Average cost for feline owners is R$ 200.19 per month

Compared to R$ 408.76 for canines. Dogs can 'consume' up to 44% of Brazilians' minimum wage.

The average monthly cost of caring for dogs in Brazil is double the cost of caring for cats and can reach up to 44% of the minimum wage. This is one of the conclusions of the most recent survey on monthly spending on pets carried out by IPB (Instituto Pet Brasil), an institution that has been stimulating the development of the Brazilian pet sector for nine years. The research is carried out annually, based on market surveys carried out by IPB with the help of databases from Abinpet (Brazilian Association of the Pet Products Industry) and the Ministry of Economy.

The study shows that Brazilians' average monthly expenditure on dogs was R$ 408.76 last year (just over a third of the current minimum wage, which is R$ 1,212). Small dogs (up to 10 kg) generated a cost of R$ 299.66; medium ones (from 10.1 kg to 25 kg), from R$ 393.01; and large ones (more than 25 kg), R$ 533.60, which is equivalent to 44% of the minimum wage. As it is an average, these values can be even higher, depending on the particularities of each animal.

Average spending on cats was R$ 200.19, less than half the average spending on dogs. For Nelo Marraccini, president of the Advisory Board of Instituto Pet Brasil, the impact of pets on monthly income is one of the reasons why the number of felines has grown more than the number of dogs in Brazilian homes. “There is no doubt that dogs are still the 'favorites' in our homes, but in recent years, the number of cats has been growing at a faster rate than the number of dogs. As reasons, we see not only the lower cost of caring for felines, but also the aging of the population and the increase in people living in apartments and alone. Cats demand attention, but less than dogs”, says Marraccini.

According to the IPB Pet Census, released in June, Brazil ended 2021 with 149.6 million pets. Dogs lead the ranking, with 58.1 million individuals, followed by songbirds (41 million) and cats (27.1 million). However, felines are the species with the fastest (and record) growth in a year (6%), compared to 4% for dogs and 1.5% for birds.

“Research on the monthly cost of pets is essential because everyone thinking about adopting or buying a pet needs to be financially responsible. Pets demand not only affection, but also expenses. Calculating this long-term impact is also a form of love for our pets”, says Marraccini. Instituto Pet Brasil and other entities in the pet sector are at the forefront of the Criador Legal Campaign, an initiative that defends the well-being of pets, from birth to commercialization or adoption, and promotes education for responsible pet ownership by owners and families.