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62 verified statistics • Updated 2026
Key Statistic
10.8 million
There are approximately 10.8 million pet cats in the United Kingdom
Source: PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals), 2024
The United Kingdom has approximately 12.5 million pet cats, with 24% of households owning at least one cat. Sourced primarily from PDSA PAW Reports and Cats Protection surveys, these statistics cover ownership rates, regional variation, welfare trends, and veterinary care across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
12.5 million pet cats across 24% of UK households
Wales has the highest regional ownership rate at 29%
Cats are the UK's second most popular pet after dogs
10.8 million
There are approximately 10.8 million pet cats in the United Kingdom→
24%
24% of UK adults own a cat, unchanged from 2023 but lower than 27% in 2011→
60%
60% of UK cat owners have one cat, with 29% owning two cats→
29%
29% of UK households own at least one cat, approximately 8.5 million households→
33%
33% of UK cat owners have never owned a cat before as an adult→
1.3 million
1.3 million UK cats were acquired in the past year, representing 12% of all pet cats→
