# Pet-Friendly SUVs The Dog-Friendly Honda Element By Mike Peterson | Published 2009-04-10 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dog-friendly-honda-element References: [jalopnik](http://jalopnik.com/5203560/honda-element-dog-friendly-concept-is-for-the-dogs) The dog-friendly Honda Element might not be the best-looking [compact SUV](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-honda-hrv) on the market, but it could be a pooch lover’s second best friend. This Rubbermaid-like SUV features plastic washable floors, a [cushy doggy bed](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dog-bed1) with cooling system, a non-spill water bowl for long trips, a ramp for your pup’s easy access, and, most importantly, badges on the outside to tell the world you’re a dog lover. John Mendel, executive vice president of [American Honda](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pioneer-1000-platform) stated that “Cars are now chasing dogs.” Well, Mr. Mendel, I’m not sure that’s not a very good thing. Cars weigh more than dogs, and when they collide, 10 out of 10 times the dog loses. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% 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 ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Dog-friendly Suvs:** Opportunity for automakers to create more pet-friendly features in SUVs, such as washable floors and canine-specific accessories. - **Automotive Pet Accessories:** Growing market for innovative pet accessories designed specifically for use in vehicles, such as cooling beds and non-spill water bowls. - **Pet-inclusive Branding:** Opportunity for car brands to appeal to pet owners by incorporating pet-themed branding, such as badges or decals, on their vehicles. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Automotive:** Automakers can tap into the pet market by developing features and accessories that cater to the needs of pet owners. - **Pet Products:** Opportunity for pet accessory manufacturers to expand their product offerings to include innovative automotive pet accessories. - **Marketing and Branding:** Brands can leverage the pet-friendly trend by incorporating pet-related branding elements into their marketing strategies to target pet owners. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pet-Focused SUV Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genesis-x-dog.md) - [Pet-Friendly Vehicle Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-mode.md) - [Pet-Friendly E-Scooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-mopet.md) - [Nature-Inspired Electric SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-prologue.md) - [Pet-Friendly Scooter Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petro-scooter-concept.md) - [Dog-Friendly Driving Playlists](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playlist-for-dogs.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) - [Hydrogen Fuel Cell SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2025-honda-crv-efcev.md)