Key Takeaways
- ▸The UK counts 36.5 million pets in 2026, up half a million in two years
- ▸62% of British households — about 18 million homes — own a pet
- ▸Dogs lead at 15.5 million, ahead of 13.1 million cats
- ▸41% of British homes have a dog
4DW DESK · MARKET NOTE
The UK just counted its animals: 36.5 million pets, up half a million in two years. Sixty-two percent of British households — about 18 million homes — now include at least one.
Post-Brexit Britain is a distinct regulatory island for pet food raw materials — its own import controls, its own certificates — but the demand engine is identical to the continent's: more animals, more premium bowls, more protein per label.
For exporters, the UK's post-EU border regime (BTOM) made documentation heavier, and rewarded suppliers already fluent in EU-style CAT 3 compliance. Same discipline, different rubber stamp.
Number to remember
15.5 million dogs is more dogs than some EU member states have people. National pet censuses are demand forecasts in disguise.
The 4DW Angle
The UK remains an active destination on our CAT 3 book, alongside the EU. Two certificates, one supply chain — exactly the kind of complexity a trading desk exists to absorb.
▮ Frequently asked questions
How many pets are there in the UK?
The UK counts 36.5 million pets in 2026, up half a million in two years, according to UK Pet Food's census of 8,951 households. About 62% of British households — roughly 18 million homes — own at least one pet, with dogs leading the count at 15.5 million.
How many dogs and cats does the UK have?
Britain has 15.5 million dogs and 13.1 million cats in 2026, plus 7.9 million other pets. Dogs lead and are present in 41% of homes — more dogs than some EU member states have people. National pet censuses like this are effectively demand forecasts for protein suppliers in disguise.
How does Brexit affect UK pet food imports?
Post-Brexit Britain is a distinct regulatory island with its own import controls and certificates. Its BTOM border regime made documentation heavier and rewarded suppliers already fluent in EU-style CAT 3 compliance — the same discipline behind a different rubber stamp. In practice it means two certificates on one supply chain.
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