Swimming, Pilates, functional training, CrossFit, the gym, treadmills, and, while we're in Brazil, even surfing. Some of these are activities virtually unknown to most humans, yet in the South American country, even pets, especially dogs, practice them. It's called "Pet Fitness," and in Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding areas, it's a real trend, with a thriving business: according to the newspaper "O Globo," pet owners they end up spending up to 50.000 reais a year, the equivalent of over 8.000 euros.
The activities serve to reduce stress and improve physical and mental abilities
A legacy, but for the animal's well-being, this and more. It seems that Brazilians increasingly prioritize their dog's health, from nutrition to sports activities that help reduce the stress of city life, improve physical and mental abilities, and even shed a few extra pounds. So, here's why... agility becomes “functional training”, as for us humans, and the centers that offer this service are also able to divide the animals into different classes depending on their level: the price is over 100 reais for a session, so if the activity is regular the cost for the owner rises to hundreds of euros per month.
Dog gyms already exist, with memberships costing hundreds of euros a month.
They also exist in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo real gyms for dogs, with monthly subscriptions just like they do for peoplePrices range from 1.300 to 4.000 reais, or approximately 200 to 650 euros per month, including a trainer who trains the animal by taking it through specific routes and walking on a treadmill. Diogo Alves, president of the Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine of the State of Rio de Janeiro, has commented on the phenomenon, endorsing it: "Pet gyms improve the physical and mental health of animals, reducing stress and anxiety, preventing injuries, and improving the dog's behavior at home."
Sport is the latest frontier in the humanization of animals
In short, sport is the latest frontier in the humanization of our pets: according to the Brazilian Pet Industry Association (Abinpet), the pet market in general is expected to grow in the country by almost 10% this year, reaching a turnover of 80 billion reais, just under fifteen billion euros. Sibele Konno, of the Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine of São Paulo, is not surprised: "We have already restaurants and pet health insurance plans, for example. This happens because they are increasingly considered members of the family and play an increasingly important role in family dynamics."
Crazy spending on dogs, in a country where the minimum wage is less than 300 euros a month.
It's worth remembering that this trend occurs in a context—the Brazilian one—that is evidently marked by a growing love of animals, but where the legal minimum wage is just 1.600 reais, or less than 300 euros a month, with a cost of living that is lower than in Europe, but not by much. The average per capita income in the South American country is less than 4.000 reais a month, or about 650 euros a month. But Brazil is also a land of great inequality, where the wealthiest 10% of the population owns 70% of the national wealthAnd he obviously has money to spend on caring for his four-legged friend.
