Pet vacation study
Do pet owners take their pets on vacation? Where do they go? How do they adapt their vacations to their pets? What are their concerns?
Do pet owners take their pets on vacation? Where do they go? How do they adapt their vacations to their pets? What are their concerns?
For the second year in a row, Weenect has questioned its users to better understand their vacation behavior. This survey highlights the evolution of their choices between 2023 and 2024.
For a complete and accurate picture, the survey was based on 1,828 French, German, Belgian, Swiss and Austrian Weenect customers in 2024 and a survey of 910 French, English, German and Dutch customers in 2023, providing detailed information on their decisions; habits and behaviors during their vacations.
Discover the detailed results of our study, through a series of lessons learned illustrated by graphs
In 2024, 78.3% of pet owners plan to go on vacation with their pet, a significant increase on the 71.7% in 2023. This is especially true for cat owners, up from 50.9% in 2023 to 65.2% in 2024.
In 2024, 66.6% of owners choose to travel with their pet to avoid separation, a slight increase compared to 2023 (61,9%). Experiencing unforgettable moments with their pet continues to be an important motivator for enjoying holiday time together with their pet. In 2024, 51.3% wanted to do this, which differs only marginally from 52.8% in 2023.
Adapting vacations to include pets is becoming increasingly common, with a rise from 40.1% in 2023 to 42% in 2024.
In 2024, 68.3% of vacationing pet owners choose to stay in their own country, a slight increase compared to the 66.6% of 2023.
The seaside remains the preferred destination for pet owners at 44.1% in 2024, with a notable increase of 5.2 percentage points. By contrast, city vacations have fallen to only 3.4% of destinations in 2024.
In 2024, the preference for more flexible private accommodation is confirmed. 63.5% of respondents opt for rentals or second homes, an increase from 58.2% in 2023.
In 2024, high temperatures (sunstroke, dehydration, sunburn) were the number-one concern whereas in 2023, the fear of losing a pet was on first place. The proportion of owners concerned about running away increased by 11.3 points, reaching 56.6% in 2024. Contrary to 2023, in 2024 dog owners feared running away more than cat owners (55.9% and 34.1% and respectively). [AMG1] [AG2]
Use of Weenect GPS for greater reassurance
In 2024, 81.9% of Weenect customers used the tracker to limit the risk of their pet running away, and 91.2% felt that their vacations were more peaceful since acquiring the GPS, a significant increase of 18.8 percentage points compared to 2023.
In 2024, 80% of Weenect customers who use pet sitting services will use them during the vacations. However, an increasing number of owners prefer to hand their pets over to friends and family.
The concerns of owners who have their pets looked after remain the same: fear that the animal will suffer from loneliness and anxiety (38.4%), risk of running away (21.9%), and fear of neglect (14.1%).
To compensate for this, 93.4% of owners check on their pets left back home during their vacations in 2024, the vast majority by message or phone call to the pet-sitter, 3.1 points more than in 2023.
The results of our study reveal that pet owners are increasingly attentive to the well-being of their companions while on vacation. The marked preference for private accommodation and the regular monitoring of their pets while they are away demonstrate the importance of minimizing disturbance for the pets. What's more, Weenect's GPS trackers provide real-time location information anywhere in Europe, whether you choose to go on holiday with your pet or not, reassuring 91.19% of users and making their vacations more worry-free. Weenect is thus confirmed as an indispensable ally for peaceful vacations with your pet.
