The line graph illustrates the number of cats and dogs owned by UK residents between 1980 and 2015.
Overall, while both pet ownership trends increased over time, their trajectories differed. Initially, dog ownership was significantly more common than cat ownership, but from the early 2000s onward, the number of cat owners exceeded that of dog owners.
In 1980, around 15 million people in the UK owned dogs, nearly twice as many as those who had cats (7 million). By 1990, both figures had fluctuated, peaking at 17 million and 8 million, respectively, before declining to 12 million and 7 million. This period marked the most significant decline in pet ownership.
However, between 1990 and 2000, the number of dog owners surged almost fourfold, reaching 45 million, while cat ownership followed a steadier upward trajectory, peaking at 21 million in 1995 before stabilizing for five years. After 2000, contrasting trends emerged: dog ownership gradually declined to 39 million by 2015, whereas the number of cat owners continued to rise, culminating at 47 million, the highest figure recorded.
Band: 8.0+
Overall, while both pet ownership trends increased over time, their trajectories differed. Initially, dog ownership was significantly more common than cat ownership, but from the early 2000s onward, the number of cat owners exceeded that of dog owners.
In 1980, around 15 million people in the UK owned dogs, nearly twice as many as those who had cats (7 million). By 1990, both figures had fluctuated, peaking at 17 million and 8 million, respectively, before declining to 12 million and 7 million. This period marked the most significant decline in pet ownership.
However, between 1990 and 2000, the number of dog owners surged almost fourfold, reaching 45 million, while cat ownership followed a steadier upward trajectory, peaking at 21 million in 1995 before stabilizing for five years. After 2000, contrasting trends emerged: dog ownership gradually declined to 39 million by 2015, whereas the number of cat owners continued to rise, culminating at 47 million, the highest figure recorded.
Band: 8.0+