The share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2018, hovering around an estimated percentage of 47 to 45 percent. However, pet ownership levels peaked to an unprecedented high of 62 percent in 2022, likely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and increased time spent at home. In 2023, this figure shrank to 57 percent.

Pet ownership in the UK With more than half of UK households owning at least one pet in 2021/22, dogs and cats were the most common household pets in that year, with an estimated 13 million dogs and 12 million cats living in homes. As of 2020, the United Kingdom was the second highest-ranking European country in terms of its dog population, preceded only by Germany.

Consumer spending on pets in the UK As the pet population in the United Kingdom increased in size, so did consumer spending on pet food and pet-related products and services. Spending on pets and related products reached almost eight billion British pounds in 2020, a notable increase from a mere 2.9 billion British pounds in 2005. Among the most expensive pet-related expenditures are veterinary and pet services, which constituted almost four billion British pounds in 2020.

This statistic shows the pet ownership in relation to the disposable income per capita in the United States from 2007 to 2012*. In 2007, the disposable income per capita was 32,713 U.S. dollars, while 163 million cats and dogs lived in American households. In 2009, the disposable income decreased to 32,143 U.S. dollars, while the number of pets increased to 171 million.

Since 2012, the share of households in Turkey with at least one dog or cat has fluctuated. According to the most recent report published by the European Pet Food Industry, as of 2023, five percent of Turkish households have at least one pet dog. This share is higher for those who cohabit with cats, at about 14 percent. Nevertheless, compared to other countries in the European Union, this is quite a low ratio. Cats and dogs inside and outside Turkish households This is not to say that Turkish households are not friendly with pets, though. In 2023, the estimated number of pet cats and dogs in Turkish households was over six million, yet Turkey is known for its streets accommodating many stray cats (and dogs), loved and looked after by residents, established as a familiar presence in citizens’ everyday lives. Pet food and pet animal stores in Turkey In Turkey, there are almost 20 thousand retail stores where pet animals and pet food are available for purchase. These stores also include and specialize in the sales of flowers, plants, seeds and fertilizers.

As of 2022, nearly every fourth household in Finland owned at least one pet dog or one cat. Compared to the year 2020, household's dog ownership in Finland remained unchanged while cat ownership slightly decreased.

This statistic shows the household penetration rates for selected types of pets in the United States in 2012. In that year, pets made up a share of 20.7 percent of all owned pets in the United States.

This statistic presents the estimated share of households owning at least one cat or one dog in Bulgaria from 2012 to 2023. As of 2023, 24 percent of households in Bulgaria owned a pet dog.

From 2010 to 2023, the share of Norwegian households which owned a cat remained steady at around one-third. By comparison, over this period, around 17 percent of households owned at least one dog. Cats seemed to be a very popular pet in Norway; the number increased in recent years and peaked in 2021 and 2022 at 783,000 animals.    Pet cats in Sweden In Norway’s neighboring country Sweden, the situation was similar. Since 2012, the share of households owning at least one cat remained between 16 and 21 percent, while 13 to 16 percent of Swedish households owned a dog. In this country, too, cats were more common to have as a pet than dogs. As of 2023, there were around 1.72 million pet cats registered in Sweden. Pet cats in Denmark The population of pet cats in Denmark in 2023 was estimated to be 698,000. Unlike in Norway and Sweden, the share of households owning cats as a pet in this year was much lower than households owning a pet dog. It is striking that the situation was different before. From 2016 to 2019, the share of households owning at least one dog remained stable at around 23 percent, while it was about 27 percent for pet cats.          

This statistic presents the estimated share of households owning at least one cat or one dog in Lithuania from 2010 to 2023. Since 2012, 37 percent of households in Lithuania owned a pet dog, this figure decreased to 34 percent in 2023.

Over the period from 2012 to 2022, the number of cats owned by Finnish households increased by 322 thousand. The pet cat population in Finland was estimated to be approximately 982 thousand in 2022.

This statistic shows the results of a survey among American adults on where they obtained their last dog or cat. The respondents are exclusively adults who have previously owned a cat or dog but not within the past 12 months. 22 percent of previous dog owners and 18 percent of previous cat owners stated they obtained the pet from a shelter or rescue organization.

Dogs are loved pets around the world. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, the number of dogs owned by Finnish households increased by 131 thousand. The pet dog population was estimated to be approximately 781 thousand in Finland in 2022.

Pets in Finland

Not only dogs but also cats are popular pets in Finland. As of 2022, there were over 980 thousand pet cats in Finland. Over the past years, the share of households owing at least one cat or dog in Finland remained at the same level. On the other hand, the number of small mammal pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, or hamsters, owned by Finnish households showed no increase.

Pets in the European Union

Pets are increasing in popularity in the European Union. During the last decade, the number of pet-owning households in the EU has increased at a steady pace. While dogs reached the second rank, cats are the most popular pets in the European Union. As of 2022, it was estimated that there were approximately 77.9 million pet cats and 66.9 million pet dogs in the EU.

Unsurprisingly, dogs and cats are the most popular pet animals among Italians. According to a survey from 2019, 60 percent of Italians pet owners had a dog and 58 percent owned a cat. Other popular pet animals appeared to be fish, turtles, and birds. In terms of absolute value, fishes were the most numerous pets in Italy, followed by birds.

Dog lovers

In a 2018 survey, most Italians declared to prefer dogs as domestic animal. The dog population in Italy was measured at approximately 11.6 million in 2018, which means roughly a dog every 5,2 inhabitant. The regions with the largest number of dogs were the Northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto. Lombardy counted 1.6 million pet dogs, while Veneto had 1.3 million dogs.

Dog and cat food market

As the number of pets owned by Italians increased in the last years, the sales value of dog and cat food also rose. In 2019, the selling of food for dogs and cats had a value of over two billiob euros, showing a steadily increase since 2012. The most valuable pets’ foods was were those for cats. Indeed For example, the sales of wet food products for cats was worth double than that of wet food for dogs.

This statistic shows the results of a survey among American adults who have never owned a pet on whether they would consider getting a dog for a household pet. The respondents are sorted by marital status. 23 percent of married Americans who have never owned a dog before stated they would definitely or probably consider getting a dog in the future.

This statistic shows the results of a survey among American adults who have never owned a pet on whether they would consider getting a cat for a household pet. The respondents are sorted by marital status. 11 percent of married Americans who have never owned a cat before stated they would definitely or probably consider getting a cat in the future.

This statistic shows the population of cats in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2012. Over this period, the number of cats in the UK has increased from 7.9 million in 2007 to 8.8 million in 2012.

This statistic shows the results of a survey regarding approximate monthly spending on pets in Austria in 2012 and 2017. In 2017, 26 percent of respondents spend up to 26-50 euros a month on their pets.

This statistic shows the population of pet dogs in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2012. Between the two years, the number of dogs in the UK has declined slightly to around 8.9 million.

This statistic presents the estimated number of cats owned by households in Bulgaria in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2923. The cat population in Bulgaria was measured at approximately 817,000 in 2023.

In 2012, there were 1,734 pet retail shops in Hungary. The chart shows that the number of shops declined over the time period to 1,460 stores by 2023.

This statistic presents the estimated number of pet dogs in Latvia in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The dog population in Latvia was measured at approximately 270,000 in 2023.