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Americans spent $58 billion to pamper, protect pets in 2014

March 5, 2015
In this Sunday, March 1, 2015 photo, Malia Ebel, left, walks her dogs, Seymour, left, and Sanders, both Cavalier King Charles spaniel mixes, alongside Wendy Olcott and her golden retriever, Sunny, as each dog wears winter booties, in Concord, N.H. A harsh winter across the country has pet owners buying the boots to protect their pets' paws. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

In this Sunday, March 1, 2015 photo, Malia Ebel, left, walks her dogs, Seymour, left, and Sanders, both Cavalier King Charles spaniel mixes, alongside Wendy Olcott and her golden retriever, Sunny, as each dog wears winter booties, in Concord, N.H. A harsh winter across the country has pet owners buying the boots to protect their pets’ paws. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A pet industry trade group says Americans spent $58 billion on their pets in 2014.

The American Pet Products Association says that includes $22 billion for food, $15 billion for veterinary care and $14 billion for supplies such as bowls and beds and medicines for fleas and ticks.

The fastest growing category was “other services,” which includes grooming, boarding, walking, training, daycare and even trips to the spa, where pets can get facials and massages.

The only category that decreased was sales of animals themselves. Association President and CEO Bob Vetere says the 2 percent drop was likely caused by many reasons, including strong adoption of pets at shelters and rescues and bans on dogs from puppy mills in several cities.

Overall sales grew 4.2 percent from 2013 to 2014.