# Dog-Friendly Cars Marketers Realize Homes Have More Pets Than Kids By Bianca | Published 2007-08-23 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dog-friendly-cars References: [dogcars](http://www.dogcars.com/cars/2007/Dodge/nitro/) A recent study showed that more households have pets than they do children. It makes logical sense then that people considering the [pet-friendly features of a vehicle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-rides) before making a big purchase. Just as parents check for safety features for their kids (child-locks, sufficient seat belts, windows that only go down halfway, etc.), they are looking for qualities to ensure maximum comfort for their pooches too. DogCars.com is a special site dedicated to reviewing cars from a dog owner's perspective. The rating system is done in paws, making four-paws the highest quality. The 2007 [Dodge](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-bee) [Nitro](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyundai-tucson-beast), for example, got three paws. "The Nitro has an innovative roll-out platform — the Load 'N Go — that allows you to load up without leaning over and in, which as all we boomers know is the prescription for a back injury. Once you're loaded up, the platform rolls easily back into the cargo bay. This is one of the niftiest features I've ever seen, and I immediately used it to load 50 pounds of dog food into the back (total capacity for the platform is 400 pounds, according to Dodge.) I lifted the box with my knees, set it on the platform and rolled the platform in. How cool — and safe — is that?" "Other pet-friendly features include second-row seats that fold completely and easily flat, and recessed cup-holders that deter a paw in the latte," they reviewed. "Ground clearance is good enough for a turn down a bumpy road, but probably not for serious cruising to off-road dog-related events." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Pet-friendly Vehicles:** The trend of pet-friendly vehicles is on the rise as more households prioritize their pets' comfort and safety in car purchases. - **Dog-oriented Car Reviews:** Review platforms such as DogCars.com provide dog owners with specialized reviews and ratings of vehicles based on pet-friendly features, presenting an opportunity for innovative marketing strategies. - **Innovative Pet-focused Features:** The demand for innovative features like roll-out platforms for easy loading and foldable second-row seats in vehicles caters to the needs of pet owners, allowing for disruptive advancements in car design. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive:** The automotive industry can tap into the growing demand for pet-friendly vehicles by developing innovative features and marketing campaigns targeted at pet owners. - **Online Review Platforms:** The rise of dog-oriented car review platforms presents opportunities for the development of specialized online review platforms targeting various niche markets. - **Pet Care:** The pet care industry can explore partnerships with automotive companies to create pet-focused products and services that cater to the needs of pet owners on the go. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pet-Friendly EV Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/renault-pet-communication-device-concept.md) - [Pet-Focused SUV Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genesis-x-dog.md) - [Pet-Friendly E-Scooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-mopet.md) - [Luxury Automotive Dog Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dbk9-dog-kennel.md) - [Crash Test Dummy Dogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crash-test-dummy-dogs.md) - [Ultra-Safe Pet Car Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-car-seats.md) - [Dog-Friendly Driving Playlists](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playlist-for-dogs.md) - [Stylish Multi-Functional Pet Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multifunctional-pet-carrier.md) - [Pet-Friendly Travel Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petfriendly-carryon-suitcase.md)