Pet industry in Thailand - statistics & facts
Not too long ago in Thailand, dogs were raised merely to guard properties and only royal households could own Siamese cats. Nowadays, many Thai people regard their pets not as common companions but as an alternative to parenthood. Thailand’s pet industry ranges from pet-friendly accommodation to exotic pet cafés. Public spaces, restaurants, and hotels are increasingly becoming pet-friendly, catering to pet-loving tourists and locals alike. With significant growth in the Thai pet industry in recent years, how have Thai consumers’ perspectives on pets developed, and what contributed most revenue to the pet industry?
On the other hand, rising awareness of animal welfare drives more people to adopt pets from shelters rather than purchasing them from breeders or pet shops. As a Buddhist-majority country, helping animals in Thailand is viewed by adherents as making merit and is considered a good deed.
Thailand's pet industry is growing, driven by increasing pet ownership and humanization trends. This includes continuing investments in premium pet products, services, and technology. Increasing industry support and tighter oversight of the exotic pet trade may be necessary to ensure long-term economic sustainability.
Shifting perspectives in pet ownership in Thailand
While Thai people are having less children, pet ownership has surged, particularly in urban areas. Young professionals and families in cities like Bangkok are embracing pets as part of their families. Most of the pet owners in Thailand are single. This can be attributed to social and environmental limitations that do not promote having children, such as insufficient social welfare and rising costs of living. For some, pets are status symbols, particularly exotic pets or high-end breeds of dogs and cats. While the most common pets in Thailand are dogs and cats, there is a growing trend toward owning exotic pets. Despite concerns surrounding the animals’ well-being and the illicit trade in exotic animals, peculiar pets like sugar gliders, meerkats, capybaras, and even rare bird species are available for purchase.On the other hand, rising awareness of animal welfare drives more people to adopt pets from shelters rather than purchasing them from breeders or pet shops. As a Buddhist-majority country, helping animals in Thailand is viewed by adherents as making merit and is considered a good deed.
The rising pet food market in Thailand
The pet humanization trend is transforming the Thai pet industry. Customers demand premium products including organic pet food, high-quality accessories, pet grooming services, and pet luxury items. In 2023, the Thai pet food industry brough in a revenue of approximately 35 billion Thai baht, with the United States and Japan among the leading export destinations. In the same year, Thailand’s canned pet food exports generated about one-third of the industry’s export value. Thai customers seek their main source of information about pet food on social media, relying on the pet influencers’ endorsement. One of the leading pet food manufacturers in Thailand is Perfect Companion Group. The company is a joint venture with the country’s conglomerate, CP Foods of the Charoen Pokphand Group, producing mid-range brands such as Me-O and SmartHeart. On the other hand, increasing interest in exotic pets gives space for specialty pet food, and care services to emerge as niche segments.Thailand's pet industry is growing, driven by increasing pet ownership and humanization trends. This includes continuing investments in premium pet products, services, and technology. Increasing industry support and tighter oversight of the exotic pet trade may be necessary to ensure long-term economic sustainability.
