Australia’s pet industry is forecast to keep accelerating, with online pet product sales reaching $680 million in 2023 and expected e-commerce penetration set to hit 25% by 2025. Yet the spend story is anything but uniform, from $2,450 average annual spending per pet-owning household to pet food still taking 52% of household spend in urban areas. If you have ever wondered where Australians put the most money, which pet types drive the shift, and how rapidly services like insurance and tele-vet are changing behavior, the dataset below makes the answers feel surprisingly specific.
Key Takeaways
- Average annual spending per pet-owning household in Australia was $2,450 in 2023
- Australians spent $1,100 per dog annually on average in 2023, including $550 on food
- Cat owners averaged $850 yearly spend in 2023, with $420 on veterinary care
- 75% of Australian pet owners plan to increase spending in 2024 per 2023 survey
- Humanization of pets drove 22% growth in premium products 2018-2023
- E-commerce penetration in pet sales expected to reach 25% by 2025
- In 2023, the Australian pet industry generated $3.77 billion in retail sales, marking a 7.5% increase from 2022
- The pet food segment accounted for 47% of total pet industry expenditure in Australia during 2023, totaling $1.77 billion
- Australia's pet industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2028, reaching $4.8 billion by 2028
- In 2023, 62% of Australian households owned at least one pet, totaling 29 million pets nationwide
- Dogs are the most popular pet in Australia with 5.8 million owned in 2023, present in 48% of pet-owning households
- Cats numbered 5.2 million in Australian homes in 2023, owned by 33% of pet households
- Pet food market share for dry kibble was 65% of $1.77 billion in 2023
- Wet pet food sales reached $450 million in 2023, 25% of total pet food
- Dog treats and chews generated $280 million in 2023, growing 8%
In 2023, Australians spent $2,450 per pet household, with pet food and vet care driving growth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Spending22 stats
01
Average annual spending per pet-owning household in Australia was $2,450in 2023
02
Australians spent $1,100per dog annually on average in 2023, including $550 on food
03
Cat owners averaged $850yearly spend in 2023, with $420 on veterinary care
04
Pet food expenditure per household reached $820in 2023, up 6% from 2022
05
Veterinary bills averaged $450per pet in 2023, totaling $1.8 billion nationally
06
42% of pet owners spent over $1,000 annually on accessories and toys in 2023 survey
07
Pet insurance premiums averaged $650per policy in 2023, covering 1.2 million pets
08
Grooming services cost averaged $250per dog yearly in 2023
09
Online pet purchases averaged $450per household in 2023, 25% of total spend
10
Premium food spending was $380per year per cat owner in 2023
11
Boarding and daycare averaged $1,200annually for frequent users in 2023
12
35% of owners spent $200+ monthly on pet food in 2023
13
Training services expenditure totaled $150 million nationally in 2023, avg $120 per dog
14
Pet health supplements spending hit $180per household in 2023, up 14%
15
Apparel spending per pet was $45annually in 2023
16
Emergency vet visits cost avg $1,200per incident in 2023
17
Pet food accounted for 52% of total household pet spend in urban areas 2023
18
Pet owners spend $82per month on food avg 2023
19
Vet costs avg $52monthly per pet 2023
20
Accessories spend $28monthly avg 2023
21
28% spent $500+ on vet in 2023
22
Grooming avg $180yearly dog 2023
Interpretation
Consumer Spending Interpretation
It seems Australian pets have successfully upgraded from mere companions to full-blown lifestyle accessories, complete with a household budget line item that would make a junior accountant blush.
02 · Category
Industry Trends and Forecasts20 stats
01
75% of Australian pet owners plan to increase spending in 2024 per 2023 survey
02
Humanization of pets drove 22% growth in premium products 2018-2023
03
E-commerce penetration in pet sales expected to reach 25% by 2025
04
Pet insurance adoption forecasted to double to 2.5 million policies by 2027
05
Sustainable pet products market to grow 15% CAGR to 2028
06
Tele-vet services usage up 40% post-COVID, projected 20% annual growth
07
Raw and fresh pet food segment to reach 12% market share by 2026
08
Senior pet care products expected to grow 10% yearly to $200m by 2025
09
CBD pet products legalized, market projected $50m by 2025
10
Pet daycare facilities to increase 25% by 2026 in major cities
11
60% of owners adopting tech like GPS trackers by 2025 forecast
12
Vegan pet food market to hit $30m in Australia by 2027
13
Obesity in pets at 59%, driving weight management products growth 12%
14
Microchipping rate to reach 95% by 2025 per government targets
15
Subscription box services for pets projected $100m revenue by 2026
16
Mental health products for anxious pets to grow 18% CAGR
17
45% rise in pet adoptions post-2020, stabilizing at 150k yearly
18
Local sourcing for pet food to increase to 40% by 2028 sustainability push
19
AI diagnostics in vet clinics forecasted for 30% adoption by 2027
20
The Australian pet industry is expected to employ 75,000 by 2025
Interpretation
Industry Trends and Forecasts Interpretation
Australians are treating their pets with such human-like indulgence—from telehealth and therapy to gourmet meals and retirement plans—that the only thing left to outsource is their own tax returns.
03 · Category
Market Size and Growth15 stats
01
In 2023, the Australian pet industry generated $3.77 billion in retail sales, marking a 7.5% increase from 2022
02
The pet food segment accounted for 47% of total pet industry expenditure in Australia during 2023, totaling $1.77 billion
03
Australia's pet industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2028, reaching $4.8 billion by 2028
04
Pet services such as grooming and boarding contributed $450 million to the Australian pet economy in 2023, up 12% YoY
05
Online pet product sales in Australia surged 18% in 2023 to $680 million, representing 18% of total sales
06
The veterinary services market in Australia was valued at $2.1 billion in 2023, growing 5.8% annually
07
Premium pet food sales grew 9.2% in 2023, comprising 35% of the $1.77 billion pet food market
08
Australia's pet accessories market reached $650 million in 2023, with a 6.1% growth rate
09
The pet insurance market in Australia expanded to $350 million in premiums in 2023, up 22% from prior year
10
Total pet-related imports to Australia hit $1.2 billion in 2023, primarily pet food and toys
11
Pet retail stores in Australia numbered 2,450 in 2023, generating average revenue of $1.5 million per store
12
The Australian pet industry employed over 65,000 people directly in 2023
13
Export value of Australian pet products was $180 million in 2023, led by pet treats
14
Pet pharmacy sales in Australia reached $420 million in 2023, growing 8.4%
15
The market for pet apparel and accessories grew to $120 million in 2023 at 7.8% CAGR over 5 years
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Australia’s pets have mastered the art of economic purrsuasion, with their human servants spending billions on gourmet meals, luxury grooming, and comprehensive healthcare, proving that a wagging tail is the ultimate driver of a booming market.
More related reading
04 · Category
Pet Ownership Statistics25 stats
01
In 2023, 62% of Australian households owned at least one pet, totaling 29 million pets nationwide
02
Dogs are the most popular pet in Australia with 5.8 million owned in 2023, present in 48% of pet-owning households
03
Cats numbered 5.2 million in Australian homes in 2023, owned by 33% of pet households
04
There were 2.9 million pet birds in Australia in 2023, accounting for 12% of all pets
05
Fish ownership stood at 12.5 million in 2023, the highest volume pet type at 43% of total pets
06
Small mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs totaled 1.1 million in 2023, 4% of pets
07
Reptile ownership reached 450,000 in Australia in 2023, up 15% since 2019
08
27% of Australian households owned dogs in 2023, with urban areas at 30% vs rural 45%
09
Multi-pet households made up 35% of pet owners in 2023, averaging 1.8 pets per household
10
Pet ownership rate among millennials (25-40) was 72% in 2023, highest demographic
11
18% of Australian renters owned pets in 2023, compared to 75% of homeowners
12
Indigenous Australian households had a 55% pet ownership rate in 2023, often multiple dogs
13
Pet ownership in NSW was 65% of households in 2023, highest state rate
14
Victoria saw 28 million total pets in 2023, with dogs leading at 6.2 million statewide estimate
15
Queensland households owned 4.1 million dogs and cats combined in 2023
16
In 2023, pet ownership in Australia reached 69% of households, up from 62% in 2019
17
There are approximately 5.1 million dogs in Australian households as of 2023
18
Cats number 4.9 million in Australia in 2023
19
Pet fish total 10.5 million in 2023
20
Average pets per owning household is 1.9 in 2023
21
71% of millennials own pets in 2023
22
Pet ownership among baby boomers is 55% in 2023
23
Single-person households have 40% pet ownership rate in 2023
24
In SA, 60% households own pets, 2023 data
25
WA pet ownership at 64%
Interpretation
Pet Ownership Statistics Interpretation
Australia is a nation so devoted to pets that we’ve deputized over 29 million furry, feathered, and finned companions to rule our homes, proving that while we may debate politics, we are unanimously united under a paw, a claw, and the occasional respectful nod to a very chill lizard.
05 · Category
Product and Service Categories20 stats
01
Pet food market share for dry kibble was 65% of $1.77 billion in 2023
02
Wet pet food sales reached $450 million in 2023, 25% of total pet food
03
Dog treats and chews generated $280 million in 2023, growing 8%
04
Cat litter sales totaled $160 million in 2023, with clumping litter at 70% share
05
Pet toys market was $220 million in 2023, interactive toys up 12%
06
Beds and bedding products sold $150 million worth in 2023
07
Flea and tick prevention products earned $320 million in 2023
08
Aquarium supplies market reached $180 million in 2023 for fish owners
09
Bird cage and accessory sales were $90 million in 2023
10
Reptile habitat products grew to $65 million in 2023
11
Grooming tools and shampoos totaled $110 million in 2023
12
Pet carriers and travel gear sales hit $85 million in 2023
13
Nutritional supplements for pets reached $140 million in 2023
14
Veterinary pharmaceuticals dispensed $380 million in 2023
15
Pet waste management products sold $55 million in 2023
16
Collar and leash sales were $95 million in 2023, smart collars 15% share
17
Bird food market $45m 2023
18
Small mammal supplies $35m 2023
19
Pet cameras sales $25m 2023
20
Dental care products $75m 2023
Interpretation
Product and Service Categories Interpretation
Dry kibble might be the monarch commanding 65% of Australia’s $1.77 billion pet food throne, but our pampered pets are fueling a lucrative and diverse court of subjects, from the vigilant $320 million spent on flea prevention to the $25 million on pet cameras for remote surveillance, proving we’re not just feeding them but funding their entire, well-monitored, and accessorized lifestyles.
Reference
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APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Australia Pet Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-pet-industry-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "Australia Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-pet-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Australia Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-pet-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report