Germany is and will remain the country of pets. A recent study (April 2016) shows that 43 percent of all households have at least one pet. In total there are around 30 million cats, dogs, small animals and birds. But how exactly are the animal partners distributed?
Cats (#1) and dogs (#2) continue to be Germans’ favorite pets – Shutterstock / VP Photo Studio
The study was commissioned by the industry association for pet supplies (IVH) and the central association of zoological specialist companies (ZZF) from the market research institute Skopos. In addition to the number of around 30 million pets, the survey also provides information on how the number of individual pet species is distributed among households.
Cats continue to be the most popular pets among Germans
The bosses among the 30 million pets are undisputedly the velvet paws. According to the study, about 13 million registered cats lived among us last year. If you convert this number to all households in the Federal Republic, this means that a kitty lives in 22 percent of all households. Incidentally, wild or semi-wild cats are an exception to this.
Dogs take second place, followed by small animals and birds
Unsurprisingly, dogs take second place in the favor of animal lovers. 7.9 million dogs are distributed in this country in the area between the German Alps and the coast. This means that 16 percent of all households have a specimen of man’s best friend. Dogs are followed by a broad category – that of small animals. This includes all kinds of animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters or rats. According to the study, the nationwide number of rodents and rabbits is 5.1 million. This means that small animals live in six percent of households.
This data is relatively stable compared to previous years. However, there is one “loser” among the domestic animals: the birds. The number of budgerigars, canaries and Co. is shrinking more and more – birds live in only three percent of all households – 4.2 million flappers delight their owners in Germany. Incidentally, aquarium and terrarium inhabitants such as fish or spiders were not taken into account in the study.
More results on German pets
The study also clarifies the distribution of the animals in different life situations. For example, it was found that 29 percent of pets live in single households and 38 percent of animals in two-person households. In 2014, it was two percent less in relation to both life situations – the number of pets in single and couple households is therefore increasing. Incidentally, 19 percent of all households have several pets.
The love for pets not only pleases owners and animal companions, but also the pet industry. According to ZZF surveys, this company posted total sales of 4.56 billion euros, an increase of 2.2 percent compared to 2014.
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