Christy Balita
Research expert covering the Philippines
Pet food in the Philippines - statistics & facts
The trend of Filipino households owning pets to guard houses has been replaced with pet owners who are unable to leave their pets behind. The pet ownership culture in the Philippines has radically changed in recent periods, as pets have become cherished companions and integral family members, enjoying the same privileges that as their owners have. Based on a 2022 survey, almost 80 percent of Filipinos owned at least one pet, with the country becoming a growing market for pet food and supplies.
The Philippines has a growing pet food market as the country’s pet population continues to expand. Increased interest in pets’ health and nutrition has continued driving this market’s growth, despite the accessibility of left-over food.
Dog vs. cat: which pet is more popular in the Philippines?
According to the same survey, dogs were by far the most popular pets in the Philippines, just over 80 percent of Filipinos saying they own one compared to those owning cats. Forecasted numbers for 2024 indicated there were over 20 million pet dogs in the country. When it comes to size, small dogs were significantly more popular, particularly breeds such as Shih Tzu, as they are easier to care for and fit perfectly in smaller spaces such like condos and apartments. Meanwhile, over two million households owned a cat in 2024, placing the cat population at about 2.6 million. The majority of pets in the Philippines were adopted from friends and family, with a smaller proportion of pets bought from private breeders or pet stores. On top of the popularity of other breeds, Aspins or “Asong Pinoy” and Puspins or “Pusang Pinoy” were the most common breeds. In addition, other pets including fish, birds, and rabbits, are also common among Filipino pet owners.Growing market for pet food
The rising pet population in the Philippines made way for a growing market for pet food and supplies. Although most pet owners usually feed their pets left-over food, several owners have started prioritizing their pet’s health and nutrition by purchasing packaged pet food. In 2022, the retail sales value of pet food in the Philippines reached 397 million U.S. dollars, having more than doubled since 2017. As of January 2022, almost one-third of Filipino pet owners had an average monthly spending of more than 500 Philippine pesos. However, this value could have considerably increased in recent years due to inflation and increased attention to pet food and treats. Thailand and China were the leading suppliers of imported retail dog and cat food products in 2023, which comprise the majority of the pet food supply. U.S.-based company, Mars Inc., was by far the leading dog and cat food company in the Philippines in 2023.The Philippines has a growing pet food market as the country’s pet population continues to expand. Increased interest in pets’ health and nutrition has continued driving this market’s growth, despite the accessibility of left-over food.
