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Australian Dog Lover
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New data from Mad Paws exposes the surprising truths behind Australia’s love affair with its pets.
Australia’s love affair with pets has reached new heights, with a new national report revealing just how far our furry friends have burrowed their way into our hearts.
With International Dog Day approaching (26 August), it’s a fitting opportunity to reflect on the evolution of the family pet.
The 2025 Australian Pet Lifestyle Index, compiled by Mad Paws, surveyed thousands of pet owners nationwide to uncover the habits, routines, and shifting cultural attitudes shaping modern pet life.
Key findings include:
Living arrangements:
According to the survey, 92% of dogs sleep indoors. And, of the 36,000 pet parents who specified exactly where their dog sleeps, a massive 62% said their pup sleeps in their bedroom, if not in the bed.
Diet and mealtimes:
Premium and specialty diets are on the rise, reflecting the trend of “pet humanisation”. Data collected from pet parents reveals that roughly 1 in 6 pets are fed raw or lightly cooked food for every meal.
Exercise and enrichment:
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While most owners acknowledge their pets’ need for daily exercise, many admit they struggle to find the time. Data from another study reveals a significant shortfall in Aussies meeting their dog's exercise needs. However, professional dog walkers are coming to the rescue, with more and more pet parents outsourcing this important task.
By mid-2025, the Mad Paws community of dog walkers had already completed over 27,000 walks. That puts the company on track for a record year of almost 50,000 walks – nearly 60% more than last year.
Pet healthcare:
Preventive care, regular vet check-ups, and adequate mental enrichment becoming standard practice. Data collected from pet parents reveals nearly 1 in 4 dogs (23.4%) and 1 in 11 cats (8.9%) suffer from allergies.
Training and care:
Of the pet population surveyed, 92.26% of dogs and 96.38% of cats are house-trained. They’ve undoubtedly proven themselves to be worthy of living indoors.
“In 2025, we’re well and truly in our pet parenting era,” said Justus Hammer, CEO at Mad Paws. “Pets are no longer just companions. They’re treated as family members with diets better than ours, and sleeping arrangements that rival ours too.”
And the proof is in the pudding. Pets are living longer and healthier lives. In fact, according to the Global Animal Health Association, dog life expectancy has doubled in the past four decades, and house cats now live twice as long as their feral counterparts.
The report highlights the continuing humanisation of pets, as Australians navigate busy lifestyles while still prioritising their furry family member’s health and wellbeing.
The report highlights the continuing humanisation of pets, as Australians navigate busy lifestyles while still prioritising their furry family member’s health and wellbeing.
View the full 2025 Australian Pet Lifestyle Index here
About Mad Paws
As Australia’s largest online pet care marketplace, Mad Paws provides a safe and convenient platform that connects pet parents with over 50,000 Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, Groomers & Trainers. Mad Paws has completed over 2 million bookings to date, and holds the title of independent consumer review site, Product Review’s ‘Best Pet Boarding & Sitting Service’ - two years in a row!Related Stories:
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