Pet Industry in Germany Exceeds Seven Billion Euros Amidst Stability

In Germany, pet ownership continues to thrive, with over 30 million pets residing in households across the country. Recent reports indicate that pet owners invested more than seven billion euros in their animals last year, highlighting the resilience of the pet industry despite economic challenges.

The German pet supply sector saw a modest growth in 2024, largely driven by increased sales of cat food, as reported by the Central Association of Zoological Businesses (ZZF) and the Pet Supplies Industry Association (IVH) in Berlin. According to IVH Chairman Georg Müller, the overall stability of the pet supply market has been maintained, with revenue levels comparable to previous years. The total revenue for 2023 was recorded at 6.8 billion euros; however, due to new data collection methodologies, a direct year-on-year comparison remains complex.

Müller noted that sales of ready-made pet food have slightly lagged behind inflation rates. The most significant growth was observed in the cat food market, which achieved a total sales figure of 2.3 billion euros through traditional retail channels, marking an increase of 3.5 percent. Conversely, sales of dog food have experienced a slight decline in conventional distribution channels, totaling 1.8 billion euros.

In 2024, the population of pets in Germany, including dogs, cats, small mammals, and birds, reached nearly 34 million. This figure does not account for numerous ornamental fish and reptiles. Cats remain the most popular pets, with a population of 15.9 million, followed by 10.5 million dogs. Approximately 44 percent of households in Germany have at least one pet.

Despite the robust investment in pet food, there has been a noticeable reduction in the purchase of accessories and supplies for pets. ZZF President Norbert Holthenrich attributed this decline to the ongoing economic pressures faced by consumers, reporting a 0.6 percent drop in revenue from physical retail sales, which fell to 1.1 billion euros.