Photograph: Unsplash (free licence).
Quick answer: Spain has 15,171,569 registered companion animals, according to the preliminary results of the first National Animal Protection Statistics, presented by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 on 5 June 2026. That is 14% more than in 2021, and industry barometers put the share of households living with at least one pet at 54%.
How many pets are there in Spain? For the first time there is an official nationwide answer. The figure comes from entries in the regional companion animal registers between 2021 and 2025, and its publication meets a requirement of Spain’s Animal Welfare Act 7/2023. Here are the key figures from the 2026 pet census and what the latest studies on owner habits show.
Dogs, cats and other species: the breakdown
Of the more than 15 million registered animals, 7,562,893 are dogs (around 50%), 5,619,967 are cats (37%) and 1,988,708 belong to other species such as rabbits, birds, reptiles or tortoises (13%). By region, Andalusia leads with around 3.3 million animals, followed by Catalonia (almost 2 million), the Community of Madrid (1.9 million) and the Valencian Community (1.5 million).
With 8.5 million under-18s in Spain according to the national statistics office (INE), the comparison drawn by the press is striking: there are almost two registered pets for every child or teenager.
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More than half of households live with animals
The 3rd Pet Parents Barometer by AEDPAC, presented at Iberzoo Propet 2026 and quoted by IFEMA in its sector overview of 15 October, puts the share of Spanish households with at least one pet at 54%, two points up on the previous year. Of these, 48.2% have only dogs, 24.5% only cats and 27.3% both.
The same study shows adoption as the main route into the home: around seven in ten dogs come from shelters, private individuals or the street, and six in ten cats arrive through non-commercial channels. Around eight in ten owners also consider their pet a member of the family.
What these figures mean for your home
More registered animals is, above all, good news for their protection: an identified pet with up-to-date contact details is far more likely to get home if it goes missing. The figures also reflect increasingly varied households, with dogs and cats under the same roof and rodents and birds playing a growing part.
- Check the microchip: make sure your phone number and address are up to date in your region’s register.
- If a dog and a cat live together: keep their bowls and water points apart so each can eat and drink in peace.
- Other species count too: hamsters and birds need suitable space, enrichment and clean water every day.
- For any health concern, speak to your vet.
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Frequently asked questions
How many pets are there in Spain in 2026?
According to the preliminary National Animal Protection Statistics, published in June 2026, there are 15,171,569 registered companion animals: around 7.56 million dogs, 5.62 million cats and almost 2 million animals of other species.
Where does the census data come from?
From entries in the regional companion animal registers between 2021 and 2025. Unregistered animals are not included, so the real population may be higher.
Which region has the most pets?
Andalusia, with around 3.3 million registered animals, followed by Catalonia and the Community of Madrid.
Keep reading
- 2026 pet abandonment study: what the data shows
- Dog and cat microchips: how to check your details
- Several cats at home: organising food, water and litter trays
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