Most Russians treat pets with care and warmth. A solid 73 percent of people express kind treatment toward animals, and a majority, roughly 55 percent, believe that having a pet enhances everyday life by lifting mood, improving overall well being, and helping to relieve stress. Yet a recent nationwide survey shows that 52 percent hesitate to bring a four legged friend into the home, often citing the responsibility and the perceived hassle as barriers that feel overwhelming at times.
About one in two Russians polled owns a pet. The dog stands out as the leading companion, with 51 percent reporting a canine in the household. Cats come in a close second at 40 percent. Other animals are much less common: birds and rodents each appear in 3 percent of households, fish in 2 percent, and exotic animals in 1 percent of households.
Views on exotic pets are mixed. More than half of respondents, 55 percent, hold a negative attitude toward keeping exotic creatures such as lizards, snakes, spiders, and turtles. Among the smaller group who appreciate unusual pets, only 23 percent would want to keep such animals at home.
The main obstacle to pet ownership is the commitment involved in daily care. This reason is cited by 39 percent of respondents. Time constraints prevent ownership for 17 percent, while 15 percent say living space is too small. Frequent changes in living arrangements disrupt pet ownership for 11 percent, and the same share face ongoing financial difficulties. Allergies affect 7 percent of potential owners.
Costs are a normal part of keeping a pet, yet most people feel the burden is manageable. A large majority, 84 percent, say these regular expenses are not overly burdensome. Monthly spending patterns show that 42 percent allocate 3 to 5 thousand rubles, 36 percent spend up to 3 thousand rubles, 15 percent allocate 5 to 10 thousand rubles, and 5 percent spend 10 to 15 thousand rubles. A small 2 percent devote more than 15 thousand rubles each month to a pet.
Veterinary care can be pricey, and in some cases more expensive than certain human medical services. In recent years interest in pet insurance has grown, with policy issuance rising by about a fifth compared with the year before. This shift reflects a broader trend toward recognizing pets as family members who may require regular medical attention and preventive care.
Overall, Russians display a nuanced stance on pet ownership, balancing affection for animals with practical limits of time, space, and money. The ongoing discussion highlights how families weigh the benefits of companionship against the responsibilities of care, and how insurance offerings are evolving to meet growing interest in protecting animal health and household budgets.
There is a continuing conversation about Russians’ attitudes toward pet ownership, indicating an evolving landscape where affection for animals coexists with real-world constraints and evolving financial considerations.