With the slow economy, many Americans are cutting back on spending in many areas of their lives. Among pet owners, spending on pets does not seem to be one of these areas. In 2012, pet owners spent $53 billion on pet food, veterinary care and other pet-related services, up 5 percent from 2011. Included in this spending was alternative veterinary care services such as acupuncture.

Today’s market size shows the amount spent by pet owners in the United States on alternative veterinary care in 2012.

Geographic reference: United States
Year: 2012
Market size: $12.5 billion
Source: “Los Angeles: Americans Spent $53B on Pets in 2012,” Lansing State Journal, February 24, 2012, page 5A.
Original source: USA Today
Posted on February 26, 2013