Market Trends of uk dog food Industry
Adoption from animal shelters and rescue organizations and providing companionship are increasing the dog population
- Dogs are one of the most important pets adopted by pet parents in the United Kingdom, accounting for 33.8% in 2022. The higher share is due to the country's strong culture of dog appreciation and animal welfare, portraying that people in the country are more likely to enjoy taking care of dogs and have higher disposable income. Labrador Retriever was the most adopted dog breed in 2022, with 40,000 registered, because of their friendly dispositions, intelligence, and ability to get along well.
- The dog population increased in the country by 44.4% between 2019 and 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the adoption of dogs from animal shelters and rescue organizations. With more people spending time at home, there was an increased desire for companionship, and many saw this as an opportunity to adopt a dog. Pet parents in the country adopted a dog, which helped dog ownership to 10 million households in 2022, representing about 34% having a dog in their homes as pets. Pet ownership rose by 1% between 2021 and 2022 because they provide loyalty, love, and support during difficult situations, such as the pandemic.
- The increase in the dog population in the country has resulted in a rise in adoption and fostering programs. As a result, companies have many opportunities to explore new ideas in this industry. For instance, in the United Kingdom, companies offer paid "paw-ternity" leave for the pet parents. Therefore, encouraging pet parents to adopt more than one dog. Therefore, factors such as increasing pet adoption, rising pet ownership, and benefits such as providing companionship are anticipated to help in the growth of the dog population in the country during the forecast period.
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The growing premiumization of pet food products and increasing demand for high-quality natural pet foods are driving dog expenditure in the United Kingdom
- Dogs are the most popular pets in the United Kingdom, and pet owners spend more money on dog food compared to any other pet food. Pet dog food expenditure in the country has been on the rise, growing by 23.7% between 2019 and 2022. This increase in overall pet dog expenditure can be attributed to the rising population of pet dogs in the country, which grew from 9.0 million in 2019 to 13.0 million in 2022. Additionally, the growing humanization of pets has led to an increased demand for premium dog food products, such as natural and grain-free pet foods.
- The increasing expenditure on dogs and cats between 2019 and 2022 was nearly equal as the population of dogs and cats in the country is similar, with 13 million and 12.7 million, respectively, as of 2022. However, the average spending by pet owners on dogs was about 9.7% higher than the average spending on cats. This is mainly due to the larger size of dogs, which require a higher quantity of food compared to cats. Additionally, pet owners are shifting toward premium dog brands, particularly those that provide specific nutrition based on the needs of dogs.
- Despite the financial crisis in 2022, a significant number of pet owners in the United Kingdom, amounting to 58%, still choose to purchase birthday and Christmas presents for their dogs, indicating the growing trend of pet humanization. Supermarkets remain the preferred distribution channels for buying pet food products in the country, although e-commerce has become increasingly popular due to the impact of the pandemic. The increasing awareness of the benefits of high-quality pet food and the premiumization of pet food are expected to continue driving pet expenditure in the United Kingdom.
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