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Aussies spend more on pets than foreign aid

July 27, 2004 - 4:26PM

Affluent Australians spend more money each year on their pets than the nation does on foreign aid, according to a new report.

An Australia Institute report, titled Overconsumption of Pet Food in Australia, estimates Australians spend more than $2.2 billion on their pets compared to foreign aid spending of less than $2 billion.

While people often complain they don't have enough money for the essentials in life, they still find the cash to buy eccentricities like diamond jewellery for dogs, pet breath fresheners, doggie flotation vests, and even sleeping bags for ferrets.

"Pets bring joy to millions of Australians but it seems our priorities are out of kilter when items such as breath fresheners for dogs and gourmet cat food are behind an upsurge in expenditure on Australian pets," the left-wing institute's deputy director Richard Denniss said in a statement.

Australians last year spent more than $1.2 billion on pet food, $169 million on other pet products and more than $700 million on taking pets to the vet, he said.

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Some doggie treats retail for more than $100 per kilogram.

The report finds pets are increasingly being regarded as family members and are often considered as substitutes for children.

"The belief that humans can establish closer emotional bonds with their pets through the purchase of expensive pet foods and toys is associated with what has been described as the humanisation of pets," it says.

"The development of cosmetics for pets is an example of this trend, with new products such as bath wipes, scented shampoos and aromatherapy candles coming onto the market in recent years."

The report says expenditure on premium pet foods and pet toys is an attempt to meet the needs of humans to demonstrate their love and affection by creating and then satisfying the imagined needs of their pets.

"There is no evidence that pets appreciate a $50 toy more than a $5 toy," it says.

Mr Denniss said a Newspoll survey conducted for the institute found 62 per cent of Australians believed they could not afford to buy everything they really needed.

"Rising incomes do not seem to lead Australians to the belief that they are now so well off that they can afford to indulge the imagined desires of their pets.

"On the contrary, as incomes rise, luxuries become necessities and the cost of necessities is experienced as a burden."