In 2023, a survey revealed that dogs are the most popular pets in households, present in 81% of them, followed by cats at 52%. Despite the fact that turtle ownership is illegal, they account for 7% presence, while birds have 5%, fish 4%, and hamsters 2%. In 80% of the surveyed households, at least one animal cohabits, according to data from the consulting firm GFK.
Worldwide, there are around 600 million cats, of which approximately 220 million are pets while 480 million are street or wild cats. Although the fertility rate in 2023 was 1.33 children per woman, well below the generational replacement threshold, cat adoptions in Argentine households have increased, with 58% of women owning cats compared to 47% of men.
During the pandemic, there was a relative decline in dog ownership, dropping from 84% in 2017 to 81% in 2022, while the choice of cats as pets has steadily increased, from 47% in 2017 to 52% in 2022. According to surveys, 75% of respondents consider their pets as if they were their children, with this figure being higher among women.
In the City of Buenos Aires, there are around 368,176 cats compared to 460,696 children aged 0 to 14 years. Regarding responsible pet ownership, it is estimated that there are 493,676 dogs and 368,176 cats cohabiting in porteño households. The crude birth rate in 2022 was 10.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, showing a 36% decrease in the number of live births between 2014 and 2022.
Argentina stands out as a unique case in South America with its strong relationship with pets, being a world leader in this aspect. The main expenses for pet owners are balanced food, veterinary care, and flea products, according to Kantar. In the City of Buenos Aires, it is estimated that there are a total of 861,182 pets, outnumbering children and teenagers up to 14 years, which total 401,156 according to EAH 2022/ Population of BS.AS Vol.20 No.
