Pet Ownership Statistics

Americans’ love for their pets is discernible these days. In case you have a pet at home, then you would have experienced that special feeling when you arrive home after a tiring day, to be greeted with a wagging tail or perhaps with some exciting licks to your face.

For people who do not own a pet, they might be just mere domesticated animals. But for people who own a pet, they mean the family to them. Let’s drive through some of the fuzzy pet statistics.

On this page, you’ll find:

• Pet Market in the U.S
• Why Do People Keep Pets?
• The Popularity of Pets Among Americans
• Consumer Preferences and Trends
• Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Pet Ownership

Key Pet Ownership Statistics

Here are the top stats from the plethora of figures we have collected for you:

• In 2020, the U.S pet industry reached an estimated $99 billion. (APPA)

• The pet food segment brought in the highest revenue, with sales amounting to an estimated $38.4 billion in 2020. (Statista)

• Pet ownership in America has increased by more than 300% when compared to the 1970s. (Petpedia)

• 67% of Americans own at least one pet. (APPA)

• Since 30,000 BCE, dogs have been kept as pets making them the most historically popular pet. (Trivia Genius)

• The second most popular pet is the cat, with an estimated number of  88.3 million cats in the world. (Trivia Genius)

• At nearly 70 million and over 74 million respectively, the U.S has the highest global population of dogs and cats. (Pet Secure)

• In the U.S., there are around 3,500 animal shelters and there are around 10,000 animal sanctuaries and rescue groups on the North American continent. (The Humane Society of the United States)

• About 31% of pet owners are Millennials. (Petpedia)

• Wyoming is the state with the most pet owners with about 71.8% of them being pet owners. (Petpedia)

Pet Market in the U.S

The pet industry is steadily expanding year by year in the U.S. This growth has been attributed to smart technologies like GPS pet collars, pet cameras, smart feeders, and other smart gadgets. The pet market consists of various branches namely: pet food and treats, veterinary care, supplies sale, pet insurance companies, and accessories. Here is an insight into the pet market’s revenue.

01. In 2020, the U.S pet industry reached an estimated $99 billion. (APPA)

02. The pet food segment brought in the highest revenue, with sales amounting to an estimated $38.4 billion in 2020. (Statista)

03. An estimated $30.2 billion was spent on pet care and product sales in 2020. (APPA)

04. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 21% of the pet owners spent more money on their pets compared to the pre-pandemic. (Petpedia)

05. Since 2002, the pet industry has sustained annual average growth of 5.4%. (Compare Camp)

06. Between 2015 and 2016, a 4% increase was noted in the revenue of the pet industry. (Compare Camp)

07. By the end of 2018, a total of 2.43 million pets were insured. (Insurance Information Institute)

08. An estimated 97,030 veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers earn around $29,690 annually. (Compare Camp)

09. There were around 16,530 animal trainers employed in May 2019, with a mean annual wage of $36,240. (Compare Camp)

10. When owning a pet, more than $1000 is spent during the first year alone. (Petpedia)

Why Do People Keep Pets?

Having a pet by our side can surely make our life better. They aid us in managing loneliness and depression. Almost everyone owns a pet these days. Pets are adored by their owners. Pets have come a long way, from being strange, wild creatures they were once upon a time, to now becoming a part of our family now. Let us take a look at some interesting statistics about pet ownership.

11. Pet ownership in America has increased by more than 300% when compared to the 1970s. (Petpedia)

12. 67% of Americans own at least one pet. (APPA)

13. Pets are considered as a member of the family by 90% of the owners. (Daily Dog Stuff)

14. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 12% of adults with kids younger than 18 have adopted pets. (Petpedia)

15. Pets are considered as a source of unconditional love by 85% of pet owners. (Daily Dog Stuff)

16. 38% of pet owners feel they were able to manage COVID-19 related anxiety and stress because of their pet’s affection. (Petpedia)

17. About 50% of pet owners admit to talking to their pets when they are stressed out. (Pet Secure)

18. Studies have shown that having a dog helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 31%. (CNN Health)

19. Heart attack survivors who lived alone with their dogs had a 33% reduced risk of death. (CNN Health)

20. Stroke survivors who lived alone with their dogs had a 27% reduced risk of death. (CNN Health)

The Popularity of Pets Among Americans

From being a strange and wonderful distraction to an integral part of families all over the world, pets have co-evolved with humans so much. Indeed, it has come to a point where humans not only consider their pets as helpers but consider them as their companions or friend. Let us dive into some statistical collection of the popularity of pets among Americans.

21. Since 30,000 BCE, dogs have been kept as pets making them the most historically popular pet. (Trivia Genius)

22. The second most popular pet is the cat, with an estimated number of  88.3 million cats in the world. (Trivia Genius)

23. The ancient Egyptians began worshiping cats as far back as 3,000 BCE. (Fact Retriever)

24. Freshwater fish and birds are the most popular pets after dogs and cats. (APPA)

25. Other popular pets in the U.S. include small animals (5.4 million), reptiles (4.5 million), and horses (1.6 million.) (APPA)

26. In the U.S., there are more than 17 million exotic pets. (Petpedia)

27. About 1 in 10 Americans keep an exotic animal as a pet. (Petpedia)

28. In the U.S., the capybara is the most popular exotic pet. (Petpedia)

29. About 6% of the pets in the U.S. aboard a plane every year. (Petpedia)

30. Many American newspapers featured elegies for dead pets during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. (Fact Retriever)

Consumer Preferences and Trends

Since prehistoric times, humans have had pets. Almost every single culture in this world has a history of pets. The type of pets people own or like and the way they care for their pets vary. Whether it is a dog or a cat or a bird or any other pet, healthy food, and hygiene maintenance are substantial things that a pet needs. Now, it’s time to cover a selection of pet statistics focused on people’s preferences and trends.

31. At nearly 70 million and over 74 million respectively, the U.S has the highest global population of dogs and cats. (Pet Secure)

32. In the U.S., there are around 3,500 animal shelters and there are around 10,000 animal sanctuaries and rescue groups on the North American continent. (The Humane Society of the United States)

33. People adopt stray cats more often than they adopt stray dogs. (ASPCA)

34. 61% of U.S. pet owners are willing to pay extra for food that targets the nutritional needs of their pets. (Petpedia)

35. In 2020, 40% of dog owners and 25% of cat owners purchased clothing for their pets. (Petpedia)

36. Cat and dog owners are willing to spend about $300 a year on pet food and treats. (APPA)

37. Premium pet food is procured by 43% of dog owners and 41% of cat owners. (Petpedia)

38. 69% of millennials prefer buying natural and organic products for their pets. (Petpedia)

39. During Christmas, more than 50% of both cat and dog owners gift their pets. (Petpedia)

40. On average, dog owners spend $73 a year on grooming while cat owners spend $43 on grooming. (APPA)

Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Pet Ownership

The bond shared between pets and humans offers an insight into how our societies have evolved. The relationship between a pet and its owner is symbiotic. Pet ownership is influenced by several socio-demographic factors. They differ according to the type of pet owned, the age of the people, and geographic factors. Now, let us explore some of the socio-demographic factors that the pet industry depends on.

41. About 31% of pet owners are Millennials. (Petpedia)

42. Wyoming is the state with the most pet owners with about 71.8% of them being pet owners. (Petpedia)

43. The age group with the highest pet ownership is 21 to 29 years, at 19%. (Compare Camp)

44. Only 1% of people aged between 18 and 19 own a pet. (Compare Camp)

45. Around 74% of pet owners own a dog, 61% own a cat, and 13% own fishes. (Compare Camp)

46. 53% of pet owners are female while 47% of them are male. (Compare Camp)

47. Dog owners are highest in Montana while cat owners are highest in Vermont. (Petpedia)

48. About 90 million dogs were kept as pets in the U.S. (Petpedia)

49. About 25% of the pets that enter animal shelters are abandoned by their owners. (ASPCA)

50. Woefully, most of the black pets in animal shelters are euthanized. (Petpedia)

Conclusion

Until the 1840s, birds were the only pets. Two decades later, the first commercially prepared dog food came to light. The pet industry has grown into a robust sector since then. If you are a pet owner, then you would have already experienced an enjoyable life. When an animal joins our family, the feeling that we experience is simply gratifying. The statistics that are listed in this article show how much joy one furry pet can bring into your life. Saying so, I conclude this statistical report about the pet industry.