53 % of Belgians owns a pet: €3.5 billion annually
Every year €3.5 billion is spent on pets in Belgium. Over four years, sales have grown by almost 11 per cent. The increase in the amount is partly a result of the rise in the number of pets since the corona pandemic and lockdowns: 53 per cent of Belgians now own a pet, 10 per cent more then in 2018.
The total amount of 3.5 billion euros includes food, but also toys, grooming, food supplements and medicines. According to the trade federation Comeo survey, there are about 1.6 million dogs in Belgium, divided among some 1.3 million dog owners. Each dog owner spends an average of 549 euros per year on dog food. The number of cats, in turn, fell by some 3 per cent to 2.3 million cats.
It further shows that 45 per cent of Belgian pet owners purchase pet food online. In 2018, this was only 28 per cent. Pet services such as pet grooming, pet walking, pet care and pet boarding also have a huge upward trend.
The results are based on a survey by Shopperware of 2,500 Belgians, commissioned by Comeos.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND - A small dog in a dog-walker caddy, wearing a bow-tie in the colours of the Belgian flag. 53 per cent of Belgians now own a pet, 10 per cent more then in 2018.