Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA) chiefs say this means that the UK now has 17 million pet-owning homes, with the majority owning either a cat or a dog – or both.

There are now around 12million pet cats in the UK, comprising a range of popular breeds.

Several studies have indicated that owning a pet has led to an improvement in mental health for people hit by Covid restrictions.

Of course, once you’ve decided to add feline friend to your family, there’s the tricky business of what to call your new ball of fur.

Insurance company GoCompare has carried out some research into the most popular cat names chosen over the pandemic.

Here are the top 10.

Here are the 12 most popular breeds of adorable dog in 2021 so far - and there's a new top dog

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