UK pet owners’ 2026 resolutions: wellness and bonding top the list
Almost half of British pet owners have set resolutions for their pets this year, a new survey finds.
Nearly half (49%) of UK cat and dog owners made New Year’s resolutions for their pets in 2026, according to new research from Purina. Specifically, men led with 52% of resolutions, compared with 46% of women.
Younger pet owners are the most likely to include their animals in this tradition, led by those aged 25 to 34 (76%), followed by 35 to 44-year-olds (55%) and 45 to 54-year-olds (46%).
The survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Purina and interviewed 2,089 adult cat and dog owners across the UK between 12 and 17 December 2025.
Top priorities
Wellness and health are the top priorities for 64% of owners in 2026, a figure higher than in previous years. Pet parents aged 25 to 34 years old led this sentiment at 89%, followed by 18 to 24-year-olds (79%) and 35 to 44-year-olds (70%).
For instance, 47% say they want to improve their pet’s nutrition by choosing higher-quality food, while 43% plan to commit to more frequent exercise routines.
Meanwhile, more than 4 out of 10 (42%) respondents intend to spend more one-on-one time to strengthen bonding, and 39% plan to schedule regular vet check-ups or grooming. Over one-third (35%) have plans to provide more mental stimulation through toys, training and games.
Traveling with pets
Pet travel remains popular among UK owners, with 28% saying they plan to try it in 2026. Using technology, such as smart collars to track pet health, follows at 21%, while dining at pet-friendly restaurants ranked third at 20%.
In addition, more than 30% say they are considering interactive indoor play sessions, and 27% would like to try hiking or outdoor adventures.
Around one-quarter (24%) want to explore agility training or dog sports, while 24% expressed interest in pet-friendly fitness classes (e.g., dog or cat yoga). Another 23% want to try swimming or other water-based activities with their pets.
The Purina survey reveals that all of these activities have the highest interest among 25 to 34-year-old pet owners, suggesting that younger Millennials are driving a more active, social and experiential form of pet ownership.
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