By Susan Spisak
It’s no secret that dogs are our family members, best buddies, and beloved companions. And yes, we all have our fav breed, could even be a mutt--although various sources say the 2025 winner was the French Bulldog while others say they tie with the Lab! Regardless, it’s no surprise that trends geared towards dogs and the pet industry are growing. From their health and wellness, luxury offerings, to pet insurance and everything in between, there’s a myriad of trends, products, and concepts to explore for dogs.
Don Hanson, PCBC-A, BFRAP, Owner & President of Bangor’s Green Acres Kennel Shop & ForceFreePets.com, is thrilled that most people view their dogs as valued family members. He believes that how pet owners choose to spend money on their pet is often more for their benefit than for the benefit of their pet. He explained,“The dog really doesn't care if they have a dozen fancy collars or expensive add-ons at grooming time.”
Hanson strongly believes where the emphasis should lie is on food. “Spending more on a high-quality, fresh food diet will likely keep their dog healthier and with them longer. This isn't a gourmet food, it's a fresh and nutritious diet that is primarily meat, protein, and fat, with little or no carbs.” He added that kibble was never intended to be optimal nutrition for dogs, and there has been no peer-reviewed scientific research to support this claim. “On the other hand, there is such research to support a dog fed a fresh diet based on meat will be healthier and live longer. I encourage people to prioritize their dogs' nutrition with any discretionary income before spending on other things.”
If you don’t have that in your budget, consider trying this. Add protein to your dogs’ bowl by adding a heaping spoonful of plain fat free yogurt, a scrambled egg once or twice a week, or unseasoned baked chicken bites. I saw a friend’s Facebook post with a picture of her four Golden’s dinner. She uses high-grade dry food but adds small amounts of meat, sliced apples, bananas, fresh green beans, and fresh parsley. They dig in.
The use of pet supplements is on the rise. Fish oil, dog vitamins, and pet probiotics are included in this and are expected to hit 1.05 billion globally by 2027 according to an analysis by Grand View Research. We use Dasuquin hip & joint chews and fish oil for their coats. Teddy’s fur was originally super coarse at adoption, and it’s now silky soft. Probiotics, which help dogs develop a balance of intestinal bacteria to support a healthy immune system, can be found in many forms including treat bites.
Do you make homemade treats for your dog? You’re among the growing number of those who are doing just that. This way ingredients can be controlled and catered to specific allergies and dietary needs. There’s also the benefit of avoiding preservatives in many lower grade store options. I have a friend who religiously bakes canine brownies with fresh liver. I tried it…once…yes, my boys loved them, but my house stunk. I offer fresh green beans or blueberries instead.
Molly Pooler, a sales associate from the Waterville Loyal Biscuit Co. said the most popular enrichment items for dogs in the past year, and what she recommends most, is the Woof Pupsicle. “This is an enrichment toy where you can either buy premade treats to go inside or make your own using a silicone tray also made by the company. I find a lot of people like to buy the treat mixes they offer or make their own treats using things like wet food, dog safe bone broth, and other things.”
She added for another enrichment product, there’s snuffle mats for both dogs and cats. “It helps slow down their eating and lets them use their natural foraging instincts. And for toys in general, you can never go wrong with a soft squeaky toy. Some of the brands we carry like Fluff & Tuff and Tall Tails are great tougher options for those who still want a stuffy toy, but a little tougher.”
According to the American Pet Products Association in its 2025 Dog & Cat Report, pet owners prioritize shared experiences and deeper connections with their dogs. Their pets are included in their everyday routines and travel. The report indicates that at least once a week, 53% of owners take their dogs for daily errands. (Please don’t leave them in the car. I just got home from the market, where a poor doggy was left alone in a dark car after sundown, barking away.)
Owners include dogs in their travel plans, and yes, some go via airplane. We always take our dogs on vacation with us, and we travel in our SUV. Personally, I am uncomfortable with the thought of leaving them behind, and my husband agrees. (“Happy wife, happy life.” Yeah, that’s why.)
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the top dog names for 2025, and will continue in 2026, include classic names with a few new popular options. Luna, Bella, Daisy, Lucy, and Ruby are the fav classic among the lasses, while Max, Hank, Teddy, Cooper, and Gus are the oldies but goodies for the lads.
Interesting names come from pop culture inspired by movies and TV shows. Examples include Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked and Piper from The White Lotus. Fun, quirky names are rising, think Brisket, Cheeto, and Pickles. The AKC provides additional resources, including unique and trending names, akc.org.
We like spa days…no reason canines don’t want to be pampered! The mobile groomer industry is growing, eliminating the trek for owners to the salon. The grooming industry is customizing and expanding treatments for their clientele. Groomers can cater their treatments to the pet’s hair type and breed and have add ons such as teeth brushing and ear cleaning.
Most groomers have interesting services. Gold Style Grooming in Topsham is an example. While they offer the usual services, they have several creative packages including the Probiotic Rejuvenating Spa. Their Birthday Spa Day includes a sudsy massage, shampoo with exfoliating cotton candy shampoo, and a treat. Check with your local or usual groomer, they likely have similar packages.
Another area increasing is the Global Pet Insurance Market, akin to human health insurance. With an awareness of pet health, vet costs, and the human-animal bond, the market for pet insurance is growing. The reason is more pet adoptions, vet costs, and the knowledge that there’s a need for insurance for unforeseen medical expenses. Unfortunately, we didn’t have insurance when Teddy needed two ACL surgeries. We did utilize CareCredit, but it took three years to pay it off. He needed the surgery, he’s our guy, so he had the procedures done.
Yes, home accessories have gone to the dogs. (Sorry, had to do it.) There’s calming pillows for them that add comfort and security, while orthopedic beds provide support. To monitor your pet, there are Wi-Fi security pet cameras with a phone app. You can keep an eye on them, even speak to them. (I need one to yell at Teddy and Banx to stop wrestling.) If your workdays are long, there are timed automatic pet feeders that let you set intervals for your BFF’s meals. To see more smart home offerings, chewy.com/b/dog-tech-smart-home-100950.