The Canadian pet industry reached a market value of $12.4 billion last year. This article examines the spending patterns and demographic shifts driving that substantial figure.
Key Takeaways
- The Canadian pet industry reached a market value of CAD 12.4 billion in 2023, driven by increased pet humanization trends.
- 38% of Canadian households owned a pet in 2023, totaling 14.8 million pets.
- Dry dog food market share was 62% of total dog food sales in 2023.
- E-commerce platforms captured 28% of pet retail sales in 2023.
- Average annual spending per pet-owning household was CAD 1,675 in 2023.
- Number of veterinary clinics in Canada was 5,800 in 2023.
In Canada, pet ownership is rising, boosting demand for products and services across the industry.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size & Revenue15 stats
01
The Canadian pet industry reached a market value of CAD 12.4 billion in 2023, driven by increased pet humanization trends.
02
Pet industry sales in Canada grew by 8.7% year-over-year in 2022, totaling CAD 11.5 billion.
03
Projected pet market growth in Canada is expected to reach CAD 15.2 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 4.1%.
04
Online pet product sales contributed CAD 2.1 billion to the total market in 2023.
05
Veterinary services accounted for 25% of the pet industry's CAD 12.4 billion revenue in 2023.
06
Pet food segment dominated with CAD 5.8 billion in sales in 2023.
07
Supplies and over-the-counter medicine sales hit CAD 3.2 billion in 2022.
08
Live animal sales in pet stores generated CAD 450 million in 2023.
09
Pet grooming services market valued at CAD 850 million in 2023.
10
Boarding and daycare services reached CAD 1.2 billion in revenue in 2023.
11
Premium pet food sales surged to CAD 2.9 billion, representing 50% of total pet food market in 2023.
12
Total pet industry employment in Canada stood at 120,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
13
Export value of Canadian pet products was CAD 1.8 billion in 2022.
14
Import dependency for pet food in Canada was 65% of total consumption in 2023.
15
Pet insurance market size grew to CAD 650 million in premiums collected in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
Canada’s pet industry is expanding steadily, growing from CAD 11.5 billion in 2022 to CAD 12.4 billion in 2023 and projected to hit CAD 15.2 billion by 2027, with pet food leading at CAD 5.8 billion and veterinary services taking 25% of the 2023 market revenue.
02 · Category
Pet Ownership & Demographics15 stats
01
38% of Canadian households owned a pet in 2023, totaling 14.8 million pets.
02
Dog ownership reached 7.5 million dogs in Canadian households in 2023.
03
Cat population in Canada was 8.1 million in 2023.
04
27% of households owned cats, compared to 28% owning dogs in 2022 survey.
05
Bird ownership stood at 1.2 million birds in 1.1% of households in 2023.
06
Fish as pets numbered 12.5 million in Canada in 2023.
07
Reptile ownership grew to 750,000 reptiles in 2023.
08
45% of pet owners are millennials (aged 25-40) in 2023.
09
Urban households account for 62% of pet ownership in Canada in 2023.
10
Multi-pet households make up 22% of all pet-owning families in 2023.
11
Senior citizens (65+) own 18% of all pets in Canada in 2023.
12
Single-person households with pets increased to 35% in 2023.
13
Indigenous communities show 52% pet ownership rate, highest demographic in 2023.
14
Quebec has the highest pet ownership rate at 42% of households in 2023.
15
Alberta dog ownership per capita is 220 dogs per 1,000 people in 2023.
Interpretation
Pet Ownership & Demographics Interpretation
In 2023, 38% of Canadian households owned a pet, supporting a large and diverse ownership base of 14.8 million pets overall, with dogs at 7.5 million and cats at 8.1 million.
03 · Category
Product Segments14 stats
01
Dry dog food market share was 62% of total dog food sales in 2023.
02
Wet cat food sales grew 9.1% to CAD 1.1 billion in 2023.
03
Raw/fresh pet food segment expanded to 12% market share in 2023.
04
Treats category sales hit CAD 1.4 billion, with dental treats at 28%.
05
Toys sales volume was 45 million units sold in 2023.
06
Beds and furniture for pets generated CAD 650 million in 2023.
07
Litter market size was CAD 420 million, with clumping litter at 75%.
08
Flea/tick prevention products sold CAD 380 million in 2023.
09
Aquatics supplies market valued at CAD 280 million in 2023.
10
Reptile food and habitat sales reached CAD 95 million in 2023.
11
Organic pet food sales doubled to CAD 750 million in 2023.
12
Collar/leash/accessories segment was CAD 520 million in 2023.
13
Bird food sales totaled CAD 150 million, seed mix 55% share.
14
Small animal bedding market CAD 85 million in 2023.
Interpretation
Product Segments Interpretation
In Canada’s product segments, food is clearly leading with dry dog food taking 62% of 2023 sales while wet cat food climbed to CAD 1.1 billion and raw or fresh pet food reached a 12% share, signaling strong momentum beyond traditional categories.
More related reading
04 · Category
Retail & E Commerce Trends15 stats
01
E-commerce platforms captured 28% of pet retail sales in 2023.
02
Pet superstores like PetSmart held 42% market share in 2023.
03
Independent pet stores sales CAD 2.8 billion in 2023.
04
Amazon.ca pet category sales grew 32% to CAD 950 million 2023.
05
Grocery stores pet aisle sales CAD 1.6 billion in 2023.
06
Subscription services like Chewy held 8% of online market 2023.
07
Mobile app pet shopping downloads reached 4.2 million in 2023.
08
In-store pickup fulfillment for online orders 35% of e-com 2023.
09
Social commerce via Instagram pet sales CAD 180 million 2023.
10
Veterinary clinic retail sales CAD 950 million in 2023.
11
Omnichannel shoppers spent 2.5x more on pets in 2023.
12
Pet pop-up shops generated CAD 120 million in urban areas 2023.
13
Direct-to-consumer pet brands sales up 41% to CAD 420M 2023.
14
Black Friday pet sales hit CAD 350 million online in 2023.
15
52% of pet purchases influenced by online reviews in 2023.
Interpretation
Retail & E Commerce Trends Interpretation
In 2023, e-commerce and omnichannel shopping dominated Canada’s pet retail landscape, with online platforms taking 28% of sales and Amazon.ca driving 32% growth to CAD 950 million, while subscription services added another 8% of the online market.
05 · Category
Spending & Consumer Behavior15 stats
01
Average annual spending per pet-owning household was CAD 1,675 in 2023.
02
68% of pet owners increased spending on pets post-COVID in 2023 survey.
03
Premium pet food expenditure averaged CAD 850 per dog-owning household in 2023.
04
Veterinary care costs averaged CAD 650 per pet annually in 2023.
05
42% of owners spent over CAD 1,000 on pets in 2023.
06
Treats and chews spending reached CAD 450 average per household in 2023.
07
Pet apparel and accessories spending totaled CAD 220 million nationally in 2023.
08
55% of Gen Z pet owners prioritize organic products, spending 20% more.
09
Insurance premiums averaged CAD 450 per policyholder in 2023.
10
Grooming services cost averaged CAD 75 per visit, with 4.2 visits per year per pet in 2023.
11
E-commerce pet spending per buyer was CAD 320 annually in 2023.
12
Holiday pet gifting spending peaked at CAD 180 per household in 2023.
13
Subscription box services for pets averaged CAD 35 monthly spend in 2023.
14
CBD pet products spending grew 35% to CAD 120 million in 2023.
15
Pet food sales volume increased 6.2% to 1.2 million tonnes in 2023.
Interpretation
Spending & Consumer Behavior Interpretation
In Canada’s pet spending and consumer behavior landscape, pet-owning households averaged CAD 1,675 per year in 2023 and 68% reported higher pet spend post-COVID, with especially strong outlays on premium food at CAD 850 per dog-owning household and treats and chews at CAD 450.
06 · Category
Veterinary Services & Health14 stats
01
Number of veterinary clinics in Canada was 5,800 in 2023.
02
Average vet visit cost rose to CAD 85 in 2023.
03
Pet insurance penetration reached 18% of dog owners in 2023.
04
Wellness exams accounted for 40% of all vet visits in 2023.
05
Emergency vet services revenue CAD 1.1 billion in 2023.
06
Vaccination rates for dogs at 92% in urban areas 2023.
07
Spay/neuter surgeries performed 1.2 million times in 2023.
08
Telemedicine vet consultations grew 45% to 2.5 million in 2023.
09
Obesity rate in Canadian dogs was 35% per vet surveys 2023.
10
Dental care procedures up 28% to 850,000 cases in 2023.
11
Exotic pet vet services market CAD 220 million in 2023.
12
Preventive care plans subscribed by 22% of pet owners 2023.
13
Cancer treatments for pets cost average CAD 5,200 per case 2023.
14
Mobile vet services visits numbered 1.8 million in 2023.
Interpretation
Veterinary Services & Health Interpretation
In Canada’s Veterinary Services and Health sector, wellness exams drive 40% of visits while pet care costs are rising with the average vet visit now at CAD 85 and emergency services bringing in CAD 1.1 billion in 2023.
report visual · Key figures
Canada Pet Industry Growth Snapshot
Sales growth and projected market expansion point to continued momentum in Canada’s pet industry.
8.7%
Pet industry sales in Canada grew by 8.7% year-over-year in 2022, totaling CAD 11.5 billion.
12.4
The Canadian pet industry reached a market value of CAD 12.4 billion in 2023, driven by increased pet humanization trend
4.1%
Projected pet market growth in Canada is expected to reach CAD 15.2 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 4.1%.
5.8
Pet food segment dominated with CAD 5.8 billion in sales in 2023.
Reference
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Canada Pet Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canada-pet-industry-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Canada Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/canada-pet-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Canada Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canada-pet-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
59 datasets cited across this report
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