Health is Wealth

The petcare business is going digital.

- IAN DE COTTA

Delayed marriage, falling birth rates, ageing population — the conditions are ripe for a surge in pet ownership. Humans are increasingly turning to animals for companionship and the trend has sparked ever more sophisticated petcare. Last year, American company Mars — a titan in sweet treats and pet products and services — established a pet diagnostic division that will study dogs and cats over the next 10 years. Data collected will help analyse pet diseases and their prevention.

On a smaller scale in Singapore, medical data scientist Emmanuel Harel last year launched Treats, a scientific testing service for pets. The company analyses animals’ gut bacteria to diagnose diseases and allergies and prescribe a remedial diet. According to Harel, the long-term objective is to build a health database for pets, which doesn’t currently exist.

“These days, there is no product for humans that doesn’t exist for pets,” says Eli Atias (photo, right), a veteran dog trainer turned pet service entrepreneur. “Pets have become part of the family and as guardians tend to pamper them, there is a demand for quality goods and services. There are those who send their pets to acupuncturists and go as far as buying insurance for them.”