Belgian households own fewer pets in 2024

As many as 58% of Belgian households have at least 1 pet in 2024, compared to 59% in 2023 and 57% in 2022.

According to the 2024 pet population report from the Belgian Association of Pet Food Manufacturers (BEPEFA), there is an average of 3 pets in each household this year. This is similar to 2021, when the average number of pets was 3.1 per household.

According to BEPEFA, in 2022, that amount increased to 3.6; last year, it reached 3.8.

The presence of pets is higher in French-speaking households (68%), followed by Flemish-speaking homes (50%).

Pet parents aged between 35 and 54 represent 69% of the total pet-owning population in Belgium, followed by those under 34 (66%) and citizens above 55 (56%).

Cats remain popular

Cats continue to be the most popular pets this year, with 32% of Belgian households owning at least 1. Their popularity has remained largely unchanged since 2021 (31%).

Dogs are significantly more represented now (31%) than in 2021 (24%).

The most drastic decline in pet popularity is among fish in ponds. Their population fell from 4.6% in 2023 to 2.1% in 2024.

Pet adoptions

This year, 17% of households reported acquiring a new pet, marking a 2% decline from 2023. However, this is a significant increase from 2021, when 11.8% of Belgians welcomed a new animal.

The BEPEFA’s insights conclude that 5% of Belgians welcomed their first pet in 2024, while 12% bought an additional animal. More than half (55%) of the respondents who acquired a pet did so to provide company for their family members.

Dogs (38%) became the more popular pet to acquire over cats (33%), indicating a shift in trends from 2023.

Breeders (29%), friends and family (25%) and private non-professionals (22%) were the most preferred channels for acquiring pets in 2024. The number of acquisitions from shelters declined the most, from 13% in 2023 to 9% this year.

You can find a 2024 overview of the Belgian pet industry, including the latest data and trends, here.