Pet ownership
Our pets can’t speak for themselves. As owners, we take on a responsibility to advocate for them and provide the support they need to live healthy,…
U.S. pet ownership statistics
See numbers of pets, pet-owning households, veterinary visits, and veterinary expenditures in the United States.
policy
UNDER REVIEWGuidelines for responsible pet ownership
Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. The benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities.
JAVMA news
Survey identifies barriers to pet ownership
A new survey has found that barriers to pet ownership include not only expenses and lifestyle factors but also a dislike of cats and grief over the…
JAVMA news
AVMA offers posters on responsible pet ownership
The AVMA has created educational posters with messages from the new AVMA Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership.
Pet care
Responsible pet ownership and pet health care. Topics include preventive care, keeping pets healthy and safe, pet medications and prescriptions...
7 Things you can do to keep your pet healthy
Weight management, exercise, regular veterinary exams, vaccination, and parasite prevention are among the most important ways to keep a pet healthy
JAVMA news
The ups and downs of pet demographics
Results of the AVMA’s 2012 study of pet ownership, veterinary visits, and spending in 2011 were an interesting mixed bag,
JAVMA news
Ohio restricting wild animal ownership
Starting in September, most Ohio residents will be unable to collect or sell wild animals that the state deems to be dangerous.
JAVMA news
Auxiliary promotes pet health for National Pet Week
"Healthy Pets Make Happy Homes" is the message that the Auxiliary to the AVMA will be spreading for National Pet Week 2012, May 6-12.
Zoonotic Diseases and Pets FAQ
Animals can carry diseases that people can catch. Get answers to commonly asked questions about disease risks related to pets.
JAVMA news
Spending on pets projected to hit all-time high
Consumer spending on pets has more than doubled from $17 billion in 1994 to an estimated $38.4 billion in 2006, according to
AVMA news
AVMA celebrates National Pet Week 2023
The AVMA will be celebrating National Pet Week, held this year from May 7-13, with themes for each day of the week.
AVMA news
Raw pet food diets, pet population management policies headed to HOD
The AVMA House of Delegates, during its regular winter session, being held January 5-6, 2024, in Chicago, will vote on six resolutions that would…
AVMA news
Auxiliary celebrates National Pet Week 2023
The Auxiliary to the AVMA will be celebrating National Pet Week 2023, May 7-13, with the theme “People, Pets & Vets a Perfect Team.”
Traveling with your pet FAQ
What to think about when deciding to travel with a pet? Can you take your pet out of the country? Specific needs for travel by plane, boat, car, train…
AVMA news
Pet behavior lessons learned during the pandemic
A flood of cases of canine separation anxiety and a rash of unsocialized pandemic puppies were among the dire predictions about the impacts of the…
AVMA news
Data, safety regulations lacking when it comes to pets and vehicles
Around 45% of U.S. households own dogs and 26% of households own cats out of the total U.S. population of 128 million households in 2020, according to…
AVMA news
Keynote speakers discover leadership lessons in small moments
Six veterinary professionals shared stories about the lasting effects of leadership during the keynote address at the 2023 AVMA Veterinary Leadership…
JAVMA news
Pediatrics article says veterinarians influence children's health
Exotic pets pose risks to young children's health, but veterinarians can help parents improve safety
Reports and statistics
Providing economic insights and market data, AVMA reports and data inform discussions on the most pressing issues facing veterinary medicine.
Importance of wellness exams
Veterinarians recommend regular wellness exams for the same reason your physician and dentist do: if you can detect a problem in its early stages...
policy
Canine hybrids
The AVMA strongly opposes keeping as pets any hybrids of wild canines crossbred with domestic animals. The AVMA believes that commercial traffic in…
JAVMA news
AVMA brochure aims to reduce incidence of dog bites
More than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs annually.
JAVMA news
AAFP speaker advocates a new view of cats
People should treat cats with the same respect as they treat dogs—especially to promote feline health.