Pet parents: Brazilians spend up to R$ 690 per month on dogs and cats and allocate 8% of their income to the pet market.

Written by Andriely Medeiros de Araújo

Published on 21/05/2026 at 18:54

Updated on 21/05/2026 at 18:55

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Research by CVA Solutions shows that Brazilians spend an average of R$ 690 per month on dogs and R$ 574 on cats, equivalent to 8% of the family income. The pet sector continues to grow even during periods of economic crisis.

Treating dogs and cats as children has ceased to be just an affectionate expression and has become a true reflection of household finances in Brazil. According to research by the consultancy CVA Solutions, Brazilians allocate, on average, 8% of their monthly family income to pets. In practice, this represents about R$ 690 per month for those who have a dog and R$ 574 for those who have a cat. These numbers help explain why the pet sector has established itself as one of the fastest-growing in the country — even resisting periods of economic instability.

The pandemic that turned pets into a financial priority

The pet sector experienced strong expansion starting from the pandemic, driven by the period of social isolation and more intense home living. In this scenario, many Brazilians formed even closer bonds with their pets, while thousands of families acquired a pet for the first time. Data from the International Animal Protection Union (UIPA) indicates that the demand for adoptions skyrocketed in the first months of 2020, with a 400% increase.

The Radar Pet 2021 study showed that approximately 30% of the animals currently living in Brazilian homes arrived during the pandemic, marking the debut of many people in the experience of caring for a pet.

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The biggest monthly expenses with dogs and cats

A survey by CVA Solutions shows which monthly expenses most impact the budget of pet owners in Brazil. Among the main expenses are food, hygiene services, and pet health care.

The data indicates that dog owners spend, on average, R$ 202 per month on food and about R$ 174 on grooming. Among cat owners, the average monthly spending on food reaches R$ 158.

The research also highlights the growth of veterinary health plans in the country. According to the study, plans for dogs cost, on average, R$ 135 per month, while those for cats have an average value of R$ 125 per month.

Research by CVA Solutions shows that Brazilians spend an average of R$ 690 per month on dogs and R$ 574 on cats, equivalent to 8% of family income. The pet sector continues to grow even during economic crises. Image: Canva.

Dog food: R$ 202 per month
Dog grooming: R$ 174 per month
Cat food: R$ 158 per month
Pet health plan for dogs: R$ 135 per month
Pet health plan for cats: R$ 125 per month

Veterinary health plans grow, but cost still deters owners

One of the most striking points in the survey is the growth of health plans aimed at pets. Today, approximately 25% of Brazilians already have some type of veterinary assistance for dogs and cats, a rate that has increased compared to the numbers recorded in 2024. Despite the expansion, the participation of this service is still considered small given the potential and size of the pet market in the country.

Research by CVA Solutions shows that Brazilians spend an average of R$ 690 per month on dogs and R$ 574 on cats, equivalent to 8% of household income. The pet sector continues to grow even during periods of economic crisis. Image: Canva.

The cost of monthly fees appears as the main barrier to the expansion of pet health plans in Brazil. According to the research, 37% of respondents consider the prices too high for the financial reality of families. Another 29% stated that they do not see the need to hire this type of service for pets.

At the same time, the survey revealed a contradictory and promising scenario for the sector. Among the owners who do not yet have veterinary assistance, 67% said they would adhere to the service if the monthly fees were around R$ 20. The result suggests that there is strong consumer interest, but the values currently practiced still hinder broader adoption in the Brazilian pet market.

Neighborhood stores gain space and online shopping is still in its infancy

The survey also identified important changes in the purchasing behavior of pet owners. In recent years, neighborhood pet shops have gained more space, while large chains have lost some of the consumers’ preference. Proximity to home, practicality in service, and a more personalized relationship with clients and animals are among the main factors that explain this change in habit in the Brazilian pet market.

Digital commerce is still advancing more slowly in the Brazilian pet sector. The research shows that a small portion of owners usually buy products for dogs and cats exclusively online, a scenario that contrasts with the behavior observed in other retail segments. The result indicates that many consumers still prefer face-to-face contact, especially due to trust in service, immediate practicality, and the possibility of choosing products directly in physical stores.

A market that resists even the crisis

Even during periods of economic pressure and tight budgets, the pet market continues to show strong resilience in Brazil. For many families, spending on dogs and cats is among the last items subject to cuts, reflecting the importance that animals have come to occupy within homes. In practice, pets are already treated as family members and receive similar priority to other needs considered essential in the household budget.

Research by CVA Solutions shows that Brazilians spend an average of R$ 690 per month on dogs and R$ 574 on cats, equivalent to 8% of the family income. The pet sector continues to grow even during economic crisis periods. Image: Canva.

The change in consumer behavior, combined with the increase in the number of pet owners recorded since the pandemic, continues to drive the advancement of the pet market in Brazil. The sector, which already moves billions of reais every year, maintains prospects for sustained growth and still shows signs of strong expansion, even amid the economic challenges faced by the country.

With information from Xataka

Pet parents: Brazilians spend up to R$ 690 per month on dogs and cats and allocate 8% of their income to the pet market.

Research by CVA Solutions shows that Brazilians spend an average of R$ 690 per month on dogs and R$ 574 on cats, equivalent to 8% of the family income. The pet sector continues to grow even during periods of economic crisis.

The pandemic that turned pets into a financial priority

The biggest monthly expenses with dogs and cats

Veterinary health plans grow, but cost still deters owners

Neighborhood stores gain space and online shopping is still in its infancy

A market that resists even the crisis

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Pet parents: Brazilians spend up to R$ 690 per month on dogs and cats and allocate 8% of their income to the pet market.

Research by CVA Solutions shows that Brazilians spend an average of R$ 690 per month on dogs and R$ 574 on cats, equivalent to 8% of the family income. The pet sector continues to grow even during periods of economic crisis.

The pandemic that turned pets into a financial priority

The biggest monthly expenses with dogs and cats

Veterinary health plans grow, but cost still deters owners

Neighborhood stores gain space and online shopping is still in its infancy

A market that resists even the crisis

While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

While a traditional school may take several days just to raise walls, in Malawi a 3D-printed school had its structure ready in 18 hours, welcomed children in June, and showed a new solution to the lack of classrooms.

Goodbye traditional washing machine: Panasonic surprises housewives with the NA-G5 featuring four drums, a 13 kg washer and dryer, a 12 kg dryer, independent mini washers, a heat pump, and a 4-in-1 system awarded at the German Design Award.

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With a diameter of 15.08 meters, a length of 182 meters, and weighing 3900 tons, the world’s largest tunnel boring machine for drilling super hard rock made a 9 km tunnel in Georgia and impresses with its excavation power.

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