The number of dogs in Japan is finally showing signs of recovery based on the latest National Survey on Dog and Cat Ownership, a project of the country's Pet Food Association.
Released this January, the results of the 2025 pet census showed Japan's dog population slowly picking up at 6.82 million from 6.796 million in 2024. The shrinking dog population lasted for at least a decade; it was estimated to be at 7.99 million dogs in 2015.
The survey also revealed an equally noteworthy trend: Japan's cat population has shrunk, albeit not in a big way. From the estimated 9.155 million cats in 2024, the 2025 survey came back with 8.847 million cats. Ten years ago, Japan kept 8.297 million pet cats, the survey showed.
The latest numbers bring Japan's overall pet population for 2025 to approximately 15.667 million from 15.951 million the previous year. The survey noted that of the current pet population, 451,000 dogs and 333,000 cats are new pets or pets that were not in the previous census.
Reasons people keep pets in Japan
The survey has identified key demographics currently responsible for the ebb and flow in pet ownership in Japan: single individuals in their 20s and 30s, married people with young children, and households with annual income of 9 million yen or more.
A good number of young and single individuals who participated in the nationwide survey said one reason they keep dogs is to make new social connections. Those who have cats said they want feline companionship to relieve loneliness.
For parents with young children, the reason they keep pets is straightforward: for the children.
Households with an annual income of 9 million yen or more are now more likely to have pet dogs, the survey showed. This is probably because the annual increase in costs related to raising a cat appears to be greater than that for dogs, even though dogs, given their average size, would need more food and other care items overall.
Based on the survey, a pet dog could cost its owner 16,030 yen per month and 192,356 yen per year. A cat in Japan, on the other hand, could cost its owner 9,998 yen per month and 119,972 yen per year.
