Animal healthcare spending stable, says AHI

Sales of animal healthcare products in the US are stable, according to the latest research from the Animal Health Institute (AHI). 

The organisation has recently released sales figures for 2013, which show little change occurred compared to the year before.

Total sales of medicines for pets and livestock reached $7.5 billion (4.95 billion pounds), with 60 per cent of this thought to have been spent on pets.

AHI president and chief executive Alexander Matthews commented: "Virtually every American benefits from the use of these medicines on a daily basis."

He said pet owners are able to keep their animals healthy and prolong their lives, while food consumers benefit from farmers raising healthier livestock.

In each of the three core animal healthcare product categories – biologics, pharmaceuticals and feed additives – sales were unchanged.

The AHI said these medicines are key for human health too, as 60 per cent of known diseases can pass between animals and people.