as raccoons, birds, snakes, rats and rabbits.
The cafe is open from 11am to 9pm and costs 150 baht for 30 minutes, 200 baht for one hour and 300 baht for a whole day. Membership costs 2,500 baht for 10 visits.
"I do this simply out of my passion for pets and my dream to have my own zoo one day," Ms Preeyada said.
Apart from the community malls, shopping complexes also provide outdoor pet zones.
Central Pattana Plc, the operator of Central shopping complexes, for instance, has seen success from providing a pet zone at Central Festival's Eastville branch.
A spokesman said the service will be extended to other Central shopping complexes in the near future, including Central Korat, creating greater opportunities to attract lifestyle-oriented shoppers.
Thanapisal Koohapremkit, chairman of advisers at Greatest Pet Care Co, the marketer of Great Titan dog and cat food, said the company entered the market a few years ago after seeing continuous growth in the pet population.
"Although we are new in this market, our business performance has been positive," Mr Thanapisal said. "Pet owners are ready to spend their money on buying premium quality products."
With the fierce competition in promotional campaigns, the company will compete in the blue ocean, offering premium products. Greatest Pet Care is developing food for the specific needs of certain cats and dogs, such as lower-protein food for older pets.
Daranee Thongprachum, group project manager at N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer (NEO), which organises a pet show at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center every year, said the pet business is likely to grow by 10% this year.
"Each year we've found a new record number of pets, exhibitors and brands that participate in our dog show," Ms Daranee said.
NEO began arranging Pet Expo Thailand in 2000. At the time, only 100 exhibitors joined the expo in 4,600 square metres.
Today, exhibitors have grown to more than 300 booths and the space has extended to 12,000 sq m.
