Jollyes said it is purr-fecting its offer to better serve the needs of UK cat lovers after a noticeable increase in cat-related purchases in its stores, suggesting the number of pet cats could exceed pet dogs for the first time.
The pet chain has significantly expanded its cat ranges, updating its stores to offer 48% more cat lines after internal data showed feline food sales have been rising ahead of canine equivalents.
According to UK Pet Food in 2024, 29% of all households owned a cat compared to 36% with dogs, According to the same data, there are currently 12.5 million pet cats in the UK compared to 13.5m pet dogs, but Jollyes believes if trends for smaller pets continue, the number of cats could overtake dogs in the next couple of years.
Between 2021 and 2024, household dog ownership has risen from 33% to 36% and cat ownership from 27% to 29%,but the rise in multi-cat households means the gap between the number of cats and dogs is closing – a visible trend from Jollyes own sales data.
To emphasise the significant switch, Jollyes has erected new in-store signage showing that the cat takeover is just around the corner.
Statistics show that around one in four homes in the UK owns a cat and the number of Millennial and Gen Z cat owners has risen dramatically in recent years – with 41% of those aged between 18 and 34 now sharing their home with at least one cat.
Increased ownership among younger cat lovers, and a rise in the proportion (25%) of men who for the first time now have the same proportion of cats as women, is set to tip the scales and make cats the most common household pet in the next couple of years.
The rise in cat ownership is also being driven by a preference for smaller pets, both cats and dogs, as well as the ease of looking after a cat compared to the higher maintenance of a dog.
High profile cat lovers such as Taylor Swift, Ricky Gervais, Dermot O’Leary, Kate Beckinsale and Bob Mortimer, are also driving the trend towards owning a cat.
Over the last 12 months, new Jollyes cat buyer Louise Fawcett has led a revolutionary change and expansion of Jollyes cat range which included Jollyes creating a cat committee of store colleagues who were cat parents.
Ms Fawcett said: “We want to make Jollyes the ultimate destination for cat-owners across the UK – and our expanded and extensive range is the first step in achieving this.
“What’s more alongside the extended ranges, we’re adding more training for colleagues as they offer advice for the nation’s cats.
“Whether you’re a seasoned cat carer or having kittens at the responsibility of looking after your fur baby, Jollyes is the place to go – both for our colleagues’ unrivalled expertise and our fantastic, affordable and rapidly expanding product range.”
