Dogs and cats lead the pack in Victoria's first pet census

More than 37,000 responses were made to the census which identified an estimated 4.3 million pets across Victoria with 1.4 million households having one or more pets.

Dogs were the most popular pet coming in at 41 per cent - the most favourite breeds being cavoodle, labradoodle, greyhound, border collie and golden retriever.

Cats came in second favourite at 24 per cent with most cat owners getting their feline friend from an animal or rescue shelter.

The data collected showed the diversity in pets found homes in Victorians households, including 83,000 reptiles and amphibians and 43,000 insects and spiders, chosen for their unique appeal and low-maintenance care.

Data also showed that Victorians spent an estimated $6.6 billion in the past year on pet products and services to ensure the wellbeing of their beloved companions.

The census also highlighted the positive impact of pets on the lives of Victorians, with an overwhelming 98 per cent attesting to benefits of pet ownership. Companionship and love were ranked highest at 79 per cent, followed by improved mental health and emotional support at 57 per cent.

According to the Bureau of Statistics 2021 census there are about 2.6 million households in Victoria.