Pet owners across the UK have spent nearly £3 billion on high-tech gadgets for their animals over the past year, according to research by the Recycle Your Electricals campaign. The study found that almost 67 million items of 'PetTech' were bought, including cameras, flashing LED toys, light-up harnesses, and GPS collars.
Millions of electrical toys bought for pets
More than half of these purchases were for entertainment, with 24 million electrical pet toys bought in the last 12 months. The majority of goods were for dogs, with more than 45 million items purchased for the nation's canines alone.
However, nearly 30 million such devices were thrown away in the last year, representing 44% of what is bought annually. Campaigners say PetTech - and anything with a plug, battery, or cable - can be reused, donated, or recycled, so it can go on to be re-used.
Average spend per pet reaches £139.80
The average yearly spend per pet has now reached £139.80, with 12% of owners admitting they spend more on their pets than on their own children. The research also found that more than three million pet cameras were purchased, helping Brits spend an astonishing 8.5 million hours every week checking in with their animal friends.
Animal lovers also bought 6.8 million grooming accessories and 6.2 million feeding and drinking equipment. Nearly eight million items of communication 'PetTech' - consisting of cameras, speakers, talking pet buttons, and more - have been bought over the last 12 months.
Pet ownership surges post-pandemic
A third of such tech is bought as a gift, including three million gadgets given as birthday presents. More than half of owners say they think of their pets as their children. The research also found pet ownership has surged post-pandemic to nearly 59% of the population.
Animal behaviourist Chirag Patel said: "I am all for anything that improves the relationship we have with our animals and the quality of life on both sides of it. It is a remarkable relationship, and we only get it for a short time, so anything that creates special moments is worth having. I do not think technology is the thing to worry about. What matters is how we use it."
Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, which runs the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, said: "I know how useful it can be in helping take care of pets we love so much, and, on occasion, provide true hilarity for all the family."
He added: "There's still work to do to make sure those precious materials inside our electricals don’t go to waste, and that they are given that all-important second life. Please remember that anything with a plug, battery or cable can be reused, donated, or recycled. Doing so helps keep other families safe, as batteries from electricals in the waste system cause dangerous fires when crushed."
