Examining the effect of pet owner's role on pet related expenditures

Pet ownership that has a great history has been maintaing its presence for ages. Through the history roles of pet has changed and today, pets has become the part of our families. Together with the change of the roles, pet-related expenditures have shown changes as well. In this study, a questionnaire has been applied on cat and/or dog owners in order to investigate the effect of pet owner's role on pet-related consumption consists of food, health and product expenditures. The relationship between household income and pet-related expenditures and the difference that type of the pet has created on pet owner's role have been also examined. According to the results of data analysis, five different pet owner's roles (companion, extended self, object, child and problem) have been found. Further results have indicated the difference that the type of the pet has created on pet owner's role. The results also have showed no differences between pet owner's role and pet related expenditures. The relationship between household income and health and product expanditures has been found. However no relationship has been found regarding income and food expenditures. Keywords: Pet, pet owner's role, pet products, pet related expenditures