Ever pass by someone pushing a stroller, expecting to see a cute gurgling baby inside only to find a chilled-out Corgi, perky Pug or sleepy Siamese cat? Pet strollers are popping up all over, but their owners and the reasons why they use them are often misunderstood, with some onlookers assuming they’re treating their fur babies like actual babies or that they’ve gone overboard with pampering their beloved pets. But as Yahoo Life reports, in reality, the reasons for using a pet stroller are purely practical — and these items are more popular than ever.
The market is “booming” globally, according to Verified Market Research, which reports that 2024 revenue for pet strollers is estimated at $470 million and is expected to climb to about $820 million by 2031. “They have increased in popularity,” Brandi Hunter Munden, vice president of public relations and communications at the American Kennel Club, tells Yahoo Life. “Some of it is due to trends, dog age and as congestion in some living areas continues to increase. Also, as dogs have various ailments, they are a viable way to safely bring your dog with you.”
For example, Terry Roy has been using a pet stroller for nine years, with a rotating cast of her own dogs and fosters, including a 13 year-old blind Boston Terrier and a French Bulldog that had to learn to walk again after a leg amputation and often needed a break after a short stint on three legs. “It’s serving a purpose, and the longer I do it I see the different reasons for different dogs. It’s not about babying them and ‘Let them walk.’ Here’s this fat little Frenchie who doesn’t want to walk. It’s not like I won’t let them walk if they want to. Maybe that dog has already walked a mile and is winded.”
Mary Barnsdale has a trio of small mixed-breed older rescue dogs ranging in age from 11 to 15, and says the stroller phase of their lives kicked off five years ago. “As my dogs have gotten older, they’ve become more accident- and injury-prone,” Barnsdale tells Yahoo Life. “They’ve had broken ribs, back and neck and leg issues … in May, Gonzo even had to have his gallbladder and spleen removed. They’re in recovery a lot.” If she had big dogs, Barnsdale says she would leave them at home while they’re healing. “But since I can wheel one around in a stroller at the park when they’re not well, I do,” she says. “It’s good for their morale, even if I find it kind of humiliating.” Plus, she adds, “It’s a real back-saver.”
There’s also a convenience that is appealing to owners. In the case of cats, it’s a way to safely bring them out in the fresh air without worrying if they’ll get spooked or even chased by something unexpected and run off. “Pet owners are prioritizing spending quality time with their pets, and strollers are the perfect accessory for bringing them along during outings and routines,” Pete Scott, president and chief executive officer of the American Pet Products Association, tells Yahoo Life.
“At least once a week, 50% of dog owners take their pets on foot for errands, and 53% take them along in the car. Strollers can help keep pets safe and secure during outings without having the added weight of a carrier and offer protection during cold and hot weather months, where salt or hot pavement can injure your pet’s paws.” Scott adds: “Plus, everyone loves seeing an adorable pet in a stroller.”
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