Pet dog population in Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, the number of pet dogs held in Japan was estimated at around 6.8 million. While dogs remained one of the most popular animal species held as pets, the ownership rate declined steadily in recent years.

Dogs in Japanese households

Dogs are high in demand as pets in Japan for their friendly and playful nature. While their function used to be practical as watchdogs or helpers on the fields, the animals are increasingly integrated into the modern household structure. Reflecting their increasing role as a family member, small dog breeds are preferred among Japanese owners, with breeders catering to the demand for small mixed breeds and designer dogs like toy poodles. With the residential real estate market facing the challenge of high demand for affordable living spaces and a lack of space in general, small breeds are a welcomed solution for households in metropolitan areas, in particular, that desire an animal companion but lack a garden or the free space to roam the neighborhood.

Four-legged friends have overtaken children

The pet boom at the beginning of the 20th century has been driving the growth of the pet population in Japan, with the estimated number of cats and dogs together surpassing the number of children aged 14 or below in Japan. Due to a large number of abandoned pets that are unaccounted for, municipalities are facing the challenge of containing growing stray populations. To address the issues and emphasize the responsibility of owners for their animal companions, dogs and cats that are sold from June 2022 onwards require microchipping with the owner’s information.