The Hidden Crisis: How Food Insecurity Is Affecting Australian Pet Owners
- humaneanimalrescue
- Dec 14, 2025
- 5 min read
"We had 3 cats and a dog. But we rehomed the dog and the younger cat because they were beginning to become malnourished as we couldn't afford to feed them all."
This heartbreaking confession from an Australian pet owner reveals a growing crisis that's affecting households across the nation. As the cost of living continues to squeeze family budgets, pets—those beloved family members who offer companionship, emotional support, and unconditional love—are increasingly caught in the crossfire.
The Alarming Statistics
Recent research from Foodbank Australia paints a concerning picture of pet food insecurity in the country. Almost a quarter (24%) of food insecure households are skipping meals to ensure their pets are fed. This isn't just about priorities—it's about people making impossible choices between their own wellbeing and that of animals they consider family.
The scale of the problem is staggering:
56% of food insecure households had pets in the prior 12 months, a prevalence that is higher than the national average of 48%
42 per cent of respondents said they had bought cheaper food options for themselves, and 34 per cent had reduced their intake to afford their pet
Just 14% of pet owners in food insecure households reported giving up a pet during the previous 12 months due to financial hardship, though this is still twice the national figure of 7%
Perhaps most concerning is the lack of awareness around available support: only 9 per cent of pet owners from food insecure households are aware that pet food is available as a part of food relief services.
The Broader Context of Food Insecurity
The pet food crisis doesn't exist in isolation. According to Foodbank's 2023 Hunger Report, 3.7 million Australian households experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months. Alarmingly, 60 per cent were employed, and 77 per cent were experiencing food insecurity for the first time.
This represents a fundamental shift in who is struggling—food insecurity is no longer confined to those without employment. Working families are increasingly unable to afford basic necessities, and their pets are bearing the consequences alongside them.
Real Stories from the Front Lines
Pensioner Rob Davies from Mildura knows firsthand the struggles of affording pet food. Over the past few years, the man has dedicated more of his budget towards feeding his two adult Jack Russell fox terriers, Bolt and Rahab, as pet food prices continue to climb.
"I'd cook that up for them until it was pension day," Mr Davies said, describing times when he couldn't afford to buy food for his furry "family" and had to feed them food he had bought for himself.
The financial strain extends beyond just food. Mr Davies said worming and flea treatments also had to be missed if there was not enough money in the bank.
"Some weeks I couldn't buy it, so I'd wait until the next pay and the poor little fellas I could see them, and you know they've got worms," he said.
Other pet owners share similarly difficult experiences:
"I struggled a lot, and I didn't eat some nights, but my dog is my life. I'll do anything for him."
"I had to lie to my daughter and say our frogs and fish died so I could sell the tanks and save on energy costs."
"My cat is my only family... I would love to have some assistance, a lot of the times I go without just so she can have food and vet care."
Every day we have increased demands for our pet food bank services but can’t keep up with enough demand.
Why Pets Matter So Much
Understanding why people make such extreme sacrifices for their pets is crucial to grasping the full scope of this crisis. As Brianna Casey, CEO of Foodbank Australia, explains, pets offer companionship, emotional support, increased social interaction, and a sense of security and purpose—all of which can be otherwise challenging for those doing it tough.
One survey respondent captured this sentiment: "I am single and live alone, they (pets) provide company. I am also neurodivergent with anxiety, so they help keep me calm and make me feel loved. My dog gets me out of the house as I work from home. So, we walk every day, and I am forced to get outside more because of him."
Another shared: "My stepson loves that dog… the pet keeps him focused on the future as he has just recently become a dialysis patient."
Dr Young from the University of South Australia summarizes the situation succinctly: "People are finding it difficult to maintain spending as the cost of living goes up."
The Impossible Choice
Casey said the latest findings made her think about her own dog, whom she adopted several years ago, and its previous family. She believes households struggling with food insecurity likely have difficulty affording their pets.
"Food-insecure households are more likely to be placed in that really difficult position of having to choose between keeping their pets or being able to make the family budget stretch to the most basic of needs like feeding themselves," Casey explained.
The emotional toll of this choice cannot be understated. Surrendering pets is an absolute last resort for food insecure households, with owners making incredible sacrifices to hang onto their animal companions. One respondent's words capture the heartbreak: "I would like to have food/vet assistance for my animal, but it is probably more likely that she should be rehomed into a family that can better afford her needs, in this current economy I simply can't afford the luxury of companionship."
A Call to Awareness
The fact that only 9% of food-insecure pet owners know that pet food assistance is available represents a massive communication gap. As Casey states: "This figure is staggering and shouldn't be happening. We want people to know if they are doing it tough, if they have pets, we can help them and their pets."
Looking Forward
The intersection of food insecurity and pet ownership reveals a compassionate side of Australian society—people who will go without meals themselves rather than see their companions suffer. But it also exposes a troubling reality about the cost of living crisis and its far-reaching impacts.
Pets aren't luxuries to be easily discarded when times get tough. For many Australians, they're family members, mental health supports, and sometimes the only source of companionship. As we work to address food insecurity in our communities, we must remember that the welfare of pets and their owners is inextricably linked.
If you're struggling, remember: asking for help isn't a sign of weakness or bad pet ownership. It's a recognition that caring for our animal companions during difficult times sometimes requires community support. That support exists—you just need to reach out for it.
Support is available:
Written by: Grace Gibson Cain
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