The Future of Pets is Here
New research from 2,600+ Australian and New Zealand pet owners and 100 vets reveal how love, cost and technology are reshaping pet care.
Our report dives into 6 key themes:
- Nutrition
- Technology
- Pet-Human Relationships
- Animal Welfare
- Longevity & Healthcare
- Pet Owner Priorities
In a world of trends, science is still the most proven path, especially when nutrition plays such a critical role in lifelong health."
Pets & Mental Health
90% of Pet Owners believe pets have a positive mental health impact
Veterinary Care
78% of pet owners concerned about unaffordable vet care
Nutrition
What you feed your pet has never mattered more. And the advice has never been noisier.
Our research found that 43% of Australian pet owners turn to their vet first when deciding what to feed their pet. But a striking gap has emerged. While only 5% of owners believe social media influences their food choices, 72% of veterinarians are seeing nutrition decisions shaped by online trends every day in clinic.
Raw feeding, grain-free diets, novel proteins. These trends are spreading faster than the science behind them.
Raw feeding, grain-free diets, novel proteins. These trends are spreading faster than the science behind them.
The good news? Interest in evidence-based nutrition is growing. 91% of owners would consider senior-specific diets. 87% are open to longevity supplements. And 68% would consider nutrition personalised to their pet's DNA.
Science built Royal Canin. It still builds every formula we make.
Technology
Pet owners are ready to go digital. Vets are urging caution and there's a path to use technology to improve the health of our pets.
73% of Australian pet owners want telehealth consultations for their pets. 71% are interested in AI-powered health monitoring that can detect illness early. Smart collars, wearable devices, and apps that translate your pet's body language are no longer science fiction.
But our veterinary data tells a different story. 86% of vets believe fewer than one in four consultations could be safely handled remotely. Physical examination cannot be replicated through a screen.
The opportunity lies somewhere in the middle. Technology that feeds verifiable data to help vet diagnostics, extending their reach without replacing their judgment, is where the industry is heading.
Royal Canin and the broader Mars Petcare network are already working towards this. Developing AI health-screening tools designed to support early detection and work alongside veterinary professionals.
Pet-Human Relationships
The bond between Australians and their pets has never been stronger. Or more complex.
90% of Australian pet owners say their pet positively affects their mental health. 77% share their bedroom with their pet. And only 17% describe their animal as just a pet. For most Australians, pets are family members, companions, and a daily source of emotional support.
That closeness is changing what owners expect. Deeper bonds drive higher expectations for health, longevity, and quality of life. Owners are investing more, researching more, and in some cases, pushing back on clinical advice when it conflicts with what they have read online.
54% of vets predict the relationship between vet and client will become more challenging in the years ahead.
Strengthening that relationship, with trust, clear communication, and science at its center, is one of the most important challenges facing pet care today.
Animal Welfare
More Australians care about how pets are bred, housed, and treated than ever before. The data makes that clear.
65% of owners are concerned about breeding practices and genetic health in dogs and cats. 75% worry about overpopulation in shelters. And 76% of vets report seeing more cats living primarily indoors today than five years ago.
The indoor cat shift brings real benefits for wildlife and cat safety. It also brings new responsibilities. Without the right nutrition, environmental enrichment, and veterinary support, indoor cats can be more prone to boredom and weight issues.
On the question of end-of-life care, 92% of vets believe there should be limits on life-extending interventions when a pet's quality of life is poor. This is one of the most important welfare conversations the industry needs to have.
Longevity & Healthcare
Australians want more time with their pets. The financial reality of this is complicated.
78% of Australian owners are concerned about veterinary care becoming unaffordable. Yet 63% have no pet insurance. And 51% of vets report that between a quarter and half of their recommended treatments are now declined due to cost.
At the same time, one in four owners say they would pay more than $5,000 for a treatment that extends their pet's healthy life by five years. 48% are interested in cancer vaccines for pets. 41% want access to anti-ageing supplements.
The gap between what owners want and what they are financially prepared for is widening. The answer is not more expensive treatment at the end of life. It is prevention, precision nutrition, and planning from the very beginning.
Pet Owner Priorities
Pet owners are not waiting for the world to catch up to their pets. They are telling us exactly what they want.
49% of Australians want more public spaces and transport access for their pets. 40% want pet-friendly workplaces to become the norm. 40% want mental health support animals recognised in more settings. 30% believe grief counselling for pet loss should become a standard service.
These are not minority views anymore. They reflect a genuine and growing expectation that pets deserve the same consideration as any other member of the family.
Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, the future of pet care will be shaped by personalised nutrition, smarter technology, more equitable access to veterinary services, and a deeper cultural recognition of the role pets play in human wellbeing.
Royal Canin is committed to being part of that future.