150+ Statistics On Pet Ownership In The U.S.

Pet ownership has significantly increased over the last several decades with 66% of homes having a pet. This is an increase of 56% compared to two decades prior.

Pet ownership statistics indicate that dogs are the most popular pet followed by cats and other exotic pets but no matter what type of pet the family has, 97% of those households with a pet consider them part of the family, spending an average of 1% of their annual income on pets.

This page will provide key statistics around pet ownership, covering the cost of owning a dog or cat, pet ownership statistics by generation, and which cities are the most pet friendly.

Pet Ownership By Generation

Millennials represent the largest percentage of current pet ownership, those who are of the age that they likely own a home, have a stable job, and have a family. Behind them and ahead of them both Gen X and Baby Boomers represent the next highest percentage of pet ownership, at almost equal numbers.

The table below presents the percentage of pet ownership by generation:

However, regardless of generation, those who live with a partner or are married are more likely to own a pet compared to people who have never been married or are divorced.

That said, there are key differences in the percentage of income each generation spends on pets:

• 1%: Baby Boomers and Builder generations spend 1% of their income on their pets.
• 74%: Millennials spend 0.74% of their income on their pets.
• 83%: Gen Z spends 0.83% of their income on their pets.
• 81%: Gen X spends 0.81% of their income on their pets.

Most Popular Pets In The U.S.

According to pet ownership data, dogs are the most popular pets in the United States followed closely by cats.

The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of dog owners versus the percentage of cat owners in several states:

As indicated in the table of, dog ownership is statistically higher in all states except for Vermont but the difference between the two can be negligible such as in the case with Wyoming where the number of households with a dog versus a cat has only a 6% difference.

But in other cases it can be extreme such as Montana where the number of dog owning households is well over twice the rate of cat owning households.

Pet Ownership Costs

Studies have found that 38% of households responding to surveys have gone into debt in order to cover the cost of pet related medical care. A big reason behind this is that potential pet owners and current owners underestimate the cost of veterinary care. People often fail to account for emergencies which cost an average of $1,500 per trip without pet insurance.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends $741 on their pets each year for general care and feeding.

The average pet lives for 10 years or more, which means pet ownership costs need to be accounted for over that span.

Costs include things like:

1. Food
2. Vet visits
3. Medicine
4. Toys
5. Bedding
6. Litter (for cats)
7. Adoption fees (where applicable)
8. Licensing fees

According to the American Pet Products Association, $147 billion was spent on pets in 2023, with that figure projected to reach $150.6 billion in 2024.

The most expensive part of owning a pet is food, followed by vet visits and supplies. Whether animals are being fed rabbit pellets, cat food, or fish food, it is the most expensive and frequent purchase when it comes to pet ownership.

The cost of food is one of the most important metrics when reviewing pet ownership costs year to year because it is not an area where pet owners can cut corners as opposed to spending less money on inexpensive beds, carriers, or limiting toys.

Behind food, pet ownership costs for veterinary care represents nearly 2/3 that of what households spend on food with annual routine checkups, diagnostic care, and prescriptions. To help with these costs, more pet owners are turning to pet insurance which can cover basic costs of annual veterinary appointments but may or may not extend to things like prescription drugs.

However, projections stipulate that the only category that will not increase year-to-year is the money spent on supplies and over-the-counter medicine.

• 64.4: 64.4 billion dollars was spent on pet food and treats in 2023.
• 38.3: 38.3 billion dollars was spent in 2023 on vet visits and prescription medications.
• 32: 32 billion dollars was spent on over the counter medicine and supplies for pets in 2023.
• 12.3: 12.3 billion dollars was spent in 2023 on other services for pets including training, pet sitting, walking, grooming, boarding, insurance, and all services beyond basic veterinary care.
• 66.9: It is estimated that 66.9 billion will be spent on pet food and treats in 2024.
• 39.1: It is estimated that 39.1 billion will be spent on vet care and prescriptions in 2024.
• 32: It is estimated that 32 billion will be spent on pet supplies and over the counter medicine in 2024.
• 12.6: It is estimated that 12.6 billion will be spent on  other services for pets including training, pet sitting, walking, grooming, boarding, insurance, and all services beyond basic veterinary care in 2024.

Most Expensive Cities To Own A Pet

Pet ownership statistics do not simply apply to food and veterinary care. Some cities and towns require that any outdoor pet has to be registered. This registration comes with an additional fee, making some cities more expensive for pet ownership than others.

Cities like San Francisco have the highest rates of veterinary care for dogs while San Jose has the highest cost for cat veterinary care. So what are the worst cities to own a pet? All 10 of the worst cities are in California:

1. Fresno
2. Fremont
3. Riverside
4. Bakersfield
5. Stockton
6. Irvine
7. San Francisco
8. Long Beach
9. San Jose
10. Los Angeles

Things like the cost of veterinary care, access to veterinarians, and whether there are pet friendly outdoor spaces especially for things like walking dogs are important. So cities with high prices of vet care, and limited spaces can not only be expensive, but far from ideal for pet ownership.

Below is a table breaking down the scores for the worst/most expensive 10 cities listed above based on vet access, costs of vet care, and availability of pet-friendly spaces. Note that each score represents a percentage out of 100:

As you can see, several major cities in California are not only the worst in terms of limited access to pet friendly spaces and even more restrictive access to qualified veterinarians but in terms of the high cost of pet care.

Most Pet-Friendly Cities

Where are the best places to live if you have a pet?

1. Kansas City, Missouri
2. Albuquerque, New Mexico
3. Louisville, Kentucky
4. Tucson, Arizona
5. Raleigh, North Carolina
6. Nashville, Tennessee
7. Wichita, Kansas
8. Tulsa, Oklahoma
9. Greensboro, North Carolina
10. Cincinnati, Ohio

Aside from these top pet friendliest cities, cities like Memphis have very low vet costs for dogs and cats.

What makes a city a pet friendly city? Things like the cost of veterinary care, access to veterinarians, and whether there are pet friendly outdoor spaces especially for things like walking dogs.

Below is a table breaking down the scores for the top 10 cities listed above based on vet access, costs of vet care, and availability of pet-friendly spaces. Note that each score represents a percentage out of 100:

In general though, the most pet friendly areas are rural areas compared to urban areas.

• 71%: 71% of Americans living in rural areas own a pet.
• 53%: 53% of Americans living in an urban area own a pet.

Dog ownership is cheapest in the state of Oklahoma where residents pay an average of $24,855 for their dog over its lifetime which is 14% below the national average. It is highest in California, averaging $35,452.

The table below presents the 10 states with the highest pet ownership statistics:

The table below presents the 10 states with the lowest pet ownership statistics:

As evidenced by these pet ownership statistics for the lowest and highest states across America, even the majority of those with the lowest pet ownership hover around 50% of households and those with the highest pet ownership hover around 70% of households.

Cat Ownership

According to the American Pet Products Association annual survey, over 86.9 million households have a pet, of which cats are the second most common.

• 46.5: 46.5 million homes in America have a cat.
• 44.6%: Vermont has the highest cat ownership out of all 50 states, at 44.6%.
• 63%: 63% of cats are completely kept indoors which limits their costs by reducing the risk of injury and illness.
• $991: The average cost of a kitten including their initial spaying and neutering and preventative vaccines is around $991 across the United states.
• $405: it costs a cat owner an average of $405 for one time startup fees that include carriers and crates, litter boxes, litter, and microchipping services.

The table below presents the average amount pet owners spent on their cats over the last year:

Below is a breakdown of the percentage of expenses for different categories of cat ownership:

• 25%: Boarding for a two week vacation.
• 23%: Pet insurance
• 15%: Food
• 11%: Routine care
• 10%: Litter
• 9%: Prescription medications
• 4%: Treats
• 9%: Grooming supplies
• 5%: Toys
• 1%: License

Dog Ownership

Dogs are the most popular pet in America. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that the average household spends $741 on their pets each year, dogs represent a higher annual cost compared to all pet ownership, with the average dog owner spending $2,524 per year on their dog.

• $30,000: In over 13 states the average cost of owning a dog exceeds $30,000 over the course of the dog’s lifespan.
• $28,801: The average lifetime cost of owning a dog across the United States is $28,801.
• $1,038: Buying a puppy from a breeder or animal shelter costs an average of $1,038 in the United states.
• 65.1: 65.1 million homes in America have a dog.
• 58.3%: Idaho has the highest dog ownership out of all 50 states at 58.3% of households owning a dog.
• 51.9%: Montana has the second highest dog ownership out of all 50 states with 51.9% of households owning a dog.
• 51.6%: West Virginia has the third highest rate of dog ownership in America with 51.6% of households owning a dog.

The table below presents the average amount pet owners spent on their dogs over the last year:

Below is a breakdown of the percentage of expenses for different categories of dog ownership:

• 30%: Boarding for a two week vacation.
• 22%: Pet insurance
• 17%: Food
• 13%: Routine care
• 11%: Prescription medications
• 4%: Treats
• 1%: Toys
• 6%: Grooming supplies
• 9%: License

Exotic Pet Ownership

Exotic pet ownership can refer to any pet ownership outside of a dog or cat. Nearly 13% of households Across America have a small animal including an exotic pet. The cost of maintaining things like fish both saltwater and freshwater, averages between $85 and $450 each year which is significantly less than larger dogs or cats.

• 6.1: 6.1 million homes in America have a bird as a pet.
• 2.2: 2.2 million homes have a horse as a pet.
• 11.1: 11.1 million homes have freshwater fish as their pet.
• 2.2: 2.2 million homes in America have saltwater fish as pets.
• 6: 6 million homes have reptiles as pets.
• 6.7: 6.7 homes have a small animal as a pet.

Pet Industry Expenditure

The pet industry market has increased steadily over the last ten years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• $460: In 2013 the average money spent on a pet was $460 per year.
• $770: In 2023 the average spent on a pet was over $770 per year.
• 54%: Between 2013 and 2023 the amount of money spent on pets and their respective toys or extra expenses has increased 54%.
• 37%: Women spend 37% more on their pets compared to men.

Worldwide Pet Ownership

According to the Animal Health Institute, pet ownership is on the rise around the world. 33% of households worldwide have a pet. These figures are rising as the worldwide market is seeing an expanding middle class and Millennial households in particular not only having children later in life but having fewer children, affording the opportunity to invest in pets.

The four countries/regions with the highest pet ownership include:

1. The United States
2. The European Union
3. China
4. Brazil

Collectively, these four account for over half a billion dogs and cats kept as pets. Brazil, for example, has the highest number of dogs per capita but Russians have the highest number of cats per capita.

• 113 million: In the European Union there are 113 million dogs kept as pets.
• 92 million: In the European Union there are 92 million cats kept as pets.
• 74 million: In China there are 74 million dogs kept as pets.
• 67 million: In China there are 67 million cats kept as pets.
• 85 million: In the United States there are 85 million dogs kept as pets.
• 65 million: In the United States there are 65 million cats kept as pets.
• 59%: 59% of Russians have a cat.
• 471 million: 471 million dogs are kept as pets around the world.
• 370 million: 370 million cats are kept as pets around the world.
• 249,651,000: There are 249,651,000 birds kept as pets around the world.

The table below provides the population of pets across other countries individually:

As you can see in the table above, several other countries have cats as their most popular pet, including Japan, Canada, Russia, and Italy, while places like Mexico and India are tied.