Pets are part of the family for millions of Aussies. In fact, 2025 data found that there are over 31.6 million pets in Australia1. They keep us company, make us laugh, and are often our most loyal companions. But alongside companionship can come a few expected – and even some unexpected - costs.
From stained carpets and scratched floors to damaged car interiors and driving distractions, our furry friends don’t just leave their mark on our hearts.
To find out just how much impact pets are having on Australian homes and vehicles, we surveyed more than 1,000 Australians about pet ownership, household damage and road safety. The results reveal that while most pet owners wouldn't go without their four-legged companions – puppuchinos and cat birthday parties included – many are paying the price for their pets' habits.
If it’s broken, fix it
We’ve all seen the videos online of the guilty dog refusing to acknowledge the mess it’s made, or the cat innocently strolling past the scratched-up couch they’ve destroyed. But when it happens in real life, it's hard to stay mad at the puppy dog eyes or cuddly cat at your feet. But behind those innocent faces, our pets can sometimes cause some not-so-innocent damage around the home.
So, what are the biggest types of damage that Aussies say their pets are causing?
Almost two-thirds of Aussie pet owners (65%) report pet-related household damage, with stained carpets or rugs (33%) topping the list.
Other common forms of damage include:
- Damaged gardens – 27%
- Scratched flooring – 27%
- Destroyed furniture – 26%
At the other end of the scale, broken glass windows or doors were the least reported type of pet-related damage, with just 6% of respondents saying they had experienced it.
The type of damage often depends on the culprit. Cat owners are significantly more likely to report destroyed furniture (35% vs 23% of dog owners) and torn-up carpets (22% vs 15%), suggesting some pets may have stronger opinions on interior design than others. Meanwhile, dogs are more likely to leave their mark outdoors, with 31% of dog owners reporting garden damage compared to 19% of cat owners.
And these little accidents can add up.
For households affected by pet-related damage, repair and replacement costs average around $250, with almost half (49%) spending at least $100 replacing carpets, buying soil to fill holes or fixing chewed skirting boards.
But the damages don’t just stop there – Aussie pets have a creative flair and unique take on home decorating.
| Damage to homes | Average household reported repair costs |
| Broken glass windows or doors | $399.40 |
| Chewed skirting boards/furniture | $352.60 |
| Scratched flooring | $323.50 |
| Destroyed furniture | $324.00 |
| Torn up carpets | $317.30 |
| Damaged electrics/chewed cords | $307.00 |
| Stained carpets or rugs | $295.20 |
| Damaged garden (holes, torn plants) | $289.00 |
When pet-friendly road trips come at a price
Whether it's a trip to the beach, a drive to the park, or tagging along on holiday, Aussies love bringing their pets along for the ride. In fact, more than four in five pet owners (86%) say they travel with their pets in the car, making them some of the best road-trip buddies around.
But sometimes our furry passengers can make themselves a little too comfortable.
More than one-third of pet owners (36%) who transport their pets in vehicles report some form of vehicle damage, with the most common issue being torn or scratched interiors (14%). Other common issues include needing to excessively clean or detail (14%) and scratched paintwork (13%).
More than a quarter (26%) of respondents say they let their pet travel freely inside the car, including 19% in the back seat and 7% in the front. While travelling free in the back seat is considerably more common, both arrangements may increase the risk of pets distracting the driver or moving throughout the vehicle.
But depending on which state you’re in also changes the way Aussies are transporting their pets.
- NSW residents are most likely to transport their pet using a pet restraint or harness (27% to 24% nationally)
- Queenslanders prefer their pets to be free in the backseat (24% to 21% nationally)
- Victorians overwhelmingly transport their pets in the front seat (12% vs 6% nationally)
- Residents in SA are more likely to transport their pet in a pet carrier or crate (35% vs 28% nationally)
There is also difference in preference for pet transportation between women and men. Women are more likely to transport with a pet restraint or harness (30% vs 20% men), meanwhile men are most likely to put their pet in the back seat (25% vs 14% women).
Pet safety in the car
There's nothing quite as freeing as seeing a dog with its head out the window enjoying the breeze. But while our pets may love the journey, it's important to make sure they're travelling safely.
More than one-third of dog owners who travel with their pets (36%) have experienced some form of pet-related distraction or driving risk while on the road. The most commonly reported incidents include:
- Pet’s trying to sit on the driver’s lap - 20%
- Causing the driver to look away from the road - 13%
- Escaping a restraint - 8%
- Blocking the driver’s view – 8%
These distractions can have serious implications for drivers, with 4% of respondents saying their pet has contributed to a collision and 4% reporting a near miss.
The good news? There are simple ways to reduce distractions and help keep everyone, including our furry family members, safe on the road.
Pet owners are legally required to make sure their pets are safe and secure while in transit in a vehicle2 Among survey respondents, those using a carrier or crate reported fewer distractions or incidents, with 79% of respondents reporting no distractions or incidents while using a carrier.
Of all the ways pets are transported in vehicles among the survey respondents, travelling on a driver’s lap was associated with the highest level of distraction and incidents. Nearly one in four (24%) drivers who travel with a pet on their lap said their pet had contributed to a collision compared to 5% for drivers on average. This highlights the importance of properly securing pets during every journey.
Putting pets in the tray of a ute may feel like the simplest option, but there are a number of risks associated with transporting animals this way, including exposure to the elements, injury and the possibility of falling from the vehicle.2
The age-old question...
Cats versus dogs. It's one of the great debates that has stood the test of time. Who comes out on top?
While cat lovers may disagree, our survey data suggests dogs remain Australia's most popular pet, with 73% of pet-owning households having a dog compared with 42% that own a cat.
Those living in Western Australia are the most likely to be pet-free, with half (51%) saying they don't own any pets.
Meanwhile, Queenslanders are the most likely to own only dogs (60%), while South Australia appears to be Australia's true "cat state", with 42% of pet owners owning cats but not dogs.
The age old saying “man’s best friend” seems to also hold true, with men slightly more likely to own a dog (54% vs 52% women). On the other hand, cats are more likely to be owned by women (26% vs 19%).
One paw at a time
Whether they're digging up the backyard, covering your back seat in fur, or claiming the couch as their own, our pets have a unique way of making themselves at home.
Pet ownership may come with the occasional repair bill, extra cleaning costs and a few unexpected surprises, but for most Australians, the companionship, loyalty and laughter our pets bring make it all worthwhile.
After all, life might be a little tidier without them, but it certainly wouldn't be as much fun.
Explore the data
1 Source – Animal Medicines Australia Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people
2 Source – RSPCA Travelling with pets: Do you know the law
*Disclaimer: Data for the Pets at Home & in Cars study was sourced from a survey conducted by Ideally on the 7th August 2026, involving 1,071 individuals aged 18 years old and above, from all states and territories within Australia. Some percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Survey results have not been independently verified by Youi and may not be representative of the general population. Youi makes no representation or warranty of any kind of the accuracy, adequacy, reliability, or completeness of the data and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind suffered as a result of the use of or reliance on the data. Individual experiences may vary.
References to pet-related damage or incidents in this article are provided for general information only and should not be taken as an indication of coverage under an insurance policy. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits outlined in the relevant PDS.
