Dogs have long been called man’s best friend and for good reason. Our loyal pups have been hanging around since they were domesticated between 19,000 and 32,000 years ago. Domestication began as a means of survival: we offered them warm places to sleep and consistent food scraps, and they offered us protection from predators. Fast forward thousands of years and dogs are perhaps an even bigger part of our lives.
The pet industry itself has experienced a meteoric rise over the past century, as we continue to treat our dogs like members of the family. By 2022, the pet industry in America—consisting of pet toys, medication, food, and all of the things our furry friends need—has reached $72 billion, with stocks like Chewy also seeing potential increases.