Tailored from a press launch.
UK Pet Meals (previously Pet Meals Producers’ Affiliation) unveiled its newest Pet Inhabitants Report for 2024, which reveals a noteworthy gender distinction in pet adoption demographics with extra males opting to undertake grownup cats.
In line with the report, over the previous 4 years, 27% of males have chosen to tackle an grownup cat as a pet, in comparison with 18% of ladies. This interprets to 1.5 million new male households including an grownup cat, in comparison with round 1 million feminine households. For the primary time because the pandemic pet and kitten increase, UK Pet Meals knowledge notes an appreciation for mature pets throughout all demographics, with a complete of round 2.5 million households buying grownup cats and grownup canine have been welcomed into 2.1 million households.
“Cats have all the time been a well-liked alternative of pet, however we’re significantly delighted to see that extra males are seeing the advantages of older cats, in addition to kittens,” stated Daniel Warren-Cummings, conduct officer at Cats Safety and proprietor of Woman Bug the cat. “Similar to people, cats are all completely different and that is what makes them nice pets for folks from all walks of life — whether or not its indoor cats suited to dwelling in a quiet residence or extra adventurous ones, which thrive in a busy family and love exploring the outside. We frequently hear from males who inform us their cats usually are not solely nice companions, they’re additionally extremely entertaining which generally is a nice stress-buster.”
13.5 million canine, 12.5 million cats within the UK
The report additionally confirmed emotional advantages seem like a robust draw for pet possession with round one quarter of homeowners admitting that they take pleasure in time with their pet greater than with their relations. Over a 3rd (39%) affirm that their pet advantages their household’s psychological well being, round one half of homeowners over 45 could be lonely with out their pet and one fifth want to see pets out there on prescription.
UK Pet Meals
- 17.2 million households (60%) home one of many UK’s 36 million (non-aquatic) pets in 2024.
- There are 13.5 million canine and 12.5 million cats within the UK in 2024 – and improve of 1.5 million every.
- 38% welcomed a brand new pet into 10.9 million properties during the last 4 years.
- Kittens and puppies welcomed into 2.6 million and three.7 million households respectively over latest years. Â
- Fish are additionally swimming up the charts in 21% of UK properties.
“This 12 months’s findings show once more the large reputation of pets within the UK,” stated Michael Bellingham, chief govt of UK Pet Meals “Because the proprietor of an older cat, I used to be significantly to see that extra males are adopting older cats. There might be all types of causes for the rising reputation of our furry and aquatic companions, however this 12 months’s analysis highlights the profound therapeutic affect of pets.
“Pets play a major function in our properties; they assist fight loneliness and so they can have a optimistic impact on our psychological well being,” Bellingham continued. “We had been pleasantly shocked to see that one fifth of these questioned are calling for pets to be out there on prescription. We couldn’t agree extra.”
This 12 months’s Pet Inhabitants knowledge is featured as a part of the excellent ‘Pet Knowledge Report,’ providing insights into UK inhabitants knowledge, regional tendencies, market knowledge, pet vitamin analysis and extra. For extra data, go to ukpetfood.org.
