The amount that Hongkongers spend on their pet cats has reached a record high of HK$2,062 (US$263) per month this year, fuelled 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 represented a 2.8 per cent year-on-year increase, with the growing proportion of ageing cats in the city expected to serve as a key driver of market growth in the coming years.
The findings were part of an online survey of about 2,500 cat owners last month to track feline ownership consumption 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 driving respondents’ spending increases, behind economic factors and followed by illness or accident-related medical care.
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.
“Therefore Hong Kong is 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.
