Every year we work with YouGov to survey a demographically representative sample of UK pet owners. We publish our findings in the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report. As well as being an essential insight into the wellbeing of UK pets, this data also enables us to accurately estimate the UK pet populations.
How many pets are there in the UK?
Our latest findings showed that:
- 49% of UK adults own a pet.
- 25% of the UK adult have a cat with an estimated population of 11.1 million pet cats.
- 24% of the UK adult population have a dog with an estimated population of 8.9 million pet dogs.
- 2% of the UK adult population have a rabbit with an estimated population of 1.0 million pet rabbits.
You can download the latest version (and all previous versions) of the PAW Report here.
Data from our previous PAW Reports
Cat population (millions) |
Dog population (millions) |
Rabbit population (millions) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| PAW Report 2018 | 11.1 | 8.9 | 1 |
| PAW Report 2017 | 10.3 | 9.3 | 1.1 |
| PAW Report 2016 | 11 | 9.4 | 1.5 |
| PAW Report 2015 | 11.1 | 9.3 | 1.2 |
| PAW Report 2014 | 10.5 | 8.1 | 1.3 |
| PAW Report 2013 | 9.5 | 7.8 | 1 |
| PAW Report 2012 | 11.9 | 8.3 | 1.7 |
| PAW Report 2011 | 11.9 | 8.3 | 1.7 |