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.
Share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2023*
*Figures are based on estimates. The survey changed from face-to-face to online in 2021, which means 2021 and 2022 data cannot be compared with earlier years but the percentage of households owning pets can be compared between 2022 and 2021 with some caution required as the sample size changed from 5,093 in 2021 to 8,983 in 2022.
Sample sizes vary as follows: n (2019/20) = 8,000; n (2018/19) = 8,000; n (2017/18) = 8,000; n (2016/17) = 8,000; n (2015/16) = 8000; n (2014/15) = 8,353; n (2013/14) = 6,192; n (2012/13) = 4,223; n (2011/12) = 4,205.
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UK Pet Food. (September 22, 2023). Share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2023* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/308235/estimated-pet-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food. "Share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2023*." Chart. September 22, 2023. Statista. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/308235/estimated-pet-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food. (2023). Share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2023*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/308235/estimated-pet-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food. "Share of Households Owning a Pet in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 2012 to 2023*." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/308235/estimated-pet-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food, Share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2023* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/308235/estimated-pet-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/ (last visited October 31, 2024)
Share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2023* [Graph], UK Pet Food, September 22, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/308235/estimated-pet-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/