Pet population in the UK 2009-2018

This statistic shows the estimated population size of all pets in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2009 to 2018. Over the last five years the number of pets in the UK has declined. The pet population peaked in 2013 at 71 million, but as of 2018 is estimated to be around 51 million.
The most popular pet in the United Kingdom is the dog, with 26 percent of people owning one. The least popular pet type is mice with only 00.3 percent of the population owning one.

The United Kingdom is a nation of pet lovers, with 45 percent of the population owning some sort of animal. With such as high percentage of ownership, this means there is a big market for other essentials such as pet food and accessories. In 2017 dog and cat food alone had an estimated market value of 2.5 billion British pounds.

Estimated pet population in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2009 to 2018** (in millions)

Characteristic	Population size in millions**
2009	66
2010	65
2011	64
2012	67
2013	71
2014	65
2015	58
2016	57
2017	54
2018	51

Loading statistic...

Download

Source

Show detailed source information?

Already a member?

Sources

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

April 2019

More information

Region

United Kingdom

Survey time period

2007 to 2018

Number of respondents

8000*

Age group

Method of interview

Face-to-face interview

Supplementary notes

* Estimates based on average responses over two years (i.e. for 2018, over 4,000 people were interviewed over last two years, giving an effective sample of over 8,000). Sample sizes varied for each year: n (2017) = over 8,000; n (2016) = over 8,000; n (2015) = 8353; n (2014) = 6,000; n (2013) = 2,000; 2011 and 2012 not given.
** Rounded estimates based on rolling totals over two years.
Publication date unknown. Figures for years prior to 2018 are taken from previous years' 'Pet population' statistics by the source.

Citation formats