With over half of UK adults now proud pet parents, Britain's affection for our animal companions has blossomed into an £8.2 billion powerhouse of wagging tails, purring contentment, and everything in between.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 62% of UK adults owned a pet, equating to approximately 33 million pet-owning adults out of 53 million total adults
- Dog ownership reached 13 million dogs in UK households in 2023, a 2% increase from 2022
- Cat numbers stood at 12 million in 2023, representing 29% of all UK pets
- The UK pet industry market was valued at £8.2 billion in 2023, up 7% from 2022
- Pet food sector alone worth £3.4 billion in retail sales 2023
- Overall pet care market projected to reach £9.5 billion by 2027, CAGR 4.2%
- Total consumer spending on pets reached £9 billion in 2023, average £500 per household
- Average annual spend on dog food per owner £650 in 2023
- Cat owners spent average £480 yearly on food and litter 2023
- Pet food segment dominated with £3.25 billion in 2023 sales, 40% market share
- Wet pet food sales £1.4 billion, 25% growth in premium pouches 2023
- Dry kibble remained 55% of dog food volume, £1.2 billion 2023
- 75% of owners humanise pets with clothing and accessories in 2023 surveys
- Plant-based pet foods grew 40% to 15% market penetration 2023
- Senior pet care products up 22% sales for ageing population 2023
Britain's booming pet industry reflects a nation increasingly treating pets as cherished family members.
Emerging Trends
- 75% of owners humanise pets with clothing and accessories in 2023 surveys
- Plant-based pet foods grew 40% to 15% market penetration 2023
- Senior pet care products up 22% sales for ageing population 2023
- Subscription services for food delivery 25% of online sales 2023
- Mental health benefits cited by 80% owners post-pandemic 2023
- Exotic pets ownership up 20%, regulations tightening 2023
- GPS trackers sales tripled to 2 million units 2023
- Zero-waste packaging adopted by 35% brands 2023
- Tele-vet consultations 1.5 million sessions, 30% growth 2023
- CBD pet products £25 million legal market 2023
- Adoption over purchase 55% new pets 2023 shelters
- Gender-neutral pet names trend 40% rise 2023
- Home-cooked pet meals kits £40 million DIY trend 2023
- AI health monitoring devices 500,000 units sold 2023
- Vegan owners 20% more likely to choose sustainable brands 2023
- Micro-pet communities online 10 million members 2023
- Rent-friendly pet housing demand up 15% 2023
- Pet-inclusive workplaces 12% companies policy 2023
- Obesity management foods 18% sales growth 2023
- Influencer pet marketing £50 million spend 2023
- Composting pet waste products emerging £10 million 2023
- Virtual pet fitness apps 1 million downloads 2023
- Heritage breed revivals 10% dog registrations 2023
- Pet bereavement services £20 million counselling 2023
- Edible pet landscapes garden kits rising 2023
Emerging Trends Interpretation
In 2023, the British pet industry revealed itself to be a deeply human paradox, dressing our dogs in jumpers while fretting over their carbon pawprints, monitoring their every move with GPS as we grant them the dignity of a gender-neutral name, and seeking tele-vet advice for our ageing companions whose plant-based dinners arrive by subscription in zero-waste packaging, all in a collective, tech-enabled quest for cuddles and emotional stability.
Expenditure Patterns
- Total consumer spending on pets reached £9 billion in 2023, average £500 per household
- Average annual spend on dog food per owner £650 in 2023
- Cat owners spent average £480 yearly on food and litter 2023
- 45% of owners increased pet spending by 10%+ in 2023 inflation
- Veterinary bills averaged £350 per pet visit, total £1.5 billion yearly 2023
- Pet insurance average premium £250 annually for dogs in 2023
- 32% of spending on premium brands, average £120 more per month 2023
- Online purchases accounted for 35% of total spend, £2.8 billion 2023
- Treats and snacks spending £450 million, average £25 monthly per pet 2023
- Grooming services average £50 per session, 60 million sessions yearly 2023
- Toys expenditure £300 million total, £15 average monthly 2023
- Boarding costs averaged £30/night for dogs, £1 billion total 2023
- Microchipping and ID tags £20 million spend in 2023 compliance rush
- 28% of owners spent over £1,000 annually on single pet 2023
- Litter products £250 million yearly, average £40/month for cat owners 2023
- Training aids and classes £150 million, rising with new owners 2023
- Apparel and accessories £400 million, 12% growth 2023
- Emergency vet care averaged £800 per incident, 2 million cases 2023
- Subscription boxes for pets £100 million revenue 2023
- Health supplements spending £200 million, 20% YoY increase 2023
- Walking services £120/session average, 50 million walks booked 2023
- 55% of spending via credit/debit, 15% buy now pay later 2023
- Food constitutes 42% of total spend, £3.8 billion 2023
- Over-55s spent 18% more on pet healthcare 2023
- Impulse buys at checkout £80 million yearly in supermarkets 2023
- Custom pet portraits and gifts £50 million niche spend 2023
- Travel crates and carriers £90 million sales 2023
- Dental care products £70 million, awareness campaign boost 2023
Expenditure Patterns Interpretation
The British pet, having long since swapped the role of household rodent-catcher for that of a furry, four-legged member of the family whose food budget rivals a small car payment, is now the unwitting but beloved centrepiece of a £9 billion economy where even their emergency vet visit costs more than your last flight to Spain.
Market Value and Growth
- The UK pet industry market was valued at £8.2 billion in 2023, up 7% from 2022
- Pet food sector alone worth £3.4 billion in retail sales 2023
- Overall pet care market projected to reach £9.5 billion by 2027, CAGR 4.2%
- Online pet product sales grew 12% to £1.8 billion in 2023
- Veterinary services market hit £2.1 billion in 2023, 8% YoY growth
- Pet accessories and toys segment valued at £1.2 billion in 2023 sales
- Grooming and boarding services reached £900 million in 2023
- Pet insurance premiums totalled £1.3 billion paid out in claims 2023
- Total pet retail market expanded 6.5% in volume terms 2023
- Premium pet food segment grew 15% to £1.1 billion in 2023
- Independent pet stores captured 28% market share worth £1.6 billion 2023
- Supermarket pet product sales £2.5 billion, 45% of total retail 2023
- Pet tech products market emerged at £250 million in 2023 sales
- Overall industry CAGR 5.8% from 2018-2023
- Export of UK pet products reached £450 million in 2023
- Pet sitting and walking services valued at £650 million, 10% growth 2023
- Sustainable pet products sub-market £400 million in 2023
- Online-only pet retailers sales up 18% to £900 million 2023
- Vet clinic numbers increased to 5,800 sites, revenue £2.3 billion 2023
- Pet pharmacy sales £550 million, direct-to-consumer growth 2023
- Total market forecast to £10.2 billion by 2028
- DIY pet grooming market £120 million in products sold 2023
- Pet apparel segment £180 million, 9% YoY increase 2023
- Boarding kennels/catteries revenue £350 million post-pandemic 2023
- UK pet industry employed 200,000 people directly in 2023
- Franchise pet stores grew market share to 15%, £850 million 2023
- Organic pet food sales doubled to £250 million since 2020 in 2023
Market Value and Growth Interpretation
The UK pet industry is now a nearly £10 billion testament to the fact that while we may occasionally tire of our relatives, we will apparently spare no expense in ensuring our dogs have organic dinners, bespoke wardrobes, and their own high-tech wellness subscriptions.
Pet Ownership
- In 2023, 62% of UK adults owned a pet, equating to approximately 33 million pet-owning adults out of 53 million total adults
- Dog ownership reached 13 million dogs in UK households in 2023, a 2% increase from 2022
- Cat numbers stood at 12 million in 2023, representing 29% of all UK pets
- 3.2 million small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs were owned in 2023, up 8% year-on-year
- Bird ownership totaled 3 million in 2023, stable from previous year
- Reptile ownership grew to 2.1 million in 2023, a 15% rise since 2020
- Fish ownership was 4.6 million fish in 4 million tanks/aquariums in 2023
- Horse ownership numbered 1.3 million in 2023, primarily for leisure
- 57% of UK households had at least one pet in 2023, totaling 16.5 million households
- Multi-pet households accounted for 24% of all pet-owning homes in 2023
- London had the highest pet ownership rate at 65% of households in 2023 urban survey
- Northern Ireland saw 68% household pet ownership, highest in UK regions in 2023
- 40% of UK pet owners acquired their pet during the COVID-19 pandemic period 2020-2022
- Millennial pet ownership rate was 70% among 25-34 year olds in 2023
- 28% of UK households own dogs exclusively in 2023 data
- Indoor cats numbered 10.5 million versus 1.5 million outdoor-only in 2023
- 15% increase in exotic pet ownership like axolotls since 2019, reaching 500,000 in 2023
- 72% of pet owners consider their pet a family member in 2023 survey
- Rural UK households pet ownership at 75% vs 55% urban in 2023
- 9 million dogs were microchipped in compliance with 2024 law mandate by end 2023
- Ferret ownership at 1.1 million, popular small mammal in 2023
- 35% of single-person households own pets, highest demographic in 2023
- UK pet population totalled 66 million pets in 2023 across all species
- Chicken ownership for pets/eggs reached 800,000 birds in backyard setups 2023
- 22% of households with children under 18 own pets in 2023
- Elderly over 65 pet ownership at 45%, often companion dogs/cats 2023
- Vegan pet owners rose to 12% of total owners, preferring plant-based foods 2023
- 18 million cats and dogs insured in UK by 2023 end
- Rat ownership as pets hit 450,000 in 2023 hobbyist community
- UK pet ownership density highest in Scotland at 1.4 pets per household 2023
Pet Ownership Interpretation
In a nation where pets are increasingly considered family, nearly two-thirds of UK adults have welcomed a furry, scaly, or feathered overlord into their home, with dogs narrowly edging out cats in a tight race for Britain's top companion, while a quiet but significant boom in reptiles, small animals, and pandemic-era acquisitions suggests our collective need for a non-human confidant is both deeply serious and wonderfully expanding.
Sector Breakdown
- Pet food segment dominated with £3.25 billion in 2023 sales, 40% market share
- Wet pet food sales £1.4 billion, 25% growth in premium pouches 2023
- Dry kibble remained 55% of dog food volume, £1.2 billion 2023
- Cat litter market £280 million, clumping clay 60% share 2023
- Dog accessories like collars/leashes £350 million, leather premium rise 2023
- Aquarium supplies £220 million, LED lighting up 30% 2023
- Bird seed and cages £150 million sector 2023
- Reptile habitats and heating £80 million, vivarium sales boom 2023
- Veterinary pharmaceuticals £600 million, flea/tick top category 2023
- Pet treats rawhide alternatives £120 million shift 2023
- Grooming tools and shampoos £160 million, natural products 40% 2023
- Toys durable rubber £90 million for dogs 2023
- Beds and bedding £250 million, orthopaedic up 25% 2023
- Small animal hay and bedding £70 million 2023
- Horse feed and tack £450 million equestrian sector 2023
- Fish food pellets £110 million, tropical species dominant 2023
- Training treats and clickers £45 million behaviour segment 2023
- Apparel raincoats and coats £65 million weather-proof 2023
- Supplements joint care £110 million ageing pet focus 2023
- Cleaning products enzymatic £55 million stain removers 2023
- Carriers and strollers £40 million travel aids 2023
- Dental chews £85 million oral health 2023
- Crates and pens £130 million containment 2023
- Raw food diets £320 million fresh pet food 2023
- Tech feeders and cams £75 million smart devices 2023
- Sustainable toys recycled £30 million eco-segment 2023
Sector Breakdown Interpretation
Even in an industry fuelled by love, the numbers coldly reveal our priorities: we spend the most money on what goes into them (£3.25bn on food), a concerning amount on what comes out of them (£280m on cat litter), and a hopeful fortune on everything in between—from orthopaedic beds for their ageing joints to little raincoats for their rainy walks.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PFMApfma.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 2STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 3ZOOPLUSzooplus.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 4MINTELmintel.comVisit source
- Reference 5EXOTICPETVETexoticpetvet.comVisit source
- Reference 6IPETipet.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 7RSPCArspca.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 8GOVgov.ukVisit source
- Reference 9POULTRYWORLDpoultryworld.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 10ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 11AGEUKageuk.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 12VEGANPETFOODSveganpetfoods.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 13ABIabi.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 14NARPSUKnarpsuk.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 15SCOTTISHPFMAscottishpfma.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 16KANTARkantar.comVisit source
- Reference 17IMRGimrg.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 18LAFLINlaflin.comVisit source
- Reference 19UKPETGROOMERSukpetgroomers.comVisit source
- Reference 20NIELSENIQnielseniq.comVisit source
- Reference 21BPHAbpha.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 22GROCERYGAZETTEgrocerygazette.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 23IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 24NARPSUKnarpsuk.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 25ETHICALCONSUMERethicalconsumer.orgVisit source
- Reference 26WHICHwhich.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 27RCVSrcvs.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 28VETPHARMAJOURNALvetpharmajournal.comVisit source
- Reference 29KEYNOTEMARKETRESEARCHkeynotemarketresearch.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 30PETSITpetsit.comVisit source
- Reference 31FRANCHISEUKfranchiseuk.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 32SOILASSOCIATIONsoilassociation.orgVisit source
- Reference 33YOUGOVyougov.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 34PDSApDSA.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 35MONEYmoney.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 36GROOMERS-ONLINEgroomers-online.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 37TOYINDUSTRYtoyindustry.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 38KENNELS-CATTERYkennels-cattery.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 39CHIPMYPETchipmypet.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 40BARCLAYSbarclays.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 41LITTERUKlitteruk.comVisit source
- Reference 42APDTapdt.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 43PETFASHIONWEEKpetfashionweek.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 44BLUECROSSbluecross.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 45SUBBOXsubbox.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 46NUTRAINGREDIENTSnutraingredients.comVisit source
- Reference 47BORROWMYDOGGYborrowmydoggy.comVisit source
- Reference 48CLEARPAYclearpay.comVisit source
- Reference 49TESCOtesco.comVisit source
- Reference 50ETSYetsy.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 51PETTRAVELpettravel.comVisit source
- Reference 52WSAVAwsava.orgVisit source
- Reference 53LITTERREPORTlitterreport.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 54PETACCESSORIESUKpetaccessoriesuk.comVisit source
- Reference 55AQUATICSaquatics.gb.comVisit source
- Reference 56BIRDCAREbirdcare.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 57REPTILECENTREreptilecentre.comVisit source
- Reference 58VMDvmd.defra.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 59GROOMTRADEgroomtrade.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 60TOYSAFEtoysafe.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 61PETBEDSpetbeds.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 62SMALLPETSRUSsmallpetsrus.comVisit source
- Reference 63BHSbhs.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 64FISHKEEPERSfishkeepers.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 65BATTERSEAbattersea.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 66DOGCOATCOMPANYdogcoatcompany.comVisit source
- Reference 67JOINTCAREPETSjointcarepets.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 68PETCLEANERSUKpetcleanersuk.comVisit source
- Reference 69PETSTROLLERSpetstrollers.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 70VOHCvohc.orgVisit source
- Reference 71CRATEANDKENNELcrateandkennel.comVisit source
- Reference 72RAWFEDrawfed.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 73PET-TECH-HUBpet-tech-hub.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 74GREENPETSHOPgreenpetshop.comVisit source
- Reference 75PLANTPETFOODplantpetfood.orgVisit source
- Reference 76GREYHOUNDTRUSTgreyhoundtrust.orgVisit source
- Reference 77LICKERBOXlickerbox.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 78DEFRAdefra.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 79TRACTIVEtractive.comVisit source
- Reference 80WRAPwrap.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 81VETSTREAMvetstream.comVisit source
- Reference 82CBD-UKcbd-uk.comVisit source
- Reference 83DOGS-TRUSTdogs-trust.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 84PETNAMESpetnames.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 85BALANCEITbalanceit.comVisit source
- Reference 86FITBARKfitbark.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 87VEGAN SOCIETYvegan society.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 88INSTAGRAMinstagram.comVisit source
- Reference 89RIGHTMOVErightmove.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 90PETSATWORKpetsatwork.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 91INFLUENCERMARKETINGHUBinfluencermarketinghub.comVisit source
- Reference 92PETPOOpetpoo.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 93APPANNIEappannie.comVisit source
- Reference 94THEKENNELCLUBthekennelclub.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 95RHSrhs.org.ukVisit source
