Market Trends of europe pet treats Industry
Cats are the major companion animals adopted in Europe due to their adaptability to small spaces and their reputation as a symbol of good luck
- In Europe, cats are the major pets adopted by people, and they accounted for 36.4% of the total pet population in 2022. The high adoption of cats is mainly due to their adaptability to smaller living spaces and their ability to stay indoors without feeling cooped up. In some European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia, cats are considered to be symbols of good luck or fortune.
- Owning pets creates a sense of companionship, affection, protection, and unique bonds with the owners. Therefore, 90 million EU households had cats as pets in 2021, representing 46% of the households. The European cat population has been steadily rising over the years, which grew by 14.9% from 2017 to 2022. The higher adoption of cats as pets after the pandemic can be mainly attributed to the rising pet humanization stimulated by loneliness and remote work. For instance, from 2020 to 2022, the cat population in Europe grew by 7.1%.
- In Europe, Russia has a large cat population, accounting for 19.6% of the total population in the region, followed by Germany (14.8%), France (13.2%), and the United Kingdom (11.1%). There is a cultural affinity for cats in Russia, with many Russian literary works featuring cats as important characters. They are also considered a symbol of good luck in Russian folklore. European Shorthair, Chartreux, Russian Blue, and Siberian are among the major cat breeds adopted in Russia and the region.
- The adoption of harmonized rules for traveling with pets, growing online sales of cats, relatively lower maintenance, and urban living are some of the major factors driving the cat population in the region.
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Dogs accounted for higher pet expenditure than other pets due to the higher per capita consumption and cravings
- Pet expenditure in Europe increased during the historical period due to a growth in spending on different types of food and growing premiumization amid rising concerns of pet parents about the health of their pets. These factors increased the pet expenditure per animal by 22.7% between 2017 and 2022. In 2022, dogs had the largest share of 47.8% due to their higher consumption of pet food than cats and the rising demand for premium pet food for dogs. For instance, in the United Kingdom, people's average pet food expense was USD 330 in 2022, which is more than a cat's food expense of USD 150. Dogs are also provided with services such as pet grooming and pet training for socialization with other dogs.
- Pet parents are providing premium brand products to their pets, including cats and dogs. Brands such as Royal Canin, Purina, and Whiskas are gaining popularity among pet parents due to the growing pet humanization and increasing disposable incomes. The medium-priced pet food segment is also growing due to improvements in the pet food nutrition offered by the products in this segment.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of pet treats through online channels increased due to the limited product offerings at supermarkets compared to e-commerce websites due to lockdowns and the convenience of shopping online. Amazon became a leader in pet food sales in the United Kingdom, and the website has received more than 579 million visits annually since the pandemic.
- The higher consumption of premium pet food and growing awareness about the benefits of healthy, nutritious pet food are boosting pet expenditure in the region.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- The growing dog-friendly ecosystem in the region is driving the adoption of dogs from animal shelters and rescue organizations
- Dogs accounted for higher pet expenditure than other pets due to the higher per capita consumption and cravings
- The rising popularity of other animals and the growing availability of acquisition channels for the adoption of other animals are driving the market for other pets
