The amount that Hong Kongers spend on their pet cats has reached a record high of HK$2,062 (8,800 baht) 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% 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% 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% of the feline population in 2024 to 28.2% 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% 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.
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 top two items, the share allocated to the third item - medical and healthcare products - was 14.4% this year.
On average, an owner kept two or more cats, with the proportion of respondents keeping three cats jumping from 11.3% in 2025 to 16.9% this year.
For the fourth consecutive year, the domestic shorthair was the most popular breed of cat in Hong Kong, followed by the British shorthair, American shorthair and ragdoll. The Maine Coon broke into the top five for the first time, according to the survey.
On 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 Aug 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.
