U.S. pet ownership statistics

These data for 2024 are sourced from the 2024 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook

Dogs and cats

Statistic Dogs Cats
Percentage of U.S. households owning 45.5 32.1
Total number of U.S. households owning 59.8M 42.2M
Average number per pet-owning household 1.5 1.8
Total number in the U.S. 89.7M 73.8M
Average spending on veterinary care per household per year $580 $433

Other animals kept as pets

Species Millions of U.S. households owning Percent of U.S. households owning
Fish 3.9 2.9
Reptiles 2.3 1.8
Birds 2.1 1.6
Small mammals
(gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
1.3 1.0
Rabbits 0.9 0.7
Horses 0.7 0.5
Poultry 0.7 0.5

These data are based on an opt-in, online survey conducted in the early spring of 2024. A total of 7,539 people—including both pet owners and non-pet owners—completed the survey. Results have been weighted based on certain demographic and other variables to match their distribution in the U.S. population and household information reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Find additional information in the 2024 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook