12 million UK households have a pet, says new PFMA report
There are 54 million pets in the UK, reveals The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA). The organisation’s new Pet Data Report found that 33 million fish and 21 million non-aquatic pets are kept throughout the country. Overall, 12 million (44 percent) of UK households have a pet.
The report discovered an increase in the UK’s cat population. The rise of around half a million is credited to the growing interest in cat ownership found among young people and particularly among men.
Michael Bellingham PFMA Chief Executive said: “Pet ownership is a rewarding experience for everyone. It’s wonderful to see that men are realising the huge benefits of pets with an increase in cat ownership in this sector. Our research also showed 38 percent of families with children were considering a small mammal so it’s good news for all pets!
“We have now been conducting our research with TNS since 2008 and have seen many changes in the pet population. We are delighted that in spite of the challenges presented to pet ownership, our population is stable with a four percent increase to 12 million households owning a pet.”
PFMA’s top ten pets for 2017 are:
- 15-20 million fish kept in tanks
- 15-20 million fish kept in ponds
- 8.5 million dogs
- 8 million cats
- 900,000 rabbits
- 700,000 pet birds
- 700,000 reptiles
- 600,000 domestic fowl
- 500,000 guinea pigs
- 300,000 hamsters
This year the Top Ten Pets is published as part of a detailed ‘Pet Data Report’, which includes regional data, pets per household, first pets, pet nutrition research, UK market data and much more. The report can be viewed online: www.pfma.org.uk/statistics.
