NEW ZEALAND PET OWNERSHIP HOLDS STEADY DESPITE BARRIERS
Source: Pet Food Industry (Extract)
Posted: June 12, 2025
Nearly two-thirds of New Zealand households (63%) have pets, according to the latest figures from Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ). Despite increasing challenges to pet ownership, this rate has remained steady over the past decade.
The 2024 NZ Pet Data Report reveals that cats remain the country’s most popular companion animal, found in 40% of homes, with an estimated population of 1.26 million. Dogs come in second, present in 31% of households—about 830,000 animals—though this reflects a slight drop from 34% in 2020.
Regional and demographic patterns emerge
Pet ownership in New Zealand shows clear differences across age groups and regions. Rates drop noticeably after age 65, while cats are especially popular among those aged 45 to 64.
Homes with children are more likely to have pets, with ownership ranging from 66% to 71% depending on the children’s ages, compared to 60% in child-free households. Regionally, Auckland reports the lowest pet ownership rates in the country.
Barriers persist for potential pet owners
Despite a strong national love for animals, around 440,000 households (22%) say they want pets but are held back by barriers such as lifestyle demands, financial pressures, and concerns about responsibility. Housing restrictions pose a particular challenge for younger New Zealanders, with those under 35 more likely to face rental limitations and cost-related obstacles.
Among those without pets, more than 60% express interest in owning one in the future, with cats and dogs topping the list of preferred animals. Interestingly, 34% of current non-owners have previously had pets.
Acquisition and care trends
Animal rescues and the SPCA are the most common sources for acquiring cats in New Zealand, while dogs are more frequently obtained through breeders. Private advertisements also serve as a major channel for acquiring dogs, horses, and rabbits. For cats, it’s still common for people to keep strays they encounter.
Responsible pet care remains strong, with high rates of desexing—96% of owned cats and 85% of dogs—and growing adoption of microchipping. As of 2024, 72% of cats and 89% of dogs are microchipped, reflecting significant progress.
“New Zealanders’ deep bond with their companion animals shows just how meaningful these relationships are,” said Professor Natalie Waran, director of the A Good Life for Animals Centre. “As the report shows, pets are firmly woven into our culture—but the nature of that connection is evolving. It’s less about ownership and more about companionship, built on love and a shared life.”
Professor Waran acknowledged the increasing challenges of pet ownership, particularly as public expectations shift around animal welfare and cat management.
“CANZ remains focused on improving the wellbeing of our pets,” she said. “With the rising costs and time commitments involved, there’s a real opportunity to better educate the public about what pets need and what support is available. We must also continue raising standards to ensure all animals in New Zealand are able to live their best lives.”
About the report
The NZ Pet Data Report is the country’s largest and most representative survey on pet ownership and population trends. Conducted by Insights HQ on behalf of Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ), the research profiles household pet ownership and public attitudes toward companion animals.
The 2024 data was collected between September 23 and October 16, 2024, with a supplementary survey run between January 17 and February 3, 2025, to boost sample sizes among rabbit owners. However, population estimates for rabbits were not reported due to the limited sample base.
