Globally, the majority (57%) of consumers own pets, according to more than 27,000 online consumers whoGfKsurveyed in 22 countries. Dogs are the most popular pet worldwide, owned by 33% of respondents, while cats come in second at 23%. Fish (12%), birds (6%) and other types of pets (6%) all score significantly lower.
Argentina(82%), Mexico (81%) inBrazil(76%) have the highest percentage of total pet ownership among the 22 countries, with dogs being the most popular pet in all three countries. The countries included are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany and Hong Kongkong,Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK and US.
The US is in fifth placepet ownershipand third, when it comes to owning cats. Nearly three-quarters (70%) of U.S. consumers own at least one pet, with 50% owning dogs and 39%cats.
The survey shows significant similarities in pet ownership goals among American men and women. Only 28% of men and 31% of women indicate that they do not own pets. In results that reflect global averages, men and women report nearly identical ownership levels 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 that own pets. In South Korea, only 31 percent say they have a pet, followed by HongKongat 35 percent and Japan at 37 percent.
“Although Asian countries appear lower on this list, these countries represent a significant and growing share of the global pet market,” Pushan Tagore, vice president of pet care research at GfK, said in a statement.press release. “This is due to the overall size and growth rate of their human population… Looking at the data from our full pet care survey, the key markets to watch over the next twelve months are China,Ifand LATAM. In these markets, rising disposable incomes are causing consumers to turn away from table scraps and homemade dog and cat food and toward prepared pet foods. This is driven by the convenience factor and increasing awareness of the need to feed their pets the right nutrition.”
To collect this data, GfK conducted an online survey among more than 27,000 consumers aged 15 or older in 22 countries. Fieldwork was completed in June 2015 and the data is weighted to reflect the demographic makeup of the online population aged 15 and over in each market.
