New research has revealed the extent of the nation’s obsession with photographing their pets, with Brits admitting their furry friends dominate their camera rolls more than holidays, food and even loved ones.

The survey of 2,000 UK pet owners found that almost two thirds 65% have more photos of their pets saved on their phone than of their loved ones, shockingly even more than snaps of children with only 43% snapping pictures of their kids, and a mere 32% taking pictures of their spouses.

This makes sense when 53% admitted that scrolling through pictures of their pet instantly boosts their mood, with Dogs being crowned the nation’s most photogenic pets, according to 55% of respondents.

The findings come as Petplan celebrates its 50th anniversary by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest online photo album of animals. Petplan customers past and present are invited to upload photos of their pets and help create a lasting celebration of the 25 million pets Petplan has supported over the last five decades. 

To help rally support, cat lover and renowned pet enthusiast Fern Britton is encouraging the public to get involved. With 55,000 photos in the album already, Petplan needs more than 104,000 photos to secure the title, and is calling on pet owners across the UK to take part uploading as many pictures of their pets as you can. 

The research also revealed which corners of the UK are the most snap-happy when it comes to their pets. Owners in York topped the table, taking an average of 53 pet photos per week, closely followed by Northampton and Portsmouth. 

For many owners, looking at pet pictures has become part of everyday digital life. 50% revealed they have their phone screensaver of their pet, while 30% admitted they regularly clear storage space on their phone to make room for more photos of their animal companion.

The study also uncovered the lengths owners go to in pursuit of the perfect pet picture. Almost half (42%) admitted they have spent a lot of time trying to capture the ideal snap, with owners taking an average of 8 failed photos before landing “the one”.

The research also highlighted the growing role pets play in the nation’s online habits, with 47% of owners claiming photos of their pet receive better engagement on social media than pictures of themselves, meals or holidays.

Meanwhile, nearly two thirds (61%) said pet-related content is the type of post they are most likely to stop scrolling for, reinforcing the nation’s appetite for pet-focused content online.

The findings also showed pet photography can serve a practical purpose, with 44% of owners using photos to monitor their pet’s health, tracking changes in weight, injuries, lumps and behaviour over time while over half (53%) said scrolling through pictures of their pet instantly boosts their own mood.

This kind of visual record can help owners notice subtle changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. Over the past 50 years, Petplan has helped pay vet bills for more than 150,000 pets that swallowed something they shouldn’t have, as well as over 160,000 pets diagnosed with lumps, highlighting the importance of spotting potential health issues early.

TV presenter Fern Britton, who stars in Fern Britton: Inside the Vet’s and is a Petplan customer herself, is supporting the campaign and encouraging fellow Petplan customers to upload their favourite pet pictures.

Fern Britton said: “We’re a nation of pet lovers, so I’m not surprised our phones are full of pictures of our furry friends. Pets bring so much joy to our lives and every photo captures a special memory or moment of happiness. I’d love people across the UK to get involved, upload their favourite pet snap and help Petplan make Guinness World Record history.”

 Jo Maclennan at Petplan said: “For 50 years, pets have been at the heart of everything we do, so it felt only right to celebrate this milestone by creating something that truly reflects the number of pets we have supported.  The research shows just how important pets are in people’s everyday lives, and we’d love as many of our customers, past and present, to help us make history by uploading their favourite pet photo and become part of our Guinness World Record attempt.”

You can upload your photos and find out more about the Guinness World Record attempt at: petplan50th.co.uk/