Another trend is an increase in the number of pet owners who choose exotic names, such as fish, rabbits and birds. This is reflected in the sales figures for exotic animal products, which grew by more than 50%. Meanwhile, sales of cat products increased by 8%, and sales of dog products increased by 6%.
According to a pet ownership behavior survey conducted by CRC VoiceShare, the majority of Thais, 65%, consider their pets as their children or family members. A smaller number, 33%, keep animals as companions to relieve loneliness, and 2% have animals for mental health therapy. The popularity ranking of pets is as expected, with 63% choosing to keep dogs, 49% opting for cats, and 12% prefer exotics.
Most Thais also purchase pets from stores or farms, except for cat owners, where up to 50% opt for organized cat adoption. This change aligns with the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” trend, a global campaign where organizations and celebrities support the adoption of stray animals.
