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.
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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…
AVMA news
Pet ownership rate stabilizes as spending increases
Highlights from the latest AVMA pet ownership survey show the size of the U.S. pet population stabilizing after an increase in dog ownership in 2020…
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.
AVMA news
New report takes a deep dive into pet ownership
The new 2022 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook examines types of pet owners, spending on veterinary care, veterinary visits, and client…
AVMA news
Study explores pandemic-specific challenges of pet ownership
Whether related to work interruptions or fears of catching SARS-CoV-2, pets were a source of not only comfort but also potentially stress for many pet…
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
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.
AVMA news
AVMA celebrates National Pet Week 2022
Created in 1981, National Pet Week aims to foster responsible pet ownership, recognize the human-animal bond, and increase public awareness of the…
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.
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
Recommendations for preventing spread of zoonoses from nontraditional pets
The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has published a series of…
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...
AVMA news
Giving reptiles and amphibians the best medicine
Advances in herptile husbandry, nutrition, and medicine have greatly improved the health and welfare of pet reptiles and amphibians. And they appear…
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…
AVMA news
Hill’s marks 20 years of support for shelters during Clear the Shelters campaign
This August, Hill’s returns as the national sponsor of Clear the Shelters, NBCUniversal Local’s pet adoption campaign. The Food, Shelter & Love…
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The IAHAIO Geneva Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Geneva Declaration.
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Free-roaming, owned cats
The AVMA encourages veterinarians to educate clients and the public about the risks associated with allowing cats free-roam access to the outdoors.
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Dog and cat population management
Dog and cat population management is a complex animal welfare problem, with many contributing factors.
AVMA news
VMX 2022 features industry overview, global research on human-animal bond
At the 2022 Veterinary Meeting & Expo, Brakke Consulting discussed a chaotic, stressful year past in the animal health industry, and the Human Animal…
Service, emotional support, and therapy animals
Understanding the varied roles of service, emotional support, and therapy animals helps veterinary teams provide care and advice consistent with each…