The 10 Most Popular Pets In AUSTRALIA

Australians love pets and our data proves that! There are more than 25 million pets in Australia, and we hold one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. Over 62% of Australian households own a pet, according to a study done by AMA (Australian Medicines Australia) on pet ownership. Of these, 38% are dog owners and 29% own cats. In addition, 59% of people who don’t currently own a pet admit they would like to in the future. A higher proportion of Australians live in a house with a cat or dog than with a child. The ratio of pets to humans in Australia is around 101:100—meaning there are more animal companions than human companions, and we consider them to be part of the family. 20% of Gen Y pet owners have pet insurance or emergency accounts for their pets compared to only 12% of the Baby Boomer counterparts. It’s pretty evident we love our pets, but what pets are our favorites? Here are the top 10 pets in Australia:

Dog

Not surprisingly, dogs are the most popular pet, with almost two in five households (about 3.6 million) owning a dog.

Cat

Cats are the next most-popular pet with nearly three out of ten households (about 2.7 million) owning one.

Fish

Maybe surprising, maybe not, but there are about 8.7 million pet fish in the country. From colorful Betas to gentle Molly fish, fish are low maintenance and great pets for small spaces or spaces with pet regulations.

Bird

Birds thrive in small living spaces, making them great for people who live in apartments or other strata spaces. And there is a bird species for everyone! Breeds like finches, cockatiels, and budgies are small, low-maintenance, and great for beginners. If you’re looking for a bird that can talk, look into a cockatoo, macaw, or African Grey parrost. And if you want a bird that really feels like an affectionate pet, Cockatiels, Cockatoos, and Budgies are more likely to bond with you.

Rabbit

While rabbits are the opposite of low-maintenance pets, they are still family common house pets. Rabbits can be quite affectionate but personalities vary from individual to individual. Some bunnies are extremely affectionate while some don’t like being held or picked up.

Fish

Turtles are relatively easy to care for, although they require more complex equipment and have specific dietary needs than your typical furry friend. They live for a long time and are a unique and unconventional pet for a family and interesting pets that can teach children about more uncommon types of animals.

Horse

Horses are an extremely complex and expensive animal to keep as a pet. And while they’re not cuddly and compact like most dogs and cats, many choose to keep them as pets. If you are considering keeping a horse as a pet, be reminded you’ll need to give them ample space and room to roam and run. They are also more expensive for a multitude of reasons including vet care and grooming. But if you truly love horses, each has its own personality and love receiving love and attention.

Snake

Caring for a snake isn’t as challenging as you’d think. With a sufficient diet, heat-regulated enclosure, and something to coil around, your snake will be pretty happy.

Ferret

If you’re looking for a cuddly friend that’s a little unusual, a ferret might be for you. They are inquisitive and intelligent and make wonderful pets. They can be a little nippy, so ask the breeder whether they niptrain their ferrets, and ensure children are carefully supervised.

Bearded Dragon

Many Australians are opting for unconventional small mammals and reptiles to keep as pets due to generally less responsibility than with cats and dogs, smaller living arrangements, and preference. Bearded dragons are moderately sized lizards native to Australia and are pretty easy for beginner reptile owners. However, they do have fairly complex nutritional and environmental requirements.