With almost a quarter of South African households owning cats or dogs, pet ownership is increasingly influencing homebuying decisions, says Bradd Bendall, BetterBond’s National Head of Sales. “Recent data from Statistics South Africa shows that 23.5% of households own 7.4 million dogs and 2 million cats. We are seeing buyers and renters increasingly prioritising pet-friendly features when choosing a home.”
This is the first time that pet ownership data has been included in the General Household Survey, with the 2025 report released late last month. But consumer insight company BrandMapp has found that pet ownership is on the rise. As a result, finding a pet friendly property with features such as secure outdoor space, pet-friendly body corporate rules and access to green areas are becoming important factors in residential property decisions.
“Pet-friendly property features are no longer a niche consideration. They are becoming an increasingly important value driver in the residential property market.” For sellers, practical improvements such as secure fencing, durable flooring, shaded outdoor areas and confirmed body corporate pet approval can improve a property’s appeal to a growing segment of buyers.
Pet preferences
Dogs remain South Africa’s most common household pet, with more than three times as many households owning dogs than cats. Because dogs typically require more space, their owners often favour larger properties with gardens or convenient access to open spaces. “Dog-owning buyers are generally drawn to freestanding homes, townhouses with private outdoor areas or estates with greenbelts and walking routes that support safe exercise and outdoor activity.”
While cats account for a smaller share of overall ownership, housing and demographic trends suggest they are becoming more popular among younger buyers and single-person households. These buyers are more likely to choose sectional title homes, apartments and compact urban properties, as cats adapt well to indoor living and require less space. “Cats are particularly well suited to compact apartments and homes with smaller outdoor areas. They also align with the needs of buyers seeking low-maintenance living and greater lifestyle flexibility.”
Ownership trends
Sectional title properties remain popular among younger buyers, first-time homeowners and investors, offering relative affordability, security and lock-up-and-go convenience. These apartments, townhouses and semi-detached homes are particularly well suited to buyers with cats or smaller dog breeds. However, Bendall notes that many body corporates require written permission from trustees before pets are permitted. “Buyers should carefully consider pet ownership rules and restrictions when evaluating the pros and cons of buying sectional title properties,” he adds.
For buy-to-let investors, pet-friendly accommodation also remains a clear market differentiator. “Rental properties with reasonable pet-friendly policies remain consistently sought after. As suitable rental options are often limited, pet owners are more likely to secure longer-term leases, which can offer greater stability for landlords.”
“We are seeing a clear shift in how buyers factor pets into their housing decisions. In a recent case, a client was granted Body Corporate approval for a Great Dane in a studio apartment, as the approval was given without full consideration of the dog’s size or breed. This highlights the importance of ensuring full transparency and clarity when applying for pet approval, as gaps in the process can lead to complications later on.
Increasingly, buyers are willing to go the extra mile to accommodate their pets, with many Gen Z tenants and homeowners even opting for solutions such as doggy day care when living in smaller units. It is also difficult to see how often people are forced to rehome pets simply because their new home is not pet-friendly. In my experience working with estate agents, this is becoming a consistent trend – around 7 out of 10 buyers now specifically request pet-friendly properties as a key requirement,” noted Candyce De Wet, Home Loan Specialist, BetterBond Western Cape.
Gen Zs take the lead
International research indicates that pet ownership is growing rapidly among younger consumers, with pets increasingly viewed as part of the household. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reported in its 2025 State of the Industry Report that pet ownership among Gen Z consumers, born between 1997 and 2012, increased by 43.5% between 2023 and 2024. Many in this segment are delaying marriage and children, increasing the likelihood of owning at least one pet. These buyers are often willing to pay a premium for homes that support their pets’ wellbeing, whether through secure outdoor spaces, proximity to parks or access to pet-friendly amenities.
Pet-conscious design features are also becoming more prominent, with homeowners investing in durable finishes, secure outdoor enclosures or “catios”, and dedicated pet-washing facilities as practical value-adding improvements. “Developers are increasingly recognising this demand, with newer sectional title schemes and lifestyle estates incorporating walking routes, pet-friendly green spaces and clearer pet ownership policies as competitive differentiators.”
Pet premium
Stats SA data also shows a correlation between household living standards measure (LSM) and pet ownership. Within households in the LSM 8–10 category, dog ownership stands at 41.8% and cat ownership at 12.7%, significantly higher than the 15.6% and 6% recorded in lower LSM categories. The Western Cape is one of the provinces where dog ownership is particularly prevalent. This is supported by BetterBond’s average home loan value data, as reported in the May Property Brief, which shows that the Western Cape records the country’s highest average home loan value. Dog-owning buyers will often pay a premium for larger properties with the space and features their pets require.
Lightstone recently reported that more than 150 000 new residential properties in the over-R500 000 segment have been added to the market over the past five years, with just over 73% located in the Western Cape and Gauteng. Many of these developments fall within the high-value and luxury market segments. These provinces also have among the highest concentrations of pet-owning households, with pet-friendly accommodation increasingly influencing both purchasing and investment decisions, says Bendall.
“For a growing number of South Africans, a property’s suitability is being assessed not only on location, security and access to amenities, but also on how effectively it accommodates changing household needs, including pet ownership.” This growing emphasis on pet-friendly housing preferences is contributing to the expansion of South Africa’s pet economy and reinforcing the role of pet-friendly features as an increasingly important differentiator in the residential property market, concludes Bendall.
