The value of the dog food market in the United Kingdom (UK) reached around British pounds in 2026, making it the most lucrative market segment. Cat food followed in second place with a market value of billion British pounds.
The pet food market in the UK
The growth rate of the pet food market in the UK stood at around percent annually in 2023. The growth rate of the pet food market slightly edges the growth rates of other pet market segments, such as those of veterinary and retail. The value of dog and cat food imports to the UK amounted to nearly billion U.S. dollars in 2024. The majority of the UK’s dog and cat food imports come from Germany and France. Moreover, the UK also exports about million U.S. dollars’ worth of dog and cat food annually. In general, countries from the European Union remain the UK’s main trading partners for both imports and exports of dog and cat food.
Dog population in the UK
The number of dogs kept as pets in the UK stood at approximately million. Close to of households in the UK own at least one dog. A noticeable jump in dog ownership rates was seen in the year 2021 when the share of household-owning dogs increased by percent as compared to the previous year. It is important to note that the survey changed from face-to-face from online at this time. This sudden growth in dog owners could also be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common ways to purchase a dog in the UK are through breeders and private sellers. About percent of dog owners receive their pet from a rescue or rehoming center/shelter.