# Experiential Pet Brands create activations that focus on delighting owners and their pets. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Jul 25, 2019 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/experiential-pet ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.4/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Experiential Pet trend? **Experiential Pet:** Seeking to make more meaningful connections, brands are turning to activations and engagements that encourage the attendance of furry companions. Not only limited to pet brands themselves, those outside the category are jumping in to create pet-friendly environments centered around everything from art to food and beverage. ## The consumer insight behind the Experiential Pet trend Social media creates open environments for consumers to share parts of their lives. As a result, everything from the food they're eating to the pets they own can potentially paint a person in a more relatable light and create a sense of community with like-minded individuals. Thus, these connection-craving consumers are seeking more creative ways to exercise and share different parts of their lifestyle. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 28, 2021 to Aug 3, 2022 - Published: Jul 25, 2019 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Experiential Pet trend ### Pet-Friendly Environments Brands are creating activations and engagements that encourage furry companions, outside the pet category and centered around everything from art to food and beverage. ### Outdoor Pet Products Pet brands are creating outdoor collections for pet owners who are also outdoor lovers, including durable products for camping and hiking geared towards a new generation of pet parents. ### Animal-Related Romance New dog-friendly dating pop-up experiences are coming to the UK to help dog lovers find like-minded individuals, especially because research shows that for young people, disliking another person's dog is a deal-breaker. ## What the Experiential Pet trend means for industry ### For Hospitality Pet-friendly bars, restaurants and cafes are providing products and services that cater to customers seeking pet-inclusive experiences. ### For Retail Pet supply retailers are designing products that cater to the growing interest in outdoor pet activities, expanding outside of their traditional lines. ### For Technology Pioneering dating apps integrate animal criteria into search filters, creating animal-related social networking opportunities. ## Workshop question What are your consumers' core values? How can you better speak to that within your branding or marketing strategies? ## Trend signals for Experiential Pet Trend score 4.4 out of 10, from popularity 64%, activity 57%, freshness 12%. - Popularity: 64% - Activity: 57% - Freshness: 12% ## Examples of the Experiential Pet trend 4 featured examples from Jul 28, 2021 to Aug 3, 2022. - [Outdoor Dog Gear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backcountry): Petco Has Teamed Up with Backcountry to Launch New Outdoor Collection for Dogs (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Introducing new product lines in pet industry to boost sales. - [Dog-Friendly Dating Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dog-friendly-dating): Tinder's Pop-Up Pub Experience Sparks Romance Between Pet Parents (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The hospitality industry can take advantage of the trend towards dog-friendly pop-up events by offering pet-friendly experiences at bars and restaurants. - [Dog-Friendly Cocktail Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/after-bark): After Bark Makes Cocktails for Humans and 'Puptails' for Dogs (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Restaurants and bars in the food and beverage industry can explore the potential of serving pet-friendly options alongside human food and drinks. - [Feline-Themed Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gatto-bianco): Fancy Feast's Gatto Bianco Pop-Up Serves Cat-Inspired Food to People (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: As pet owners demand higher quality and variety of pet food, there is an opportunity for the pet food industry to capitalize and create innovative products that can change the way… ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)