Pets and pet supplies
The most common pets kept in Japanese households are dogs and cats. As such, supplies and services directed at their owners constitute the majority of pet goods shipments. Other popular species include ornamental fishes, birds, and rodents like rabbits and hamsters. Additionally, unusual animals such as hedgehogs, squirrels, and beetles do not fall under nature conversation regulations and are therefore allowed to be kept in private households in Japan. While basic goods are the staples of manufacturers, fashion accessories are a unique segment in the domestic market. Impacted by the culture of cuteness (kawaii), dressing up dogs and cats and taking them on walks in strollers is not an uncommon sight on the streets.Services cover a range of in-store services offered by commercial animal handlers. Beauty parlors, leisure facilities, and pet hotels provide short-term care services, whereas funeral services profit from the mindset of pets as family members that deserve proper procedures following their passing. Insurance policies are also growing in demand amid a rising awareness of potential liability claims, and to cover high medical costs.
Between cuteness and animal welfare
In a country, where space is limited in large metropolises and the kawaii culture influences pet choices, small breeds of larger animals are preferred by new owners. Toy poodles, small mixed breeds, and chihuahuas are popular breeds in the dog market and fueling breeder businesses. Puppies are showcased in pet shop windows to entice impulse buying, raising concerns about animals’ welfare after separating litters from parent animals shortly after birth.At the same time, shelters are struggling to mediate picked-up strays, and the animals end up with an expiration date as several thousand are euthanized annually. Microchips with the owners’ information became mandatory from June 2022 for dogs and cats mediated in the retail market to keep the population of strays in check and manage the number of abandoned pets resulting from impulsive buying decisions. However, as long-term pet owners are doubting the need to catch up on that, only one-third of dogs and cats are microchipped in Japan.
