Chart of the month: Long-term trends in pet populations

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been talk about how pet populations are rapidly growing and the impact this will have on future demand for veterinary services. The reality is more nuanced.

What the data show

As the dotted lines in today’s chart show, the population of pet dogs in the United States has increased steadily since 1996, from an estimated 52.9 million dogs to 89.7 million in 2024. The situation is different for pet cats, whose population numbers have remained fairly stable since 1996, despite variation year to year.

Overall, the total population of pet cats and dogs in the U.S. is estimated now at 163.5 million, a 45% increase from 1996.

The newly released data come from the 2024 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, which is available to all AVMA members as a free download.

What does this mean?

Understanding national trends about pets and their owners can help us anticipate future demand for veterinary services. These data show long-term stability and growth in pet populations—a positive sign for the veterinary profession. 

While there has been much discussion of a pandemic pet boom, the ongoing passage of time gives us a clearer understanding of what was happening with pets during that period. As it turns out, population growth—at least for dogs—was actually steadier than surmised. And there’s absolutely no evidence of a pandemic boom for cats, although there were some swings in the pet cat population throughout the years.

What can we do with this information?

These findings emphasize the importance of refraining from knee-jerk reactions to short-term changes in industry indicators. 

For now, the trends for dogs and cats can be interpreted as indicating that the need for veterinary services is as strong as ever. And, with the overall pet population growing at a steady pace, we might expect that demand for veterinary services will also grow similarly.
 
This said, there are some limitations on what pet population numbers can tell us. Economic variables like personal disposable income and the cost of care also affect demand. See, for example, October’s Chart of the Month, which shows no dire shortage of veterinarians ahead for the profession. Pet owners’ perceptions of the need for and value of veterinary care play a role, too.

How can we leverage the data?

One way to manage the growing market and reach more pets is to leverage what we know about pet owners, their spending habits, and what prevents them from visiting our veterinary practices. The AVMA has everything you need to get started:

• Find insights into these factors and more in the AVMA 2024 Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook. Get the report here.
• Follow real-time demand for veterinary services with the Veterinary Industry Tracker. This interactive dashboard allows you to view data updated daily from thousands of veterinary practices, featuring everything from client visits to product sales.
• Keep current on economic trends and gain expert insights by signing up for AVMA’s free Practice Pulse newsletter.