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Cats and Dogs Are the Animals with the Highest Monthly Expenses

Pets now play an important role in the daily lives of Indonesians, from being stress relievers, companions at home, to becoming part of their lifestyle. To understand the behavior and preferences of pet owners in Indonesia, Jakpat conducted a survey of 1,254 respondents describing how people choose and care for their pets.

Of those who own pets, 63% said animals help relieve stress and improve their mood. Responding to this, Septiana Widi Sugiastuti, Research Lead at Jakpat added, “Nowadays, many young people, especially Gen Z, consider pets as companions. This is reflected in data showing that 67% of Gen Z keep pets to have a friend at home.”

The reasons for not owning a pet are varied. 44% of respondents were unsure of their ability to take on the responsibility, while more than half of Gen X cited limited space as the primary reason.

The Most Popular Types of Pets

Of the various types of animals, cats emerged as the most popular, both as the most desired pet (58%) and the most commonly owned (75%). Fish and birds followed, which were also popular choices in both categories.

Responding to these findings, Septiana stated, “Cats remain the favorite pet for both men and women. Meanwhile, dogs appear slightly more popular among women (12%) than men (11%), indicating a difference in gender preferences.”

The Most Recognized and Used Pet Food Brands

Among cat owners, Whiskas is the brand with the highest awareness (79%), followed by Me-O (58%) and Royal Canin (50%). Other brands, such as Bolt and Friskies, have lower awareness.

In terms of usage, Whiskas is again the top choice, with 55% of owners using it. Me-O is used by 34%, while Bolt is chosen by 23% of respondents. Premium brands like Royal Canin are only used by 21%, indicating that despite widespread recognition, cat owners tend to choose more affordable and accessible food.

Septiana emphasized, “Whiskas is the most well-known and most widely used cat food brand compared to other brands. This shows that the combination of price, availability, and consumer trust significantly influences consumer choice.”

Want to learn more about pets in Indonesia? Download the full report “Pet Industry in Indonesia” at the following button