Mars, a leader in pet care products, has unveiled the world’s largest study on pet ownership, aiming to understand the growing population of over one billion pets worldwide.
The study, which gathered insights from over 20,000 pet owners across 20 countries, explores how pets have become central to the lives of their owners. The research also highlights generational differences, popular breeds, and challenges faced by pet parents globally.
According to Mars’ Global Pet Parent Study, more than half (56%) of people worldwide are pet owners, with 47% being first-time pet parents. The study indicates a shift towards greater emotional connections between people and their pets, with over one-third (37%) of respondents considering their pets the most important part of their lives. This sentiment is especially strong among younger generations, including Generation Z (45%) and Millennials (40%).
Ikdeep Singh, Global President of Mars Pet Nutrition, commented on the findings, noting the rising number of first-time pet parents. “Almost half of those surveyed are first-time owners, signalling a new era of pet parents. We know that pet parents are evolving, and we need to evolve with them,” said Singh. Mars aims to embed “pet parent centricity” into its operations to strengthen its relationship with the 455 million pets and pet owners it reaches globally.
Global Pet Ownership Trends: Cats More Popular Than Dogs
One key finding of the Mars study is the global preference for cat ownership over dog ownership, with 52% of cat owners being male. The decision to adopt a pet is often influenced by family (26%) and friends (21%), followed by social media (13%), online searches (13%), and veterinarians (11%). The most popular dog breeds globally include Labradors, Chihuahuas, and Golden Retrievers, while the top cat breeds are Persian, British Shorthair, and Siamese.
While pets provide companionship and joy, the study also revealed some challenges associated with pet ownership. A significant percentage of pet parents (32%) feel guilty about leaving their pets alone, and only 42% of respondents described their neighbourhoods as very pet-friendly. Additionally, 26% of pet owners find travelling with their pets difficult. These insights underscore the importance of creating more pet-friendly environments and addressing common pain points for pet parents.
Mars has been working to make cities more pet-friendly through its BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ programme, which launched in 2017. The initiative aims to help cities achieve certification as pet-friendly, enabling more people to enjoy life with their pets. In 2023, the CESAR® brand also partnered with Tripadvisor to create a pet travel hub, providing resources for pet parents who want to travel with their pets.
Mars Pet Adoption Weekend to Encourage Pet Adoption
To further its mission of ensuring every pet has a healthy and happy home, Mars is launching its first-ever Global Mars Pet Adoption Weekend. This event will take place in twelve countries across Europe, Asia, South America, and North America, encouraging adoption and celebrating new pet parents.
The Mars Pet Adoption Weekend is a continuation of the company’s long-standing efforts to address pet homelessness. For 16 years, Mars has supported pet adoption through its brands such as PEDIGREE®, IAMS™, and ROYAL CANIN®. The global event, held in October, will feature adoption events, financial contributions to shelters, volunteer activities, and other efforts to raise awareness about pet adoption. Participating countries include the UK, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines, and the U.S.
With over one billion pets in the world and 362 million homeless cats and dogs globally, the need for adoption is clear. Mars’ study revealed that only 11% of dog owners surveyed across the 12 participating countries adopt their pets from shelters. By spotlighting the importance of pet adoption, Mars hopes to increase the number of shelter animals finding loving homes.
A global mission
Ikdeep Singh concluded: “It’s our job to find innovative ways to remove barriers to pet adoption. By connecting with pet parents at the start of their journey, we aim to help them find the perfect companion. Our global Pet Adoption Weekend reinforces our commitment to a better world for pets, a mission that has driven Mars for nearly 90 years.”
Mars’ ongoing mission to improve the lives of pets and their owners aligns with its broader purpose, “A Better World for Pets”. The company continues to innovate and adapt its products and services to meet the changing needs of pet parents worldwide. With the introduction of its global adoption weekend and ongoing initiatives such as BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™, Mars reaffirms its dedication to supporting pets and their families.
