Karla and Jack

Fido and Fluffy are not in a recession. In 2009 Americans spent $45.5 billion dollars on their pets according to the American Pet Products Association. The dollars spent on pet products in 2009 was $2 billion dollars more than was spent 2008! The pet product market is a growing market.

Successful inventors look for openings in the marketplace to provide innovative new products The pet product industry would be one of those openings . Earlier this week I met with a pet product manufacturer whose new pet toy, FroliCat™ BOLT™, was voted by retail buyers Best in Show in the Cat Category at Global Pet Expo 2009– the pet industry’s largest annual trade show.

FroliCat™ BOLT™ is a laser toy for cats and dogs that automatically moves a laser around the room and walls for hours of entertainment for your pet to chase. The biggest complaint is that you have to restart it after 15 minutes. One customer said when the laser toy stopped her dog would sit and stare at it until she turned it back on. Honestly, my husband should have thought of this invention. He uses a hand held laser to entertain his cat Tigger (and himself). FoliCat Bolt takes the laser to the next level and moves the laser for you–a pet babysitter.

Successful inventing is about more than having a great idea. It is also about understanding the industry your product will fall into. If your product is pet product — the pet industry is recession proof, big, and growing–62% of all US households have a pet — that is 71.4 million homes. That is a pretty big market. To learn more about the pet product industry check out American Pet Products Association.

I’m not implying that every new pet product will be a success just because the pet industry is big and growing. You still have to follow the right steps. But choosing an industry that is recession proof is a great start.

P.S. Check out FroliCat Bolt by clicking here The video is great and your pointer turns into a laser on their webpage. Great marketing.