Podcast: Luxury, Love, and the Economic Bubbles of Pet Care
Pet care has entered an era where love and lifestyle collide, and sometimes the resulting price tags are shocking. From diamond-studded collars to ultra-premium foods, today’s pet industry reflects not just what our pets need, but who we are as pet owners and the economic bubbles we live in.
In this episode of Barking Mad, hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler sit down with consumer strategy expert Michael Johnson to explore the rise of ultra-luxury pet products and what’s really driving these spending decisions. The conversation moves beyond judgment to unpack how humanization, guilt, aspiration, and income inequality shape purchasing behavior, while questioning what happens when “better” automatically means “more expensive.” Along the way, they challenge assumptions about quality, affordability, and whether the industry is unintentionally pricing everyday pet owners out of responsible pet care.
What You’ll Learn 🔍
- Why luxury pet products exist—and who they’re really for
- How “humanization” and lifestyle branding influence pet spending
- The role guilt and aspiration play in pet food and product choices
- Why price isn’t always a reliable indicator of nutrition or quality
- How rising costs could impact future pet ownership
Where do you draw the line between loving your pet and splurging due to guilt or peer pressure? Join the conversation, share your perspective, and let us know how you navigate value, quality, and care in your own economic bubble.
🎧 Find Barking Mad on the BSM Partners website, as well as on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Podlink.
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates on all things happening here at BSM Partners.
About the Author
Jordan Tyler is the Director of Media at BSM Partners and co-host of the Barking Mad podcast. She has more than seven years of experience reporting on trends, best practices and developments in the North American pet nutrition industry. Jordan resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her husband and their three furry family members.
This content is the property of BSM Partners. Reproduction or retransmission or repurposing of any portion of this content is expressly prohibited without the approval of BSM Partners and is governed by the terms and conditions explained here.