Quick Answer
How many people have pets in 2025?
84.9 million or 67% of American homes have a pet.
Do you already have a dog, cat, or other pet in your household? Did you recently adopt or obtain a pet over the past couple of years since the pandemic?
Are you considering getting a dog, cat, or other pet?
We all know that pets can be friends, loyal companions, and a big part of our support system. That is the personal and emotional side of having a pet.
No matter where you fall in the category of pet ownership or potential pet ownership, there are interesting statistics for animal lovers that you should know.
While the following pet ownership statistics for 2025 are putting pet ownership into numbers, the experience of having a pet in your home is still quite personal, as it should be.
Whether you want to know which pets are the most popular, or how the pandemic has changed the dynamics, we have some fascinating pet ownership statistics for you.
We will start with how many people have pets and the most popular pet ownership statistics in 2025 and then address some other fascinating and unique stats.
Key Pet Ownership Statistics 2025
- 84.9 million or 67% of American homes have a pet
- Pet owners spend $235M a year on pet food
- 60% of pet owners care about the nutrition of their pet’s food
- 67% of New York landlords allow pets
- 11.5 million homes have a pet fish
- 90% of pet owners see their pet as part of the family
General Pet Ownership Statistics 2025
Millennials Are the Group with The Highest Pet Ownership Ranking.
The most current pet ownership statistics show that millennials have taken the top spot in animal ownership over baby boomers now.
More specifically, millennials tend to lead in pet ownership for birds, fish, and small pets.
67% of Homes in The United States Own a Pet of Some Kind.
How many people have pets? Well, It has been estimated that about 84.9 million households in the United States as of the years between 2019 and 2020.
This number does not include the stats related to responsible pet ownership. Sadly, that statistic is much lower.
The Pandemic Crisis Resulted in An Increase of Animal/pet Deaths when Residents Were Evacuated from Wuhan.
This interesting statistic shows that the pandemic did not only affect the human population, but also the pet population.
The sad truth is that these animals were tossed out into the street, killed on sight, and other such aggressive behavior towards animals.
Sadly, as the pandemic spread, similar instances of this occurrence made it to the global level.
Cat or Dog Owners Spend an Average of Around $235 Million Annually on Pet Food.
That’s just the amount for pet food alone. This does not include treats, veterinary services, toys, bedding, etc.
Additionally, there is the time and effort you put into your pet, which includes things like walking your dog, cleaning your cat’s litter box, cleaning up puppy accidents, etc.
60% of Pet Owners Concern Themselves About Their Pet’s Nutrition.
With 60% of pet owners worried over the quality of their pet’s nutrition, it’s no wonder they spend so much of pet food alone.
The main concerns include contents like hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, pesticides, toxins, and artificial colors and flavors.
67% of New York Landlords Allow Pets in Rentals.
When you own your own home and property, it is a given that you are allowed to have a pet at your discretion. However, for rental homes, apartments, etc., this is not a given.
In New York, landlords are allowing tenants who have pets more than in the past. Some (47%) even offer pet-friendly furnished rentals.
What about other states? Seattle’s landlords are at 61% regarding tenants having pets, and 54% of Chicago’s landlords offer pet-friendly rentals.
You Cannot Have a Smelly Canine in Galesburg, Illinois.
We know this is an odd statistic, but it’s true. In Galesburg, Illinois, you cannot own a stinky pet of any kind. The law covers dogs, but also poultry (chickens), and other fowl.
Recently, a statement from the local police chief said that this law is not one they actively enforce, but that they do get their fair share of smelly chicken complaints from locals.
If you live in this Illinois town, perhaps keeping your pet groomed will help.
11.5 Million Homes Have Freshwater Fish as Pets.
Whether this comes as a surprise to you or not, as of 2020, there are an estimated 11.5 million households that own freshwater fish.
What about saltwater fish? About 1.6 million homes have saltwater fish as pets. Essentially, cats and dogs are still the top most popular pets.
More than 90% of Pet Owners Consider Their Pet Part of Their Family.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that pet ownership statistics tell us that over 90% of pet owners view their pets as family members.
As of 2021, these stats show that this includes all kinds of pets, not just cats, dogs, and other conventional pets. Fish, reptiles, spiders, and other pets also made the cut.
$95.7 million was spent on pets in 2019.
You already know that the average amount of money spent on pet food alone was $235, but here is the data for the whole pet ownership costs.
Between food, toys, bedding, apparel, vet visits, surgeries, medical treatments, treats, and other elements of pet ownership, a whopping $95.7 million was spent on pet in 2019.
Dog Ownership Statistics 2025
If you have a dog for a pet, these statistics will be of interest to you.
60.2 Million U.S. Households Are Dog Owners.
The official statistics regarding the United States dog ownership reports that 60.2 million households have at least one dog.
You may be surprised to know that people who have cats usually have multiple cats, more so than dog owner have multiple dogs.
In the United States, dogs may be the number one pet, but with 4.5 million fewer canines than felines, cats take that win.
The Average Number of Dogs per U.S. Household Is 1.49 from 2018 Reports.
Now that you know that cats win the numbers statistics for population, it’s time to learn a little more about dogs.
Cats weigh in at 2 per household overall, while dogs weigh in at 1.49 dogs per household.
It helps to know that these numbers fluctuate every year.
In 2018, 2.43 Million North American Pets Were Insured.
In case you were unaware, there is such a thing as pet insurance. In North America alone (in 2018) a reported 2.43 million pets were insured.
Out of these insured pets, dogs make up 88.9% of insured pets, with a total of $1.26 billion.
Premiums for illness and accident dog insurance in 2018 were $566.34,which you can tack onto how much dog owners spend per year on their companions.
Accident-only insurance for dogs averaged $190.02 in 2018. The average age of insured dogs was reported to be 4.58 years old.
Large Dog Breeds Are Proven to Deter Burglars.
For years, we all believed that a big dog would deter home invasions, but now, we know that large dog breeds do, in fact, deter home invasions, according to the statistics.
80% of Millennials Partake in Dog Ownership.
You read before that millennials are the largest segment in the pet ownership realm. Now, the stats tell us that 80% of millennials have dogs.
Cat ownership among millennials is reported at 50%. An updated version of this survey includes Gen Z, which equals the millennial percentage.
In 2019, $796.8 Million Was Doled out For Liability Claims Due to Dogs and For Dog Bites.
In the United States, it is reported that around 4.7 million dog bites occur each year. This is why dog owners should always get the appropriate insurance coverage.
Homeowners and renters insurance policies usually cover dog bites within the liability portion of their coverage. Those liability limits range between $100,000 and $300,000.
On a positive note, the rate of dog bites dropped across the US in 2018.
The Pet Tech Market Is Predicted to Grow to Over $20 Billions by 2025.
Much like you would expect, the tech market in the pet industry is expected to see substantial growth by 2025. As of 2018, pet ownership statistics stated that this market made up 55% of the pet industry’s shares.
This has been happening since people are investing more in smart tech for their homes. For instance, cameras to keep an eye on their pets, as well as audio to talk to them throughout the day.
Cat Ownership Statistics 2025
Community Cats Are a Thing, and It Is Estimated that There Are 30-40 Million of Them in The United States.
Community cats are those cats that are feral (wild), stray, or abandoned, who are trying to survive the wiles of the world.
Only about 2% of community cats are neutered or spayed, which results in about 80% of newborn kittens among them.
Cat Owners Spend Around $160 Annually on Regular Veterinary Visits.
Besides the yearly costs for food and litter, cats’ veterinary bills on average are $160 per year.
Other statistics regarding the costs of cat ownership may include toys ($30 annually), grooming ($40 per year), treats ($58 on average per year), and boarding (if you travel) can cost around $120 per year.
These numbers will vary (more or less) depending on where you live and your local resources.
Cats Are the Second Most Popular Household Pet, with 47.1 Million of United States Households Having Felines in 2018.
Cats fall short of an estimated 13.1 million, second to dogs for pet ownership. The 47.1 million household cats does not reflect the total number of cats in the United States.
This number also does not reflect the fact that around half of cat owners have multiple feline friends in their homes. That statistic stands at 94.2 million pet cats in the nation.
The Most Cat-Friendly U.S. City Is Birmingham, Alabama.
As of 2021, the most cat-friendly city and state is Birmingham, Alabama, which has a 90.7 score. Portland, Oregon comes in second at 85, and Madison, Wisconsin at 83.4.
Some other A-rated U.S. cities that favor cat ownership include, Orlando, Florida, Richmond, Virginia, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Now you know where to live if you are a cat lover.
Over £1.1 Billion Was Spent in The Uk in 2019 on Cat Food.
If this number doesn’t seem excessive to you, compare it to the £1.4 billion that was spent on dog food. Keep in mind, that this amount is merely what these cat lovers spent on their feline companions’ food.
Total spending for cat owners is likely much higher since they also purchase kitty treats, clothes, carriers, litter boxes, litter, toys, etc.
47% of The Households in Romania Have at Least One Feline.
This statistic makes Romania the number one EU country in the cat ownership realm.
Latvia’s households are at 38% in cat ownership, and Hungary comes in a close third at 34%. Slovenia and Portugal are tied at 33%.
Statistics from 2018 Mark the Cat Population in Europe at 103.8 Million.
In 2010, there were 85 millions cats in Europe. Between 2012 and 2013, that number skyrocketed by 10 million, but then between 2016 and 2017, a minor decrease was notated.
Exotic Pet Ownership Statistics 2025
It Is Estimated that 4.8 Million Birds Are in Australian Homes.
Australia enforces strict laws for owning exotic pets. Even so, birds are popular pets in this country. While the stats show that fewer than 20% of Australian households own a pet bird, the popularity of birds is still high.
Fish is another exotic pet in Australian households. Fish make up 10.7 million of fish pet ownership in Australia.
It Is Believed that Around 5,000 to 10,000 Tigers Are Currently Living in Captivity in The United States.
It is estimated that around 5,000 to 10,000 tigers are owned and kept in captivity in the United States.
Most states either ban the ownership of tigers, or have very strict laws for having one. Keep in mind that not all states in the US regulate tiger ownership.
A sad fact is that it’s been found to be easier to purchase a tiger than to adopt a cat from some shelters in the US. This issue depends on the state.
One in Five Exotic Species Are Traded as A Product or A Pet.
It’s not common for wild animals to be kept in captivity, bred, or sold. However, if they are, the parents of said animals were highly likely to have been caught in the wild.
If you are thinking of getting a wild animal as a pet, you should know that they are captured out in the wild, which put their species at risk for endangerment or
extinction.
The US Pet Ownership Statistics Are Not Exact for Foxes.
Can you imagine having a fox as a pet? It does happen in the US, at least. Consequently, the exact number of foxes in US households is likely inaccurate.
Keeping a fox as a pet is illegal in most states of the US. The legal aspect depends on the state. Foxes are not usually legal to have as a private pet.
Importing foxes is also a thing, but the legalities regarding this varies between states. Some states may require a license, and some have no laws related to wild or exotic animal ownership.
It Is Estimated that 90% of Pet Reptiles Have Salmonella in Their Feces.
The potential of transmitting deadly infections to humans is a big risk. Salmonella bacteria is one problem with reptile ownership. This is certainly something to consider if you want a snake or other reptile.
Monkey Ownership Can Result in Herpes B, Among Other Deadly Diseases.
Monkeys carry the herpes B virus, which has the potential of being deadly to humans.
Monkeys also carry other risky disease that are harmful or deadly to humans. Just in case you were thinking of getting one of the adorable monkeys.
Conclusion
Everyone knows that having a pet can have a calming effect on one’s life. They are known to help relieve stress, and even lower blood pressure in some cases.
More and more hospitals around the globe are allowing pets, specifically dogs, to help patients cope, or relax.
The bottom line is that before you decide to become part of the pet ownership realm, make sure you are ready for the responsibilities that pets come with.
It doesn’t matter what kind of pet you are considering, you still should weigh the pros and cons.
Even choosing a dog breed is an important factor when you are considering a dog as a pet.
For instance, do you have children? If you do, is the breed you are considering good with children?
You must be even more cautious if you are considering exotic animals, birds, or reptiles. The risks of infections, disease, and other factors must be considered.
How you will care for them, and how much attention and care they require, are also elements to factor into your decision.
Bonus Pet Ownership Statistics & Facts 2024
Which US State Has the Most Pet Owners?
Weighing in at 71.8%, it seems that Wyoming takes that win. States that rank right behind Wyoming include, Vermont, Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana, and Idaho.
What Is the Most Popular Exotic Pet in The United States?
Believe it or not, the most popular exotic pet in the US is a rodent, called the capybara. These are large rodents that need a lot of space. They are not legal in all states.
Which Pet Can Potentially Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke?
You may already know that cats are the pet that can lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. This is a fact that has been proven by science.
The frequency of the cat’s purr can improve your sleep, help your bones and muscles heal, and reduce stress and anxiety.
How Long Have People Been Keeping Dogs as Pets?
It seems that archeologists have unearthed evidence that dogs have been man’s best friend since at least early Ancient Roman times.
Where Do Dogs Come From?
We see a variety of dog breeds and variations in today’s world. However, it is said that all dogs came from two strains of wolves dating back about 15,000 years.
What Fish Types Are Most Popular?
There are 10 fish types that tend to be the most popular to keep. These include, the Betta, Goldfish, Catfish, Angel fish, Mollies, Guppies, Platies, Neon Tetras, Zebra Danios, and Swordtails.
How Long Has Cat Ownership Been a Thing?
You may already know the answer to this one, but here goes. As far back as we can discover, the Ancient Egyptians were the first to have domesticated cats.
That would have been around the 16th century BCE. They worshiped cats, as depicted in the many cat paintings found.
While Egyptians also kept dogs, lions, monkeys, and hyenas as pets, cats were the most revered.
Who Are the Most Insta-Famous Cats?
You may remember Grumpy Cat on social media, who had over 2.5 million followers during his lifetime.
Today, Nala has topped all the Insta-famous felines on the platform with 4.3 million followers. Other famous cats with Instagram accounts include, Venus the Two Face Cat and Lil Bub.
What Pet Suffers from Obesity?
The stats show that 51% of adult dogs are obese. Now you know why the statistics for nutritional concerns are so high for pet ownership.
Did Pet Parents Worry About Caring for Their Pets During the Pandemic?
Yes. The statistics show that 56% of pet owners worried about taking care of their pets during this pandemic. They also worried about living with their pets in general.
The pandemic caused much change in everyone’s life at the global level, so it makes sense that it would affect pet owners.
17% worried about providing food and basic needs. 13% worried about veterinary care, medicines, and other pet services such as grooming.
The Bottom Line on Pet Ownership Statistics 2025
We hope you have enjoyed reading these pet ownership statistics for 2025. Perhaps now you will have a better perspective on how to go about choosing a pet, or even whether to get one or not.
Pets can definitely enrich your life, but you must also be willing to enrich theirs.
