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.

According to an online survey conducted in 2024, it was estimated that 13.5 million dogs and 12.5 million cats were living in UK homes in that year. In addition, the pet population in the United Kingdom also included around 1.3 million indoor birds and 1 million rabbits. Expenditure on pets in the UK In 2021, consumers spent over 9.6 billion British pounds on pets and related products in the United Kingdom, almost double the pet expenditure levels ten years prior, when pet owners in the UK spent a total of 5.13 billion British pounds in 2011. Since dogs and cats were the most common pet animals in UK homes, dog food and cat food were also the most valuable segment in the pet market in the UK. For instance, the UK dry dog food market was valued at 576 million British pounds. Pets at Home Pets at Home is a British pet supplies retailer operating more than 452 stores in the United Kingdom. It is one of the leading pet retailers in Europe, with an annual turnover of 948 million euros in 2019. Pets at Home revenue amounted to more than 1.14 billion British pounds in 2021. Over the last decade, the British pet retailer witnessed its revenues increase every year from a figure of approximately 517 million British pounds generated in 2011.

According to a 2024 survey, dogs were the most commonly owned pet in UK households. The share of households reporting dog ownership stood at 36 percent. The second most common house pet among UK households were cats, with around 26 percent of respondents stating their ownership. Pet ownership in the UK In the past year, pet ownership levels in the UK decreased by five percent when compared to 2022. This decrease could be explained by the change in owner's routines since pandemic restrictions have lifted. The share of UK households owning a dog or cat also decreased in comparison to previous years. Happiness, companionship, and man’s best friend A 2020 survey asked dog owners to state their reasons for owning a dog and all linked their ownership to either improving their happiness and/or providing companionship. Happiness was the most common response, with 51 percent stating ‘because they make me happy’. Whereas 47 percent stated their dogs provided ‘love/affection’ and 35 percent stated their dogs provided ‘companionship’. It seems the old saying “man’s best friend” still holds true to this day.

This statistic shows a ranking of the leading pets owned by households in the United Kingdom (UK) between 2016 and 2019, broken down by region. In London, 14 percent of people were cat owners, while 9 percent owned a dog, making this the only region were cats were more popular than dogs.

In total, 45 percent of the UK population own a pet . This figure has increased by five percent since 2016. Over 90 percent of pet owners in the UK say that owning a pet makes them feel happy and 88 percent feel that pet ownership improves their overall quality of life.

With such as high ownership of pets in the United Kingdom, this leads the path for retailers in a growing and dynamic market. Pet food has a key role to play, with dog and cat food alone estimated at 2.5 billion British pounds in 2017.

The population of dogs kept as pets in the United Kingdom (UK) was estimated at **** million in 2024, which is an increase of around *** million from the previous year. Dog ownership in the UK As the population of dogs grew in the United Kingdom over the last decade, so did the share of dog-owning households in the UK. Between 2019/20 and 2021/22, the share of UK households owning a pet dog jumped from ** percent to around ** percent. This sudden increase could be attributed to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting government-imposed quarantines that forced people to stay at home. UK households own pet dogs from various breeds. However, Labrador Retrievers were by far the most popular dog breed in the UK, with around ****** registrations in 2020. French Bulldogs were also equally popular with ****** registrations in that year. How much does it cost to own a dog in the UK? Consumer spending on pets and related products went up significantly in the United Kingdom between 2005 and 2020, with expenditure levels peaking at **** billion British pounds in 2020. The annual cost of keeping a pet dog in the UK amounted to an estimated ***** GBP as of 2022. Broken down by expense type, boarding for two weeks cost approximately *** GBP per year and is the costliest part of owning a pet dog, followed by pet insurance estimated at around *** GBP annually.

This statistic shows the estimated population size of all pets in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2009 to 2018. Over the last five years the number of pets in the UK has declined. The pet population peaked in 2013 at 71 million, but as of 2018 is estimated to be around 51 million.

The most popular pet in the United Kingdom is the dog, with 26 percent of people owning one. The least popular pet type is mice with only 00.3 percent of the population owning one.

The United Kingdom is a nation of pet lovers, with 45 percent of the population owning some sort of animal. With such as high percentage of ownership, this means there is a big market for other essentials such as pet food and accessories. In 2017 dog and cat food alone had an estimated market value of 2.5 billion British pounds.

This statistic shows the estimated percentage of households owning cats in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2011 to 2024. According to the most recent pet population survey, it was estimated that ** percent of households in the UK owned at least one cat.

According to the most recent pet population survey in 2024, approximately ** percent of responding households in the United Kingdom (UK) owned at least one dog. Between 2010 and 2020, the percentage of households who own at least one dog remained between ** and ** percent. In 2021, the survey changed its format from face-to-face to online, meaning that data should not be directly compared with previous years. Pet dogs in the United Kingdom A downward trend is also reflected in the number of pet dogs owned in the UK, which was approximately ** million in 2023. This constitutes a decrease of *** million compared to 2022. The majority of British dog owners get their pets from a breeder of one specific breed. Approximately ** percent get their dog from a rescue or rehoming center/shelter based in the UK. Most popular dog breeds in the United Kingdom The most frequently registered dog breeds in the UK are Labrador Retrievers and French Bulldogs. Since 2011, the number of registered French Bulldogs has increased from approximately ***** to over ******. The number of Labrador Retrievers remained relatively stable between 2011 and 2020. Both breeds saw a notable increase in registrations during the pandemic year of 2021. For example, the number of Labrador Retrievers increased from around ****** in 2020 to over ****** in 2021.

According to a survey of UK pet owners carried out in March 2022, around ** percent of dog owners stated that owning a pet made them mentally healthier. Figures were lower for cat and rabbit owners, at around ** and ** percent, respectively.

According to a survey carried out in December 2023 to January 2023, some ** percent of respondents from the United Kingdom stated that owning a pet improves their life. Some ** percent also stated that owning a pet makes them mentally healthier.

This statistic presents the estimated share of households owning at least one cat or one dog in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2023. As of 2023, ** percent of UK households owned a pet dog.

The UK cat population was estimated at 12.5 million in 2024, marking a decrease of around one million from the year. 2024 reached the highest recorded figure since the survey began. It is important to note that the survey changed from face-to-face to online in 2021, making it difficult to compare years. Across the UK the share of households owning at least one cat is going strong, if a little behind those who choose the company of canines.  Cats make people happy   Dogs may reign supreme in the nation, but cats are still a popular choice for pets in the UK, and for the sweetest reasons too. It is safe to say that UK cat owners have strong emotional ties with their furry friends, with majority of people viewing cats not just as pets but as reliable sources for love, affection, and happiness.    EU loves cats more than UK   When compared with the rest of the EU, the United Kingdom fares relatively behind in pet ownership. In 2019, the share of UK households with at least one pet cat placed the country in the lower ranks. In contrast, Central European countries such as Romania, Latvia, and Hungary had the highest share of households with cats.

According to a survey carried out in the summer of 2021, almost ** percent of surveyed cat and dog owners in the United Kingdom stated that their pet is best described as a family member. Some *** percent of cat owners and *** percent of dog owners perceived their animals as just a pet.

Owning a dog cost an estimated ***** British pounds a year in the UK as of 2025. Two weeks of boarding was estimated to cost *** British pounds per year, making up the largest share of total dog expenditure. Expenditure on pets The annual expenditure on pets in the UK has generally been increasing since 2005. As of 2021, expenditure exceeded **** billion British pounds, marking an increase of about 175 percent during this time period. Consumers between 30 and 49 years of age spend the most weekly compared to other age groups, spending an average of *** British pounds per week on pet food and other pet products. Rise in dog registrations in the UK Dog population in the UK surged in 2021. Since 2010, the dog population has been at about *** million, on average. In 2021, however, the population grew by over ** percent, reaching about ** million dogs. The top dog breeds in the UK are Labrador Retrievers, French Bulldogs, and Cocker Spaniels according to dog registrations that year.

This statistic shows the results from a 2018 survey in which dog and cat owners in the United Kingdom (UK) were asked for reasons for giving up pets. Of the pet owners surveyed, ** percent have given up a pet or know someone who has. The chart shows that *** percent of respondents stated being unable to care for the pet anymore as a reason for owners' giving up pets. A further ***** percent said they pets are given up due a change in home, as well as for poor behavior.

This survey displays a proportion of what the UK public think about pet ownership and analyses their thoughts and opinions. The survey was taken in the United Kingdom in 2015. Overall 95 percent of pet owners believe owning a pet provides invaluable companionship.

This statistic shows the percentage of pet owners agreeing with various statements regarding choosing a pet and pet ownership in the United Kingdom, according to a survey conducted in 2014. Of pet owners surveyed, 86 percent believed online sales of pets should be regulated.

This statistic shows the results from a 2018 survey in which dog and cat owners in the United Kingdom (UK) were asked what positive influences pets have on lifestyle. The chart shows that ** percent of the participants believe that pets make you feel happier, while only ** percent said pets make you feel needed.

According to a survey carried out in the summer of 2021, ********* of respondents in the United Kingdom stated that money is no object when it comes to their pet. Some **** percent shared that they are budget-conscious.

This survey shows the proportion of dog owners taking healthcare measures to protect their dogs health in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2024, by key measures. Among respondents, 91 percent had registered their dog with a vet.