Introduction
The European pet industry continues to thrive, with nearly 300 million companion animals living across the continent. According to the 2025 European Pet Industry Annual Report released by FEDIAF (The European Pet Food Industry Federation), pet ownership is showing stable growth, with both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. This report includes data from 15 national pet groups and expert advice from Soulor Consulting. It covers 41 countries in Europe, including all EU and EEA members, and most countries in the Council of Europe.
In this blog, we’ll summarize the core findings from the report and explore the current European pet population statistics, as well as major country-level breakdowns and emerging trends shaping the future of the pet industry in Europe.
Total Pet Population in Europe: 299 Million and Growing
As of the most recent data, the total number of pets in Europe (excluding Russia) has reached 299 million, up from 296 million in the previous year, an increase of nearly 3 million pets.
Pet Population by Category:
-
Cats – 108 million
-
Dogs – 90 million
-
Ornamental Birds – 48.2 million
-
Small Mammals – 25 million
-
Aquaria – 17.6 million
-
Terraria – 10.7 million
This steady growth reflects increasing interest in pet companionship across diverse demographics and lifestyles, especially in urban areas and among younger generations.
Pet-owning Households in Europe: 139 Million Homes
FEDIAF’s data shows that approximately 139 million households in Europe now own at least one pet, with nearly 50% household penetration. Notably, 25% of European homes own at least one dog, and 26% own at least one cat.
Countries with the Highest Pet Household Penetration:
These countries show the highest percentage of homes with at least one dog or cat:
-
Hungary – Dogs: 50%, Cats: 34%
-
Poland – Dogs: 49%, Cats: 41%
-
Romania – Dogs: 45%, Cats: 48%
-
Czech Republic – Dogs: 42%, Cats: 23%
-
Slovenia – Dogs: 39%, Cats: 32%
This data underlines not only the widespread love for pets in Central and Eastern Europe but also the potential for pet product growth in these regions.
Cat Ownership Surpasses 108 Million – Up by 2.26 Million
The feline population in Europe now stands at 108 million cats, an increase of 2.26 million from the previous year. The EU alone accounts for 80.97 million cats, up by 1.879 million.
Top countries by cat population:
- Germany – 15.7 million cats (+500,000)
- France – 14.9 million
- UK – 11.4 million (↓500,000)
- Italy – 10.24 million
Dogs in Europe – Nearly 90 Million and Still Growing
The total number of dogs in Europe is 89.6 million, with a year-on-year growth of nearly 900,000. Within the EU, 69.36 million dogs are reported, up by 739,000.
Top dog-owning nations:
- UK – 11.7 million dogs (↓1 million)
- Germany – 10.5 million (↓100,000)
- Spain – 9.46 million (+153,000)
- Italy – 8.77 million (+11,000)
Birds, Small Mammals & Aquaria: Expanding Beyond Cats and Dogs
While cats and dogs dominate, Europe’s love for animals extends further:
Ornamental Birds – Second Only to Cats and Dogs in Europe
Despite a slight decline of 290,000 birds, avian pets still form the third largest group.
Top countries by bird ownership:
- Italy – 12.88 million
- Turkey – 11.84 million
- France – 5.8 million
- Spain – 5.08 million
Small Mammals – 24.7 Million
There are about 24.7 million small pets in Europe. These include animals like rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
In the EU region, there are around 17.25 million small pets.
Countries with the small mammals:
-
United Kingdom – 5 million
-
Germany – 4.6 million
-
France – 2.87 million
-
Italy – 1.81 million
-
Spain – 1.55 million
Aquaria – Over 17 Million in Europe
Europeans own over 17.6 million aquatic pets, including tropical fish and decorative aquariums.
Top countries:
- UK – 7.3 million
- Germany – 2.2 million
- Italy – 1.5 million
- France – 1.25 million
- Turkey – 0.89 million
Terraria Surpass 10 Million – France and UK Lead
An often-overlooked but fast-growing category. The reptile population across Europe is 10.73 million, with 7.23 million in the EU.
Top reptile-owning countries:
- France & UK – 2.1 million each
- Spain – 1.49 million
- Italy – 1.37 million
- Germany – 1.2 million
Conclusion: Steady Growth with Massive Potential
The latest data shows that pet ownership in Europe is strong and stable. With nearly 300 million pets and 139 million pet-owning households, the region remains one of the biggest pet markets in the world.
Cats and dogs are still the most popular, but small pets, birds, fish, and terraria also have large numbers. Countries like Germany, France, the UK, and Italy lead the way in total pet numbers, while Eastern Europe shows high ownership rates and room for growth.
For anyone in the pet industry, understanding these numbers can help guide better decisions and stronger market strategies in 2025 and beyond.
About Petstar
Petstar is a leading global pet product manufacturer, offering OEM, ODM, and private label solutions across pet bed, cat trees, toys, apparel, and grooming accessories. With over 25 years of experience and 9 production bases worldwide, we help major pet supply brands grow with competitive pricing, scalable production, and trend-driven designs.
For inquiries about custom pet products for the European market, contact our team.
