UK Pet Care Market

UK Pet Care Market Overview:

The UK pet care market size reached USD 8,554.0 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 13,755.4 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.42% during 2025-2033. The market is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by rising pet ownership, a greater emphasis on pet health, and advancements in technology like smart devices and telemedicine. Additionally, the increasing humanization of pets and growing demand for premium products are driving market expansion. In 2024, 60% of UK households, or 17.2 million homes, owned pets, totaling 36 million pets. The pet care industry is also growing with a focus on pet health, technological innovations, and an increasing preference for online shopping, with 58% of pet owners shopping online.

UK Pet Care Market Trends:

Increasing Pet Ownership

The increasing pet ownership in the United Kingdom is one of the major factors driving the expansion of the UK pet care market size in 2024. The number of pets in the country increased by 9% between 2022 and 2023. An industry survey revealed that 57% of UK households have pets. Along with this, the heightened pet ownership is creating a greater need for a variety of pet care items, including pet food and grooming services. For example, pet owners spend £1.2 billion per year on pet grooming items and approximately £500 on pet treats. Furthermore, individuals and families regard pets as essential members of the home, resulting in long-term investments in their health and well-being, which are reflected in pet industry statistics UK.

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Growing Focus on Pet Health and Wellness

There is a growing focus on pet health and wellness, which is boosting the pet care market in the UK. Moreover, the rising consciousness among pet owners of their pets' nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being is fueling the market growth. In line with this, the increasing demand for products such as organic pet food, supplements, and fitness-related pet accessories is accelerating the market expansion. Furthermore, veterinary services are evolving to offer advanced treatments and preventive care, contributing to the market growth. It has been found that pet owners spend a total of nearly £5 billion a year in veterinary bills for their pets. Besides this, the increasing availability of pet insurance in the UK, specifically within the UK pet insurance distribution market, is supporting this trend, as pet insurance pays out £1 billion a year in the country. This enables pet owners to afford a wider range of treatments, further boosting market growth.

Rapid Technological Advancements

The introduction of smart feeders, global positioning system (GPS) trackers, and innovative products that make pet care easier and more convenient for owners is boosting the growth of the UK home and pet care market. Automated feeders allow pet owners to monitor and manage their pets' feeding schedules remotely. These devices can be connected to smartphones, enabling owners to control portions, set feeding times, and track their pets' eating habits in real time. Additionally, GPS-enabled pet trackers help owners monitor the location and activity levels of their pets. These devices offer peace of mind to owners who worry about their pets wandering off while also encouraging more active lifestyles for animals. Moreover, the rise of pet-related apps for booking grooming services or virtual vet consultations is fostering the market growth. Additionally, the increasing utilization of e-commerce platforms by owners in the country to access a wider variety of products is contributing to the market growth.

E-commerce Growth

The UK pet care market is experiencing significant growth in e-commerce, as more pet owners shift towards online shopping for convenience and better prices. Specialized platforms are leading this trend, offering a wide range of pet products, from food to grooming tools. According to recent surveys, 58% of pet owners now prefer shopping online, which has led to increased competition and innovation among pet care retailers. E-commerce allows businesses to reach a broader audience, providing convenience and access to niche products. This shift has also enabled retailers to offer personalized services, such as subscription boxes for pet food and accessories. As consumer preference continues to tilt toward online shopping, the UK pet care market trends in 2025 suggest the e-commerce sector will keep expanding.

Cat vs. Dog

In the UK, cats are the largest revenue-generating pet type, contributing significantly to the pet food market UK. Despite this, dogs continue to hold a significant place in the sector. Cats, with their lower maintenance needs and popularity as indoor pets, drive demand for a variety of products, including food, litter, and toys. However, dogs, known for their higher grooming and care requirements, also represent a lucrative segment of the market. The growing trend of pet humanization, where pets are treated like family members, has increased spending on both cats and dogs. The distinct needs of each pet type have spurred product innovation tailored specifically for cats and dogs, fueling their respective market growths.

Premiumization and Specialty Products

As pet ownership in the UK continues to rise, there is an increasing demand for premium products, particularly in pet food, grooming supplies, and accessories. Consumers are increasingly willing to spend more on high-quality, specialized products that meet their pets' specific health and wellness needs. Premium pet food options, such as organic, raw, and grain-free diets, are gaining popularity as pet owners seek healthier, more nutritious meals for their animals. Alongside this, luxury grooming products and accessories, including specialized shampoos, collars, and pet wearables, are also seeing a surge in demand. This premiumization trend reflects a growing awareness of pet health, with owners treating their pets to the same level of care they would expect for themselves. These trends are expected to significantly impact the United Kingdom pet grooming market in the coming years.

UK Pet Care Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, pet type, and distribution channel.

Product Type Insights:

• Pet Food
  • Dry
  • Wet
• Grooming Products
  • Shampoos and Conditioners
  • Combs and Brushes
  • Clippers and Scissors
  • Others
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes pet food (dry, wet), grooming products (shampoos and conditioners, combs and brushes, clippers and scissors, others), and others.

Pet Type Insights:

• Dog
• Cat
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the pet type have also been provided in the report. This includes dog, cat, and others.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Offline
• Online

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel. This includes offline, and online.

Regional Insights:

• London
• South East
• North West
• East of England
• South West
• Scotland
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and The Humber
• East Midlands
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include London, South East, North West, East of England, South West, Scotland, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, and Others.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

UK Pet Care Market News:

• In September 2024, Nestlé invested £150 Million to upgrade its Purina PetCare factory in Wisbech, UK, creating 40 new jobs and enhancing production lines for brands like Felix and Gourmet. The investment aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
• In August 2024, Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) acquired Butcher’s Pet Care (BPC), a leading UK wet pet food manufacturer, combining to generate over £350 Million ($462 Million) in sales. BPC offers natural wet dog and cat food brands and operates a large facility in Northamptonshire. The acquisition aims to expand IPN’s presence in Europe’s growing pet food market.

UK Pet Care Market Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the UK pet care market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the UK pet care market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the UK pet care industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.