U.S. pet ownership has increased dramatically during the last 30 years. In 2023, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million) had pets.[1] That's up from 56% in 1988, pet ownership data shows.
Forbes Advisor examined the latest pet owner data to identify which pets are most popular, how generational pet ownership and spending patterns vary, the expense of pet ownership, and the most typical lifestyle concessions made by pet owners.
66% of U.S. households (86.9 million) have pets.In the U.S., dogs are the most common pet (65.1 million homes), followed by cats (46.5 million households) and freshwater fish (11.1 million households).[1] Pet ownership is highest among millennials (33%), followed by Gen X (25%), and baby boomers (24%).
In 2022, Americans spent $136.8 billion on pets, a 10.68% increase from 2021 ($123.6 billion).[1] Dog owners spend an average of $730 annually on their pets. According to [4], 42% of dog owners and 43% of cat owners obtained their pets from stores, whereas 38% and 40% obtained them via animal shelters or rescues.
In 2023, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million) had pets.Pet ownership has dramatically grown during the last 30 years [1]. Only 56% of U.S. homes had pets in 1988.[1] 78% of Forbes Advisor surveyed pet owners adopted pets during the epidemic.
Pet insurance protects you from unexpected vet fees if your pet is sick or injured. A clever method to secure your finances. More fascinating pet ownership facts:
Homeowners have more pets than renters: 58% have dogs and 36% have cats.According to , 42% of dog owners and 43% of cat owners obtained their pets from stores, whereas 38% and 40% obtained them via animal shelters or rescues.
The number of pet-owning households grew between 2016 and 2020, however pet owners tended to have fewer pets. In 2020, 65% of dog-owning households had one dog, up from 60% in 2016, while 56% of cat-owning households had one cat, up from 53% in 2016.