20 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.
Pets can enrich our lives by providing companionship, giving us a reason to get out of the house, and even improving our mental well-being. They are popular in countries around the world, with the UK having one of the largest populations of pets per capita of any country. Dogs and cats are the most popular species of pets, but small animals like hamsters and guinea pigs have grown in popularity because they are lower maintenance and cost less.
As popular as pets are, they do still come at a cost, both in terms of time spent caring for them and money needed to ensure their good health and welfare. Food and vet bills are usually the highest costs associated with keeping pets, although costs do vary according to the species and breed of animal.
Below, we look at 20 statistics related to pet ownership in the UK including total populations.
The 20 UK Pet Ownership Statistics
- More than half of UK adults have at least one pet.
- Pet dog and cat populations decreased by 6% in 2023.
- Brits spend over £4 billion a year on pet food alone.
- The UK veterinary industry is worth £2 billion.
- 4.3 million pets in the UK have pet insurance.
- UK pet insurance companies pay out approximately a billion pounds a year.
- Only 29% of owners thought about the cost of owning a pet when getting one.
- There are 13.5 million pet dogs in the UK.
- Just 24% of dog owners have more than one dog.
- The Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel are the most popular breeds.
- It costs approximately £2,000 a year to care for a dog.
- 12.5 million pet cats live in UK households.
- 39% of cat owners own more than one cat.
- The British Shorthair, Ragdoll, and Siberian are the most popular cat breeds.
- Keeping a cat costs £1,500 a year, on average.
- 30% of cat owners say they love cats more than people.
- 1.5 million cats are not microchipped, despite it now being a legal requirement.
- Small animal population numbers rose 50% in 2023.
- More than one in five households keep indoor fish tanks.
- It costs around £8,000 to keep two rabbits, over their lifetimes.
Pet Owners And Population
1. More than half of UK adults have at least one pet.
(PDSA)
The UK really is a nation of pet lovers, and in 2024, 51% of adults living in the country have at least one pet. This includes pets of all types from cats and dogs, which are the most popular species of pet animals in the country and the rest of the world, to exotic pets.
Exotic pets are those that are not found in the wild in the country with lizards, snakes, and turtles among the most popular.
2. Pet dog and cat populations decreased by 6% in 2023.
(Veterinary Practice 1)
Dogs and cats are the most popular pet types. Dog people cite the loyalty and attention of the species as good reasons for keeping them, while cat people point to the fact that feline companions are not as demanding and more independent.
There was a substantial increase in the size of cat and dog populations in 2020 and 2021, but the populations dropped by 6% in 2023, especially as people went back to work in offices and the cost of living crisis hit hard.
3. Brits spend over £4 billion a year on pet food alone.
(UK Pet Food)
There are a lot of costs associated with keeping pets. The cost of purchasing or adopting the animal is one of the lowest associated costs, with food typically being one of the most expensive. Last year, Brits spent more than £4 billion on pet food. This figure does include pet treats, but the pet food market is obviously massive.
4. The UK veterinary industry is worth £2 billion.
(The Guardian)
Although pet food does represent a significant cost when owning pets, owners typically budget for this because we all know our pets need feeding. Another big cost associated with owning pets is that of vet bills.
Vet bills can be more difficult to budget for because we cannot legislate for unexpected illnesses and injuries caused by accidents. The vet industry in the UK is worth approximately half that of the pet food industry, but still costs pet owners £2 billion a year.
5. 4.3 million pets in the UK have pet insurance.
(Insurance Business)
One way we can legislate for some vet costs is through pet insurance. Pet insurance does not cover costs like vaccinations or neutering, but it does cover the cost of vet appointments, tests, treatment, and even prescriptions when a pet suffers an unexpected illness or is involved in an accident.
Approximately 4.3 million of the country’s pets are covered by pet insurance.
6. UK pet insurance companies pay out approximately £1 billion a year.
(ABI)
One of the reasons that a lot of pet owners do not take out pet insurance is because they don’t believe it offers value. UK insurers pay out approximately £1 billion a year in insurance claims.
Considering 4.3 million pets are insured, this means that the average pet owner receives £232 a year, which is less than the average pet insurance policy, suggesting critics are correct, but a policy ensures that if a pet needs thousands of pounds of treatment, owners can have the most appropriate treatment without having to worry about costs.
7. Only 29% of owners thought about the cost of owning a pet when getting one.
(Veterinary Practice 1)
Potential owners should think carefully about whether they can adequately provide for a pet. As well as providing somewhere safe to live, a pet needs time and enrichment, and there are somewhat substantial costs involved in keeping most animals.
Despite this, more than a quarter of pet owners say they did not think about the cost when taking a new pet on.
Dogs in the UK
8. There are 13.5 million pet dogs in the UK.
(UK Pet Food 2)
By most figures, dogs are the most popular pet in the UK, as is true of most countries around the world.
The UK has a pooch population of 13.5 million, which means there are approximately 1 million more pet dogs than pet cats across the country, although some other figures do dispute this and put the total population of cats above that of dogs.
9. Just 24% of dog owners have more than one dog.
(PDSA)
Although there are some good reasons to keep two or more dogs, most dog owners prefer to only keep one dog at a time. Less than a quarter of all dog parents in the UK have more than one dog in their house.
10. The Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel are the most popular breeds.
(Horse and Hound)
The Labrador Retriever has long been the most popular dog breed in the UK. It is considered a good breed for first-time owners, is responsive, and intelligent, as well as playful and loyal.
The French Bulldog has surged in popularity and its size means it is suitable for owners living in flats as well as houses. The Cocker Spaniel’s playful and sweet nature makes it the third most popular dog breed.
11. It costs approximately £2,000 a year to care for a dog.
(Battersea 1)
Although costs vary from one dog to another, and even from one year to the next, the average cost of keeping and caring for a dog is £2,000 per year. This includes the cost of food as well as veterinary care and other associated costs.
While food costs tend to stay constant, each year, vet costs will vary according to your dog’s health and whether it needs neutering.
Cats in the UK
12. 12.5 million pet cats live in UK households.
(UK Pet Food 2)
There are 12.5 million cats in the UK. Owners appreciate cats because, although many enjoy spending time relaxing on their owners’ laps, they are also considered lower maintenance and less hassle than dogs, especially because they don’t need daily walks.
13. 39% of cat owners own more than one cat.
(PDSA)
While dog owners are reluctant to keep more than one dog at a time, the same is not true of cat owners. Nearly 4 in 10 cat owners keep more than one cat as part of their family.
14. The British Shorthair, Ragdoll, and Siberian are the most popular cat breeds.
(Scotsman)
The most popular breeds of dogs and cats are not pedigree, but are mutts and moggies, respectively. However, the most common breeds other than mixed-breed cats are the British Shorthair, Ragdoll, and Siberian, all of which are considered loving and affectionate cat breeds.
15. Keeping a cat costs £1,500 a year, on average.
(Battersea 2)
Another reason that some people choose cats over dogs, as pets, is because they are seen as being less expensive.
While it is true that cats have lower health and welfare costs than dogs, the difference isn’t as big as a lot of people think, with the average cat owner paying just £500 a year less, or £1,500 a year, to keep their cat.
16. 30% of cat owners say they love cats more than people.
(Veterinary Practice 2)
Cat owners certainly do love their cats, and not only do they consider them part of the family, but nearly a third of owners, or 30%, said they love cats more than they love people.
17. 1.5 million cats are not microchipped, despite it now being a legal requirement.
(Veterinary Practice 2)
Since June 2024, UK law has dictated that all cats must be microchipped by the time they reach 20 weeks of age. Microchipping helps ensure a greater chance of lost cats being returned to their owners, and sooner, putting less pressure on rescues and shelters. Despite the law being introduced in June, just a couple of months before the introduction, 1.5 million cats had yet to be microchipped.
Other Pets in the UK
18. Small animal population numbers rose 50% in 2023.
(Veterinary Practice 1)
While dog and cat populations dropped significantly in 2023, small animal populations increased by even greater numbers with 50% more pets like hamsters and mice in 2023 than there were in 2022.
Small animals make good pets in flats and small accommodations, and while they do need regular feeding and cleaning, they require less care than dogs and cats.
19. More than one in five households keep indoor fish tanks.
(UK Pet Food 2)
Indoor fish also take less care than dogs and cats. Tanks need partial cleans every week and full cleans every few weeks, and the fish do need feeding every day, but fish tanks are popular because of their aesthetic appeal, and fish can be fascinating to watch as they go about their business.
Approximately 20% of UK households keep indoor fish tanks, making them very popular additions to homes.
20. It costs around £8,000 to keep two rabbits, over their lifetimes.
(PDSA)
Rabbits are seen as being low-maintenance pets that are easy to care for and that cost a lot less than keeping bigger pets. While this is true, to some extent, they do require regular socialisation and they cost more to keep than a lot of people expect.
These sociable animals benefit from being kept in pairs, and it costs approximately £8,000 to keep two rabbits, throughout their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do pets have to be microchipped?
It has been a legal requirement to have pet dogs microchipped since 2016, and a similar law was introduced for pet cats in the UK in June 2024. Owners can be fined hundreds of pounds if they are found to have pets that have not been chipped. Dogs must be chipped before they are 8 weeks old, which means that breeders need to ensure their dogs have a microchip before they go to their new owners.
Cats only need to be microchipped by the time they reach 20 weeks of age, and most owners opt to have the chip inserted when they get their cat neutered.
Should you get insurance for your pet?
Pet insurance is not a legal requirement for dogs or cats, but it can cover the costs associated with a pet developing an unexpected illness or being involved in an accident. Treatment costs can amount to thousands of pounds, and without insurance, the owner is liable for all of these costs.
It is also worth noting that insurance premiums for previously uninsured pets get increasingly higher as a pet ages, and once a dog or cat has been diagnosed with an illness, it is unlikely that this will be covered by new policies.
Is there a limit to how many pets a person can own?
Generally, there are no set limits to how many pets a person can own, but animal welfare laws in the UK dictate that an owner must provide reasonable care for their pets.
If, following investigation, it is determined that this care has not been provided, pets may be removed from the owner and fines may also be administered.
Conclusion
The UK is a nation of pet lovers with populations of 13.5 and 12.5 million dogs and cats respectively. The number of small animals kept as pets in the country has also risen dramatically, with the population increasing by 50% last year, compared to the year before.
Related Reads:
- Which Country Has the Highest Percentage of Pet Ownership
- Incredible Australian Pet Ownership Statistics and Facts
Featured Image Credit: Melinda Nagy, Shutterstock
