Belgium: More than 60% of households own a pet in 2026

According to new figures released by the Belgian Association of Pet Food Manufacturers (BEPEFA), pet ownership remains widespread in Belgium, with 61% of households reporting having at least one pet. 

The share of pet-owning households has remained relatively stable since 2022, at 57% that year, 59% in 2023 and 58% in both 2024 and 2025. The latest result is also significantly higher than the 52% recorded in 2021.

The findings are based on a survey of 1,500 respondents carried out in April 2026.

Types of pets 

Nearly 3 out of 10 (27%) Belgian households own 1 pet, up 2 percentage points (p.p.) compared to 2022–2025 levels. The share of households with 2 pets also rose by 2 p.p. to 14%, while ownership of 3 to 5 pets remained unchanged at 11%, and the proportion of households with more than 5 pets fell by 1 p.p. to 10%.

In 2026, 33% of Belgian households owned a dog and 32% owned a cat. Compared to 2021, cat ownership remained largely stable, increasing slightly from 31%, while dog ownership rose significantly from 24%.

Other pets owned include poultry (10%); fish (8%); small animals such as rabbits, rodents and ferrets (8.2%); birds (5%); horses (1%); other animals, including goats, alpacas, frogs and insects (1%); and reptiles (0.5%).

‘New pet’ profiles

Over the past year, 1 in 6 Belgian households welcomed a new pet (17%), while 9% said they had lost at least 1 cat or dog.

Of the new adopters, 7% became pet owners for the first time, while 10% added another pet. Pet acquisition was most common among Belgians under 35 years old (24%), followed by those aged 35-54 (22%) and those aged 55 and older (10%).

Cats and dogs accounted for around two-thirds of newly acquired pets, with kittens (68%) and puppies (65%) making up the majority of new cats and dogs, respectively. Adult cats and dogs represented 28% and 27% of new additions, respectively, while senior animals accounted for just 6% and 8%.

Newly acquired pets also included small animals (20%), poultry (10%), fish (8%), birds (6%), other animals (5%), reptiles (1%) and horses (0.7%).

Purchasing habits

Pet shops remain the most used retail channel for pet food purchases in Belgium, with 72% of respondents buying from them at least once a year. Supermarkets (68%), online retailers (58%) and veterinarians (40%) follow. 

BEPEFA’s data also show that online purchases increased by 6 p.p. in 2025.

When buying food tailored to a dog’s breed and size, Belgian consumers most often turn to pet specialty stores (76%) and online retailers (65%). Cat owners, meanwhile, are more likely to shop at supermarkets (79%) and less likely to buy online (57%).

Overall, pet owners prioritize food their pets enjoy eating (94%), followed by products tailored to their pet’s life stage (87%) and size (87%). Nearly half (46%) decide which brand to buy before entering a store.

Spending

Belgian pet owners spend an average of €123 ($144) per month on pet care. Just over half (51%) of respondents spend between €25 ($29) and €200 ($234) on their pets each month.

The survey also shows that some 65% of Belgian pet owners said they would not change how they care for their pets and are prepared to absorb higher expenses if necessary. 

In addition, 45% said they would be willing to pay more for sustainable or environmentally friendly pet food. Among younger pet owners, this rises to 56%.

Challenges and barriers 

Coping with a pet’s illness or loss emerged as the most commonly cited challenge among pet owners, with 46% of respondents identifying it as a concern. Feelings of guilt associated with leaving pets home alone ranked second, mentioned by 33% of those surveyed. 

Travel restrictions also remain a notable challenge, with 29% of respondents saying their pets limit their ability to travel. Meanwhile, one-quarter (25%) expressed concerns about unexpected pet-related expenses. Among non-pet owners, spending too much time away from home was the leading reason cited for not owning a pet.

The BEPEFA survey also found that only 15% of dog and cat owners are permitted to bring their pets to work, while 11% said they actually do so. 

The data also reveal that around three-quarters (76%) of working dog and cat owners in Belgium say they are not allowed to bring their pet to the office.