Demand for pet care is overwhelmingly concentrated in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Business FM explored the experiences of cat and dog owners, delving into the specialized services they utilize and the associated financial commitments.
The Russian pet care services market has experienced an astonishing 162% increase over the past year, reaching a total value of 154 billion rubles. This boom is mirrored by a nearly 70% rise in the number of providers offering services such as dog training, pet sitting, and dog walking. Unsurprisingly, the bulk of this demand originates from the urban centers of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The Cat Economy: From Spa Treatments to Daily Expenses
Russia is, at its heart, a nation of cat enthusiasts. Felines comprise a significant 49 million of the country`s 75-million-strong domestic animal population. These creatures, it seems, are not just ruling homes but also driving a distinct sector within the pet services industry. In Moscow, pet spas cater to cat owners with an array of luxurious treatments: “lion-cut” stylized haircuts can cost up to 7,000 rubles, creative “zebra-stripe” coloring goes for 2,300 rubles, and even fur degreasing services are available for 1,500 rubles. Cat sitters offer to clean litter boxes, feed, and spend an hour interacting with their furry clients for an average of 500-600 rubles. Overnight boarding rates average 1,300 rubles per day. Anastasia, a student who owns two cats, bypasses these premium spa and nanny services, yet still finds the monthly upkeep of her pets to be a substantial expense:
“Expenses for regular and therapeutic food, plus litter, amount to roughly 8,000 rubles. The primary challenge isn`t even these direct costs, but the incidental ones. For some, a budget line item might be home appliances or renovations; for me, it`s crockery, because these companions have mastered opening cupboards like safes and then gleefully smashing everything inside. And, of course, they have their own forms of entertainment: scratching posts, toys, a water fountain—all of which require regular replenishment.”
The Canine Conundrum: Higher Costs for Man`s Best Friend
Maintaining a dog can be even more costly, even for healthy pets not on top-tier diets. The largest financial drain often comes from preventive medications and vaccinations, as shared by Nadezhda, a Muscovite and owner of a dog named Aladdin:
“Food costs me approximately 3-4 thousand rubles each month. However, the most significant expenses currently are veterinary pharmaceuticals, specifically the mandatory tick treatments required from early spring until late autumn, before the first snow. These European-made products were once widely available here. They still are, but their prices have escalated dramatically. I`d estimate they’ve tripled in price, costing over 6,000 rubles for the season.”
Analysts report a 69% increase in providers offering services from dog trainers and dog walkers to handlers, who specialize in preparing dogs for exhibitions. Evgeny, a Doberman breeder, sheds light on the expenses involved in owning a show dog:
“Exhibition prices have climbed this year. Previously, registering for a show typically cost 1,500, or at most 2,000 rubles. Now, the minimum entry fee is 2,500 rubles. Handling services have also seen exponential price hikes. I`ll need to train my growing female dog, and a single session costs 3,500 rubles. If a dog is young and has no prior show experience, a minimum of two months of training, twice a week, is required. As for veterinary care: a standard therapist consultation is 2,500-3,000 rubles. A surgeon’s visit for just an examination is 5,000 rubles, with procedures incurring additional separate fees.”
While dog owners in Moscow and St. Petersburg frequently seek help with training, walking, and boarding, these services are less common in other regions. Dog sitter Tatyana notes:
“Many people in Moscow have pets, but with the reduction in holiday travel, demand naturally declined. I don`t recall being offered cat-sitting jobs; we primarily took small dog breeds. Most trips last a maximum of 10-14 days. We then moved from Moscow to Siberia, and compared to Moscow, the demand here is significantly lower. People do use these services, but only in truly extreme circumstances.”
Underlying Causes: Pandemic, Households, and Responsibility
The surge in the pet care market stems from fundamental shifts. The overall population of dogs and cats has simply grown. Marianna Onufrienko, an expert from the Center for Animal Nutrition and Welfare Studies, explains:
Marianna Onufrienko
Expert, Center for Animal Nutrition and Welfare Studies
“These are significant, deep-seated social changes. The global rise in dog and cat populations, including in Russia, was initially spurred by the pandemic. A second fundamental reason is the increasing number of households in Russia, now nearly 67 million. There are also situational factors, such as people returning to offices, which has altered daily routines and interactions with pets. It`s crucial to understand that this isn`t merely a trend towards convenience; it signifies a growing commitment to responsible pet ownership.”
Consequently, it appears that by 2025, humans are not merely friends to their dogs and cats, but their dedicated investors.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth