FUR-REAL! THREE IN FOUR AUSTRALIAN HOMES NOW HAVE A PET

73 per cent of households now own a pet,

A new national survey reveals that 73 per cent of households now own a pet, with 31.6 million animals residing in 7.7 million homes, resulting in substantial well-being benefits and rising cost pressures.

Australia’s longest-running and most comprehensive pet survey reports a nation more besotted with animals than ever.

Animal Medicines Australia’s latest Pets in Australia study finds that 73 per cent of households across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas now share their lives with at least one pet, up from pre-pandemic levels and steady with recent years.

The report estimates 31.6 million pets living in 7.7 million Australian households. Dogs remain at the top of the pack, with 49 per cent of households owning at least one dog, equating to approximately 7.4 million nationwide.

Cats are in second place at 34 per cent of households. Fish and birds are owned by around one in ten households, while ownership of other pets has remained relatively steady.

Australians continue to attribute tangible benefits to their pets. Eighty per cent of pet owners say their animals have a positive impact on their lives, citing mental and physical health among the biggest upsides.

Reasons for bringing a pet home include companionship, rescuing animals and relaxation, with many also considering breed traits such as temperament, size and maintenance needs.

Cost pressure is biting. Among Australians who want a first pet or an additional one, the ongoing expense is the main barrier at 26 per cent, followed by lifestyle concerns at 21 per cent, and then the responsibility of care or the upfront purchase cost at 19 per cent each.

The ongoing cost as a barrier has increased by five percentage points since 2022, reflecting the broader cost-of-living squeeze.

Spending tells its own story. Pet owners are estimated to spend $21.3 billion annually, with nearly half of that amount, or $9.8 billion, going toward food. That is followed by veterinary services at $1.9 billion, products and accessories at $1.4 billion, and pet insurance at $1.0 billion.

Dog households spend the most at an average $2,520 a year, while cat households spend about $1,656.

The squeeze is forcing tough choices.

Around one in six cat and dog owners have made health-related sacrifices, such as deferring check-ups and vaccinations or reducing or stopping medication.

“Delaying vaccinations can leave pets vulnerable to preventable diseases, while deferring regular check-ups can mean pet health issues are not identified at an early stage.

Ensuring pets receive the proper veterinary care is essential for their health and well-being,” Animal Medicines Australia’s Executive Director, Ben Stapley, said.

The survey also notes a rise in surrenders during the cost-of-living crisis, with approximately one in four owners surrendering their pets to family, friends, or shelters when they could no longer provide care.

It finds that those who have needed financial assistance for veterinary bills are less likely to ask their veterinarian questions and more likely to seek advice from social media, YouTube, Generative AI, television, and books.

“These findings highlight the harsh reality for many Australians who are feeling the strain of rising living costs and, in some cases, making the difficult decision to part with their pets.

It underscores the importance of support services that can help people stay connected with their animals during challenging times – especially given the strong evidence of the mental health benefits that companion animals provide.

“To ensure that as many Australians as possible can access the myriad benefits associated with pet ownership, we seek a policy environment that facilitates and supports responsible pet ownership,” Mr Stapley said.

“This could be achieved by improving support for vulnerable pet owners, developing and implementing a program to support critical veterinary services for vulnerable people and their pets, or through greater national consistency in companion animal policy settings.

“We need to encourage informed and thoughtful decision-making by governments, policymakers and others when considering issues that impact Australia’s estimated 31.6 million pets in 7.7 million households,” Ben Stapley concluded.