16.7 mio cats and 10.3 mio dogs

The cat continues to be Germany's number one pet. Last year, the cat population in Germany was reported to number 16.7 mio felines in 26 per cent of households. Dogs were in second place with 10.3 mio dogs in 21 per cent of households.
Five per cent of German households were home to 4.6 mio small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and mice. The number of cage birds was put at 3.1 mio in three per cent of households in 2021, while aquariums numbered 2.3 mio in four per cent of homes and 1.4 mio garden ponds with fish were reported in three per cent of households. There were also 1.2 mio reptiles accounting for two per cent of households.
The age profile of pet owners has remained virtually unchanged over the last few years: 19 per cent are in the 30 to 39 age category, 18 per cent are aged between 40 and 49 and 22 per cent are aged 50 to 59. The proportion of pet owners under the age of 29 is 18 per cent. The over-60s continue to make up the biggest category of pet owners at 24 per cent.