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The State of the IndustryDetails About the MarketThe Direction of the Pet IndustryFAQ
Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Pets are a ubiquitous part of our lives. They are our hunting companions, friends, and guardians. Our relationship with canines has been thousands of years in the making. Today, 378 different breeds exist, fulfilling many different roles. Every country has contributed to the development of domestic dogs. They also have varying relationships with their pets.
The South African pet industry statistics reflect these differences. You’ll see many similarities between the markets in this country and the United States. Others represent the various influences each of these places has on pets and their owners. Let’s check them out.
The 15 South Africa Pet Industry Statistics
The pet market was worth R7.1 billion ($384,075,494) in 2023.
The pet population increased just over 1% between 2022 and 2023.
The South African pet industry is mired in red tape and regulation, making it take 14 months to get a pet food product to market.
The pandemic fueled an unexpected boom in the pet industry, with an estimated R7.1 billion worth ($384,075,494) in 2023.
The average cost for an annual check-up is R700 ($38).
About 28% of dog owners and 30% of cat owners are early adopters of new products.
Veterinary services are the most used service in the country at 52.1%.
Roughly 53% of pet owners have more than one animal companion.
The German Shepherd is the most popular dog breed at 13.5%.
Dog owners far outpace cat owners at 81% versus 27%.
Spending on dogs and cats increased by 23% between 2019 to 2022.
Experts predict the CAGR 2024–2029 of the pet food market will average 12.57% annually.
Room for growth exists in South Africa, with 55% currently not owning a pet.
A significant correlation exists between having kids and pet ownership, with 43% of households with 3 or more children having dogs.
Dogs over 23 kilograms (50 pounds) are the most popular in the country.
The State of the Industry
1. The pet market was worth R7.1 billion ($384,075,494) in 2023.
(New24, Statista)
The South African pet market is worth a respectable $38,578,992. The humanization of the industry hasn’t escaped this country. We love our animal companions, no matter where you reside. By comparison, the US industry raked in a whopping $147 billion for the same year.
2. The pet population increased just over 1% between 2022 and 2023.
(Global Pets)
South Africa faced many of the same challenges other countries endured post-pandemic. While pet ownership may have increased during its scourge, it leveled off once the world settled down and took a collective deep breath. Inflation also reared its ugly head, forcing many to make difficult choices that sometimes involved pet ownership.
3. The South A