The European Pet Food Industry Federation’s (FEDIAF) estimated total European pet population for 2022 grew from 340 million to 352 million. However, FEDIAF changed its timeframe for gathering data for its most recent report and advised against making year-to-year comparisons. FEDIAF will now report pet populations from two years before publication.
Even with the new data collection method, cats remained the most populous pet in Europe, with 129 million and 27% of households. Dogs followed, with 106 million and 25% of households. Overall, 166 million European households, or 50%, included some type of pet. The Russian Federation has the largest number of both dogs and cats.
- Cats: 129 million
- Dogs: 106 million
- Ornamental birds: 52 million
- Small mammals: 30 million
- Aquaria: 23 million
- Terraria: 12 million
European pet food industry
The pet food industry in Europe serves one of the world’s largest markets, with tremendous regional variation. Although many European nations’ pet food industries are not growing as fast as those in some developing economies, the overall European market is well-established and helps set trends that are followed globally.
In the twin trends of humanization and premiumization, European consumers became more conscious about the ingredients in their own foods, and they likewise demanded the same quality in pet foods they purchased, boosting the market for premium, natural and organic pet food products.
Similarly, European pet owners have led the demand for sustainability in the pet food industry. European pet food manufacturers increasingly use sustainably sourced ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging to meet consumer demands.
