Kiwis are now spending a reported $1.8 billion a year on their pets. 

Insurance, food, grooming, and daycare make up the bulk of the spending, with luxuries and niche businesses playing a part as well.  

Dog Zen founder and animal behaviourist Mark Vette told Mike Hosking over time the relationship between pets and their owners has become more like that of a surrogate parent-child relationship, which drives people to spend more.  

But he says there’s definitely been a push for those who have the money to spend it on “wants” instead of “needs”.  

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