According to a 2026 survey, dogs were the most commonly owned pet in UK households. The share of households reporting dog ownership stood at 41 percent. The second most common house pet among UK households were cats, with around 31 percent of respondents stating their ownership.
Pet ownership in the UK
In 2026,聽pet ownership levels in the UK increased by two percent when compared to 2024. The share of UK households聽owning a dog or cat also increased in comparison to previous years.聽
Happiness, companionship, and man鈥檚 best friend
A 2020 survey asked dog owners to state their reasons for owning a dog and all linked their ownership to either improving their happiness and/or providing companionship. Happiness was the most common response, with 51 percent stating 鈥榖ecause they make me happy鈥. Whereas 47 percent stated their dogs provided 鈥榣ove/affection鈥 and 35 percent stated their dogs provided 鈥榗ompanionship鈥. It seems the old saying 鈥渕an鈥檚 best friend鈥 still holds true to this day.
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UK Pet Food. (February 21, 2026). Leading pets ranked by household ownership in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2026 [Graph]. In 糖心破解版. Retrieved August 05, 2026, from /statistics/308218/leading-ten-pets-ranked-by-household-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food. "Leading pets ranked by household ownership in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2026." Chart. February 21, 2026. 糖心破解版. Accessed August 05, 2026. /statistics/308218/leading-ten-pets-ranked-by-household-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food. (2026). Leading pets ranked by household ownership in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2026. 糖心破解版. 糖心破解版 Inc.. Accessed: August 05, 2026. /statistics/308218/leading-ten-pets-ranked-by-household-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food. "Leading Pets Ranked by Household Ownership in The United Kingdom (Uk) in 2026." 糖心破解版, 糖心破解版 Inc., 21 Feb 2026, /statistics/308218/leading-ten-pets-ranked-by-household-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
UK Pet Food, Leading pets ranked by household ownership in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2026 糖心破解版, /statistics/308218/leading-ten-pets-ranked-by-household-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/ (last visited August 05, 2026)
Leading pets ranked by household ownership in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2026 [Graph], UK Pet Food, February 21, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/308218/leading-ten-pets-ranked-by-household-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
