CONTINUITY, RIGOUR AND METHODOLOGICAL GROWTH
How reliable are the figures on pet populations and the European pet food market? Much depends on the methodology used to collect and verify them.
FEDIAF’s Facts & Figures have long served as an important reference for authorities, industry stakeholders and the media across Europe. It is no coincidence that the European Commission draws on FEDIAF’s pet population data in its discussions. This recognition also brings a responsibility to maintain the highest standards of data quality. To this end, FEDIAF works with Soulor Consulting, external data specialists, to systematically assess both pet population figures and market data. Soulor Consulting has once again managed the data collection and review process this year.
All 15 of FEDIAF’s National Association members also contributed to this year’s process, providing pet population and market data for their respective countries, where available.
Soulor Consulting carried out a detailed review and harmonisation of the data, applying additional verification procedures. Comparisons with previous records, inflation figures and other relevant indicators helped ensure the consistency and reliability of the results.
The geographical coverage remains unchanged from the previous report. It includes the entire European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), as well as the majority of the remaining Council of Europe member states, covering 41 of its 48 members.
In line with the established methodology, the published figures refer to data from two years before the report’s release. Thus, the 2026 edition presents data for 2024*. At the same time, FEDIAF continues to review and refine its methodology each year, working towards ever greater consistency and accuracy in the collection, estimation and verification of data.
Greece on the European Pet Map
Greece maintains a notable position on the European pet map, according to FEDIAF’s Facts & Figures 2026. The country has an estimated 649,000 dogs and 601,000 cats, ranking 21st and 22nd respectively among the countries covered by the report. Greece performs particularly strongly in the ornamental bird category, ranking 9th in Europe with a population of 962,000 birds. In the small mammal category, Greece ranks 12th, with 412,000 animals, while in terms of aquaria, it ranks 19th, with 89,000 aquaria.
At an overall level, the figures point to 2.719 million pets and aquaria in Greece, falling to 2.630 million when aquaria are excluded. Based on this measure, Greece ranks approximately 18th among the 41 countries covered by the report. At the same time, 21% of Greek households own at least one dog or cat, highlighting the significant presence of pets in everyday household life and the position of Greece within the wider European pet market.