Cases of people evacuating with their pets are increasingly being reported after every disaster. Situations are arising that people are forced to evacuate with their pets due to extreme weather, earthquakes, and other disasters making it impossible to stay at home. The catalyst for increased attention to pet care during disasters was the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. This earthquake saw numerous problems, including victims being denied access to their pets at evacuation centers and losing their homes. Some victims who were refused access to their pets at evacuation centers suffered health problems from sleeping in their cars. Based on the lessons learned from this earthquake, the Ministry of the Environment formulated guidelines in 2013 regarding disaster response for pets such as dogs and cats. These guidelines established the principle of accompanying pets during disasters and encouraged local governments to develop systems and rules. Even after the guidelines were established, the handling of pets has remained a challenge after every large-scale disaster. The awareness that pets are members of the family is becoming increasingly common. With this growing awareness, there is a growing movement to prepare for “co-evacuation” with pets during disasters.
As more people consider pet health on the same level as human health, business opportunities will arise. The domestic confectionery market is facing a situation that significant growth is unlikely due to the declining population. However, the presence of pets may change this situation. In 2024, the number of dogs and cats kept as pets in Japan (approximately 16 million) exceeded the number of human children (approximately 14 million). Morinaga & Co. has begun developing products targeting pet enthusiasts who boldly embrace the idea of treating pets as family members. Targeting pet owners who consider their pets as members of the family, they have developed snacks that people and dogs can eat together. They propose scenarios such as sharing snacks with your dog at the table. Food products designed for people and pets to eat together are a rare endeavor in Japan. If shared food for people and pets becomes commonplace, food procurement during disasters may become easier.
The lifespan of pets has increased significantly. The challenge, just like for humans, is healthy lifespan. Health comes from a balance of diet and exercise. With the increase in obese dogs, various weight-loss foods have been developed. Recently, a subscription service for dog food has emerged. This food service allows customers to have their pets delivered in any combination from a selection of 30 products that are low in additives or nutritionally balanced. Another important point is that rather than simply having a balanced diet, it’s about owners finding what their dogs enjoy eating and what provides a good balance. Through this mutual exchange, the development of better food will progress. Providing prescriptions for the optimal diet and exercise for each individual pet through this process may become a viable option for the pet business in the future.
