Germany’s pet industry hit €6.82 billion in 2023, with steady 3.2% year-over-year growth. Across the market, premium preferences and evolving shopping habits are visible from natural/organic pet food choices to online purchasing. This page also breaks down who owns pets in Germany—by pet type—and reviews the biggest revenue areas, from pet food to accessories and vet services.
Key Takeaways
- 65% of German pet owners prioritize sustainability in product choices per 2023 survey
- 48% of pet owners increased spending on premium products in Germany 2023, average +15%
- Online shopping for pet products preferred by 62% of under-35s in Germany 2023
- In 2023, the total German pet industry market size reached €6.82 billion, marking a 3.2% year-over-year growth driven by premium product demand
- The pet food segment in Germany generated €5.1 billion in revenue in 2023, accounting for 74.8% of the total pet market
- Germany's pet supplies market (non-food) was valued at €1.72 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 2.8% from 2019-2023
- Pet food expenditure per dog in Germany averaged €1,250 annually in 2023
- Dry pet food dominates with 62% market share in Germany 2023, valued at €3.16 billion
- Wet pet food sales reached €1.42 billion in Germany 2023, growing 2.5% YoY
- Germany's pet ownership stands at 56% of households owning at least one pet in 2023, totaling 34.3 million pets
- Dogs are the most popular pet in Germany with 10.6 million owned in 2023, up 1.2% from 2022
- Cats number 15.2 million in German households in 2023, representing 44% of all pets
- Pet accessories market in Germany valued at €920 million in 2023, led by beds and toys
- Pet toys sales reached €280 million in Germany 2023, with interactive toys up 9%
- Leashes and collars generated €150 million in sales in Germany 2023
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Behavior13 stats
01
65% of German pet owners prioritize sustainability in product choices per 2023 survey
02
48% of pet owners increased spending on premium products in Germany 2023, average +15%
03
Online shopping for pet products preferred by 62% of under-35s in Germany 2023
04
71% of dog owners buy natural/organic food in Germany 2023
05
Subscription boxes for pets gained 22% adoption, 1.8 million users in Germany 2023
06
55% of cat owners use app-based health trackers in Germany 2023
07
Loyalty programs influence 67% of repeat purchases in German pet retail 2023
08
39% of owners humanize pets with special diets/meals in Germany 2023
09
Price sensitivity dropped to 28% among high-income pet owners in Germany 2023
10
Social media influences 52% of pet product buys, Instagram top platform Germany 2023
11
44% of owners travel with pets annually, boosting travel gear sales Germany 2023
12
Eco-labels sway 61% purchase decisions in German pet market 2023
13
73% of millennial parents view pets as child substitutes, spending 20% more, Germany 2023
02 · Category
Market Size And Growth10 stats
01
In 2023, the total German pet industry market size reached €6.82 billion, marking a 3.2% year-over-year growth driven by premium product demand
02
The pet food segment in Germany generated €5.1 billion in revenue in 2023, accounting for 74.8% of the total pet market
03
Germany's pet supplies market (non-food) was valued at €1.72 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 2.8% from 2019-2023
04
Online pet product sales in Germany surged to €1.45 billion in 2023, representing 21% of total pet market sales
05
The veterinary services market for pets in Germany hit €2.3 billion in 2023, up 4.1% from 2022 due to increased pet health spending
06
Projected pet industry growth in Germany for 2024 is 3.5%, reaching €7.06 billion, fueled by inflation-adjusted premiumization
07
In 2022, Germany's pet market exported €850 million worth of products, mainly pet food to EU neighbors
08
Pet grooming and services subsector grew 5.2% to €450 million in 2023 in Germany
09
Human-grade pet food sales in Germany increased by 12% to €320 million in 2023
10
The sustainable pet products market in Germany was €680 million in 2023, 10% of total market
Interpretation
Market Size And Growth Interpretation
Germany’s pet industry reached €6.82 billion in 2023 and is still expanding at a steady 3.2% year over year, with pet food driving most of the market at €5.1 billion and online sales jumping to €1.45 billion, reflecting sustained market size growth alongside a clear shift toward digital channels.
03 · Category
Pet Food Market13 stats
01
Pet food expenditure per dog in Germany averaged €1,250 annually in 2023
02
Dry pet food dominates with 62% market share in Germany 2023, valued at €3.16 billion
03
Wet pet food sales reached €1.42 billion in Germany 2023, growing 2.5% YoY
04
Premium pet food segment grew 7.8% to €2.1 billion in Germany 2023
05
Organic pet food market in Germany hit €280 million in 2023, 5.5% of total pet food
06
Dog food specifically generated €2.95 billion in Germany 2023, 58% of pet food market
07
Cat food sales totaled €1.85 billion in 2023 Germany, with kibble at 55% share
08
Treats and snacks pet food category worth €450 million in Germany 2023, up 6%
09
Raw/fresh pet food sales increased 18% to €150 million in Germany 2023
10
E-commerce pet food sales 28% of total in Germany 2023, €1.43 billion
11
Veterinary diets pet food segment €620 million in Germany 2023
12
Imported pet food constitutes 22% of German market volume in 2023, €1.12 billion
13
Functional pet food (e.g., joint health) sales €380 million in Germany 2023
Interpretation
Pet Food Market Interpretation
In Germany’s pet food market, premium and organic choices are gaining ground as premium pet food rose 7.8% to €2.1 billion and organic reached €280 million, showing that consumers are increasingly paying more for higher value diets.
More related reading
04 · Category
Pet Ownership15 stats
01
Germany's pet ownership stands at 56% of households owning at least one pet in 2023, totaling 34.3 million pets
02
Dogs are the most popular pet in Germany with 10.6 million owned in 2023, up 1.2% from 2022
03
Cats number 15.2 million in German households in 2023, representing 44% of all pets
04
Bird ownership in Germany reached 4.8 million in 2023, with budgerigars being the top species at 2.1 million
05
There are 3.5 million pet rabbits in Germany as of 2023, a stable figure with slight urban increase
06
Fish ownership totals 13.4 million ornamental fish in German aquariums in 2023
07
Reptile pets in Germany numbered 2.1 million in 2023, led by turtles and snakes
08
28% of German households own dogs, equating to 15.2 million dog-owning individuals in 2023
09
Senior citizens (65+) own 22% of all German pets, with cats predominant at 35% share in this demographic
10
Urban pet ownership rate is 58% in major cities like Berlin and Munich in 2023, vs 52% rural
11
Millennial pet owners (25-40) account for 42% of new pet adoptions in Germany 2023
12
1.2 million small rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs) kept as pets in Germany 2023
13
Horse ownership stands at 850,000 in Germany 2023, mostly recreational
14
15% rise in multi-pet households in Germany from 2019-2023, now 28% of owners
15
Female pet ownership rate is 62% vs 38% male in Germany 2023
05 · Category
Pet Supplies12 stats
01
Pet accessories market in Germany valued at €920 million in 2023, led by beds and toys
02
Pet toys sales reached €280 million in Germany 2023, with interactive toys up 9%
03
Leashes and collars generated €150 million in sales in Germany 2023
04
Pet beds and housing products €220 million market in Germany 2023
05
Aquariums and pond equipment sales €180 million in Germany 2023
06
Bird cages and aviaries worth €95 million in Germany 2023
07
Grooming products (shampoos, brushes) €140 million in Germany 2023 pet market
08
Travel carriers and crates sales €110 million in Germany 2023, up 4%
09
Waste management products (bags, litter) €250 million in Germany 2023
10
Apparel for pets (clothes, boots) niche market €45 million in Germany 2023
11
Sustainable pet supplies grew to €210 million, 23% of accessories in Germany 2023
12
Online sales of pet supplies hit 35% share, €640 million in Germany 2023
Interpretation
Pet Supplies Interpretation
In Germany’s Pet Supplies market, spending in 2023 was strongest in beds and toys, with accessories totaling €920 million and pet toys alone reaching €280 million, including a 9% rise in interactive toys.
06 · Category
Veterinary Services12 stats
01
72% of German dog owners use premium veterinary services annually, averaging 2.8 visits per dog in 2023
02
Average annual vet spend per cat in Germany was €420 in 2023, up 5% from 2022
03
Pet insurance penetration in Germany reached 18% of pet owners in 2023, covering 2.1 million pets
04
Preventive care services (vaccinations, checkups) €680 million in Germany 2023 pet vet market
05
Surgical procedures for pets cost average €1,200 per case in Germany 2023, with 450,000 cases
06
Dental care for pets generated €320 million revenue in German clinics 2023
07
Telemedicine vet consultations rose 25% to 1.2 million sessions in Germany 2023
08
Emergency vet services handled 850,000 cases in Germany 2023, average cost €350
09
Specialized oncology treatments for pets €150 million market in Germany 2023
10
Nutrition consulting by vets contributed €95 million in fees Germany 2023
11
Mobile vet services grew 12% to €120 million in Germany 2023
12
Alternative therapies (acupuncture, physio) €210 million for pets in Germany 2023
Interpretation
Veterinary Services Interpretation
German veterinary services are showing strong demand and rising spending, with 72% of dog owners using premium care for an average of 2.8 visits per dog in 2023 alongside cat spend reaching €420 and preventive care alone totaling €680 million.
report visual · Comparison
Germany Pet Industry Statistics
High adoption and spending signals across key pet-shopping behavior segments (sustainability, premiumization, and digital influence) in 2023.
65% of German pet owners prioritize sustainability in product choices per 2023 survey65%
Online shopping for pet products preferred by 62% of under-35s in Germany 2023
62%
Social media influences 52% of pet product buys, Instagram top platform Germany 2023
52%
48% of pet owners increased spending on premium products in Germany 2023, average +15%
48%
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Germany Pet Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/germany-pet-industry-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Germany Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/germany-pet-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Germany Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/germany-pet-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
48 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level