For the ‘Mars Global Pet Parent Study’ the company surveyed almost 60,000 people, including more than 20,000 dog and cat owners from 20 countries. The study shows the increasing influence of pets on the lives of their owners and emphasises that the emotional bond between them is stronger than ever. Particularly in the younger generations, Generation Z (45 per cent) and Millennials (40 per cent), more and more people see their pets as one of the most important elements in their lives. Dog owners particularly appreciate the unconditional love and the completeness of the family, while cat owners appreciate the entertainment and stress relief provided by their four-legged friends.
The survey results showed a continued focus on pet ownership, with an emotional bond between owners and their pets stronger than ever. ‘Nearly half of the respondents are first-time owners, suggesting a new era of pet owners is on the rise,’ says Ikdeep Singh, Global President of Mars Pet Nutrition. ‘We know that pet owners are evolving, and the market needs to evolve with them.’
According to the findings, kittens and puppies are the most popular choices: 84 per cent of dogs and cats are acquired before the age of twelve months. The three most common dog breeds worldwide are the Labrador (six per cent), Chihuahua (six per cent) and Golden Retriever (five per cent); the most kept cat breeds worldwide are the Persian (16 per cent), British Shorthair (eleven per cent) and Siamese (nine per cent). Today, more people worldwide own cats than dogs, with more men (52 per cent) than women (48 per cent) keeping cats.
The decision to own a pet is strongly influenced by people's environment. The family has the greatest influence, followed by friends, social media, online searches and veterinarians. However, as a pet owner, you also have to face challenges, the survey points out: 32 per of pet owners feel guilty about leaving their dogs and cats alone, and only 42 per cent consider their neighbourhood to be very pet friendly. Another 26 per cent of pet owners say that they find the idea of travelling with their animals exhausting or difficult.
