INFOGRAPHIC: Most of world owns pets; Dogs are tops

Globally, 57% of consumers own pets, according to more than 27,000 online consumers whom GfK surveyed in 22 countries. Dogs are the most popular pet globally, owned by 33% of respondents.

courtesy GfK
courtesy GfK

Pet-Ownership-Infographic


Globally, the majority (57%) of consumers own pets, according to more than 27,000 online consumers whom GfK surveyed in 22 countries. Dogs are the most popular pet globally, owned by 33% of respondents, with cats coming in second, at 23%. Fish (12%), birds (6%), and other pet types (6%) all rank significantly lower.

Argentina (82%), Mexico (81%) and Brazil (76%) have the highest rates of overall pet ownership among the 22 countries, with dogs being the most popular pet in all three nations. The countries included are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK and USA.

The US ranks fifth for pet ownership and third when it comes to owning cats. Almost three-quarters (70%) of US consumers have at least one pet, with 50% owning dogs and 39% cats.

The research shows significant similarities in pet ownership metrics among US men and women. Only 28% of men and 31% of women report not owning any pets. In results that echo the global averages, men and women report almost identical levels of ownership for dogs (52%, men; 48%, women), cats (40%, men; 38%, women) and fish (12%, men; 10% women).

Asian countries appear to have the smallest percentage of their online population who own pets. In South Korea, just 31 percent report having any pet living with them, followed by Hong Kong at 35 percent and Japan at 37 percent.

“Although the Asian countries come lower in this list, these countries comprise a significant and growing share of the global pet market,” said Pushan Tagore, vice president of pet care research at GfK in a press release. ”This is due to the overall size and growth rate of their human population… Looking at data from our full range of pet care research, the key markets to watch over the next 12 months are China, India and LATAM. In these markets, rising disposable income is moving consumers away from table scraps and home cooked food for dogs and cats and towards prepared pet food. This is being driven by the convenience factor, as well as rising awareness of the need to feed their pets with the appropriate nutrition.”

To gather this data, GfK conducted an online survey of over 27,000 consumers aged 15 or older in 22 countries. Fieldwork was completed in June 2015, and data are weighted to reflect the demographic composition of the online population age 15 and over in each market. 

Page 1 of 547
Next Page