In 2024, Mars Incorporated released its landmark global survey of pet parents. The research revealed that 56 % of people worldwide now own a cat or dog, and of those pet-parents, 47 % are first-time owners. mars.com
More than one-third (37 %) of those pet-parents say their pet is the most important thing in their lives, a figure rising to 45 % among Gen Z and 40 % among Millennials. 
Globally, cat ownership has overtaken dog ownership and is more common among men (52 %) than women (48 %). mars.com
Those statistics set the scene for what professionals in the pet industry should watch.

What the 2024 Survey Revealed

Pet Parent Centricity Takes Centre Stage

The dataset from 20 countries (over 20,000 cat and dog owners) underscores an evolution: pet-parents are no longer just “owners” but emotionally engaged “parents”. Mars calls this shift Pet Parent Centricity. 

Breed & Demographic Patterns

• 84 % of pets (cats/dogs) are acquired before the age of 12 months. 
• Most common global dog breeds: Labrador (6 %), Chihuahua (6 %), Golden Retriever (5 %)
• Most common global cat breeds: Persian (16 %), British Shorthair (11 %), Siamese (9 %) mars.com

Influences & Challenges

• Primary influences on acquiring a pet: family (26 %), friends (21 %), social media (13 %), online search (13 %), veterinarians (11 %). 
• Challenges: 32 % feel guilty about leaving their pet alone; only 42 % consider their neighbourhood very pet-friendly; 26 % find travel with pets challenging. 

Adoption & Mission

As part of its purpose “A Better World for Pets”, Mars launched its first global adoption weekend across 12 countries to promote shelter adoption and reduce pet homelessness. mars.com

Emerging Trends for 2025 & What Pet Industry Pros Should Act On

As we move deeper into 2025, a number of trends are crystallising for those working in the pet-care ecosystem (retailers, manufacturers, service providers, shelters, vet-clinics). At PETIN.AI, “For The PET Pros”, we summarise three key pivots:

1. Sustainability, Ethics & Transparent Supply-Chains

While already flagged in 2024 (for example, 45 % of pet-parents said sustainability matters when buying pet products). PetfoodIndustry
In 2025 we see faster movement: programs like Mars’s “Global Pet Food Innovation” supporting start-ups with novel sustainable proteins signal that sustainability will shift from nice-to-have to must-have. 
Implication for pet industry pros: Brand stories must highlight ethical sourcing, low-carbon footprints, circular-economy packaging—these will differentiate in a crowded market.

2. Digitally-Enabled Pet-Parent Experience & Wellness

With younger first-time pet-parents, and pets treated as part of the family, demand for digital tools, connected health products, tele-vet, behaviour support is rising. The announcement of Mars’s multi-year “Pets & Wellbeing” research programme emphasises this shift. Pet Age
Action point: Companies servicing pet professionals (e.g., vet-services, product suppliers, pet-tech start-ups) should integrate digital/AI-driven tools, mobile-apps, telemedicine, at-home diagnostics to stay ahead.

3. Adoption, Lifespan Care & “New Pet Parent” Market Growth

With nearly half of all pet-parents being first-timers, and adoption events scaling globally, the entry-level pet-parent segment is expanding. That presents opportunity for education, onboarding services, subscription models. Mars’s focus on pet adoption and addressing homelessness suggests the social dimension is also intensifying. 
Opportunity: For retailers, service-providers and shelters alike: create “new pet parent” entry kits, onboarding programmes, loyalty models. Highlight value-added services (training, behaviour, nutrition) to engage this evolving cohort.

Why This Matters for Pet Industry Stakeholders

The global pet-care market continues to grow, and as pet-parents evolve, so must the industry. Professionals who succeed will pivot from product-centric thinking to pet-parent-centric ecosystems. At PETIN.AI, we provide full-spectrum insights and trend intelligence for the pet industry professional — from retail, nutrition, veterinary services to tech and adoption partners.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 data from Mars set the baseline: more than half of people globally own pets, and many are new to pet-parenting. As we step into 2025, the industry focus sharpens on sustainability, digital engagement and growing the pet-parent market through adoption and onboarding. For pet industry professionals, it’s time to build differentiated value propositions that align with the emotional priorities and younger demographics of modern pet-parents.

Disclaimer: If any data discrepancy or infringement is identified, please contact info@petin.ai for revision or removal.