Cat facts

Statistics on cat ownership in the UK

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Danny Butler
Updated
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When considering adding a new addition to your home, consider the risks your new friend could face. Certain breeds of cat are predisposed to particular conditions, not to mention the diseases and other altercations that can come with a new environment. If you plan on getting a new cat, use our guide to find out more about the best cat insurance for your pet.

Quick facts

  • Cats are owned by 17% of Brits, making them the second-most popular pet to have in the UK.
  • The total number of cats that were kept as pets in the UK in 2018/2019 was 7.5 million.
  • 31% of people surveyed said they had not done any research before getting a cat as a pet.

Which region in the UK has the most cats?

With 21% of people in the South West owning a cat, this area has the most cats per number of people. In comparison, in Northern Ireland, just 1 in 10 people (12%) own a cat.

Region Percentage
South West 21%
South East 20%
East of England 18%
West Midlands 18%
East Midlands 19%
Yorshire and the Humber 16%
North West 17%
North East 15%
Wales 18%
Scotland 14%
Northern Ireland 12%
London 14%

Preventative healthcare that cats received in 2018

It’s necessary for cats to have veterinary treatments to protect themselves and other animals. The seven most common treatments are presented below.

Preventative healthcare treatment Percentage
Neutered 91%
Treated for fleas 81%
Registered with a vet 81%
Wormed 77%
Microchipped 68%
Vaccinated 65%
Booster vaccinations 59%

The vast majority (91%) of owners have their cats neutered, with 81% of the same owners also having their cats treated for fleas and registered with a vet. Despite 91% of pet cats having at least one treatment, only 38% of owners have their cats insured.

The most expensive cat breeds to insure

The monthly costs for cat insurance for the top five most popular cat breeds are illustrated below. The third most popular cat breed, the British Shorthair, is the most expensive to insure, with a $20.76 monthly premium.

Popularity rank Breed Monthly premium
1 Exotic $12.78
2 Ragdoll $17.57
3 British Shorthair $20.76
4 Persian $19.17
5 Maine Coon Cat $17.57
Being the costliest, the British Shorthair is 1.6 times more expensive to insure than the most affordable cat, the popular Exotic. The average premium cost across the five breeds is $17.57 per month.

The cost of the most common cat conditions

The graph below lists the price of a vet visit for the 10 most common cat conditions. The conditions are listed with the most common at the top.

Rank Condition Cost of vet visit
1 Urinary Tract Condition $295
2 Upset Stomach $385
3 Renal Failure $485
4 Diarrhea $203
5 Allergies $235
6 Diabetes $276
7 Colitis $203
8 Ear Infections $149
9 Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) $219
10 Hyperthyroidism $216
The average cost across all 10 conditions is $267. With the priciest condition, renal failure, costing $485 to treat, cat insurance is a worthwhile investment for any pets with a genetic predisposition to this condition. At $100 less per treatment, the next most expensive treatment is for an upset stomach.

Sources

YouGov
PwC
Horwath

Click here for more research. For all media enquiries, please contact:

Matt Mckenna
UK communications manager
T: +44 20 8191 8806
matt.mckenna@finder.com@MichHutchison/in/matthewmckenna2

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