Cat and dog owning households in Russia 2010-2021

The distribution of pet cat and dog ownership in Russia showed similar dynamics during the period under consideration, yet the growing trend reversed in the last observed period. Over one third of Russian households owned at least one cat on average, while the share of families having a pet dog was measured at 28 percent in 2021, after gaining nearly ten percent share since 2012.  

Russia – the country of cats

As of 2019, the volume of domestic cats across Russia outnumbered the population of pet dogs in the country by six million. However, while half the domestic dogs were pedigree, the majority of cats owned by Russian households were outbred - making them the most widespread type of domestic animal in the country. This fact can be explained by the social affinity to pick up small domestic friends in the streets.

Cats and dogs worldwide

From a global perspective, the count of pet dogs was greater than that of cats as of 2018. Germany was the leading country in the European Union by number of domestic cats and dogs over that year. Nonetheless, the German pet cat population was roughly two times lower compared to the volume of domestic cats in Russia in 2018.