Chart of the month: Not all pets are dogs or cats

Dogs and cats may be the most common U.S. pets, but many people share their lives with other species: birds, rabbits, reptiles, and beyond. While these other animals are less common, they can play an important role in your veterinary practice.

What the data show

The latest AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook highlights the wide variety of animals kept as pets. After dogs and cats, fish are most common, found in 2.7% of pet-owning households in 2023 and 3.0% in 2024. Reptiles follow in second place, with birds ranking third.

What does this mean?

We know that regular veterinary care is key to keeping pets of all types happy and healthy. Although the percentages of pet-owning households with animals other than dogs and cats may seem small, many translate to a million or more households—a substantial opportunity for veterinary businesses. 

Your veterinary practice may be able to accommodate the unique needs of different pet species by expanding services or by providing referrals to colleagues with a special interest in them. Either way, you can help clients address the needs of this broader patient population.

Enhancing support for other species in your practice

Supporting less common pets and their owners—in whichever way your practice is comfortable or capable—can enhance the client experience, build trust, and minimize stress for everyone involved. 

• Define your practice’s care approach: As a team, define the level of care you can confidently provide for different types of pets, and identify when referral to colleagues who specialize in these areas is the most appropriate option. Proactive conversations like these can ensure a consistent approach and reduce confusion for clients and teams alike. 
• Develop and use referral guidelines: Identify and build relationships with local veterinarians who specialize in exotic, avian, aquatic, or other species, as well as referral veterinary hospitals in your area. Establishing these connections supports timely, high-quality care for patients and clients. Research shows many pet owners are unfamiliar with specialty veterinary care and the associated costs before their first visit, which can lead to frustration and stress. Being thoughtful about this expansion of care promotes seamless service and boosts clients’ trust in their primary care veterinarian.
• Offer reliable educational materials: Provide handouts, care guides, trusted websites, and other resources to support the needs of pets that fall outside your practice’s typical scope. Empowering clients with this knowledge can help underscore your practice’s commitment to their pets’ health and wellbeing, regardless of species.