Dogs vs Cats: Which is More Popular Among Asian Households?

Frequently kept as pets, dogs and cats have surprisingly positive impacts on humans.

This aligns with a journal article written by Mónica Teresa González-Ramírez and René Landero-Hernández, published by PubMed Central, National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, United States.

The authors state that several studies they compiled revealed that dog and cat owners tend to have better physical health than non-owners or owners of other types of pets. They have fewer doctor visits than people who don't keep pets.

These pet owners also experience less loneliness and a reduction in symptoms of depression, negative feelings, as well as increased self-esteem and social interaction.

So, how many people keep dogs and cats in Asia?

Rakuten Insight Global surveyed 97,000 people across several Asian countries to determine the proportion of dog and cat ownership.

The highest number of respondents who own dogs were recorded in three countries: First, the Philippines, with 67% of total respondents. Second, Vietnam, with 53%, and third, Thailand, with 47%.

Meanwhile, the three countries with the highest number of respondents who own cats are Indonesia, reaching 47% of total respondents, followed by the Philippines with 43%, and Vietnam with 35%.

In general, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are among the countries with the highest number of pet owners in this survey.

Those with the fewest pet owners were Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Rakuten Insight reports that more than half, or 59%, of respondents keep pets in their homes. When accumulated, the three most commonly kept pets among respondents were dogs (32%), cats (26%), and fish (15%).

This survey involved 97,000 respondents spread across China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Data was collected in January 2021 using an online method from a special Rakuten Insight panel.

(Also read: What Motivates Asians to Keep Pets in Their Homes?)