PFMA Releases Its New Top Ten Pets Chart 2019

TOP TEN PETS 9 million dogs (25% households) 7.5million cats (17% households) 600,000 rabbits (1% households) 500,000 indoor birds (1% households) 500,000 domestic fowl ( 0.4% households) 400,000 Guinea Pigs (1% households) 300,000 hamsters (1% households) 300,000 tortoises and turtles (0.7% households) 300,000 lizards (0.6% households) 200,000 snakes (0.4% households) TOP TEN PETS 9 million dogs (25% households)7.5million cats (17% households)600,000 rabbits (1% households)500,000...

TOP TEN PETS
9 million dogs (25% households)
7.5million cats (17% households)
600,000 rabbits (1% households)
500,000 indoor birds (1% households)
500,000 domestic fowl ( 0.4% households)
400,000 Guinea Pigs (1% households)
300,000 hamsters (1% households)
300,000 tortoises and turtles (0.7% households)
300,000 lizards (0.6% households)
200,000 snakes (0.4% households)

Key Pet Population Data:

Michael Bellingham, Chief Executive of PFMA and Trustee of National Pet Month, comments: "A recent government survey found 77 percent of people sometimes feel lonely and sadly those aged 16 to 34 were more affected than those aged over 50[iii]. Whatever your age, pets are good for you in so many ways; providing companionship, helping to reduce stress levels and instilling a sense of calm. Pets also give owners a reason to stay active and interact with others, giving a sense of purpose and boosting self-worth."

Tanya Michelsen, Associate Director and Head of Brand Research at YouthSight, a youth agency that specialises in understanding Gen Z and Millennials explains: "Today, we are all looking for different ways to relieve stress and make our lives happier and more relaxing. In fact, 62% of 16-24 years olds tell us they regularly do as little as possible in their free time[iv]."

Tanya concludes: "For Millennials, who are increasingly having children later in life, a pet is the perfect companion. They provide an everyday routine, non-judgemental company and give owners a reason to exercise and have fun. They provide stability in a fast paced, ever changing world."

Notes to Editors

For more information on PFMA's Pet Population data, please visit pfma.org.uk or contact [email protected] or [email protected]. The State of the Youth Nation is the most up to date youth tracker in the UK. For more information please contact [email protected].

[i] 8000 UK adults were interviewed by TNS / Solus Consulting in February 2019, in face-to-face interviews.

[ii] Our data is split into categories 16-24 and 25-34 and in this survey we equate them to Gen Z and Millennials respectively.

[iii] Community Life Survey: Focus on Life Survey 2017-2018, household self completion survey of adults aged 16+ in England.  Sample size 10,217

[iv] State of the Youth Nation Report, YouGov, December 2018

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/842282/PFMA_2019_Top_Ten_Pets.jpg)