The pet culture in Austria

Priscilla wrote:

Hey everyone,

Pets are an integral part of a lot of families. So much so that they would never consider moving abroad without them. Before doing so, it would be important to know the pet culture in Austria just to make sure that their little expets feel welcomed in their new homes. Would you give our expats-to-be an insight of what it is like to have a pet in Austria by answering the following questions?

What part do pets play in society in Austria? Are they generally accepted in rentals and public spaces more generally?

Is it common for families to have pets?

What animal is the most often kept as pets? Are there some animals that cannot be kept as pets? Do some animals have specific significations when kept as pets?

How about the infrastructure needed to cater for pets? Can you find everything you need for your pet in terms of pet food, veterinary services, accessories, pet grooming etc...?

Do people generally spend a lot of money on their pets?

Please share your experience,

Priscilla

Hey Priscilla,

As an expat in Vienna with a dog and a cat, maybe I can answer some of these questions. I will pick a couple to which I feel I can contribute most. Mostly relevant to dogs, as my cat is pretty low maintenance.

What part do pets play in society in Austria? Are they generally accepted in rentals and public spaces more generally?

Pets are quite common in Austria. For dogs, there are tons of dog parks around, in every district. Many of them are fenced-in, with others not. On the Donau river, there are zones where dogs can go for a swim. These areas are called: "Hundezone", where the dog is "der Hund".

With regards to rentals, it really depends on the owner. If they just renovated the apartment, they may not want to host a big dog that can scratch up the floors. Little dogs and cats are fine though. Generally speaking, it shouldn't be too hard to find a place that hosts pets.

How about the infrastructure needed to cater for pets? Can you find everything you need for your pet in terms of pet food, veterinary services, accessories, pet grooming etc...?


Definitely! I need not go further than 7-800 meters to get to the vet or the pet shop. Pet food, kitty litter, etc.
is also sold in regular supermarkets.  However, it should be noted that in general, dogs are not allowed inside the stores. There are, nevertheless, some restaurants which allow you to bring your dog.


Do people generally spend a lot of money on their pets?

I would say yes. There is quite a large older population and it's not uncommon to see an older man or woman with a couple of dogs. It also seems to me that the general population is not eager to have huge families and so they can afford a cat or two. Austria is generally not a country of poverty and so I think there is also a great opportunity to cater to animals here, whereas in neighbouring countries it is not the case.


Hope this helps!


Michael