Pet ownership rates in the U.S.

Expenditure on pets and pet products amounted to 99 billion U.S. dollars on an annual basis in the United States, a figure which has consistently increased year-on-year. Unsurprisingly, American pet ownership levels have also grown: In 2019, around 67 percent of American households reported that they owned at least one pet, an increase of 11 percent since the start of the survey period in 1988. Dogs are still Americans’ favorite pets, as they are found in the most homes in the U.S. – followed by cats and freshwater fish. In the most recent survey year, over 63 million households owned at least one dog.

COVID-19 impact on pet ownership

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of day-to-day life. As people spend more time at home and have more time for hobbies, the likelihood of Americans acquiring a new pet has increased. In December 2020, 10 percent of surveyed Americans reported getting a new pet. Contrastingly, some respondents also reported having to give up a pet due to COVID-19, albeit a much lower percentage. Of those who did get a new pet throughout the pandemic, they were most likely to be within the Generation Z generational cohort, displaying that younger people are more likely to get a pet at this time.

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