Pet ownership in the U.S. - statistics & facts

Pets are, and always have been, an important part of the family. They can provide comfort, companionship, entertainment, and exercise. Popular animals to keep at home include dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and fish, among others. A large share of Americans across all age groups considers their pet to be their “fur-baby”, suggesting that their pet is a big part of their lives.

Pet ownership rates in the U.S.

Expenditure on pets and pet products was forecast to reach around 136.8 billion U.S. dollars in the United States in 2022, a figure which has consistently increased year-on-year. Unsurprisingly, American pet ownership levels have also grown: In 2023, around 66 percent of American households reported that they owned at least one pet, an increase of about 18 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, around 65 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 February 2022, 14 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.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Emma Bedford, Aug 31, 2023

Key insights

Number of dog owning households in the U.S.
65.1m
Pet food sales worldwide
123.6bn USD
Average American yearly spending on dogs
1,201 USD
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Number of pet owning households in the United States in 2023, by species (in millions)

Pets & Animal Supplies

Number of U.S. pet owning households by species 2023

Share of pet ownership in the United States in 2023, by generation

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Generational share of pet ownership in the United States 2023

Pet industry expenditure in the United States from 1994 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

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U.S. pet industry expenditure 1994-2022

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