When it comes to domestic pets, different cultures and regions have their own preferences. However, some pets stand out as clear favourites across the globe. Here's a breakdown of the most popular domestic pets worldwide.
Top 5 Most Popular Pets
- Dogs: Dogs are the most popular pets globally, with an estimated 1.5 billion dogs kept as pets worldwide. They are widely popular in many countries, including the United States, Brazil, China, and Japan.
- Cats: Cats are the second most popular pets, with approximately 600 million cats kept as pets globally. They are particularly popular in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.
- Fish: Fish are the third most popular pets, with around 400 million fish kept in aquariums worldwide. They are popular in many countries, including the United States, China, and Japan.
- Birds: Birds are the fourth most popular pets, with around 200 million birds kept as pets globally. They are popular in many countries, including the United States, Brazil, and Europe.
- Small Mammals: Small mammals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters, are the fifth most popular pets, with around 100 million kept as pets globally.
Regional Preferences
While dogs and cats are the most popular pets globally, regional preferences vary. For example:
- Asia: Dogs are particularly popular in China, Japan, and South Korea, while cats are more popular in Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Europe: Cats are more popular in Europe, particularly in the UK, France, and Germany, while dogs are popular in countries like Spain and Italy.
- South America: Dogs are popular in Brazil and Argentina, while cats are more popular in Chile and Uruguay.
- North America: Dogs and cats are both popular in the United States and Canada, with dogs being more popular in the United States.
Interesting Statistics
- Pet ownership: Over half of the global population owns a pet, with 66% of U.S. households owning a pet.
- Pet spending: The global pet industry is projected to reach $32.7 billion by 2030, with Americans spending over $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022.
- Pet population: The global pet population is estimated to be over a billion, with dogs and cats making up the majority.
Resources
- "Pet Ownership Statistics and Facts in 2023" - https://www.mygoldenretrieverpuppies.com/blog/pet-ownership-statistics
- "A Guide to Worldwide Pet Ownership" - https://www.petsecure.com.au/pet-care/a-guide-to-worldwide-pet-ownership/
- "Pet Populations" - https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report/paw-report-2023/pet-populations
- "Pets, Pets Everywhere: The World's Most Popular Pets" - https://www.lonetreevet.com/blog/most-popular-pets/
- "Global Trends in the Pet Population" - https://healthforanimals.org/reports/pet-care-report/global-trends-in-the-pet-population/
- "The 8 Most Popular Pets in 2023" - https://www.petmd.com/general-health/most-popular-pets
- "Most Popular Pets by Country 2024" - https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-popular-pets-by-country
- "Pet Ownership Statistics by Country 2024" - https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/pet-ownership-statistics-by-country
- "The Most Popular Pets around the World, Ranked" - https://strawpoll.com/most-popular-pets-around-world
- "Pet ownership worldwide by pet type as of 2023" - https://www.statista.com/statistics/961106/worldwide-pet-ownership-by-type/
Other Information
- American Pet Products Association (APPA) - https://www.americanpetproducts.org/
- Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA) - https://www.pfma.org.uk/
- International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) - https://iaabc.org/
- World Animal Protection - https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/