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UK Pet Population

UK Pet Food has been commissioning research looking at the UK’s pet population for over 15 years. Our survey is answered by almost 9000 households.  Our objective is to provide our members, the public, media and the wider pet industry with useful statistics.  Annually, we also ask a smaller group, of around 2500 people, questions about acquisition, habits, cost of living and relinquishment.

After years of running face to face surveys, in 2021, due to the Covid Pandemic, the survey moved online.  Due to the change in methodology, it is not possible to compare current data with data sourced prior to 2021. 

 

UK Pet Population 2024

Top 10 Pets

  1. Dogs: There are approximately 13.5 million dogs as pets in the UK, with 36% of households owning a dog.
  2. Cats: There are approximately 12.5 million pet cats in the UK, with 29% of all households having a cat.
  3. Indoor Birds: There are approximately 1.5 million birds kept as indoor pets in the UK, with 3% of households keeping them.
  4. Domestic Fowl: There are approximately 1.3 million domestic fowl as pets in the UK, with 1.6% of households having at least one.
  5. Rabbits: There are approximately 1 million rabbits as household pets in the UK, with 1.6% of households having at least one.
  6. Tortoises & Turtles: There are approximately 700,000 tortoises and turtles being kept as pets in the UK, with 1.6% of households having one.
  7. Horses & Ponies: There are approximately 700,000 horses as pets in the UK and 1.5% of households have one.
  8. Guinea Pigs: There are approximately 700,000 guinea pigs as pets in the UK, with 1.2% of households having at least one.
  9. Hamsters: There are approximately 600,000 hamsters as pets in the UK, with 1.5% of households having a pet lizard.
  10. Snakes There are approximately 600,000 pet snakes in the UK, with 1.3% of households having one.

Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.

Pet Fish Population

  • 21% of households have an indoor fish tank.
  • 13% of households in the UK have an outdoor pond

Note: Kantar / Soulor Consulting online survey with 8,956 respondents, 2024

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