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More men adopting adult cats, report reveals
1.5 million new male households now have an adult cat.
There was a noteworthy gender difference in cat adopters.

A new report from UK Pet Food has revealed a significant gender difference in those adopting cats, with more men than women adopting adult cats in the past four years.

The Pet Population Report for 2024 found that 27 per cent of men had adopted an adult cat in the past four years, compared to 18 per cent of women.

This meant that 1.5 million new male households now have an adult cat. In comparison, there were 1 million new female households getting cats.

The data also suggests an increased appreciation for more mature pets, the first time this has happened since the pandemic puppy and kitten boom. A total of 2.5 million households acquired adult cats, and 2.1 million households got adult dogs.

Kittens and puppies remain popular with pet owners, with 2.6 million households welcoming kittens and 3.7 million welcoming puppies.

The report found that 10.9 million homes had acquired a new pet in the past four years.

In total, 17.2 million homes have a non-aquatic pet in 2024. However, fish were also increasing in popularity in 21 per cent of homes.

UK Pet Food said that their repor highlighted the mental health benefits of pet ownership. Over a third of pet owners said that their pet was benefitting their family’s mental health.

A quarter of pet owners admitted to enjoying time with their pet more than with their family.

Meanwhile, half of owners aged over 45 said they would be lonely without their pet.

Daniel Warren-Cummings, behaviour officer at Cats Protection, said: “Cats have always been a popular choice of pet but we’re particularly delighted to see that more men are seeing the benefits of older cats, as well as kittens.

“Just like humans, cats are all different and this is what makes them great pets for people from all walks of life - whether its indoor cats suited to living in a quiet home, or more adventurous ones, which thrive in a busy household, and love exploring the outdoors. We often hear from men who tell us their cats are not only great companions, they’re also incredibly entertaining which can be a great stress-buster.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
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Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.