Australia: The Luxury Pet Market Is Capturing Billions of Dollars

Welcome to Australia, a country where dogs and cats live like stars. Here, it’s not unusual to see a yellow bus—not filled with children, but with dogs heading off for a dream day with their friends on the Sunshine Coast or at the city’s canine park. Before heading to work, owners drop off their loyal companions at one of the many “Dog Daycare” centers or “Pet Boarding” facilities that abound in Australian cities. And on weekends, pets are taken out for a caramel latte at a dog café, followed in the evening by a chicken-flavored beer.

In Australia, 73% of households—or 7.7 million households—now own a pet in 2025. As you might expect, Australians are spending more than ever on their four-legged companions. Services such as grooming, training, boarding, and daycare have exploded. According to a survey conducted by the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) in collaboration with Animal Medicines Australia in 2025, these services now represent more than AUD 2.2 billion per year, an increase of 30% since 2021. In addition, AUD 16 billion is spent on pet food and AUD 5.5 billion on veterinary care. On average, Australians spend around AUD 3,300 per dog and AUD 2,100 per cat each year.

The number of wealthy individuals in Australia is rising sharply. According to Knight Frank’s 2025 Wealth Report, the number of Australians holding more than USD 10 million in assets increased by 3.9% in one year, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are wealthier than ever. Purchasing power is significantly higher than in the rest of the world, with GDP per capita reaching USD 60,082 in 2024, compared with a global average of USD 27,291.

Australians also spend a great deal of time outdoors, with outdoor sports extremely popular. Major cities are particularly well adapted to pets, featuring treat dispensers and waste-bag stations on nearly every corner. Many beaches allow dogs—sometimes off-leash—as do most cafés. Pet culture, especially dog culture, is deeply ingrained: last July, the state of Canberra even introduced a bill requiring dog owners to spend at least three hours per day with their dogs to ensure their well-being.