Europe Pet Market

Europe is the world’s second-largest pet region, with roughly 299 million pets across 139 million households (FEDIAF). Mature markets such as Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy anchor the region, while Central and Eastern Europe are expanding rapidly. The market is shaped by premium nutrition, sustainability, veterinary services and strict pet-food regulation.

Pet Population · Europe

Pet population estimates for Europe, sourced from the European pet food industry federation's annual statistical report.

Dogs (pet population)91,205,000
Cats (pet population)110,861,000
Aquaria (fish)27,749,000
Terraria (reptiles & amphibians)9,882,000
Total pets (all species)239,697,000
Total pets (excl. aquaria)*278,406,000

Source: FEDIAF Facts & Figures 2026 (2026). *FEDIAF reports "total pets" excluding aquaria; the all-species total above is summed from the four pet-type columns.

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⚖️ Europe Pet Regulations & Compliance

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🍖 Pet Food Regulation (EU framework)

Pet food is legally "feed" under EU law: Regulation (EC) 767/2009 (labelling/marketing), Feed Hygiene Reg. (EC) 183/2005 and the Animal By-Products Reg. (EU) 142/2011 (pet-food provisions added by Reg. (EU) 2017/2279). Labels must state complete vs complementary feed, FBO details, batch, additives and a consumer helpline. Additives need EFSA-authorised approval under Reg. (EC) 1831/2003.

🧸 Pet Product Standards

Pet accessories fall under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (from Dec 2024) and REACH (Reg. 1907/2006) for hazardous substances. Pet toys are explicitly outside the Toy Safety Directive and covered by GPSR. Electronic pet devices follow RoHS.

📥 Import Requirements (third countries)

Animal-derived pet food is an animal by-product: it may enter the EU only from TRACES-listed countries and establishments, with a veterinary health certificate and pre-notification via CHED-P ≥24h before arrival at a Border Control Post. HS 2309 retail dog/cat food faces ~9.6% MFN duty; goods from Russia/Belarus face 50%.

📤 Export Requirements

EU exporters need an Export Health Certificate and EU TRACES listing. Intra-EU/EEA trade is free. FEDIAF reports ~€29.4B EU pet-food sales and 8.6 Mt sold in 2024 (140M households, 49% pet-owning).

🚢 Europe Pet Trade & Export Intelligence

📥 Key Import Segments

  • Pet food & treats~5.7–6.8 Mt (≈US$15–17.6B, 2024); top extra-EU sources China (~23% share in 2023), Thailand, Brazil, Turkey.
  • Toys & accessoriesSignificant intra-EU trade.
  • Health & supplementsGrowing import demand.

📤 Key Export Segments

  • Manufactured pet productsDominated by intra-EU trade.
  • Private-label pet foodStrong EU manufacturing.
  • IngredientsSignificant outbound.

🌍 Trading Network

  • Germany / France / NetherlandsCore EU producers
  • United KingdomMajor non-EU partner (post-Brexit)
  • Thailand / Brazil / ChinaKey extra-EU suppliers
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, 2023/1115) applies to pet-food soy/palm sourcing (compliance from Dec 2025/2026). The Packaging Regulation (EU) 2025/40 bans PFAS in food-contact packaging from Aug 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pet companies are listed in Europe on GlobalPetIndex?

GlobalPetIndex indexes thousands of pet businesses across Europe — spanning manufacturers, brands, distributors, wholesalers and pet retail chains. Use the country and company-type filters above to narrow the list to the exact segment you need.

What pet business types operate in Europe?

The Europe pet market covers the full value chain: pet food and treat manufacturers, brand owners, distributors and wholesalers, mass-market retailers, and specialty pet chain stores. Browse them by type using the icon hub on this page.

Can I filter Europe companies by country and type?

Yes. The right-hand filter lets you drill into a specific country within Europe and a specific company type (Manufacturer, Brand, Retailer, Distributor, and more) at the same time, so you only see the relevant suppliers and buyers.

How do I list my Europe pet company on GlobalPetIndex?

Register a free GlobalPetIndex account, add your company profile with type, country and product focus, and publish. Verified and Premium members unlock contact details, richer profiles and higher placement in recommendations.

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