Pets - Statistics & Facts

Most American pet owners consider their pet their best friend, a notion supported by a comparison of the number of pet owners and the increase in pet retail sales: While the number of people living in households with at least one pet and the number of people who have shopped for pet supplies have been consistent over the last few years, consumers have been spending more and more money for their pets, thus boosting pet food retail sales in the United States. Most expenses for cats and dogs in American households are due to vet visits, however Americans like to spoil their pets as well; almost half as much is spent on treats, grooming and toys.

Quantitatively speaking, fish remarkably outnumber all other pets. However, dogs are still Americans’ favorite pets, as they are most prevalent within American households – closely followed by cats. Most Americans who grew up with pets stated that their childhood pet was a dog (again, closely followed by velvet paws). Both dogs and cats are preferably adopted from family members, friends or shelters.



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Most common pets in American households

Dog and cats

Share of pet owners who took their pet to the vet last year

80%
Overview
Most common pets in American households Dog and cats Number of cats in the U.S. 95.6m Number of dogs in the U.S. 89.7m Household penetration rate for pet-ownership in the U.S. 68%
Pet care
Share of pet owners who took their pet to the vet last year 80% Annual expenses on medical costs for cats in the U.S. 390 USD U.S. consumers spending on vet services 149.95 USD Pet food sales in U.S. pet stores in 2016 7,98bn USD Number of PetSmart pet care stores in North America 1,500 Largest market for pet stores in the U.S. 45 to 54 years
Americans and their pets
Share of respondents who regard their pet as best friend 66% Money spending for Valentine's Day gifts for pets 26.24 USD Amount of money spent on toys for pets per year 63.7 USD Share of Americans who take their dog with them on RV vacations 93% Americans who got their cat from a shelter or rescue organization 18% Americans who think shelters should be allowed to euthanize pets when they are sick or aggressive 71%

Pets in the U.S. - Important statistics

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Topic: Pet food in the U.S.

Topic: Pet food consumption in the UK (Kantar Media TGI)

Topic: Pet food in the United Kingdom (UK)

Other statistics on the topic

The whole topic in one document

Pets in the U.S.
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The whole topic in one document

Pets in the U.S.
  • Edited and prepared
  • Download in PPT/PDF format
  • Instant access
  • From $365
View dossier
Overview
Most common pets in American households Dog and cats Number of cats in the U.S. 95.6m Number of dogs in the U.S. 89.7m Household penetration rate for pet-ownership in the U.S. 68%
Pet care
Share of pet owners who took their pet to the vet last year 80% Annual expenses on medical costs for cats in the U.S. 390 USD U.S. consumers spending on vet services 149.95 USD Pet food sales in U.S. pet stores in 2016 7,98bn USD Number of PetSmart pet care stores in North America 1,500 Largest market for pet stores in the U.S. 45 to 54 years
Americans and their pets
Share of respondents who regard their pet as best friend 66% Money spending for Valentine's Day gifts for pets 26.24 USD Amount of money spent on toys for pets per year 63.7 USD Share of Americans who take their dog with them on RV vacations 93% Americans who got their cat from a shelter or rescue organization 18% Americans who think shelters should be allowed to euthanize pets when they are sick or aggressive 71%

Recommended statistics

U.S. pet food sales 2011-2016
Number of dogs in the U.S. 2000-2017
Number of cats in the U.S. 2000-2017/2018

Infographics on the topic

Pets Infographic - Pet Euthanasia Has Declined Sharply In The U.S.
Reigning cats and dogsTop 10 Governmental contributors to the budget of the UNHCRCountries with the highest per capita donations for the UNHCR

Infographics on the topic

Pets Infographic - Pet Euthanasia Has Declined Sharply In The U.S.
Reigning cats and dogsTop 10 Governmental contributors to the budget of the UNHCRCountries with the highest per capita donations for the UNHCR

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