Pet ownership in the U.S. - statistics & facts
Many pet owners view their pets as their children, but one generation has bonded with their pets more than the rest. A 2025 survey revealed that millennials represented the biggest share of pet owners in the United States, followed closely by Gen X and Baby Boomers. From spending on premium food to splurging on vet visits and accessories, Americans' devotion to their animal companions continues to fuel one of the country's fastest-growing consumer markets.
Expansion in pet industry and pet ownership
The pet industry has been growing rapidly, reaching over 158 billion in revenues in 2025, with over four percent projected growth for the next year. This is a reflection of consumers’ continuously increasing expenditure on pets and pet products over the last years. In the same year, pet food and treats were the highest-selling pet market product categories in the United States, followed by the vet care and products segment.
As of 2024/2025, over 70 percent of Americans, meaning over 240 million homes, reported that they owned at least one pet, an increase of about 15 percent since the start of the survey period in 1988. Dogs are still Americans’ favorite pets, as they are found the most in homes across the U.S., followed by cats and freshwater fish. In the most recent survey year, around 71 million households owned at least one dog.Â
Inflation impact on pet owners
Inflation in the U.S. has impacted consumers shopping habits, and pet owners are not an exception. Pet food prices have shifted unevenly across categories, with some segments like semi-moist dog food seeing notable increases while others have declined. This has forced pet owners to cut back on some of their expenses. Even specialty items carry a premium: functional pet food products like weight-control formulas averaged close to four dollars per pound in 2024. Where consumers shop has also shifted, with e-commerce now accounting for about a third of all U.S. pet food sales, suggesting pet parents are increasingly hunting for deals online.
Despite slower price inflation, consumers’ cost saving attitude has remained consistent. A 2024 global survey has shown that over 50 percent of Americans considered switching pet product brands to save expenses. Toys and treats were the main categories pet parents are cutting down considering as non-essential items. Persistent food price inflation has shaped consumers’ price perceptions which may lead to continued cut backs and cost saving on pet products in the future.
