Brazil’s billionaire pet industry is only getting bigger

Many Brazilians adopted a pet for the first time during the pandemic. Studies show that having an animal at home or at work can improve mental health – something that was especially welcome while people quarantined at home. And pets are becoming ever more important in the Brazilian home. 

• Half of all pet owners in Brazil have adopted at least one animal since the pandemic began in February 2020. Nineteen percent did so for the first time in their lives.

Family. Pets are no longer just pets: for almost two-thirds of pet owners, they are comparable to a child or family member.

The pet industry in Brazil has evolved into a multi-billion real sector, with over 83,400 businesses trying to get a slice of the pie. As well as traditional segments like pet shops, in Brazil there are health plans and even hotels that cater to...