Australia's dog boom: 7.4 million dogs and what we spend on them

How many dogs are there in Australia?

Animal Medicines Australia's 2025 survey estimates there are about 7.4 million pet dogs living in 5.2 million households. That makes dogs the most popular pet in the country, ahead of cats (in 34% of homes), fish (11%) and birds (9%). In total Australians share their homes with an estimated 31.6 million pets.

Six years of growth

Since 2019 the number of pet dogs has grown by about 44%, from 5.1 million to 7.4 million. Most of that jump happened in the first pandemic years: the 2021 survey counted 6.3 million dogs, and 19% of them had arrived since March 2020. Growth has slowed since, but it has not reversed.

• 20195.1 million dogs · 40% of homes have a dog · 61% have any pet
• 20216.3 million dogs · 47% of homes have a dog · 69% have any pet
• 202248% of homes have a dog · 69% have any pet
• 20257.4 million dogs · 49% of homes have a dog · 73% have any pet

Bars show the share of households with a dog. The 2022 survey gave household shares but no dog count. Sources: the 2025, 2022 and 2021 Animal Medicines Australia reports.

What Australians spend on their dogs

Australians spent an estimated $21.3 billion on pets in the 12 months to March 2025, and dogs account for about $13.2 billion of it, or 62%. The average dog-owning household spends $2,520 a year. With 1.4 dogs per household, that works out at roughly $1,800 per dog (our calculation, since the survey reports spend per household).

• Food$1,090
• Vet services$168
• Pet insurance$145
• Grooming$139
• Supplements$124
• Flea, worm and tick treatments$122
• Dog walking$119
• Products and accessories$117
• Training and behaviour$117
• Vet medicines$102
• Competitions and memberships$97
• Alternative healthcare$84
• Transport$50
• Boarding and minding$46

Average yearly spend per dog-owning household, 2025. Food alone is 43% of the bill. Adds up to $2,520.

Spending then and now

Read this table with care. The survey has changed how it measures spending between editions, so the headline totals are not like for like. The 2021 and 2022 reports put total pet spending at more than $33 billion, while the 2025 report restates 2022 dog spending at $8.84 billion. The fairest comparison is the restated one: dog spending rose from $8.84 billion to $13.21 billion, an increase of about 49%, on a dog population that grew far less. In other words each dog is costing more.

The cost of acquiring a dog is moving too. Designer breeds such as cavoodles and labradoodles now average $1,793, up from $985 in 2019. Purebreds have eased from $1,731 to $1,551 since 2022, and about a quarter of recent dogs came free.

The cost of living is biting

Ongoing cost is now the biggest reason people give for not getting another pet, at 26%, up from 21% in 2022. Among dog owners, 36% spent more than usual in the past year and 19% took their dog to the vet less often because of cost. Around 14% skipped regular check-ups or vaccinations, reduced medication, or gave their dog human medication. Many are shopping around: 24% bought food in bulk and 14% switched to a cheaper brand.

More numbers worth knowing

• 70%of dog owners walk or exercise their dog at least once a day. 15% manage it every two to three days.
• 1.4dogs per dog-owning household on average. 70% have one dog, 23% have two and 6% have three or more.
• 66%of households with children under 18 have a dog, against 34% of people living alone.
• 79%of dogs live both indoors and outdoors. Only 8% live outdoors full time.
• 45%of dogs were adopted or rehomed rather than bought from a breeder or pet shop.
• 25%of dogs acquired in the last two years were free. The ones that were paid for averaged $1,419.
• 60%of current dog owners would like another dog. Only 27% of them would like a cat.
• 38%of dogs are small (up to 10kg), 38% are 10 to 25kg and 24% are over 25kg.

Half of Australia's dogs are purebred (labradors, golden retrievers, German shepherds, border collies, kelpies and Jack Russells lead the way), 35% are mixed breed and 14% are designer crosses. The most popular names are Bella, Buddy, Milo, Ruby and Daisy. Companionship is the top reason people get a dog, at 56%, and 86% of pet owners say their pet is good for their physical and mental wellbeing.

What it means for dog-friendly Australia

More dogs means more demand for places that welcome them: cafés, pubs, parks, beaches, holiday stays and markets. Nearly 7 in 10 owners walk their dog daily, and that keeps pushing the question of where dogs are actually allowed. That is what PupFriendly is for.