Australians are passionate about their furry friends, evidenced by the amount of money they spend on them. Pet owners will invest in anything to give their pets a better life – from vet visits and toys to food. In short, Aussies have no qualms with pampering their beloved animals.
In this article, we dive into all pet spending statistics across Australia so you can understand how much is being spent on our four-legged pals!
Top 5 Interesting Facts
- The most common pets in Aussie are dogs.
- Australia’s pet industry was worth approximately $13 billion in 2021
- In 2019, about 21% and 30% of cat owners and dog owners, respectively, had pet insurance
- The main reason people get pets is for affection, love, and companionship
- A significant portion of pets looking for a home in Aussie are cats
Australian Pet Sector Stats
1. Number of Pets in Aussie
Australia is among the countries with the highest pet ownership rates globally. According to RSPCA, the number of pets in Aussie in 2020 was more than 29 million.
90% of Australians have owned a pet at some point. 66% of non-pet owners cite the main reason they don’t have pets is that they don’t have a lifestyle or home that’s suitable for pets.
2. Most common pet type in Australia
A national survey conducted in 2019 revealed that 61% of Aussies have a pet. 39% of these owners have dogs, while 27% have cats. Other pets people have include:
- Fish (11%)
- Birds (9%)
- Small mammals (guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, etc., 2.7%)
- Reptiles (turtles, snakes, frogs, etc., 2%)
- Other pets (2%)
3. Popular Dog Breeds
According to a study by Animal Medicines, pure breeds are no longer the most widespread dogs in Australia’s dog market.
In 2016, 52% of dog owners had pure breeds; nevertheless, this number had reduced to 40% in 2019. Mixed dog breed popularity increased from 6% to 46% between 2016 and 2019.
The most popular pure breeds in Australia include:
- Golden Retrievers/Labrador
- German Shepherds
- Border Collies
- Chihuahuas
4. Number of Vets in Australia
Data from IBIS World and Pet Keen indicates that there are approximately 13,000 vets in Australia. The COVID-19 pandemic saw people spend more time at home; thus, people decided to get pets to avoid feeling lonely. As the number of pet owners increased, the demand for veterinarians also increased.
Pet Spending Stats in Australia
5. Australia’s Pet Industry
Research from 9news indicated that in 2021, Australia’s pet sector was worth approximately $13 billion. With over 60% of Aussie households having a pet, it’s not a surprise the industry is expected to grow by 19% in online sales and 3.9% in retail. Pet supplies are one of the best-selling pet products in Aussie.
6. Aussie Pet Food Sector
According to Statista, Australia’s pet food industry is forecasted to generate over 2.7 billion USD by 2023. It’s expected that pet owners in Australia will spend roughly 2.7 billion USD on pet food, and the industry is expected to grow yearly by 1.85% between 2022 and 2027.
7. Pet Expenditures
Data from RSPCA indicates that Australian pet owners spend roughly 30% on pet food. The money spent on pet services is as follows:
- Pet food: 30%
- Veterinary services: 20%
- Pet healthcare products: 11%
- Accessories and products and accessories, like harnesses, leads, and dog beds: 9%
- Other services such as transport, competitions, pet insurance, and pet groomers: 30%
8. Pet Owners with Insurance
Data from Finder and RSPCA indicates that in 2019, 21% of cat owners and 30% of dog owners had pet insurance.
9. Pet Food Expenditures
According to Animal Medicines, Aussie dog owners spend more than cat owners on their pets. A 2021 study revealed that Aussie dog owners spent approximately $20.5 billion on dig products, while cat owners spent roughly $10.2 billion on cat products.
10. Dog Walkers’ Hourly Rates
A study by Salary Expert revealed that dog walkers in Aussie get paid $19 per hour, which translates to roughly $40,172 in annual earnings.
Pet Ownership Stats in Australia
11. Pet Treatment
More than 60% of Australian pet owners consider their pets part of their families. Most pet owners take their pets on road trips, holidays, and gourmet food.
12. Benefits of Having a Pet
Research by Animal Medicines indicates the primary benefits of having a pet are affection, love, and companionship. Other benefits of owning pets include:
- Pets impact people’s lives positively
- Pets are fun and make people happy
- Pets affect mental health positively
13. Reasons People Get Pets
A study by Animal Medicines indicates that people get pets primarily for companionship. Other reasons people get pets include:
- To rescue animals
- To teach children responsibility
- For relaxation
Trends In Pet Adoption
14. Pets Looking For Homes
According to PetRescue, 65% of cats in Aussie are looking for homes. Other pets looking for homes include:
- Dogs (30.8%)
- Guinea pigs (1.5%)
- Rabbits (1.8%)
- Rodents (0.2%)
15. Most Adopted Pets
Data from PetRescue indicates that rodents get adopted fast, and it takes them an average of ten days to be adopted. The time it takes for different pets to be adopted is as follows:
- Dogs: 16 days
- Guinea pigs: 14 days
- Rabbits: 19 days
- Cats: 13 days
16. States with High Adoption Rates
As of January 2022, Queensland has the highest adoption rate, with 15,000 pets being adopted.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering getting a pet, these stats will help you approximate how much you’ll spend on your pet. Consider adopting a [pet rather than buying one so that you spend more on spoiling the pet.