Author:
Steph Coelho
Report highlights. About 95 million U.S. households own at least one pet, according to the American Pet Products Association’s 2025 National Pet Owners Survey (APPA, March 2026). That’s roughly 7 in 10 of the 134.8 million U.S. households counted by the Census Bureau in 2025.
- How many people have dogs? About 71 million U.S. households (53%) owned a dog in 2025 (APPA). The American Veterinary Medical Association’s separate survey puts it lower, at 45.5% of households (59.8 million) in 2024 (AVMA).
- How many dogs are in the U.S.? About 87.3 million pet dogs in 2025, according to the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook (AVMA, October 2025).
- How many people own cats? About 53 million U.S. households (39%) owned a cat in 2025 (APPA). AVMA counted 42.1 million cat-owning households (32.1%) in 2024.
- How many pet cats are in the U.S.? About 76.3 million in 2025 (AVMA).
- Average number of cats per household: 1.8 cats per cat-owning household, down from 2.2 in 1987. Dog-owning households average 1.6 dogs (AVMA, 2025).
- Americans spent $158 billion on their pets in 2025, and APPA projects $165 billion in 2026.
Why do the numbers differ? APPA and AVMA run separate national surveys with different questions and samples, so their ownership rates don’t match. APPA counts more pet-owning households. We show both, with the year for each.
Pet Ownership by State:
AL | AK | AZ | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV
U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics
Pet ownership in the United States has risen steadily for decades. In 1988, the first year of APPA’s survey, 56% of households owned a pet (Insurance Information Institute, citing APPA). By 2025, about 95 million households did.
- 95 million U.S. households owned at least one pet in 2025 (APPA). In 2024, APPA put this at 94 million, or 71% of households (III).
- 71 million households (53%) owned a dog in 2025, up from 51% in 2024 (APPA).
- 53 million households (39%) owned a cat in 2025, up 5% from 2024 (APPA).
- 9 million households had freshwater fish, 6 million had reptiles, 5 million had birds, 5 million had small animals, 2 million had horses and 1 million had saltwater fish (APPA, 2025; APPA industry stats).
- 41% of pet owners had just one pet in 2025 (AVMA). In APPA’s 2024 survey, 63% of pet-owning households had two or more pets (Pet Food Processing, reporting APPA data).
- 88.8% of dog owners and 84.7% of cat owners consider their pet a member of the family (AVMA, 2024).
| Measure | APPA (2025) | AVMA |
|---|---|---|
| Households with a dog | 71 million (53%) | 59.8 million (45.5%), 2024 |
| Households with a cat | 53 million (39%) | 42.1 million (32.1%), 2024 |
| Pet dogs | Not published | 87.3 million, 2025 |
| Pet cats | Not published | 76.3 million, 2025 |
| Dogs per dog-owning household | Not published | 1.6, 2025 |
| Cats per cat-owning household | Not published | 1.8, 2025 |
Sources: APPA 2026 State of the Industry Report; AVMA 2024 Sourcebook; AVMA 2025 Sourcebook.
Pet Ownership Among Generations
Younger adults are driving much of the recent growth, but in 2025 Gen X also added pets across many species (APPA).
- Millennials made up 30% of U.S. pet owners in 2025, Gen X 28%, Baby Boomers 22% and Gen Z 21% (APPA).
- In 2024, Gen Z made up 20% of pet-owning households (18.8 million), and 70% of Gen Z pet owners had two or more pets (APPA 2025 report).
- Gen X pet ownership grew 12% from 2024 to 2025. Gen X dog ownership rose 12%, cat ownership 8%, bird ownership 25%, reptile ownership 20% and freshwater fish ownership 17% (APPA).
Historical Pet Ownership
Both major surveys show long-term growth, especially in dogs.
- Pet-owning households rose from 56% in 1988 to 71% in 2024 (APPA, via III).
- The U.S. pet dog population grew from 52.9 million in 1996 to 87.3 million in 2025. It peaked at 89.7 million in 2024 (AVMA).
- The pet cat population went from 59.8 million in 1996 to 76.3 million in 2025. Cats peaked at 81.7 million in 2006 (AVMA).
- Dog-owning households grew from 31.3 million (31.6% of households) in 1996 to 59.8 million (45.5%) in 2024. Cat-owning households grew from 27 million (27.3%) to 42.1 million (32.1%) (AVMA).
- Dog owners have averaged about 1.6 dogs since 1987, while cats per cat-owning household fell from 2.2 to 1.8 (AVMA, 2025).
- Dogs and cats together: 163.6 million in 2025, about 45% more than in 1996 (AVMA).
Pet Ownership Among States
The most recent state-by-state pet ownership rates come from the AVMA’s 2017–2018 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, which used data from the end of 2016. We couldn’t find newer state-level rates in AVMA’s public releases, so these remain the best available state figures. Keep in mind they’re nearly a decade old.
- Rural states had the highest pet ownership. The top 10 were Wyoming (72%), West Virginia (71%), Nebraska (70%), Vermont (70%), Idaho (70%), Indiana (69%), Arkansas (69%), Mississippi (65%), Oklahoma (65%) and Colorado (65%) (Pet Food Processing, reporting AVMA data).
- Rhode Island (45%), South Dakota (46%) and New Jersey (47%) had the lowest rates.
- Montana and Arkansas (52%) had the highest share of dog-owning households. Vermont (44.6%) and Maine (43.6%) had the highest share of cat-owning households in the table below.
| State | Pet Ownership Rate Among Households | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Pet(s) | Dog(s) | Cat(s) | |
| Wyoming | 71.8% | 36.0% | 30.0% |
| West Virginia | 70.7% | 50.0% | 38.0% |
| Vermont | 70.0% | 28.3% | 44.6% |
| Nebraska | 70%† | — | — |
| Idaho | 69.9% | 33.3% | 34.4% |
| Indiana | 69.2% | 49.4% | 37.5% |
| Arkansas | 69.0% | 51.6% | 34.8% |
| Mississippi | 65.5% | 51.0% | 29.1% |
| Oklahoma | 65.0% | 47.7% | 28.4% |
| Colorado | 65%† | — | — |
| Kentucky | 64.1% | 46.5% | 32.2% |
| North Dakota | 63.7% | 44.3% | 24.8% |
| Missouri | 63.5% | 45.1% | 32.2% |
| Maine | 63.5% | 35.9% | 43.6% |
| Kansas | 62.8% | 43.1% | 32.4% |
| Washington | 62.7% | 42.8% | 30.5% |
| Ohio | 62.4% | 37.9% | 30.7% |
| Michigan | 62.4% | 41.9% | 31.2% |
| South Carolina | 62.0% | 45.3% | 25.2% |
| Montana | 61.9% | 51.9% | 22.8% |
| Tennessee | 61.7% | 47.0% | 30.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 60.6% | 38.9% | 28.9% |
| New Mexico | 60.1% | 39.4% | 25.2% |
| Hawaii | 60% | 43% | — |
| Alabama | 59.8% | 46.9% | 26.1% |
| Iowa | 59.4% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Oregon | 59.2% | 37.8% | 30.0% |
| Wisconsin | 59.0% | 33.6% | 32.4% |
| North Carolina | 58.6% | 41.3% | 26.5% |
| Utah | 58.5% | 36.2% | 24.7% |
| Texas | 58.2% | 43.4% | 26.5% |
| Arizona | 58.0% | 43.0% | 26.4% |
| Delaware | 57.9% | 42.2% | 24.1% |
| Florida | 56.0% | 39.8% | 24.2% |
| Virginia | 55.5% | 35.6% | 23.9% |
| Louisiana | 54.4% | 38.3% | 19.0% |
| Minnesota | 54.0% | 35.5% | 26.5% |
| Nevada | 53.3% | 36.8% | 23.1% |
| California | 53.0% | 32.8% | 28.3% |
| New Hampshire | 51.8% | 23.7% | 36.4% |
| Georgia | 51.1% | 36.7% | 20.4% |
| Connecticut | 49.9% | 24.0% | 26.7% |
| New York | 49.7% | 27.0% | 21.1% |
| Massachusetts | 49.1% | 28.9% | 23.5% |
| Maryland | 48.6% | 30.2% | 18.6% |
| Illinois | 48.6% | 32.4% | 18.6% |
| New Jersey | 47.4% | 29.1% | 18.9% |
| South Dakota | 46.4% | 32.1% | 26.6% |
| Rhode Island | 45.4% | 25.8% | 16.7% |
| Alaska | — | — | — |
Source: AVMA 2017–2018 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook (end-2016 data), as compiled by World Population Review. — = not available. † Nebraska and Colorado use AVMA’s published rounded rates (Pet Food Processing), because the compiled table conflicts with them. Their dog and cat rates are not shown.
Exotic Pet Ownership
“Exotic pet” usually means an animal that isn’t fully domesticated, but the legal definition depends on where you live. In 2025, about 6 million U.S. households kept reptiles, 5 million kept birds and 5 million kept small animals (APPA). Not all of these are exotic, since many small animals and birds are long-domesticated species.
- Rules differ by state, and sometimes by city or county. Some places ban whole groups of animals, such as primates or big cats. Others require permits.
- Check your state wildlife agency and local ordinances before getting an exotic pet, and find a veterinarian who treats that species first.
Cost of Owning a Pet
U.S. pet industry spending reached $158 billion in 2025, up 3.7% from $152 billion in 2024. APPA projects $165 billion for 2026 (APPA). Pet food is the largest category.
- $68.3 billion went to pet food and treats in 2025, $41.0 billion to vet care and product sales, $34.4 billion to supplies, live animals and OTC medicine, and $14.3 billion to other services like grooming, boarding, insurance and training (APPA).
- Pet owners reported spending about $1,700 a year on their pets in 2025, about $200 more than in the two years before. Veterinary care was 32.4% of that (AVMA).
- Average yearly vet spending in 2025 was $598 for dog owners and $529 for cat owners (AVMA).
- In APPA’s 2024–2025 survey, dog owners reported spending $331 a year on vet care and $293 on food. Cat owners reported $179 on vet care and $194 on food. APPA asked about each category separately (III).
- 22% of pet owners said they spent less on their pets in 2025, up from 2024. About half said their spending was unchanged (APPA).
For lifetime estimates by species, see our lifetime cost of pet ownership guide.
Cost of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is growing fast, but most pets still aren’t covered (NAPHIA 2026 State of the Industry Report, covering 2025).
- 6.98 million U.S. pets were insured at the end of 2025 (5.23 million dogs and 1.75 million cats), up 9.0% from 2024.
- That’s just 4.27% of U.S. dogs and cats: 5.99% of dogs and 2.29% of cats.
- U.S. pet insurance premiums totaled about $5.7 billion in 2025, up 19.7%.
- The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for dogs and $435 a year for cats in 2025. Accident-only plans averaged $190 for dogs and $112 for cats.
- Cats are a growing share of insured pets: 25.1% in 2025, up from 18.3% in 2021.
- California has the most insured pets, at 18.1% of the U.S. total.
Pet Healthcare
Veterinary care is the second-largest pet expense after food (APPA). The American Animal Hospital Association recommends that all pets have a veterinary exam at least once a year, and more often for many pets (AAHA).
- 83.4% of pet owners said they had a regular veterinarian, but only 69.4% had visited one in the previous year (2024) (AVMA, 2025).
- The average cost of the last vet visit was $200 as reported in 2025 ($220 for dog owners, $202 for cat owners), up from $147 in 2024 (AVMA).
- 16.1% of dog owners and 28.0% of cat owners spent nothing on vet care in the past year (AVMA, 2025).
- A routine checkup or preventive care was the reason for the last visit for 81.6% of dog owners and 76.4% of cat owners (AVMA, 2025).
| Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal issues | Gastrointestinal issues |
| Ear infections | Dental disease |
| Skin conditions | Urinary tract infection |
| Anxiety, behavioral or neurological issues | Anxiety, behavioral or neurological issues |
| Allergies | Respiratory issues |
Source: NAPHIA 2026 State of the Industry Report (North America insurance claims, 2025).
Marijuana Toxicity in Dogs
THC, the part of cannabis that causes a “high,” is toxic to dogs and cats. Edibles can be extra risky because they may also contain chocolate or xylitol (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine). As of March 1, 2026, 24 states and D.C. allowed recreational marijuana and 40 states and D.C. had comprehensive medical marijuana programs (Congressional Research Service).
- Recreational drugs, including marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms, made up 1.9% of the more than 376,000 pet exposures reported to ASPCA Poison Control in 2025 (ASPCA).
- In a study of 223 dogs treated for marijuana or THC toxicity from 2017 to 2021, the most common signs were wobbly walking (88.3%), extra sensitivity to touch or sound (75.3%) and urine leaking (45.7%) (JAVMA, 2024).
- If you think your pet ate cannabis, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply).
Benefits of Pet Ownership
Health experts point to real benefits of living with pets, though studies show associations, not guarantees. According to the CDC, pets can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, ease loneliness, anxiety and PTSD symptoms, and give owners more chances to exercise and socialize. People in animal-assisted programs may see some of the same benefits, as in our look at the benefits of therapy dogs.
- A 2013 American Heart Association scientific statement concluded that pet ownership, especially dog ownership, is probably associated with lower heart disease risk. It also said people shouldn’t get a pet mainly to lower that risk (Levine et al., Circulation).
- Dog owners often get more physical activity, largely from walking their dogs (AHA statement).
Aquarium Therapy for Alzheimer’s
A Purdue University study of 62 people with Alzheimer’s disease, published in 2002, found that adding fish aquariums to their specialized care units increased how much residents ate (Edwards & Beck, Western Journal of Nursing Research).
- Nutritional intake rose 21.1% after the aquariums were introduced.
- Residents’ weight rose by 1.65 pounds over the 16-week study, and they needed fewer nutritional supplements.
Pet Population Statistics
These counts cover owned pets only, not strays, community cats or animals in shelters.
- 87.3 million pet dogs and 76.3 million pet cats lived in U.S. homes in 2025, for a total of 163.6 million (AVMA).
- 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters and rescues in 2025 (2.8 million dogs and 3 million cats) (ASPCA / Shelter Animals Count).
- 4.2 million shelter dogs and cats were adopted in 2025, and about 597,000 were euthanized. Shelter euthanasia rates dropped from 10% in 2019 to 8% in 2025 (ASPCA). See our pet adoption statistics for more.
- Most animals entering shelters in 2025 came in as strays (59%), followed by owner surrenders (30%) (ASPCA).
Pet Ownership FAQs
How many people have dogs in the U.S.?
About 71 million U.S. households, or 53%, owned a dog in 2025, according to APPA. The AVMA’s survey estimates 45.5% of households (59.8 million) in 2024.
How many dogs are in the U.S.?
About 87.3 million pet dogs in 2025, according to the AVMA. That’s down slightly from a peak of 89.7 million in 2024.
How many people own cats?
About 53 million U.S. households, or 39%, owned a cat in 2025 (APPA). The AVMA counted 42.1 million cat-owning households (32.1%) in 2024.
What is the average number of cats per household?
1.8 cats per cat-owning household in 2025, down from 2.2 in 1987 (AVMA). Dog-owning households average 1.6 dogs.
What percentage of Americans have pets?
About 7 in 10 households. APPA reported 71% (94 million households) in 2024 and 95 million households in 2025.
What is the most popular pet in the U.S.?
Dogs. In 2025, 71 million households had a dog and 53 million had a cat. Freshwater fish were next, at 9 million households (APPA).
How many pets are insured in the U.S.?
About 6.98 million dogs and cats at the end of 2025, or 4.27% of U.S. dogs and cats (NAPHIA).
Sources
- American Pet Products Association (APPA), “U.S. Pet Industry Reaches $158 Billion in 2025, Poised for Continued Growth in 2026” (March 26, 2026)
- APPA, Industry Trends and Stats: 2025 National Pet Owners Survey and pet industry expenditures
- APPA 2025 State of the Industry Report press release (via Pets+, March 2025)
- Pet Food Processing, “US pet food, treat industry amasses $65 billion in sales” (APPA 2025 report)
- Good News for Pets, APPA 2025 report: Gen Z statistics
- AVMA News, “Evolving pet owner economics: What data reveal for veterinary teams” (2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, October 15, 2025)
- AVMA News, “Pet population continues to increase while pet spending declines” (2024 Sourcebook, October 10, 2024)
- Pet Food Processing, “Pups and poultry: a snapshot of US pet ownership today” (AVMA 2017–2018 Sourcebook, December 3, 2018)
- World Population Review, Pet Ownership Statistics by State (compiles AVMA 2017–2018 data)
- Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), 2026 State of the Industry Report Highlights (June 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Historical Households Tables, Table HH-1 (December 2025)
- ASPCA, U.S. Animal Shelter Statistics (2025 data from Shelter Animals Count)
- ASPCA, “The Top 10 Toxins of 2025” (March 15, 2026)
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, clinical findings in 223 dogs with marijuana/THC toxicity (2024)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cannabis (THC) intoxication in dogs
- Congressional Research Service, “The Federal Status of Marijuana and the Policy Gap with States” (2026)
- American Animal Hospital Association, Frequency of veterinary visits
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Healthy Pets, Healthy People
- Levine GN et al., “Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk,” Circulation (2013)
- Edwards NE, Beck AM, “Animal-Assisted Therapy and Nutrition in Alzheimer’s Disease,” Western Journal of Nursing Research (2002)