The annual Pet Population Survey from UK Pet Food has revealed that dog ownership in Britain has now reached 15.5 million.
The estimated total, based on a survey of nearly 9,000 representative interviews, indicates that the UK dog population has increased by three million over the last five years, rising from 12.5 million in 2021.
Dog ownership has increased from 33% of households in 2021 to 41% today, with especially strong growth among younger age groups, says the report. Among 25-34 year olds, ownership has risen from 41% to 58%, and from 41% to 53% among 16-24 year olds.
Overall, the UK is home to around 36.5 million pets, with 62% of households – around 18 million homes – owning at least one pet, according to the survey.
Cats remain the second most common pet, with an estimated 13.1 million cats living in UK homes, up from around 12.2 million five years ago. Indoor birds and domestic fowl are the next most common pets, at 1.4 million and 900,000 respectively, followed by horses and ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs and snakes.
London has the highest proportion of dog-owning households (49%), followed by Northern Ireland (48%), with other areas of high incidence including the North East, North West and Scotland. London also has the highest proportion of cat-owning households, with 41% owning a cat.
The survey also provides further evidence that animals are a central part of family life, with more than half of households with children (52%) owning a dog, while 39% own a cat.
Nicole Paley, Deputy CEO of UK Pet Food, said: “We’re seeing younger people increasingly bringing dogs into their lives in a way that feels more integrated than ever before.
“For many, pets are part of how they live day to day, shaping routines, supporting wellbeing and offering companionship in a busy world. From morning walks to dinner dates and office trips, dogs are becoming part of the rhythm of everyday life.”
The UK Pet Food Pet Population Survey is conducted by Kantar on behalf of UK Pet Food. The 2026 survey is based on 8,951 online interviews with UK adults conducted in January 2026.
