Forget diamonds, the real best friend of the Canadian economy might just be your furry, feathered, or scaled companion, as evidenced by a booming pet industry that reached a staggering CAD 12.4 billion in market value last year.
Key Takeaways
- The Canadian pet industry reached a market value of CAD 12.4 billion in 2023, driven by increased pet humanization trends.
- Pet industry sales in Canada grew by 8.7% year-over-year in 2022, totaling CAD 11.5 billion.
- Projected pet market growth in Canada is expected to reach CAD 15.2 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 4.1%.
- 38% of Canadian households owned a pet in 2023, totaling 14.8 million pets.
- Dog ownership reached 7.5 million dogs in Canadian households in 2023.
- Cat population in Canada was 8.1 million in 2023.
- Average annual spending per pet-owning household was CAD 1,675 in 2023.
- 68% of pet owners increased spending on pets post-COVID in 2023 survey.
- Premium pet food expenditure averaged CAD 850 per dog-owning household in 2023.
- Dry dog food market share was 62% of total dog food sales in 2023.
- Wet cat food sales grew 9.1% to CAD 1.1 billion in 2023.
- Raw/fresh pet food segment expanded to 12% market share in 2023.
- Number of veterinary clinics in Canada was 5,800 in 2023.
- Average vet visit cost rose to CAD 85 in 2023.
- Pet insurance penetration reached 18% of dog owners in 2023.
Canada's multi-billion dollar pet industry continues to grow rapidly as owners prioritize spending.
Market Size & Revenue
- The Canadian pet industry reached a market value of CAD 12.4 billion in 2023, driven by increased pet humanization trends.
- Pet industry sales in Canada grew by 8.7% year-over-year in 2022, totaling CAD 11.5 billion.
- Projected pet market growth in Canada is expected to reach CAD 15.2 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 4.1%.
- Online pet product sales contributed CAD 2.1 billion to the total market in 2023.
- Veterinary services accounted for 25% of the pet industry's CAD 12.4 billion revenue in 2023.
- Pet food segment dominated with CAD 5.8 billion in sales in 2023.
- Supplies and over-the-counter medicine sales hit CAD 3.2 billion in 2022.
- Live animal sales in pet stores generated CAD 450 million in 2023.
- Pet grooming services market valued at CAD 850 million in 2023.
- Boarding and daycare services reached CAD 1.2 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Premium pet food sales surged to CAD 2.9 billion, representing 50% of total pet food market in 2023.
- Total pet industry employment in Canada stood at 120,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
- Export value of Canadian pet products was CAD 1.8 billion in 2022.
- Import dependency for pet food in Canada was 65% of total consumption in 2023.
- Pet insurance market size grew to CAD 650 million in premiums collected in 2023.
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
Canadians are spending billions to prove their pets are basically furry children with their own healthcare, gourmet meals, and spa days.
Pet Ownership & Demographics
- 38% of Canadian households owned a pet in 2023, totaling 14.8 million pets.
- Dog ownership reached 7.5 million dogs in Canadian households in 2023.
- Cat population in Canada was 8.1 million in 2023.
- 27% of households owned cats, compared to 28% owning dogs in 2022 survey.
- Bird ownership stood at 1.2 million birds in 1.1% of households in 2023.
- Fish as pets numbered 12.5 million in Canada in 2023.
- Reptile ownership grew to 750,000 reptiles in 2023.
- 45% of pet owners are millennials (aged 25-40) in 2023.
- Urban households account for 62% of pet ownership in Canada in 2023.
- Multi-pet households make up 22% of all pet-owning families in 2023.
- Senior citizens (65+) own 18% of all pets in Canada in 2023.
- Single-person households with pets increased to 35% in 2023.
- Indigenous communities show 52% pet ownership rate, highest demographic in 2023.
- Quebec has the highest pet ownership rate at 42% of households in 2023.
- Alberta dog ownership per capita is 220 dogs per 1,000 people in 2023.
Pet Ownership & Demographics Interpretation
While Canada's urban millennials are statistically the most likely to pamper a creature, the nation's true pet-owning spirit is perhaps best captured by the fact that in Quebec more homes have pets than kids, and Indigenous communities lead all demographics in sharing their lives with animal companions.
Product Segments
- Dry dog food market share was 62% of total dog food sales in 2023.
- Wet cat food sales grew 9.1% to CAD 1.1 billion in 2023.
- Raw/fresh pet food segment expanded to 12% market share in 2023.
- Treats category sales hit CAD 1.4 billion, with dental treats at 28%.
- Toys sales volume was 45 million units sold in 2023.
- Beds and furniture for pets generated CAD 650 million in 2023.
- Litter market size was CAD 420 million, with clumping litter at 75%.
- Flea/tick prevention products sold CAD 380 million in 2023.
- Aquatics supplies market valued at CAD 280 million in 2023.
- Reptile food and habitat sales reached CAD 95 million in 2023.
- Organic pet food sales doubled to CAD 750 million in 2023.
- Collar/leash/accessories segment was CAD 520 million in 2023.
- Bird food sales totaled CAD 150 million, seed mix 55% share.
- Small animal bedding market CAD 85 million in 2023.
Product Segments Interpretation
In an economy where pets are the new royalty, we spend billions ensuring their kibble is dry, their beds are plush, their treats are medicinal, and their habitats—be they aquatic, reptilian, or avian—are exquisitely appointed, proving that the true luxury market is the one operating at ankle height.
Retail & E-commerce Trends
- E-commerce platforms captured 28% of pet retail sales in 2023.
- Pet superstores like PetSmart held 42% market share in 2023.
- Independent pet stores sales CAD 2.8 billion in 2023.
- Amazon.ca pet category sales grew 32% to CAD 950 million 2023.
- Grocery stores pet aisle sales CAD 1.6 billion in 2023.
- Subscription services like Chewy held 8% of online market 2023.
- Mobile app pet shopping downloads reached 4.2 million in 2023.
- In-store pickup fulfillment for online orders 35% of e-com 2023.
- Social commerce via Instagram pet sales CAD 180 million 2023.
- Veterinary clinic retail sales CAD 950 million in 2023.
- Omnichannel shoppers spent 2.5x more on pets in 2023.
- Pet pop-up shops generated CAD 120 million in urban areas 2023.
- Direct-to-consumer pet brands sales up 41% to CAD 420M 2023.
- Black Friday pet sales hit CAD 350 million online in 2023.
- 52% of pet purchases influenced by online reviews in 2023.
Retail & E-commerce Trends Interpretation
The battle for your pet's wallet is now a multi-front war, where the convenience of a click battles the charm of the aisle, and the omnichannel pet parent emerges as the industry's biggest spender.
Spending & Consumer Behavior
- Average annual spending per pet-owning household was CAD 1,675 in 2023.
- 68% of pet owners increased spending on pets post-COVID in 2023 survey.
- Premium pet food expenditure averaged CAD 850 per dog-owning household in 2023.
- Veterinary care costs averaged CAD 650 per pet annually in 2023.
- 42% of owners spent over CAD 1,000 on pets in 2023.
- Treats and chews spending reached CAD 450 average per household in 2023.
- Pet apparel and accessories spending totaled CAD 220 million nationally in 2023.
- 55% of Gen Z pet owners prioritize organic products, spending 20% more.
- Insurance premiums averaged CAD 450 per policyholder in 2023.
- Grooming services cost averaged CAD 75 per visit, with 4.2 visits per year per pet in 2023.
- E-commerce pet spending per buyer was CAD 320 annually in 2023.
- Holiday pet gifting spending peaked at CAD 180 per household in 2023.
- Subscription box services for pets averaged CAD 35 monthly spend in 2023.
- CBD pet products spending grew 35% to CAD 120 million in 2023.
- Pet food sales volume increased 6.2% to 1.2 million tonnes in 2023.
Spending & Consumer Behavior Interpretation
Canada's pets are living their best, most expensive lives, with owners seemingly locked in a pampering arms race that has us spending more on their gourmet food, trendy wardrobes, and wellness treatments than we do on some of our own human needs.
Veterinary Services & Health
- Number of veterinary clinics in Canada was 5,800 in 2023.
- Average vet visit cost rose to CAD 85 in 2023.
- Pet insurance penetration reached 18% of dog owners in 2023.
- Wellness exams accounted for 40% of all vet visits in 2023.
- Emergency vet services revenue CAD 1.1 billion in 2023.
- Vaccination rates for dogs at 92% in urban areas 2023.
- Spay/neuter surgeries performed 1.2 million times in 2023.
- Telemedicine vet consultations grew 45% to 2.5 million in 2023.
- Obesity rate in Canadian dogs was 35% per vet surveys 2023.
- Dental care procedures up 28% to 850,000 cases in 2023.
- Exotic pet vet services market CAD 220 million in 2023.
- Preventive care plans subscribed by 22% of pet owners 2023.
- Cancer treatments for pets cost average CAD 5,200 per case 2023.
- Mobile vet services visits numbered 1.8 million in 2023.
Veterinary Services & Health Interpretation
We've clearly established that Canadians love their pets more than ever, and an entire industry of 5,800 clinics is efficiently turning that devotion into a steady revenue stream from wellness exams to emergency crises, while hoping we eventually invest as much in prevention as we do in treatment.
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