Cats remained the most popular pets in Germany in 2020, making up 52% of
the population.
Overall, 47% of German households included a pet in 2020, an increase ofnearly one million animals over 2019, according to WZF GmbH, organizer ofInterzoo pet trade fair. Last year, 34.9 million dogs, cats, small mammals,and pet birds lived in Germany, along with fish and aquarium species notincluded in the count.
“Although the growth in dog and cat numbers is of course especially pleasingto note, it’s not entirely unexpected,” Georg Müller, chairman of the PetSupplies Industry Association (Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf, IVH, said in apress release. “The trend toward four-legged animals, dogs and cats, inparticular, has continued for many years, and it has definitely received aboost from the unusual home office situation during the COVID-19 crisis in2020. But our survey shows that across all pet species, the main reasons forgetting a pet are either the circumstances being right or to obtain areplacement following the death of a previous pet. Regardless of what thedefinitive reason is for acquiring an animal companion, the focus shouldalways be on the well-being of the animal and its needs.”
Cats remained the most popular pets in Germany in 2020, making up 52% of thepopulation. During the ongoing pandemic, 15.7 million cats cohabitated withhumans in 26% of German households. Dogs chased cats as the second mostpopulous German pet. In 2020, 10.7 million dogs lived in the country making up21% of households.
- 5 million small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and mice) – 5% of households
- 3.5 million pet birds – 3% of households
- 1.8 million aquariums – 4% of households
- 1.4 million fishponds with pet fish – 3% of households
- 1.3 million terraria – 2% of households
Demographics of German pet ownership
Last year, 66% of all German families with children had a pet, while 13% hadtwo or more species. Likewise, the majority of German pets live with multiplehumans.
- 34% – two humans in household
- 35% – three or more
- 31% – single-person households
The average ages of German pet owners remained stable in 2020.
- 25% – over 60 (2019: 24%)
- 22% – 50 to 59 (2019: 22%)
- 19% – 40 to 49 (2019: 20%)
- 16% – 30 to 39 (2019: 16%),
- 17% – 29 or younger (2019: 17%)
To assess the German pet population, IVH and ZZF commissioned market researchinstitute Skopos in autumn 2020 to conduct a telephone survey including 7,000participants.
Source: Petfood Industry
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