Over a quarter of young owners gave up a pet in 2022
Dogs were the most commonly relinquished pet in 2022.
The latest annual pet population data from UK Pet Food has revealed the impact of the cost of living crisis on pet ownership, with large numbers of households giving up pets in 2022.
The survey of nearly 9,000 households found that 13 per cent had relinquished a pet during 2022, with the number increasing to 28 per cent among owners aged 16-24 years old.
The cost of living was a major factor, with 30 per cent of young owners admitting that the issue had made them reconsider owning a pet.
Dogs were the most commonly relinquished pet, at 47 per cent, followed by cats at 36 per cent, and indoor birds at 12 per cent. This has contributed to a six per cent decline in the total number of dogs and cats kept as pets.
Despite this, the survey found a rise in the overall number of pets, with most of the increase coming from a growth in the amount of smaller pets such as rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs. This has led to a rise of nine per cent in the total number of pets.
However, the greater overall number of pets is concentrated in fewer households. The past year has seen a drop in the percentage of UK households housing a pet, with the number falling from 62 per cent to 57 per cent in the past year.
Nicole Paley deputy chief executive of UK Pet Food, said: “World events have had a massive impact on lifestyles over the last few years. Throughout the pandemic, we saw an increase in people adding a pet to their family as they sought the amazing companionship a pet can bring.
“Today, owners are clearly impacted by the cost of living and sadly relinquishment figures are high. The small pet population is on the up suggesting that people believe they are more manageable and less expensive to keep.”
Responding to the new data, Dr Samantha Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said: "Sadly, these really valuable and important statistics demonstrate what RSPCA frontline officers and animal centre staff are already seeing day-in, day-out.
“As the cost of living crisis deepens, more people are abandoning animals, more animals are coming into our care, and rehoming is slowing as financial pressures bite. It's particularly worrying to see 13 per cent needing to give up a pet, including really high numbers of younger owners.”
UK Pet Food, formerly known as the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, has been commissioning research into the pet population of the UK for more than 15 years.
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence. 
