Pet Owners as "Parents"

Here's a new one: If you own a dog, cat, fish, gerbil, hamster, etc., you are not a "pet owner."

Instead, you are a "pet parent."

At least according to Del Monte, the world-class human and pet food manufacturer, who makes Pup-eroni, a low-cal pet snack.

The press release announcing the product begins, "New Year, New Start as Pet Parents Resolve to Get Fido Fit in 2008."

Now, I get that owning a dog or cat is a good practice run (or for some, a wholesale substitute) for having children. But, "pet parent"? Isn't that going a bit too far?

I usually like marketing terminology that describes a certain demographic or niche. However, I'm not sure if I like the promotion to a new position for folks who foot veterinary bills.

I don't know. Call me old-fashioned.

Read the whole press release here.