Most Popular Pets in France
Quick answer
Cats are France's most popular pet and outnumber dogs by a wide margin in European statistics. Dogs remain highly visible in cafés and restaurants, with fish and birds also widely kept.
Pet culture in France
FEDIAF data put France among Europe's largest cat-owning nations, with pet cats far ahead of dogs in number. The French are still devoted dog owners — and notably dog-friendly in public life, with many cafés and restaurants welcoming well-behaved dogs. The Chartreux is among France's cherished pedigree cat breeds.
The most popular pets in France
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Cats
France's most popular pet, with tens of millions kept — far ahead of dogs in FEDIAF counts.
Browse all cat breeds -
Dogs
Beloved and highly visible; often welcomed inside French cafés and restaurants.
Browse all dog breeds -
Fish
Aquarium fish are a popular, lower-maintenance pet in French apartments.
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Birds and small mammals
Caged birds, rabbits, and rodents are common family pets.
See the top 10 rabbit breeds
Interesting facts about pets in France
- Pet cats in France outnumber pet dogs by a wide margin in FEDIAF statistics.
- France is famous for welcoming dogs into many cafés, shops, and restaurants.
- The Chartreux is widely regarded as a classic French pedigree cat.
How we ranked pets in France
Cat and dog population leadership follows FEDIAF European Facts & Figures. Public dog-friendliness is a cultural observation, not a legal guarantee — venues set their own rules.
Frequently asked questions about pets in France
What is the most popular pet in France?
Cats are the most popular pet in France and outnumber dogs by a wide margin, though dogs remain extremely popular in daily life.
Can you take dogs into restaurants in France?
Many French cafés and restaurants welcome well-behaved dogs indoors, but individual venues set their own rules.
Are cats more popular than dogs in France?
Yes. France is one of several European countries where cats clearly outnumber dogs as household pets.