Brits and their Beloved Pets: A Wagging Story of Tendencies
2024 has seen pet possession within the UK attain an all-time excessive, with 63% of households welcoming furry (or feathery, or scaly) companions into their properties. This exhibits the UK’s love affair with animals exhibits no indicators of slowing down. And whereas the controversy between cat individuals and canine individuals (and generally fish or reptile individuals) continues, Andrew Leal, CEO of Waggel, joins us to make clear pet preferences.
Over the Years
|
% of family proudly owning a pet |
|||
|
Yr |
Pets |
Cats |
Canines |
|
2024 |
60% |
29% |
36% |
|
2023 |
57% |
26% |
31% |
|
2022 |
62% |
28% |
34% |
|
2021 |
59% |
27% |
33% |
The statistics reveal a constant pattern, with each canine and cat possession hovering across the 30% mark throughout the previous 4 years. Nonetheless, once we delve deeper, an attention-grabbing gender divide and age dynamic emerge. “This paints an interesting image of pet possession within the UK,” explains Andrew. “Not solely will we see a choice cut up based mostly on gender, but in addition a pattern linked to age.”
|
Gender |
% Cat proprietor amongst UK |
% Canine proprietor amongst UK |
|
Male |
28% |
37% |
|
Feminine |
28% |
32% |
Whereas each women and men share a love for animals, there appears to be a slight distinction in pet decisions. Girls within the UK usually tend to be cat homeowners, with 28% falling into this class, in comparison with 37% who personal canines. Conversely, males lean barely extra in the direction of canines (32%) with cat possession at 28%.
Millennials Lead the Pack
|
Age group |
% Cat homeowners amongst UK |
% Canine homeowners amongst UK |
|
18-24 |
28% |
40% |
|
25-34 |
34% |
45% |
|
35-44 |
32% |
39% |
|
45-54 |
31% |
35% |
|
55-64 |
26% |
27% |
|
65-74 |
19% |
23% |
|
75+ |
14% |
15% |
On an attention-grabbing pattern concerning age teams, Andrew tells us that “Youthful demographics, significantly millennials (aged 25-34), make up 45% of canine homeowners.” This may very well be attributed to their lively existence and probably extra versatile dwelling preparations that may accommodate them. Possession dips barely for each cats and canines within the 35-44 age vary, earlier than settling into a comparatively constant sample throughout older age teams. Notably, cat possession appears to say no steadily as we transfer in the direction of the 75+ age bracket, whereas canine possession stays pretty regular.
London Pawing
|
Yr: 2023. Estimated numbers. |
||||
|
Place |
Rank canine pop. |
Canine inhabitants |
Rank cat pop. |
Cat inhabitants |
|
Higher London |
1 |
588,527 |
1 |
513,181 |
|
Kent |
2 |
312,550 |
2 |
272,536 |
|
Devon |
3 |
305,483 |
3 |
266,374 |
|
Hampshire |
4 |
300,614 |
4 |
262,128 |
|
Essex |
5 |
256,529 |
5 |
223,687 |
|
Surrey |
6 |
255,083 |
6 |
222,426 |
|
Hertfordshire |
7 |
228,850 |
7 |
199,551 |
|
Lancashire |
8 |
227,792 |
8 |
198,629 |
|
Somerset |
9 |
212,939 |
9 |
185,678 |
|
Norfolk |
10 |
211,948 |
10 |
184,813 |
Curiously, insights into the distribution of canine and cat populations throughout varied areas exhibits that Higher London takes the crown for essentially the most dog-loving space, with a whopping 588,527 canine companions. Kent and Devon observe intently behind with 312,550 and 305,483 canines respectively. Whereby London’s cat inhabitants follows intently behind, which once more holds the highest spot, with a purr-fectly respectable 513,181 feline residents. Kent and Devon maintain onto their positions within the prime three, boasting 272,536 and 266,374 cats respectively.
Canines Are High, However Cats Proceed to Climb
Regardless of the constant rise in cat possession, there are nonetheless extra pet canines than cats within the UK. This would possibly shock some, however it highlights the enduring reputation of our pups and pooches.
Whereas cats proceed to carry a particular place in our hearts, Andrew concludes, “It appears canines preserve their reign as the highest pet alternative for British households. This constant rise in pet possession signifies the rising significance we place on animal companionship, with an interesting dynamic between pet choice, gender, and age coming to mild.”
