According to a survey conducted by Cross Marketing in October 2026 among 5000 Japanese adults, cat owners spend an average of 5029 yen per month on pet food. This is 760 yen more than in 2024 and is explained by rising prices for raw materials used in pet food production.
By comparison, spending on dog food averages 5312 yen per month. The share of households keeping pets remains stable at 21 percent, with cats and dogs represented in roughly equal numbers — 40 and 42 percent respectively among owners. As a family's annual income rises, so does the likelihood of getting a pet: in households with an income of 10 million yen or more per year, this figure reaches 30 percent.
The survey also showed a notable difference in insurance: 57 percent of owners have policies for dogs, whereas for cats this figure is only 29 percent. The main coverage items in both cases are outpatient treatment, hospitalization and surgery costs.
The rise in cat food costs is primarily linked to more expensive ingredients. Cat owners tend to choose more economical options compared with dog food, yet even here the effect of inflation on raw materials is becoming noticeable. This is prompting many to reconsider their usual brands and seek a balance between quality and price.
In a broader context, the data reflect a general trend in the Japanese market: despite a stable level of pet ownership, the cost of keeping pets is gradually increasing. For families planning to get a cat, these figures help them realistically estimate their monthly food budget and prepare for possible further price increases.
