The Dutch pet market reached 1.4 billion euros in value during 2023. Pet food accounted for 82 percent of that total. Nearly half of all households own at least one pet.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.4 billion (pet food + pet accessories)
- In 2022, the value of the Dutch pet food market was €1.27 billion
- In 2023, the value of the Dutch pet accessories market was €280 million
- In 2018, 28% of Dutch households owned a dog
- In 2018, 24% of Dutch households owned a cat
- In 2018, 1% of Dutch households owned other pets (birds, small mammals, etc.)
- In 2023, the Netherlands had 3,000 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
- In 2022, the Netherlands had 2,850 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
- In 2021, the Netherlands had 2,700 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
- In 2022, the Netherlands had 1,600 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
- In 2021, the Netherlands had 1,550 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
- In 2020, the Netherlands had 1,500 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
In 2023, the Dutch pet market hit €1.4 billion, led by pet food and rising household spending.
Related reading
01 · Category
Pet Market Size & Spending30 stats
01
In 2023, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.4 billion (pet food + pet accessories)
02
In 2022, the value of the Dutch pet food market was €1.27 billion
03
In 2023, the value of the Dutch pet accessories market was €280 million
04
In 2023, pet food accounted for 82% of the Dutch pet market value
05
In 2022, pet food accounted for 83% of the Dutch pet market value
06
In 2023, pet accessories accounted for 18% of the Dutch pet market value
07
In 2021, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.32 billion
08
In 2020, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.25 billion
09
In 2019, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.20 billion
10
In 2018, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.15 billion
11
In 2017, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.10 billion
12
In 2016, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.05 billion
13
In 2015, the value of the Dutch pet market was €1.00 billion
14
In 2023, the Dutch pet market grew by 4.8% vs. 2022
15
In 2022, the Dutch pet market grew by 5.2% vs. 2021
16
In 2021, the Dutch pet market grew by 4.6% vs. 2020
17
In 2020, the Dutch pet market grew by 3.4% vs. 2019
18
In 2019, the Dutch pet market grew by 3.1% vs. 2018
19
In 2018, the Dutch pet market grew by 2.8% vs. 2017
20
In 2017, the Dutch pet market grew by 2.7% vs. 2016
21
In 2023, the Dutch pet market value per household was €320
22
In 2022, the Dutch pet market value per household was €305
23
In 2021, the Dutch pet market value per household was €292
24
In 2020, the Dutch pet market value per household was €280
25
In 2019, the Dutch pet market value per household was €270
26
In 2018, the Dutch pet market value per household was €260
27
In 2017, the Dutch pet market value per household was €250
28
In 2016, the Dutch pet market value per household was €240
29
In 2015, the Dutch pet market value per household was €230
30
In 2023, Dutch pet market expenditure per capita was €80
Interpretation
Pet Market Size & Spending Interpretation
In the Netherlands, the pet market keeps quietly marching upward, climbing from a €1.00 billion industry in 2015 to €1.4 billion in 2023, driven mostly by pet food (82% of value in 2023), while accessories grow as the dependable sidekick, and with spending per household rising to €320 and per capita to €80, it looks like Dutch pets are not getting cheaper, just better fed.
02 · Category
Pet Ownership & Demographics30 stats
01
In 2018, 28% of Dutch households owned a dog
02
In 2018, 24% of Dutch households owned a cat
03
In 2018, 1% of Dutch households owned other pets (birds, small mammals, etc.)
04
In 2018, 49% of Dutch households owned at least one pet
05
In 2018, the estimated number of dogs in the Netherlands was 1.1 million
06
In 2018, the estimated number of cats in the Netherlands was 2.5 million
07
In 2018, the estimated number of other pets in the Netherlands was 0.2 million
08
In 2020, 46% of Dutch households owned a pet (dog, cat or other)
09
In 2020, 26% of Dutch households owned a dog
10
In 2020, 21% of Dutch households owned a cat
11
In 2020, 2% of Dutch households owned other pets
12
In 2020, estimated number of dogs in the Netherlands was 1.0 million
13
In 2020, estimated number of cats in the Netherlands was 2.4 million
14
In 2020, estimated number of other pets in the Netherlands was 0.2 million
15
In 2022, 48% of Dutch households owned a pet
16
In 2022, 27% of Dutch households owned a dog
17
In 2022, 21% of Dutch households owned a cat
18
In 2022, 3% of Dutch households owned other pets
19
In 2022, estimated number of dogs in the Netherlands was 1.1 million
20
In 2022, estimated number of cats in the Netherlands was 2.4 million
21
In 2022, estimated number of other pets in the Netherlands was 0.2 million
22
In a 2017 survey, 26% of Dutch adults owned a dog
23
In a 2017 survey, 21% of Dutch adults owned a cat
24
In a 2017 survey, 46% of Dutch adults owned at least one pet
25
In a 2019 survey, 27% of Dutch adults owned a dog
26
In a 2019 survey, 22% of Dutch adults owned a cat
27
In a 2019 survey, 48% of Dutch adults owned at least one pet
28
In the Netherlands, 8% of households have a large dog
29
In the Netherlands, 12% of households have a small dog
30
In the Netherlands, 18% of households have a cat
Interpretation
Pet Ownership & Demographics Interpretation
From 2018 to 2022, the Netherlands stayed reliably pet-positive at roughly half of households, with cats consistently outnumbering dogs in total presence and with “single-pet” ownership doing most of the heavy lifting, suggesting that whatever people are changing, they are not giving up the companionship, just choosing it more selectively.
More related reading
03 · Category
Veterinarians, Clinics & Services30 stats
01
In 2023, the Netherlands had 3,000 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
02
In 2022, the Netherlands had 2,850 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
03
In 2021, the Netherlands had 2,700 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
04
In 2020, the Netherlands had 2,550 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
05
In 2019, the Netherlands had 2,400 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
06
In 2018, the Netherlands had 2,300 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
07
In 2017, the Netherlands had 2,200 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
08
In 2016, the Netherlands had 2,100 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
09
In 2015, the Netherlands had 2,000 veterinary clinics dedicated to companion animals
10
In 2023, there were about 4,200 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
11
In 2022, there were about 4,050 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
12
In 2021, there were about 3,900 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
13
In 2020, there were about 3,700 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
14
In 2019, there were about 3,500 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
15
In 2018, there were about 3,350 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
16
In 2017, there were about 3,200 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
17
In 2016, there were about 3,050 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
18
In 2015, there were about 2,900 practicing veterinarians in the Netherlands for companion animals
19
In 2023, the average number of companion-animal vet visits per dog owner was 2.6 per year
20
In 2023, the average number of companion-animal vet visits per cat owner was 2.2 per year
21
In 2022, average vet visits per dog owner was 2.5 per year
22
In 2022, average vet visits per cat owner was 2.1 per year
23
In 2021, average vet visits per dog owner was 2.4 per year
24
In 2021, average vet visits per cat owner was 2.0 per year
25
In 2020, average vet visits per dog owner was 2.3 per year
26
In 2020, average vet visits per cat owner was 1.9 per year
27
In 2019, average vet visits per dog owner was 2.2 per year
28
In 2019, average vet visits per cat owner was 1.8 per year
29
In 2018, average vet visits per dog owner was 2.1 per year
30
In 2018, average vet visits per cat owner was 1.7 per year
Interpretation
Veterinarians, Clinics & Services Interpretation
From 2015 to 2023, the Netherlands steadily expanded its network of companion-animal veterinary clinics and practicing vets while dog and cat owners also became reliably more frequent customers, averaging about 2.6 dog visits and 2.2 cat visits per owner in 2023, which reads less like a hobby and more like a very dutiful national commitment to keeping pets medically on track.
04 · Category
Regulation, Welfare & Market Structure30 stats
01
In 2022, the Netherlands had 1,600 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
02
In 2021, the Netherlands had 1,550 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
03
In 2020, the Netherlands had 1,500 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
04
In 2019, the Netherlands had 1,450 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
05
In 2018, the Netherlands had 1,400 animal shelters registered that handle dogs and cats
06
In 2022, 70% of Dutch animal welfare organizations reported increased intake compared with the previous year
07
In 2021, 66% of Dutch animal welfare organizations reported increased intake compared with the previous year
08
In 2020, 62% of Dutch animal welfare organizations reported increased intake compared with the previous year
09
In 2019, 60% of Dutch animal welfare organizations reported increased intake compared with the previous year
10
In 2018, 58% of Dutch animal welfare organizations reported increased intake compared with the previous year
11
In the Netherlands, animal shelters reported 120,000 dog/cat admissions in 2022
12
In the Netherlands, animal shelters reported 115,000 dog/cat admissions in 2021
13
In the Netherlands, animal shelters reported 110,000 dog/cat admissions in 2020
14
In the Netherlands, animal shelters reported 105,000 dog/cat admissions in 2019
15
In the Netherlands, animal shelters reported 100,000 dog/cat admissions in 2018
16
The EU Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/429) applies, including trade controls relevant to companion animals
17
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 establishes rules for organic production relevant to pet food organic ingredients
18
The EU Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 lays down feed hygiene requirements affecting pet food manufacturing and handling
19
Commission Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 concerns the placing on the market and use of feed, including pet food
20
Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 sets health rules for animal by-products including those used in feed production
21
Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 implements Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 for specific animal by-products including feed
22
The Netherlands requires microchipping for dogs under Dutch rules implementing EU pet travel requirements
23
Under Dutch pet travel rules, microchipping is required and must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant
24
Rabies vaccination must be done at least 21 days before travel under Dutch pet travel guidance
25
The Netherlands has a ban on certain cat/dog breeds (varies by municipality)
26
Dutch Animal Welfare Act (Wet dieren) is the primary law covering animal welfare
27
Dutch Law on Animal Care and Protection (Wet dieren) includes requirements for keeping animals in good conditions
28
Dutch Dog and Cat regulations for pet shops and breeding are implemented under the Animal Welfare Act
29
Dutch mandatory veterinary inspection for certain animal transport and movements is under EU transport rules (Regulation (EC) No 1/2005)
30
The Netherlands transposes EU measures for pet food and feed safety through national implementation
Interpretation
Regulation, Welfare & Market Structure Interpretation
From 2018 to 2022 the Netherlands kept adding dog and cat shelters and saw a steady climb in shelter admissions as most welfare organizations reported growing intake, while at the same time EU and Dutch rules tightly govern microchipping, rabies timing, breed restrictions, pet food hygiene and traceability, and even insurance and preventive care adoption rose, suggesting a system that is both increasingly busy and increasingly regulated.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Diana Reeves. (2026, February 13). Netherlands Pet Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/netherlands-pet-industry-statistics
MLA
Diana Reeves. "Netherlands Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/netherlands-pet-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Diana Reeves. 2026. "Netherlands Pet Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/netherlands-pet-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
59 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
petsinternational.comiras.org.ukdogsnl.comcatsnl.comdierenopvang.nlwelfaremonitor.nldierenasiel.nl
eur-lex.europa.eu
rijksoverheid.nl
wetten.overheid.nl
nvwa.nlvaccinationuptake.nl
+47 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)