How many dogs are there in the US? According to a pet owners survey, there were approximately 89.7 million dogs owned in the United States in 2017. This is an increase of over 20 million since the beginning of the survey period in 2000, when around 68 million dogs were owned in the United States.

Why has this figure increased?

The resident population of the United States has also increased significantly within this time period. It is, therefore, no surprise that the number of dogs owned in U.S. households has also increased, especially when considering that the household penetration rate for dog-ownership reached almost 50 percent in recent years.

The dog food market in the United States

The large number of dogs owned by Americans creates a lucrative market for pet food brands and retailers. Pedigree, the leading dry dog food name brand in the U.S., had sales amounting to around 550 million U.S. dollars in 2017. Pedigree also led the pack in the wet dog food category , with sales of around 240 million U.S. dollars in the same year.

An estimated ** million households in the United States owned at least one dog according to a 2024/25 pet owners survey, making them the most widely owned type of pet across the U.S. at this time. Cats and freshwater fish ranked in second and third places, with around ** million and ** million households owning such pets, respectively. Freshwater vs. salt water fish Freshwater fish spend most or all their lives in fresh water. Fresh water’s main difference to salt water is the level of salinity. Freshwater fish have a range of physiological adaptations to enable them to live in such conditions. As the statistic makes clear, Americans keep a large number of freshwater aquatic species at home as pets. American pet owners In 2023, around ** percent of all households in the United States owned a pet. This is a decrease from 2020, but still around a ** percent increase from 1988. It is no surprise that as more and more households own pets, pet industry expenditure has also witnessed steady growth. Expenditure reached over *** billion U.S. dollars in 2022, almost a sixfold increase from 1998. The majority of pet product sales are still made in brick-and-mortar stores, despite the rise and evolution of e-commerce in the United States.

Idaho had the highest dog ownership rate in the United States (U.S.), with ** percent of households owning a dog in 2025. In Tennessee, around ** percent of households were dog owners in that year. Dog food industry in the U.S. The sales value of dog food in the U.S. amounts to a total of approximately **** billion U.S. dollars annually, excluding treats. Among the various dog food categories, dry dog food makes up the largest share of sales, with just under ***** billion U.S. dollars. The leading dog biscuit, treat, and beverage vendor in the U.S. in terms of sales is Big Heart Pet Brands, which generates sales of over * billion U.S. dollars annually. The sales of Big Heart Pet Brands are more than twice as much as those of its biggest competitor, Nestlé Purina PetCare. The leading frozen and refrigerated dog food vendors in the U.S. is Freshpet. The company dominates the market by a considerable margin. Dog ownership in the U.S. Nationwide, approximately ** million U.S. households own at least one dog. Dogs are the most widely owned type of pet among American households. Within the last 12 years, the number of dog-owning households grew by more than ** percent. In general, there has been an increase in the household penetration rate of pet ownership in the U.S. during the last 35 years. In 2023, about ********** of households owned at least one pet. Since the state of Idaho has the highest percentage share of dog owners among U.S. states, it is unsurprising that its state capital, the city of Boise, has the largest number of dog parks per 100,000 residents in the country. There are *** off-leash dog parks per 100,000 residents in Boise, Idaho.

Wyoming had the highest pet ownership rate in the United States, with ** percent of households owning a pet in 2025. West Virginia came in second place with a ** percent pet ownership rate. In comparison, Colorado's pet ownership rate that year was ** percent.

The American love of pets is legendary, so it won’t come as a surprise to anybody that Americans spend more on their pets than the citizens of any other country in the world. The numbers also suggest a warning: pet ownership comes with great responsibility and can involve a considerable financial cost. How much money do Americans spend on their furry friends each year? We crunched the numbers, and here’s what we found.

Introduction

Pet Insurance Statistics: Pet insurance is a type of insurance coverage designed to help pet owners manage the costs associated with veterinary care for their pets.

It provides financial protection in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries to pets. Just like health insurance for humans, pet insurance policies come with various coverage options, deductibles, and premium rates.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many industries in significant ways, including the pet industry. During a survey carried out in February 2022, ** percent of respondents in the United States reported acquiring a new pet. This is an increase of **** percent compared to December 2020, when ** percent of respondents reported getting a new pet. Pet ownership during the pandemic With nationwide lockdowns forcing people to spend most of their time confined at home, approximately ** percent of Americans from all generations surveyed in 2020 reported spending more time with their pets as a result of social distancing regulations. Additionally, the pandemic had its impact on the economic situation of millions of people who may have struggled with precarious work or part-time employment that was discontinued due to lockdowns, which made many pet owners concerned about the affordability of pet food and products. In fact, younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials in the United States were more likely than Baby Boomers to be worried about pet expenses during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Pet industry in the United States Pet industry expenditure in the United States has witnessed remarkable growth over the years and was forecast to reach nearly *** billion U.S. dollars in 2021, up from less than half that figure only ten years prior when it was approximately ** billion U.S. dollars in 2011. Among the most prominent players in the U.S. pet industry are pet food companies Mars Petcare Inc. and Nestlé Purina Petcare, generating ** billion and ** billion U.S. dollars in revenues, respectively.

Active Dog Licenses. All dog owners residing in NYC are required by law to license their dogs. The data is sourced from the DOHMH Dog Licensing System (https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/DogLicense), where owners can apply for and renew dog licenses. Each record represents a unique dog license that was active during the year, but not necessarily a unique record per dog, since a license that is renewed during the year results in a separate record of an active license period. Each record stands as a unique license period for the dog over the course of the yearlong time frame.

In the United States, more than half of the population reported owning a pet in 2011. This number has been quite steady since then. Today there are more than 90 million cats in the United States, while the number of dogs is just below the 90 million-mark. Freshwater fish are the most common pet with almost 140 million nationwide in 2018, followed by the aforementioned cats and dogs.   Pet expenses    When it comes to expenses, fish are generally considered low maintenance compared to other pets. Dogs especially require high expense, particularly for kennel boarding while their owners are away. However, the highest costs for dog owners are due to surgical vet visits, reported at almost double the expense for cats in 2019. Lower life expectancy could be a factor - around 11 years for a medium-sized dog, compared with 12 to 15 years for cats.  
  Pet food  

Food is currently the largest expense for cat owners, and the second highest for dogs, not even including treats. Despite the convenience of buying pet food online, or while already grocery shopping in a supermarket, food store, or wholesale club, the highest share of pet food sales comes from pet specialty chains. With many owners are willing to make the extra trip for their pets, chain shops Pet Smart and PetCo make up almost half the market for pet companies in the United States.

Over the five years to 2024, increases in both competition and public disapproval have threatened the Dog and Pet Breeders industry. This industry includes various operations, from small independent home breeders to large USDA-certified breeding facilities. However, the industry also comprises unlicensed puppy mills, often using inhumane practices to reduce costs and maximize profit. Recent attention to these operations has hurt the overall industry's reputation. In 2017, the "Adopt, Don't Shop" campaign emphasized the ethical benefits of getting pets from shelters and adoption groups rather than pet stores. This campaign has led many pet stores to no longer work with breeders and instead host adoption events with local shelters. Through the end of 2024, industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualized rate of 2.6% to $3.1 billion, including an estimated 0.9% decline in 2024. The breeding industry's trajectory has been mixed with challenges. Stringent regulations like those mandated by the Animal Welfare Act have kept most breeders operating on a small scale, with only a tiny fraction exceeding the threshold for requiring USDA licensing. The public's growing scrutiny of puppy mills and other inhumane conditions has pressured breeders to maintain higher quality standards. Some medium-sized breeders will likely seek USDA certification to improve their reputation and gain legitimacy. Higher standards and requirements will enable these breeders to increase their profits. Heightening veterinary services and pet essentials costs will likely strain household budgets, leading to more careful spending on pet purchases. Demographic trends suggest older populations might shy away from new pets, while younger generations lean towards pet adoption, driven by ethical considerations. Legislative pressures and higher public awareness are expected to push the industry towards more stringent welfare standards. While adoption campaigns and regulatory constraints present formidable challenges, purebred breeders may still find sustained demand from consumers looking for specific traits and appearance. Through the end of 2029, industry revenue is projected to fall at an annualized rate of 0.4% to $3.0 billion.

Data on annual population change for prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005. Prairie dog species included black-tailed prairie dogs (PDs) (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus) in north-central Montana, white-tailed PDs (WTPD, Cynomys leucurus) in eastern Utah, and Utah PDs (UPD, Cynomys parvidens) in southwestern Utah. Field research was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, and colleagues. Data were collected on paired plots. Each pair included a plot treated annually with deltamethrin dust for flea control and plague mitigation and a plot left untreated as baselines. Paired plots had similar ecological features on the same (split) or nearby (separate) colonies. One plot within each pair was randomly selected for deltamethrin dust treatment. We used summertime visual counts as an index to PD population size.We conducted visual counts annually during June-August, after young PDs were aboveground. We used binoculars and spotting scopes to systematically and repeatedly scan the plots (each plot was 3-9 hectares in area), beginning just after sunrise and continuing until warming temperatures caused a decline in counts. We repeated the procedure for three days, using for analysis the highest count obtained. We counted from the same locations each year, simultaneously counting treated and non-treated plots of each pair. Visual counts were transformed into values of finite population change by dividing the PD count at the end of an annual interval by the count at the beginning of the interval. For example, if year is 2001, then population change was for the interval 2000 to 2001. Primary funding was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Bureau of Land Management, supplemented by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Utah Department of Natural Resources Endangered Species Mitigation Fund. In-kind support was provided by the Bryce Canyon National Park, Dixie National Forest and BLM offices in Utah (Vernal, Cedar City, Richfield, and Torrey), Colorado (Meeker), and Montana (Malta). R. Reading and B. Miller of the Denver Zoological Foundation provided logistical support for parts of the study.

The US Pet Industry Market Report is Segmented by Pet Type (Dog, Cat, Bird, Fresh Water Fish, and More), by Product Type (Food, Supplies/OTC Medicine, and Services), by Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Pet Specialty Stores, Online Retail Stores, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Summary data for dogs denied entry to the United States by year, January 1, 2018—December 31,2020.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Dog & Pet Breeders industry in United States

Reasons for dog entry denials by country for the top ten countries of origin, United States, 2020.

The US pet industry, a significant segment of the global market, exhibits robust growth potential. With a 2025 market size estimated at $100 billion (extrapolated from global data and considering the US market's substantial share), it’s projected to maintain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 5% through 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key drivers: the increasing humanization of pets, leading to higher spending on premium pet food and healthcare; the growing popularity of pet insurance, mitigating the financial burden of veterinary care; and the rise of e-commerce, offering convenient access to a wider range of pet products. Furthermore, shifting demographics, including a rise in single-person households and an aging population, contribute to the expanding pet ownership base, further boosting market demand. Significant growth is expected across various segments. The premium pet food segment, encompassing both dog and cat food, is expected to experience above-average growth, driven by consumer preference for higher-quality, natural ingredients. Similarly, the pet healthcare segment, including veterinary services and over-the-counter medications, is projected to expand significantly due to increasing pet lifespan and a greater focus on preventative care. Online retail channels will continue to gain market share, facilitated by enhanced convenience and competitive pricing. While economic downturns could pose a temporary restraint, the overall resilience of the pet industry, particularly concerning essential products like food, suggests continued growth trajectory. Key players, including Mars, Nestlé Purina, and Hill's Pet Nutrition, are strategically positioning themselves to capitalize on these trends through product innovation, expansion into new segments, and acquisition of smaller brands. Recent developments include: July 2023: Hill's Pet Nutrition introduced its new MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified pollock and insect protein products for pets with sensitive stomachs and skin lines. They contain vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.March 2023: Temptations, a brand under Mars Incorporated, expanded its treats offerings with a new product called Temptation Tender Fills treats and two new flavors of its Temptations Creamy Purrrr-ee treats.February 2023: Nestle SA acquired the US pet treats factory from investor-backed local supplier Red Collar Pet Foods to expand its pet food business in North America.. Notable trends are: Dogs are the Major Pets in the United States.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Industry: Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (PCU311111311111) from Dec 1985 to May 2025 about pets, food, manufacturing, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

During a survey conducted in 2024, it was revealed that millennials represented the biggest share of pet owners in the United States (** percent), followed in second place by Generation X (** percent). Baby Boomer's came in third, representing some ** percent of pet owners. Pet ownership in the United States Despite some fluctuations, household penetration rates for pet ownership in the United States have generally increased over the years, going from ** percent in 1988 to approximately ** percent in 2023. With millennials constituting the largest group of pet owners in the United States, they also constituted the generational group that planned to spend the most on their pets during the holidays in 2020, with an average spending of ** U.S. dollars, compared to only ** U.S. dollars of average planned spending on pets for Baby Boomers. Pet expenditure in the U.S. Pet food and treats constituted the highest selling category for pet products in the United States, with total food and treats sales reaching **** billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Vet care and product sales were the second biggest pet market category that year, generating around **** billion U.S. dollars in sales. Generally, average annual pet expenditure was higher for dog owners than for cat owners across all pet market categories in 2020.

Veterinary practices have benefited in recent years as more pet owners and agricultural producers seek out vets regularly to care for their animals. At the same time, medical advances have been emerging in veterinary care, extending care beyond preventive measures into specialized areas like immunotherapy and musculoskeletal conditions. Pet owners' evolving attitudes have also been driving pet spending in recent years, as more owners are willing to spend a premium on food, medicine or treatments that improve or extend their pets. Growing adoption of pet insurance, specifically for dogs, has also underpinned growth, as more owners can afford high-margin medical treatments. This willingness, combined with a record-high pet ownership rate, has strengthened the industry's in supporting pet owners. These trends have led industry-wide revenue to climb at a CAGR of 1.9% over the past five years – totaling an estimated $69.4 billion in 2025 – when revenue will rise an expected 2.4%. Pet ownership trends are among the most influential drivers for veterinary care in the US. According to the American Medical Veterinary Association, nearly 70% of US households had at least one dog or cat in 2024. Between 2016 and 2024, the dog population grew by over 12 million, while the cat population added nearly 16 million new cats. Higher pet ownership translates into a larger client base for vets, supporting revenue growth. Higher prices for vet visits have also contributed to the industry – data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the price for vet care rose faster than inflation between 2020 and 2024 and has jumped nearly 60% in cost between 2014 and 2024. Several factors contribute to price hikes, but higher costs are beginning to slow growth as pet owners defer the time between appointments, avoid elective visits or forgo ownership. Trends in pet ownership won't continue moving forward, creating a steady demand for comprehensive veterinary care. Still, the industry will face challenges addressing current headwinds, like labor shortages and rising operating costs. These challenges will likely maintain consolidation activity in the industry, creating a larger divide between corporate-owned or private equity-backed clinics and small, independent ones. Larger veterinary groups will also be able to offer more competitive wages to new graduates and access innovative tech advances, shifting competitive dynamics in the industry. In all, Veterinary Services' revenue is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.7% to $75.6 billion over the next five years.

The global senior pet food market, valued at approximately $15.2 billion in 2025, is poised for steady growth, projected at a 5% CAGR from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by several key factors. Firstly, the increasing humanization of pets is leading to greater investment in their health and wellbeing, particularly among older animals. This trend translates into higher demand for specialized senior pet food formulations designed to address the specific nutritional needs of aging dogs and cats. Secondly, rising pet ownership globally, coupled with an increasing lifespan of companion animals due to improved veterinary care, contributes significantly to market growth. Furthermore, the growing awareness among pet owners regarding the importance of nutrition for maintaining the health and vitality of senior pets fuels the demand for premium and specialized senior pet food products. The market is segmented by application (dogs, cats, others) and type (wet food, dry food), with dog food currently dominating the market share, given the higher prevalence of dog ownership. Key players like Orijen, Royal Canin, Nestlé Purina, and others are actively investing in research and development to create innovative products catering to the unique dietary needs of senior pets, further bolstering market growth. The market's growth is not without its challenges. Price sensitivity among consumers, particularly in developing economies, can limit market penetration of premium senior pet foods. Furthermore, the availability of generic or less expensive alternatives can pose a competitive challenge for established brands. However, the long-term outlook for the senior pet food market remains positive, driven by ongoing trends in pet humanization and an aging pet population. Regional variations in market growth are expected, with North America and Europe likely to maintain significant market share due to higher pet ownership rates and greater disposable incomes. However, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific are anticipated to witness substantial growth, reflecting the increasing adoption of pets in these regions. This presents exciting opportunities for companies to expand their market reach and cater to a growing base of pet owners focused on the nutritional well-being of their senior companions.