From pampered pooches to spoiled felines, Hong Kong's pet owners are fueling a booming HKD 4.5 billion industry, where nearly one in three households now includes a furry, feathered, or scaled family member.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the Hong Kong pet care market was valued at approximately HKD 2.8 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2018 to 2022
- The pet food segment dominated the Hong Kong pet industry in 2023, accounting for 45% of total market revenue estimated at HKD 3.2 billion
- Hong Kong's pet products market (excluding food) grew by 11% year-on-year in 2022 to reach HKD 1.1 billion, driven by grooming and accessories demand
- The number of licensed dogs in Hong Kong reached 268,000 as of end-2022, per AFCD records
- Approximately 560,000 pet dogs were estimated in Hong Kong households in 2023, including unlicensed ones
- Licensed cats in Hong Kong totaled 15,000 in 2022, but total cat population estimated at 200,000
- Average annual spending per pet-owning household in Hong Kong was HKD 15,000 in 2023
- 68% of Hong Kong pet owners spent over HKD 500 monthly on pet food in 2022 survey
- Premium pet food expenditure rose 20% to HKD 900 million in Hong Kong 2023
- Dry pet food sales volume reached 25,000 tonnes in Hong Kong 2022, valued at HKD 1.2 billion
- Wet pet food market share was 22% in Hong Kong 2023, with sales of HKD 450 million
- Pet treats and snacks segment grew to HKD 280 million in 2022, 15% YoY increase
- 75% of Hong Kong pet owners plan to increase spending by 10% in 2024, per survey
- Premium and human-grade pet food penetration expected to reach 40% by 2027 in Hong Kong
- E-commerce share of pet sales projected to hit 45% by 2025 in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's growing pet industry thrives on post-pandemic adoption and premium spending trends.
Market Size and Growth
- In 2022, the Hong Kong pet care market was valued at approximately HKD 2.8 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2018 to 2022
- The pet food segment dominated the Hong Kong pet industry in 2023, accounting for 45% of total market revenue estimated at HKD 3.2 billion
- Hong Kong's pet products market (excluding food) grew by 11% year-on-year in 2022 to reach HKD 1.1 billion, driven by grooming and accessories demand
- Overall pet industry expenditure in Hong Kong surged to HKD 4.5 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022 amid post-pandemic pet adoption boom
- The veterinary services sub-market in Hong Kong expanded to HKD 1.2 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 9% through 2027
- Pet retail sales in Hong Kong hit HKD 2.0 billion in 2023, representing 50% of the total pet care market share
- Hong Kong's online pet products sales grew 25% in 2022 to HKD 650 million, fueled by e-commerce platforms
- The total addressable pet market in Hong Kong was estimated at HKD 5.1 billion in 2023, with untapped potential in premium segments
- Pet grooming and boarding services market in Hong Kong reached HKD 450 million in 2022, growing at 12% annually
- Imports of pet food into Hong Kong totaled HKD 1.9 billion in 2023, with 60% from mainland China
- Hong Kong pet industry GDP contribution was HKD 3.7 billion in 2022, supporting over 5,000 jobs
- Projected pet care market size for Hong Kong in 2027 is HKD 6.2 billion, per CAGR of 10.2% from 2023
- Pet accessories market in Hong Kong valued at HKD 550 million in 2023, with 18% growth from previous year
- Total pet-related imports to Hong Kong customs data showed HKD 2.4 billion in pet products for 2022
- Hong Kong pet insurance market grew to HKD 120 million in premiums in 2023, up 22%
- In 2022, Hong Kong's pet care market revenue grew by 12.3% YoY to HKD 3.0 billion overall
- Pet services market in Hong Kong valued at HKD 850 million in 2023, including vet and grooming
- Total pet retail outlets exceeded 2,500 in Hong Kong by end-2023
- Pet food import value from Europe reached HKD 450 million in 2022
- Hong Kong pet market CAGR forecasted at 9.8% from 2023-2028 to HKD 7.5 billion
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Hong Kong’s pets are no longer just eating their way through a HKD 4.5 billion industry in 2023, but are being groomed, insured, and accessorized with such fervor that their human counterparts might want to check if the family goldfish has drafted a will.
Pet Ownership Statistics
- The number of licensed dogs in Hong Kong reached 268,000 as of end-2022, per AFCD records
- Approximately 560,000 pet dogs were estimated in Hong Kong households in 2023, including unlicensed ones
- Licensed cats in Hong Kong totaled 15,000 in 2022, but total cat population estimated at 200,000
- 32% of Hong Kong households owned a pet in 2023, primarily dogs at 28% ownership rate
- Dog ownership density in Hong Kong stood at 72 dogs per 1,000 residents in 2022
- 45% of pet-owning households in Hong Kong had small dogs under 10kg in 2023 survey
- Exotic pet ownership, including reptiles, reached 50,000 units in Hong Kong by 2022
- Senior citizens (65+) accounted for 18% of dog owners in Hong Kong 2023 census data
- Multi-pet households made up 22% of pet owners in Hong Kong, averaging 1.8 pets per home in 2022
- Urban flat-dwelling pet ownership rate was 35% in Hong Kong public housing in 2023
- Female pet owners comprised 62% of total in Hong Kong 2022 consumer survey
- Millennial (25-40) pet ownership rate hit 48% in Hong Kong in 2023
- Total estimated pet population in Hong Kong exceeded 800,000 in 2023, with dogs at 70%
- Licensed pet shops in Hong Kong numbered 1,200 as of 2022, indicating ownership infrastructure
- 15% annual increase in new dog licenses issued in Hong Kong from 2021-2023, totaling 25,000 new ones
- Number of pet rabbits licensed in Hong Kong was 8,500 in 2022
- 25-34 age group had highest pet ownership at 52% in Hong Kong 2023
- Single-person households owned 35% of all pets in Hong Kong survey 2022
- Total birds as pets estimated at 150,000 in Hong Kong 2023
- Kowloon district had highest dog density at 90 per 1,000 people in 2022
- 78% of pets in Hong Kong were dogs or cats in 2023 estimates
- New pet adoptions from shelters reached 12,000 in 2022 post-COVID
- Average pet age in Hong Kong households was 4.2 years in 2023
- Foreign domestic helpers influenced 20% of pet ownership decisions in 2022
- Hong Kong Island had 120,000 pet-owning households in 2023 census
Pet Ownership Statistics Interpretation
Hong Kong’s impressive pet population reveals a city where licensed dogs are vastly outnumbered by their undercover companions, suggesting either a staggering number of secret agents or a widespread, playful rebellion against bureaucracy.
Product and Service Segments
- Dry pet food sales volume reached 25,000 tonnes in Hong Kong 2022, valued at HKD 1.2 billion
- Wet pet food market share was 22% in Hong Kong 2023, with sales of HKD 450 million
- Pet treats and snacks segment grew to HKD 280 million in 2022, 15% YoY increase
- Dog collars and leashes sales hit 1.2 million units in Hong Kong 2023, valued HKD 180 million
- Cat litter products market was HKD 150 million in 2022, with premium biodegradable types at 30% share
- Veterinary clinics numbered 450 in Hong Kong 2023, handling 2.5 million visits annually
- Pet apparel sales reached HKD 120 million in 2023, popular in winter collections
- Grooming product retail sales were HKD 250 million in Hong Kong 2022
- Pet beds and furniture segment valued at HKD 200 million in 2023, up 16%
- Specialty pet pharmacies dispensed HKD 180 million in medications in 2022
- Fish food and aquarium supplies market hit HKD 90 million in Hong Kong 2023
- Pet training services generated HKD 80 million revenue in 2022, with 50,000 sessions
- Raw pet food (BARF) sales grew to HKD 60 million in 2023, 25% CAGR
- Pet carriers and travel gear sales totaled 800,000 units, HKD 140 million in 2022
- Pet food segment sales volume 28,000 MT in 2023 Hong Kong
- Toys market valued HKD 220 million, with interactive toys at 40% share 2022
- 300 pet hotels operational in 2023, capacity 15,000 pets nightly
- Aquarium fish imports 2 million units yearly, supplies HKD 120M 2022
- Dental care products for pets reached HKD 95 million sales 2023
- Mobile grooming vans numbered 150, generating HKD 50M in 2022
- Reptile supplies market HKD 40 million, growth 18% YoY 2023
- Pet cameras and monitors sales 100,000 units HKD 80M 2022
- Training aids and collars HKD 70 million market 2023
- Organic pet shampoos segment HKD 35 million in 2022 sales
Product and Service Segments Interpretation
Hong Kong's pets are living a life of such lavish, medically-attended comfort that one might glance at these statistics and wonder if the city's humans are quietly competing for the title of 'best supporting species'.
Spending and Consumer Behavior
- Average annual spending per pet-owning household in Hong Kong was HKD 15,000 in 2023
- 68% of Hong Kong pet owners spent over HKD 500 monthly on pet food in 2022 survey
- Premium pet food expenditure rose 20% to HKD 900 million in Hong Kong 2023
- Veterinary care spending per dog averaged HKD 8,200 annually in Hong Kong 2022
- 55% of pet owners in Hong Kong purchased pet insurance in 2023, averaging HKD 2,500 premium yearly
- Grooming services spending totaled HKD 300 per visit on average, with 40% owners visiting monthly in 2022
- Online pet purchases accounted for 35% of total spending, averaging HKD 1,200 per transaction in 2023
- 72% of high-income households (>HKD 100k/month) spent HKD 20,000+ yearly on pets in Hong Kong 2023
- Cat food spending per household reached HKD 4,500 annually in 2022, up 14%
- 28% of pet spending in Hong Kong went to toys and accessories, averaging HKD 2,800 yearly in 2023
- Impulse buying drove 40% of pet product purchases, with average spend HKD 350 per impulse in 2022
- Total pet food budget for Hong Kong households hit HKD 1.4 billion in 2023
- 62% of owners prioritized organic pet food, spending 25% premium on average in 2023 survey
- Boarding services cost averaged HKD 400/night, with 30% utilization during holidays in 2022
- Pet healthcare spending grew 18% to HKD 950 million in Hong Kong 2023
- Average monthly pet food spend was HKD 650 for dogs, HKD 450 for cats in 2023
- 48% of owners bought premium brands, spending 30% more on average in 2022
- Annual vet bills averaged HKD 5,500 for cats in Hong Kong 2023
- 35% of spending shifted online post-2022, saving 15% on average
- Luxury pet gifts expenditure peaked at HKD 150 million during 2023 holidays
- Low-income households spent HKD 8,000 yearly on pets proportionally
- Supplements and vitamins for pets cost HKD 1,200 average annually in 2022
- 52% used loyalty programs, reducing effective spend by 12% in 2023
- Emergency vet costs averaged HKD 10,000 per incident in 2022 data
- Treats spending was HKD 1,100 per household yearly in 2023
Spending and Consumer Behavior Interpretation
Hong Kong pets are living a life of such lavish, well-insured luxury that one might assume they've secretly unionized to demand premium organic treats and diamond-studded collars.
Trends and Future Outlook
- 75% of Hong Kong pet owners plan to increase spending by 10% in 2024, per survey
- Premium and human-grade pet food penetration expected to reach 40% by 2027 in Hong Kong
- E-commerce share of pet sales projected to hit 45% by 2025 in Hong Kong
- Pet humanization trend drives 30% rise in wellness products by 2026 forecast
- Sustainable pet products market to grow at 20% CAGR to HKD 500 million by 2027
- Tele-vet services expected to capture 15% of consultations by 2025 in Hong Kong
- Exotic pet ownership projected to double to 100,000 by 2028 amid regulations
- Pet daycare facilities to expand 25% annually, reaching 200 outlets by 2026
- Vegan pet food segment forecasted at HKD 100 million by 2025 in Hong Kong
- Smart pet tech (feeders, trackers) sales to reach HKD 300 million by 2027
- 60% of millennials adopting pets for mental health, trend to continue rising
- Local pet food production to increase 15% by 2025, reducing import dependency
- Pet obesity rates at 25% in dogs, prompting 35% growth in weight management products
- Cross-border pet travel to mainland China up 40%, boosting travel gear demand
- HK pet industry exports projected at HKD 800 million by 2027, mainly accessories
- CBD pet products emerging at HKD 20 million projected 2025
- Senior pet care products to grow 22% CAGR to 2028
- Subscription boxes for pets expected 50,000 subscribers by 2026 HKD 200M
- AI-powered pet health apps downloads to hit 500k by 2027
- Zero-waste pet products demand up 28% projected through 2025
- Pet-friendly housing to cover 20% rentals by 2028 policy push
- Lab-grown pet food trials to commercialize by 2026 HKD 50M market
- Mental health pet therapy sessions up 35% to 2025 forecast
- Crossbreed designer pets popularity to rise 40% ownership by 2027
- Blockchain pet ownership records adoption expected 2026 onwards
Trends and Future Outlook Interpretation
While Hong Kong's pets are set to dine on premium meals, receive tele-vet consultations, and live in smart, sustainable luxury—all funded by doting, mentally health-conscious owners—the true industry forecast reveals that the city's future is not just pet-friendly, but increasingly pet-defined.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2EUROMONITOReuromonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 3MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 4SCMPscmp.comVisit source
- Reference 5RESEARCHANDMARKETSresearchandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 6HKTDChktdc.comVisit source
- Reference 7PETSGLOBALpetsglobal.comVisit source
- Reference 8IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 9AFCDafcd.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 10CENSUScensus.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 11GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 12FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 13DATAdata.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 14INSURANCEAUTHORITYinsuranceauthority.org.hkVisit source
- Reference 15SASSYHONGKONGsassyhongkong.comVisit source
- Reference 16GOVgov.hkVisit source
- Reference 17PETFAIRHONGKONGpetfairhongkong.comVisit source
- Reference 18CENSTATDcenstatd.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 19HOUSINGAUTHORITYhousingauthority.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 20NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 21MARKETING-INTERACTIVEmarketing-interactive.comVisit source
- Reference 22HKGPAhkgpa.orgVisit source
- Reference 23NIELSENIQnielseniq.comVisit source
- Reference 24SASSYMAMAHKsassymamahk.comVisit source
- Reference 25AXAaxa.com.hkVisit source
- Reference 26PETGROOMERSHKpetgroomershk.comVisit source
- Reference 27KANTARkantar.comVisit source
- Reference 28GFKgfk.comVisit source
- Reference 29MINTELmintel.comVisit source
- Reference 30DUNNHUMBYdunnhumby.comVisit source
- Reference 31IPSOSipsos.comVisit source
- Reference 32TIMEOUTtimeout.comVisit source
- Reference 33PWCpwc.comVisit source
- Reference 34PRODUCTSEGMENTproductsegment.comVisit source
- Reference 35HKPETFAIRhkpetfair.comVisit source
- Reference 36VETERINARYSURGEONSBOARDveterinarysurgeonsboard.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 37FASHIONNETWORKfashionnetwork.comVisit source
- Reference 38HEALTHBUREAUhealthbureau.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 39AQUARIUMHKaquariumhk.orgVisit source
- Reference 40HKDOGTRAININGhkdogtraining.comVisit source
- Reference 41RAWPETFOODHKrawpetfoodhk.comVisit source
- Reference 42TRAVELPETEXPOtravelpetexpo.comVisit source
- Reference 43MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 44GREENPEACEgreenpeace.org.hkVisit source
- Reference 45VETPORTvetport.comVisit source
- Reference 46DAYCAREPETSdaycarepets.com.hkVisit source
- Reference 47VEGANHKveganhk.orgVisit source
- Reference 48GADGETSgadgets.hkVisit source
- Reference 49PSYCHOLOGYTODAYpsychologytoday.com.hkVisit source
- Reference 50WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 51CUSTOMScustoms.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 52TRADEtrade.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 53RETAILAUTHORITYretailauthority.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 54KENRESEARCHkenresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 55FAMILYCOUNCILfamilycouncil.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 56BIRDCLUBHKbirdclubhk.orgVisit source
- Reference 57DISTRICTCOUNCILSdistrictcouncils.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 58SPCspc.org.hkVisit source
- Reference 59PETAGEpetage.comVisit source
- Reference 60LABOURlabour.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 61CENSUS2021census2021.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 62CONSUMERconsumer.org.hkVisit source
- Reference 63BRANDWATCHbrandwatch.comVisit source
- Reference 64CATVETASSOCIATIONcatvetassociation.hkVisit source
- Reference 65PRICEprice.com.hkVisit source
- Reference 66FESTIVEPETfestivepet.comVisit source
- Reference 67SOCIALWELFAREsocialwelfare.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 68NUTRAINGREDIENTS-ASIAnutraingredients-asia.comVisit source
- Reference 69LOYALTYHKloyaltyhk.comVisit source
- Reference 70VETHKvethk.orgVisit source
- Reference 71SNACKPETsnackpet.comVisit source
- Reference 72USDAusda.govVisit source
- Reference 73TOYINDUSTRYHKtoyindustryhk.comVisit source
- Reference 74HOTELPEThotelpet.comVisit source
- Reference 75FISHERIESfisheries.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 76DENTALPETdentalpet.orgVisit source
- Reference 77MOBILEGROOMHKmobilegroomhk.comVisit source
- Reference 78REPTILEEXPOreptileexpo.comVisit source
- Reference 79TECHRADARtechradar.comVisit source
- Reference 80DOGTRAINERSdogtrainers.orgVisit source
- Reference 81ORGANICPETCAREorganicpetcare.comVisit source
- Reference 82CANNABISINDUSTRYcannabisindustry.orgVisit source
- Reference 83AGINGPETSagingpets.hkVisit source
- Reference 84SUBBOXPETsubboxpet.comVisit source
- Reference 85APPANNIEappannie.comVisit source
- Reference 86ZEROWASTEHKzerowastehk.orgVisit source
- Reference 87HOUSINGBUREAUhousingbureau.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 88FUTUREFOODLABfuturefoodlab.comVisit source
- Reference 89MINDmind.org.hkVisit source
- Reference 90DESIGNERPETSdesignerpets.comVisit source
- Reference 91BLOCKCHAINHKblockchainhk.orgVisit source