UK Pet Ownership Statistics 2025 Released: What’s Changed?
UK Pet Ownership Statistics 2025 Released: What’s Changed
A clear look at the latest validated figures and what they mean in 2025 — species mix, regional notes, costs and care priorities for UK owners.
Key takeaways
Households with pets
60%
Share of UK households keeping at least one non-aquatic pet (2024).
Dogs
13.5m
Estimated owned dogs (2024).
Cats
12.5m
Estimated owned cats (2024).
Headline numbers
Ownership remains high post-pandemic. Dogs and cats dominate UK households, while fish appear in around one-fifth of homes.
| Metric | Latest validated | 2025 status |
|---|---|---|
| Households with pets | 60% (≈17.2m) | 2025 not published |
| Total dogs | 13.5 million | 2025 not published |
| Total cats | 12.5 million | 2025 not published |
| Fish in households | ~21% of homes | 2025 not published |
Source: UK Pet Food/PFMA 2024 (latest validated release).
Species split (share of pet households)
Percentages are household penetration indicators from 2024 releases where available; minor categories are rounded.
Regional notes
Regional 2025 splits have not been formally published by UK Pet Food. Broadly, suburban and rural regions remain above average for dog ownership; urban areas show stronger cat and fish presence.
| Region (UK) | Pets tilt | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| South East | Dogs ↑ | Detached/semi-detached stock supports larger pets |
| North West | Mixed | Cost pressure influences species choice |
| Scotland | Dogs ↑ | Access to outdoor space favours dogs |
| Wales | Rescue adoptions | Strong role for local rescues |
| London | Cats/Fish ↑ | Flats & renting constraints favour lower-space pets |
Costs & affordability
Food, routine care and insurance remain the largest line items. Check latest insurer and ONS updates for 2025 price changes before budgeting.
Avg. monthly spend (all pets)
Varies by species
Track food inflation and vet fees via ONS.
Pet insurance uptake
Growing
Uptake strongest among dog owners.
Vet visit (12 months)
High for dogs & cats
Preventative care remains a priority.
Welfare & care priorities
- Preventative care: vaccinations, parasite control, dental hygiene.
- Enrichment & behaviour: training and mental stimulation (indoor cats, high-energy breeds).
- Weight management: portion control and regular body condition scoring.
Link to your care guides from here.
FAQs
What’s the most popular pet in the UK?
Dogs remain #1, followed by cats (UK Pet Food 2024: ~13.5m dogs; ~12.5m cats; household penetration ~36% vs ~29%).
Did 2025 add new headline numbers?
Not yet. UK Pet Food paused the 2025 pet population release; the latest validated dataset available is 2024.
Any legal changes for owners?
Yes — from 24 Aug 2024, the Pet Abduction Act created offences for dog and cat abduction.
Sources
- UK Pet Food (PFMA) — UK Pet Population 2024: 60% of households (~17.2m), ~36m pets, ~13.5m dogs, ~12.5m cats; fish in ~21% of homes.
- Pet Abduction Act 2024 — commenced 24 August 2024.
