Russian Pet Owners Cap Monthly Spending at 5% of Income Despite Market Growth

A comprehensive study conducted by Avito Goods and Avito Advertising has shed light on the spending habits of Russian pet owners, revealing a cautious approach to budgeting amidst a rapidly evolving retail landscape. The survey, which included 10,000 respondents, found that the average monthly expenditure per pet in Russia currently stands at ₽4,482 (≈ $56.09).

Budget Allocation and the 5% Threshold

For half of the nation’s pet owners, the cost of animal care remains relatively modest, accounting for no more than 5% of their total monthly income. The study breaks down the monthly budget distribution as follows:

• 30% of owners spend under ₽2,000 (≈ $25.03).
• 40% allocate between ₽2,001 and ₽5,000 (≈ $25.04 to $62.58).
• 17% spend up to ₽10,000 (≈ $125.16).
• Only 7% of respondents spend over ₽10,000 per month (≈ $125.16).

The Rise of Online Retail and Budget Optimization

While the total turnover of the Russian pet market reached ₽590 billion in 2025, consumers are increasingly focused on cost-saving measures. With offline retail prices climbing by 10.8% over the past year, shoppers are migrating to e-commerce platforms, where prices are, on average, 2% lower. Currently, 24% of pet owners utilize online marketplaces to find deals, contributing to an 18% growth in online pet industry sales in 2025.

Food Dominance and Import Substitution

Nutrition remains the primary expense, with 90% of respondents regularly purchasing pet food and treats. This segment has seen a major structural shift due to intensive import substitution efforts. By the beginning of 2026, domestic manufacturers successfully captured 96% of the cat and dog food market.

Other significant spending categories include:

• Hygiene products: 29%
• Veterinary medications: 26%
• Toys: 25%
• Veterinary services: 24%
• Accessories: 12%
• Grooming and apparel: 6% each.

Demographics and Marketing Influences

Cats remain the most popular companions in Russian households, owned by 81% of respondents, followed by dogs at 43%. Smaller segments include birds and fish (7% each), rodents (5%), and turtles (3%).

When it comes to discovering new products, peer recommendations lead the way at 35%, followed by marketplace advertising at 30% and television commercials at 23%. Industry experts suggest that the market’s future stability will depend on its ability to manage rising raw material costs and the success of «Russian shelf» initiatives—a concept currently supported by 69% of the population.

Source: tass.ru/ekonomika