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Kate Chan

Hongkongers are spending a record HK$2,062 (US$263) a month on pet cats, driven by a rapidly emerging “cat silver economy”, according to a survey.
The Exhibition Group, organiser of the coming Hong Kong Cat Expo 2026, said on Monday that the average monthly spending marked a 2.8 per cent year-on-year increase, with the growing proportion of ageing cats in the city expected to be a key driver of market growth in the coming years.
The findings were based on an online survey of about 2,500 cat owners last month to track their spending trends, with 85 per cent of respondents indicating that their overall cat care expenses had increased over the past year.
According to the survey, ageing felines were the second-ranked factor behind higher spending, after broader economic factors and followed by illness or accident-related medical costs.
The proportion of cats aged four to seven had risen significantly from 20.8 per cent of the feline population in 2024 to 28.2 per cent this year. Cats have an average lifespan of 15 years.
“Within the next three to five years, this group of middle-aged cats – which makes up nearly 30 per cent of the feline population – will become seniors,” said Shirley Chu Shuet-ling, general manager of the Exhibition Group.
“Hong Kong is therefore going to experience a massive boom in consumption of medical care, prescription food, and precision healthcare products for cats,” Chu added, noting that owners’ motivation for spending had transitioned from merely feeding their pets to ensuring longevity and a better quality of life.
Based on the number of households with cats, the group estimated that the monthly expenditure on pet cats in Hong Kong had surpassed HK$500 million, with the annual figure rising to HK$6.92 billion this year.
While basic necessities such as food and cat litter remained the two largest spending categories, medical and healthcare products accounted for 14.4 per cent of total expenditure.
On average, an owner kept two or more cats, with the proportion of respondents keeping three cats jumping from 11.3 per cent in 2025 to 16.9 per cent this year.
For the fourth consecutive year, domestic shorthairs were the most popular cats in Hong Kong, followed by British shorthairs, American shorthairs and ragdolls. The Maine Coon broke into the top five for the first time, according to the survey.

Regarding future spending trends in the cat market, Chu said she expected mainstream human product brands to increasingly diversify into the pet market by developing pet food and supplements.
“In many cases, consumers feel more reassured giving their pets products from brands that are originally made for the human market,” she said, adding that many brands were developing cross-sector products to meet demand.
The Hong Kong Cat Expo 2026, with a theme titled “Wild West Cowcat”, runs from July 31 to August 2 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
The event, which has been held annually since 2023, will feature more than 180 exhibitors and 400 booths, bringing together local and international cat products, toys, lifestyle goods and art.


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Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong Cat Expo organiser says growing proportion of ageing felines will drive future market growth as owners seek better care for pets


Hong Kong Cat Expo organiser says growing proportion of ageing felines will drive future market growth as owners seek better care for pets.


Pets

Hongkongers spend record HK$2,000 per month on cats as ‘silver’ feline market grows

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong Cat Expo organiser says growing proportion of ageing felines will drive future market growth as owners seek better care for pets

Hong Kong Cat Expo organiser says growing proportion of ageing felines will drive future market growth as owners seek better care for pets