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Exploring the dark side of pet ownership: Status- and control-based pet consumption

Author

Listed:
  • Beverland, Michael B.
  • Farrelly, Francis
  • Lim, Elison Ai Ching

Abstract

Desire for status or control may motivate some consumers to own certain types of pets. In the light of recent debates surrounding "designer pets," this article examines the dark side of pet ownership through interpretive interviews with dog owners. The findings compare and contrast two types of ownership motivation -- pets as companions to love versus pets as toys, status markers, and brands. This latter category forms part of the dark side of pet ownership. Owners differ in their motivation for ownership, their appreciation of the pet, the nature of human-animal interaction, breed choice, and the purchase of pet-related paraphernalia.

Suggested Citation

  • Beverland, Michael B. & Farrelly, Francis & Lim, Elison Ai Ching, 2008. "Exploring the dark side of pet ownership: Status- and control-based pet consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 61(5), pages 490-496, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:61:y:2008:i:5:p:490-496
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Spiggle, Susan, 1994. "Analysis and Interpretation of Qualitative Data in Consumer Research," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 21(3), pages 491-503, December.
    2. Hirschman, Elizabeth C, 1994. "Consumers and Their Animal Companions," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 20(4), pages 616-632, March.
    3. Aaron C. Ahuvia, 2005. "Beyond the Extended Self: Loved Objects and Consumers' Identity Narratives," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 32(1), pages 171-184, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maille, Virginie & Hoffmann, Jonas, 2013. "Compliance with veterinary prescriptions: The role of physical and social risk revisited," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 141-144.
    2. Rötzmeier-Keuper, Julia & Hendricks (née Lerch), Jennifer & Wünderlich, Nancy V. & Schmitz, Gertrud, 2018. "Triadic relationships in the context of services for animal companions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 295-303.
    3. Kirk, Colleen P., 2019. "Dogs have masters, cats have staff: Consumers' psychological ownership and their economic valuation of pets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 306-318.
    4. repec:plo:pone00:0172091 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Ineke R van Herwijnen & Joanne A M van der Borg & Marc Naguib & Bonne Beerda, 2018. "The existence of parenting styles in the owner-dog relationship," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, February.
    6. Liu, Yahui & Chang, Xinyu & Yang, Shuai & Li, Zhen & Wu, Yingrong, 2024. "“Pets make you spend more!” Impact of pet ownership on consumer purchase decisions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    7. Apaolaza, Vanessa & Hartmann, Patrick & Paredes, Mario R. & Trujillo, Alejandra & D'Souza, Clare, 2022. "What motivates consumers to buy fashion pet clothing? The role of attachment, pet anthropomorphism, and self-expansion," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 367-379.
    8. repec:plo:pone00:0204592 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Sinclair, Gary & Tinson, Julie, 2017. "Psychological ownership and music streaming consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 1-9.

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