Chart of the month: Pet population trends and what they mean

The size and makeup of the nation’s pet population affect nearly every aspect of companion animal practice. Insights from the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook illuminate what’s changing—and where opportunities may lie.

What the data show

As the trend lines in this month’s chart show, the pet dog population has been climbing steadily in the U.S.—from an estimated 52.9 million in 1996 to 87.3 million in 2025.

In contrast, the owned cat population varied between 1996 and 2025, but recent years show some population growth. 
 

What does this mean?

While these trends suggest that pets remain integral in American life, population trends alone don’t guarantee sustained or increased demand for veterinary services. Multiple factors influence pet owners’ decisions to seek veterinary care, including their perceptions of need and value, cost and affordability, strength of the veterinarian-client-pet relationship, convenience and access, and practical challenges like transportation or handling concerns (such as for cats). 

Broad economic pressures like inflation, job security, or discretionary income also can play a role, even when pet populations remain stable or rise.

The good news: Veterinary teams have meaningful opportunities to influence how pet population trends translate into actual care delivered.

What can we do with this information?

The following tips can help teams turn opportunity into action:

• Keep in touch with clients through regular outreach. Use reminders, seasonal topics, and targeted communications to nurture relationships and support consistent care.
• Highlight the “invisible skills” of veterinary care. During physical exams, narrate the expertise behind your assessments to help clients connect medical value with the visit. See what this can look like in the “talking physical exam” technical tutorial video from JAVMA.
• Educate pet owners about the value of preventive care and their options to help manage the costs. AVMA’s Language of Veterinary Care toolkit offers practical approaches to strengthen client relationships, boost compliance, and maximize patient outcomes.
• Ask about other pets in the household or anticipated new pets. These conversations open doors to preventive planning and other guidance on pet health and wellbeing.
• Leverage real-time business data tools. With data updated daily, the Veterinary Industry Tracker provides timely information on patient visits, revenue, and more. Use it to stay on top of the trends, so you can respond proactively.

Learn more

To explore U.S. pet ownership trends in depth, including owner demographics, perceptions, veterinary visits, and spending, check out the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook—free for AVMA members.

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