18 UK Pet Ownership Statistics & Facts to Know (2024 Update)
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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
The UK is a nation of pet lovers with an estimated 35 million pets shared between its 67 million residents. And, while dogs and cats remain the most popular types of pets, with 13 million and 12 million of each respectively, there is also a huge number of birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, and lizards.
Like most nations, the UK saw an increase in the number of people that bought and owned pets during the Covid lockdown, with owners looking to increase their physical activity while also benefiting from the increased companionship that a pet offers.
Below are the UK pet ownership statistics gathered from various sources. Most figures are estimates because owners do not have to register pets in the UK.
Top 18 UK Pet Ownership Statistics
- The average UK household spends £6.80 per week on pets.
- There are a total of 35 million pets in the UK.
- 59% of households owned a pet in 2021.
- 51% of adults own a pet.
- 26% of adults own a dog.
- The Chow Chow is Britain’s most expensive dog breed, costing over £1,800 for a pedigree puppy.
- The cost of buying a dog increased nearly 60% between 2020 and 2021.
- Mongrel dogs have the lowest insurance premiums, followed by Cockapoos.
- Mixed breed dogs were the most popular breed in 2021.
- 42% of dog owners got a new dog during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- More than half of people with a dog say they bought the pet to make them happy.
- 24% of adults own a cat.
- Burmese cats are the most expensive felines to insure.
- Rabbits are the third most popular indoor pet in the UK, with a total population of 600,000.
- There are an estimated half a million indoor birds in the UK.
- There are 2.7 million indoor fish tanks and 1.3 million outdoor ponds.
- 374,000 UK households own a horse.
- There are estimated to be nearly 850,000 horses in the UK.
Pet Owners
1. The average UK household spends £6.80 per week on pets.
(Statista 1)
The UK has a population of just over 67 million people, sharing approximately 28 million households. The average household spends £6.80 per week on pets, but this does include those households with no pets, meaning that the average pet-owning household spends approximately £16.25 per week on their pets. This figure includes food, toys, and other pet care items, as well as insurance and vet bills.
2. There are a total of 35 million pets in the UK.
(MAG Online Library)
According to a study by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, there are now 35 million pets in the UK. According to their figures, this means that 62% of households now own a pet, which represents a jump from previous years and is indicative of the effect that the pandemic and its associated lockdowns had.
3. 59% of households owned a pet in 2021.
(Statista 2)
In 2021, 59% of households owned at least one pet, but the year before the figure was just 41%. However, because of the pandemic, the information was collected online from 2021 rather than in person, as was the case in 2020 and earlier. While this may account for some of the 18% difference in figures, it still looks likely that many more people purchased or adopted pets from 2021 onward.
4. 51% of adults own a pet.
(PDSA)
The 35 million pets in the UK are owned by 51% of the country’s adult population who have at least one pet. This means that more adults own a pet than don’t.
Dog Statistics
5. 26% of adults own a dog.
(PDSA)
Although it is a close run, dogs remain the most popular pet in the UK. It is estimated that 26%, or slightly more than one in four adults, own at least one dog.
6. The Chow Chow is Britain’s most expensive dog breed, costing over £1,800 for a pedigree puppy.
(4Paws)
The pandemic had a major impact on pets and their owners. As well as seeing owners turning to their pets for exercise and companionship, the increase in demand for dogs also saw their prices rise. The Labrador Retriever, the nation’s and the world’s most popular dog breed, saw its price tag inflate by more than 60%. However, even though a pedigree Lab now costs an average of more than nearly £1,000, this is nothing compared to the £1,812 average price of a Chow Chow. It is the country’s most expensive dog breed. The English Bulldog comes a close second, costing £1,804.
7. The cost of buying a dog increased nearly 60% between 2020 and 2021.
(4Paws)
It wasn’t just the most expensive breeds that saw prices increase with breeds across the board costing more in 2021 than they did in 2020. Factoring in all dogs, including mixed breeds and pedigrees, the average cost of a dog in 2021 was £934.59, which is 60% higher than the £585.50 average dog cost in 2020.
(GoCompare)
When it comes to buying breeds, the Mongrel is the cheapest, and there are plenty of other good reasons to buy or adopt one. They can make exceptional family pets and are not usually as prone to genetic conditions as heavily bred pedigrees. They also have lower insurance premiums than pedigrees, with a small mongrel costing an average of £234.40 for the year. The most expensive breed to insure is the Cane Corso, known for its strong bite power and its somewhat aggressive looks.
9. Mixed breed dogs were the most popular breed in 2021.
(Rover)
Perhaps it is the low cost of the Mongrel or its widespread availability, that also means it continues to be the most popular “breed” of dog. Mixed breeds come in all shapes and sizes and, while some are energetic and fun-loving animals, others prefer to lounge around lazily in the living room. There is a mixed breed for every potential owner.
10. 42% of dog owners got a new dog during the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Rover)
Owners bought a lot of dogs during Covid. In fact, according to figures, 42% of owners said that they got at least one new dog during the Pandemic. Fortunately, hybrid working and remote working have been adopted by a lot of companies and their employees, which means that new owners should still have the time to spend with their new pets.
11. More than half of people with a dog say they bought the pet to make them happy.
(Statista 3)
There are plenty of good reasons to own a dog. Taking them for regular walks is a good way to get exercise and fresh air, while companionship is especially important to a lot of people and has proven especially so during 2020 and 2021. But, just over half of dog owners say that they got their dogs because they make them happy.
Cat Statistics
12. 24% of adults own a cat.
(PDSA)
While dogs are the most popular pets in the UK, cats do run them a close second. While 26% of adults own a dog, 24% of adults own at least one cat. There are, in fact, estimated to be just over 1 million more cats in the country, at least according to GoCompare’s survey, which not only shows their popularity but also indicates that cat owners are more likely to own multiple cats than dog owners to own multiple dogs.
13. Burmese cats are the most expensive felines to insure.
(GoCompare)
As well as their independence, one of the reasons that cats might be so popular is that they typically cost less to own. This is certainly true when it comes to insurance. The Burmese is the most expensive breed of cat to insure, and it costs £531.68 per annum. The Tonkinese is the second most expensive and costs just £389.69. The least expensive is the moggie, or mixed breed, cat and it has an annual insurance premium equivalent to £183.56.
Other Pets
14. Rabbits are the third most popular indoor pet in the UK, with a total population of 600,000.
(Vet Times)
According to another study, dogs are actually more populous than cats, with 9 million dogs compared to 7.5 million cats. In any case, these are by far the two most popular pets in the UK. However, the third most popular, the rabbit, has a population of approximately 600,000.
15. There are an estimated half a million indoor birds in the UK.
(Vet Times)
Indoor birds, which include breeds like parrots and smaller birds like budgies and even finches, number approximately half a million. However, most species of birds do not require registration. There are exceptions, though. The African Grey Parrot, for example, does require a certificate that allows owners to keep one.
16. There are 2.7 million indoor fish tanks and 1.3 million outdoor ponds.
(Vet Times)
Fish are also a popular pet. They require minimal maintenance other than cleaning the tank or pond and regular feeding. They don’t need walking, and the noise of the water and the sight of fish swimming can have a calming influence on their owners. This may account for the fact that there are estimated to be 4 million ponds and tanks in the country, with indoor aquariums outnumbering outdoor ponds at roughly a 3:2 ratio.
17. 374,000 UK households own a horse.
(BETA)
Although some people may not consider them a pet because they rarely share the same house as their owner, horses are pets, and they are very popular pets at that. Nearly 400,000 people in the UK own at least one.
18. There are estimated to be nearly 850,000 horses in the UK.
(BETA)
Horse people especially love their pets. Those 374,000 households from the statistic above own a total of 850,000 horses, which means that the average horse-owning household has just under 2.3 horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Households Own Pets in the UK?
Numbers vary according to sources because there is no pet register or list, but approximately 62,000 households are said to own at least one pet in 2022. As well as cats and dogs, this includes other pets ranging from spiders and snakes to birds and fish.
Can Landlords Say No to Pets?
New guidelines were brought in by the government in 2021 which means landlords using the Model Tenancy Agreement will accept pets by default, so there will be fewer blanket bans on pets. However, there are still exceptions to this, and landlords may still be able to say no to tenants having pets. (UK Government)
Can You Adopt a Dog for Free in the UK?
It is up to individual rescue centres and adoption centres how much they ask for when adopting a pet. Some ask for a recommended adoption fee, which will usually be set to cover the cost of neutering, feeding, and caring for the animal while it was in the shelter. Some shelters do allow responsible owners to adopt dogs for free, but typical costs range up to £250. Dogs Trust, for example, charges £205. (Dogs Trust)
How Much Do Cats Cost in the UK?
The most recent figures we could find suggest that the cost of kittens had risen 40% during the first few months of the Covid pandemic, and the average price of a cat in July 2020 was £329.41. This includes moggies and pedigree cats. (Vet Times 2)
Are Cats Expensive to Keep?
The cost of owning a cat depends on many factors, but Battersea, the well-known cat and dog home, estimates the annual cost of a cat to be £1,500. This equates to £125 per month or £22,500 over the lifetime of a cat that lives to 15 years old. (Battersea)
Conclusion
The UK is a nation of pet lovers with approximately 35 million pets, including everything from gerbils to horses, in the country. Dogs remain the most popular, with cats a close second, but there are millions of homes that own other types of pets, including fish and birds.
See also:
- Which Country Has the Highest Percentage of Pet Ownership
- 16 Incredible Australian Pet Ownership Statistics and Facts
