• A European study carried out by Samsung demonstrates the importance of technology for Spaniards in caring for their pets.
• 7 out of 10 Spanish respondents believe that technology can help improve the well-being of their pets, keep them active (68%), improve their health (65%) and reduce separation anxiety (64%).
• 64% of Spaniards with pets want more technologies adapted to pets to be developed in the future
El estudio 2022 Pet Living Study[1] from Samsung, published today, shows how the rise of pets in Europe is influencing the use and interaction with technology in the home. 71% of those surveyed believe that technology can help improve the well-being of their pets, keep them active (68%), improve their health (65%) and/or reduce separation anxiety (64%).
There is a growing demand for “pet-friendly” technology, with more than half of those surveyed (64%) believing it should be a standard when it comes to smart home devices or appliances.
In European homes there are now more pets than children [2] [3] The survey shows that almost two thirds of Spaniards (68%) see their pets as beloved members of the family. So, like parents with their children, it’s no surprise that pets have become an essential factor in shaping life at home and influencing key purchasing decisions:
- Almost half (45%) of those surveyed admit that they have changed the configuration of their home to accommodate their pets.
- More than a third (42%) affirm that having a pet influences the decision to buy a new appliance.
- 38% also say that having a pet influenced their decision about which personal technology device to buy.
It appears from the survey that tech-savvy pet owners would like to use it for a variety of reasons, from cleaning up after their pets with vacuum cleaners (57%), feeding them with automatic feeders (61%), and using pagers to monitor their movements (55%). Among those who use technology, the top reasons are pet safety (39%), peace of mind (45%), and convenience (35%).
“More households have pets than children in Europe. This is changing our purchasing decisions when it comes to technology. That’s why at Samsung we develop products with both humans and pets in mind. We know that animals are loved ones of the family, so we continue to develop technology that optimizes our homes so that pets can lead happier and healthier lives.“, explained Benjamin Braun, vice president of Samsung Europe.
Keep pets happy and healthy, whatever the cost
At a time when many households are beginning to tighten their belts due to the current cost of living crisis, European owners are making no compromises when it comes to their pets.
24% of respondents say they do not plan to cut overall spending on their pets, while the majority (64%) say they would make other sacrifices first before considering cutting spending on their pets.
Pet owners surveyed would cut spending on everything like basic necessities (24%) and socializing with friends (43%) before cutting back on their animal companions.
Loneliness is one of the main concerns of pet owners
With many people returning to the office after the pandemic, loneliness is now a major concern for pet owners, faced with leaving their animal companions home alone for long periods of time. Almost half of those surveyed affirm that they are concerned that their pets feel lonely, a figure that is maintained among the youngest; since 48% of young Spanish people between the ages of 18 and 34 admit this concern when it comes to their pets.
In fact, when it comes to keeping animals at home, worries about them getting lonely or bored outweigh other concerns, such as the cost of caring for a pet or the damage they can cause to your home, furniture, or the garden. 54% of those surveyed say they are more concerned about their pets now that the restrictions due to the pandemic have been lifted.
It appears that many concerned pet owners are turning to technology for help, with nearly half (46%) of those surveyed who use technology for their pets concerned about their pets feeling lonely.
Benjamin Braun, Vice President of Samsung Europe, adds: “Our homes are getting smarter and more connected. We are developing home solutions for all family members. Whether for adults, children or animals. SmartThings for Pets from Samsung allows owners to create the optimal environment for their pets. For example, if you’re wearing a smart tag, it can see where you are on a map and play a tune to bring you home. Or you can use the camera built into our vacuum cleaner JetBot AI+ to supervise the pet while you are away and turn on the TV or lights remotely”.
The future of technology for companion animals
Pet owners are optimistic about the benefits technology can bring to their pets’ lives. But this optimism is not without some caution: just as they would with their own personal devices, owners also want to make sure their pets are protected in a digital world.
Despite this, the study reveals the desire of pet owners to continue to innovate. 67% of respondents believe that pet-friendly features are just as important as kid-friendly ones, while more than half (64%) want more pet-friendly technologies to be developed in the future.
Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, Professor of Animal-Computer Interaction at the University of Glasgow, who collaborated on the 2022 Pet Living study, comments: “As our homes become smarter and better connected, the way we care for our pets will continue to be revolutionized by new smart technologies that are built not only around our own lives and daily routines, but also around our lives. the lives of the pets we share our homes with. As younger generations increasingly embrace smart devices, and as the number of people who own pets increases as well, smart technology designed with pets in mind is a natural next step.“.
[1] Study carried out among 6,500 Europeans from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain; with 1,000 respondents in our country.
[2] In 2021, of the 197 million households in the EU, around a quarter had children living with them (24%): https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/edn-20220601-1
[3] In 2021, 90 million households in the EU will have a pet (46% of households): https://europeanpetfood.org/about/statistics/