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.

This driver analyzes the number of domesticated pets and companion animals owned in the US. Pets, defined in this driver as either cats or dogs, provide personal company or protection but are not considered working animals or livestock. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) conducts a biennial National Pet Owners Survey, and the data used in the survey regarding cat and dog ownership is collected and discussed here.

By 2022, it was estimated that there would be *** million pets in Latin America. This represents a growth of ** percent in the pet population compared to the number in 2017, which stood at *** million pets throughout the region. In 2019, Brazil was Latin America's biggest pet market and among the largest in the world. In that year, the country's pet care industry accounted for *** percent of the global pet market.

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.

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.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare previously identified demographic risk factors for injury in agility dogs, and explore other potential associations with demographic risk factors in new populations, and across different levels of injury severity.ProceduresAn internet-based survey of agility handlers was conducted. The primary outcome was if the dog had ever had an injury that kept from agility for over a week. Demographic information about the dog and handler were recorded. Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between variables of interest with injury history and all models were adjusted for age. Analyses were stratified by geographic location. Final model building was done via backward selection.ResultsThe sample included 2,962 dogs from North America and 1,235 dogs from elsewhere. In the North American sample, 8 variables were associated with injury history; dog breed, height and weight, handler age, gender, agility experience, competing at the national level, age dog was acquired, and taking radiographs to assess growth plate closure. In the non-North American sample, 4 variables were associated with injury history; breed, handler age, occupation (dog trainer or not), and handler medical training. In both samples, Border Collies showed a marked increase in injury risk (ORs 1.89 and 2.34) and handler age >65 was associated with lower risk (ORs 0.62 and 0.77). Consistent with previous studies, greater handler experience was associated with reduced risk in the North American sample, but the other sample did not show this pattern, even in unadjusted models. Dog spay/neuter status was not associated with injury risk in either sample.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceDogs with radiographs assessing growth plate closure may have increased injury risk as this population of owners may plan to train their dog harder, and at an earlier age. This finding also poses the question of whether or not growth plate closure is a good indicator of safety for increasing training intensity. Knowledge of what risk factors exist for injury in agility dogs is imperative in determining direction for future prospective studies, as well as creating recommendations to help prevent injury in this population of dogs.

This file contains data originally published in the gazette of the American Kennel Club regarding the number of puppies of breeds recognized by the AKC registered each year. Rows represent breeds (identified by their official AKC name) and columns represent years, from 1926 to 2005.

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

In 2018, Brazil was the country with the highest amount of dogs from the presented Latin American countries, with 52.2 million dogs. Mexico followed, with 21.3 million. In 2021, the pet food market in Latin America is expected to reach a value of nearly 12 billion U.S. dollars.

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.

Nosocomial acquisition of Clostridium difficile is well documented, yet recent studies have highlighted the importance of community acquired infections and identified community associated reservoirs for this pathogen. Multiple studies have implicated companion pets and farm animals as possible sources of community acquired C. difficile infections in humans. To explore the potential role of pet dogs in human C. difficile infections we systematically collected canine fecal samples (n = 197) in Flagstaff, AZ. Additionally, nineteen fecal samples were collected at a local veterinary clinic from diarrheic dogs. We used these combined samples to investigate important questions regarding C. difficile colonization in pet canines: 1) What is the prevalence and diversity of C. difficile in this companion pet population, and 2) Do C. difficile isolates collected from canines genetically overlap with isolates that cause disease in humans? We used a two-step sequence typing approach, including multilocus sequence typing to determine the overall genetic diversity of C. difficile present in Flagstaff canines, and whole-genome sequencing to assess the fine-scale diversity patterns within identical multilocus sequence types from isolates obtained within and among multiple canine hosts. We detected C. difficile in 17% of the canine fecal samples with 10% containing toxigenic strains that are known to cause human disease. Sequencing analyses revealed similar genotypes in dogs and humans. These findings suggest that companion pets are a potential source of community acquired C. difficile infections in humans.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the Dog Food Market Size is USD XX million in 2024 and is set to achieve a market size of USD XX million by the end of 2033, growing at a CAGR of XX% from 2024 to 2033.

North America held a share of XX% in the year 2024

Europe held a share of XX% in the year 2024

Asia-Pacific held a share of XX% in the year 2024

South America held a share of XX% in the year 2024

Middle East and Africa held a share of XX% in the year 2024 Market Dynamics Driver

Increasing ownership of Dogs and Humanization of pets as a driver of the market

One of the biggest drivers of the Dog food market is the humanization of dogs. Pet owners have started treating their dogs as family members and demand good and premium nutrition for them. Due to rapid urbanization, the number of nuclear families increased. Hence, more people adopted dogs for companionship, which made their homes livelier and more wholesome. As of 2024, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet, and 58% of global homeowners have a dog. Shelters and rescue initiatives post ads about homeless puppies and attract pet lovers, hence increasing adoption rates. Pets are no longer just animals; they are considered as A child by pet owners and are prioritized as just like their own family members. In fact, 97% of pet owners consider their pets to be a part of their family, and for their diet, they demand fresh, organic, high-protein diets. They are preferring premium brands like Orijen and Hills Science Diet for the high protein content and other functional benefits. They want minimally processed, high-quality, and fresh foods. The willingness to pay a premium for their food, healthcare, and prescription diet is impacting the demand.

The impact of increasing dog ownership and treating dogs as family members is a larger Consumer base, which leads to increased sales and increased demand for premium, functional diets and grain-free. Restraint

High Cost of Premium and Specialty Food as a restraint on the demand for the dog food market.

Premium and specialty foods are sold at high prices in the market because of their high-quality ingredients, organic components, and other functional additives. Specialized diets are grain-free, based on prescription, and hypoallergenic diets, which have high making costs and, hence, cost more to the pet owners. Budget-conscious pet owners go for economy brands or homemade food. Increased inflation leads to an increase in product prices, and when the pet owner's salary is stagnant, it makes it difficult for him to buy products or invest in the health of his pet. In emerging markets, the import duties are high, and a lack of local production makes specialty food less accessible to them. A quarter of dog food owners would cut costs on specialty dog food to save money. Dog owners spend an average of $442 per year buying dog food. This equates to $37 per month or just over $1.20 per day, which also includes the cost of dog treats. Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating functional ingredients and developing specialized formulations, as evidenced by Royal Canin's introduction of the SKINTOPIC line in January 2023, specifically designed to manage canine atopic dermatitis. These formulations and customised diets are expensive with pet owners with shallow pockets. The middle-class population can’t afford these, which are said to have the highest number of pet dogs. This is a restraining force on the demand for the Dog Food Market. Introduction to Dog Food Dog Food is edible food specially formulated for dogs' consumption. It includes a wide range of products, including Kibbles, food treats, veterinary diets, functional nutrients, and specialized dietary supplements. Dry Dog Food(Kibbles) dominates the market due to its convenience and affordability, while the wet food sector, treats, and veterinary diets are noticing steady growth. The Dog food market is growing rapidly as a segment of the pet food industry is rising pet ownership, the humanization of pets, and looking after their nutritional need are fueling the market. The market is influenced by the change of customer preferences, as the shift towards organic and vegan food supplements, which owners are attracted to. Additionally, with the expansion of online distribution platforms, pet specialty stores have enhanced product accessibility in the past few years, increasing con...

N = number of dogs examined, F = females, M = males; mean age in years, SD = standard deviation.

The number of households with pet dogs and cats in India accounted for approximately 23 million and 1.7 million respectively in 2023. The increase in the number of households getting pets had led to an increase in value of pet food sales to about 629 million U.S. dollars in 2023, up from 172 million U.S. dollars in 2016.

The oldest confirmed remains of domestic dogs in North America are from mid-continent archeological sites dated ~9,900 calibrated years before present (cal BP). Although this date suggests that dogs may not have arrived alongside the first Native Americans, the timing and routes for the entrance of New World dogs are unclear. Here, we present a complete mitochondrial genome of a dog from Southeast Alaska, dated to 10,150 ± 260 cal BP. We compared this high-coverage genome with data from modern dog breeds, historical Arctic dogs, and American precontact dogs (PCDs) from before European arrival. Our analyses demonstrate that the ancient dog shared a common ancestor with PCDs that lived ~14,500 years ago and diverged from Siberian dogs around 16,000 years ago, coinciding with the minimum suggested date for the opening of the North Pacific coastal (NPC) route along the Cordilleran Ice Sheet and genetic evidence for the initial peopling of the Americas. This ancient Southeast Alaskan dog occupies an early branching position within the PCD clade, indicating it represents a close relative of the earliest PCDs that were brought alongside people migrating from eastern Beringia southward along the NPC to the rest of the Americas. The stable isotope δ13C value of this early dog indicates a marine diet, different from the younger mid-continent PCDs' terrestrial diet. Although PCDs were largely replaced by modern European dog breeds, our results indicate that their population decline started ~2,000 years BP, coinciding with the expansion of Inuit peoples, who are associated with traditional sled-dog culture. Our findings suggest that dogs formed part of the initial human habitation of the New World, and provide insights into their replacement by both Arctic and European lineages.

Data on body condition and reproduction of Utah prairie dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, June-August 2013-2016. Utah prairie dogs were live-trapped and sampled on 5 colonies. We recorded the age (juvenile/adult) and mass (nearest 5 grams) of each prairie dog and marked its ears and body with metal tags and passive integrated transponders, respectively, for permanent identification. We measured each prairie dog's right hind foot length (nearest millimeter). We indexed each adult prairie dog's body condition as the ratio between its mass and hind-foot length. Prairie dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia and released at their trapping locations. We indexed prairie dog reproduction, by colony and year, as the ratio of the number of juveniles per adult (juvenile:adult ratios). Funding and logistical support were provided by the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and Colorado State University. Fieldwork was compl ...

Pet stores prospered in recent years as households have become more financially stable and pet ownership has risen. Pet parents have increasingly lavished their pets with premium food products, designer pet accessories and luxury grooming services. The industry has expanded despite mounting competition from supermarkets, mass merchandisers and online retailers. These competitors offer similar products at greater convenience and competitive prices. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores have successfully positioned themselves as pioneers and exclusive providers of high-quality food and additional service offerings, like grooming or day care. Pet store revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 0.3% to $31.6 billion through the end of 2025, including growth of 1.4% in 2025 alone. The revenue growth rate was suppressed because revenue jumped 18.6% to begin the period, as pet ownership skyrocketed in response to the pandemic. Since pets are widely viewed as family members, pet owners have shifted their preferences to higher-quality organic, gluten-free and grain-free pet foods to keep their pets happy and healthy. These premium products and services are high-margin, enabling profit gains for pet stores. Sales of designer dog breeds have also jumped in recent years, contributing to recent growth. While stores have capitalized on growing pet ownership trends, pet store sales growth was constrained by online retailers' surging popularity. Moving forward, pet stores will continue to exhibit revenue growth, albeit slower than before. While positive consumer trends will benefit pet stores, competition from online retailers, mass merchandisers and discount department stores will be more vigorous, limiting the expansion. An aging population will contribute to higher sales of pets and pet-related products as older consumers adopt pets to fulfill their needs for companionship. Younger consumers will continue to buy pets as companions and to round out their budding families. Stores will push premium products and pets to cater to growing appetites for luxury among many consumers. Pet store revenue is expected to swell at a CAGR of 2.4% to $35.6 billion through the end of 2030.

Pet Boarding Market Outlook

The global pet boarding market size was estimated to be around USD 19.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach approximately USD 35.4 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% during the forecast period. The growth in this market can be attributed to several factors including the increasing number of pet owners, rising disposable incomes, and the growing trend of treating pets as family members, which has led to higher spending on pet care services.

One of the primary growth drivers in the pet boarding market is the increasing number of pet owners across the globe. According to various reports, pet ownership has seen a significant rise, especially in urban areas. This trend is not just limited to traditional pets like dogs and cats but also extends to birds, reptiles, and other exotic animals. The growing affinity towards pets has resulted in increased expenditure on their care, including premium services such as boarding, grooming, and training. This trend is expected to continue, thereby driving the growth of the pet boarding market.

Another significant factor contributing to the growth of the pet boarding market is the rise in disposable incomes, particularly in emerging economies. With higher incomes, pet owners are more willing to spend on quality services for their pets. This includes not just basic boarding services but also value-added services such as grooming, training, and daycare. The willingness to spend on premium pet care services is expected to boost the revenues of service providers, thereby propelling the market growth during the forecast period.

The increasing trend of pet humanization, where pets are treated as family members, is also a critical growth factor for the pet boarding market. This trend has led to a higher demand for well-maintained, hygienic, and comfortable boarding facilities. Pet owners are increasingly looking for boarding services that offer a homely environment, personalized care, and regular updates about their pets. The demand for such high-quality services is expected to drive the growth of the pet boarding market significantly.

From a regional standpoint, North America currently holds the largest share in the global pet boarding market, followed by Europe and the Asia Pacific. The high pet ownership rates, coupled with higher disposable incomes and a strong inclination towards premium pet care services, are driving the market in these regions. The Asia Pacific, however, is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by the increasing adoption of pets, rising middle-class population, and growing awareness about pet care services.

In recent years, the integration of technology in pet care services has become increasingly prevalent, particularly with the advent of Pet Sitting and Daycare Software. This software provides pet boarding facilities with the tools to efficiently manage their operations, from scheduling and billing to customer relationship management. By streamlining these processes, facilities can offer a more seamless experience for pet owners, ensuring that their pets receive the highest level of care. Additionally, the software often includes features such as live video feeds and real-time updates, allowing pet owners to stay connected with their pets even when they are away. As the demand for premium pet care services continues to rise, the adoption of such technology is expected to become a standard in the industry, further enhancing the growth of the pet boarding market.

Pet Type Analysis

The pet boarding market can be segmented by pet type into dogs, cats, birds, and others. Among these, dogs hold the largest share in the market. Dogs are the most popular pets globally, and their care requires significant attention and resources. The demand for boarding services for dogs is particularly high because they need regular exercise, socialization, and proper supervision, which cannot be compromised when owners are away. The increasing number of dog adoption and the rising trend of treating dogs as family members are major factors driving the demand in this segment.

Cats are the second most popular pets for boarding services. Although cats are generally more independent than dogs, they also require proper care and a comfortable environment when their owners are away. The increasing number of cat owners, especially in urban areas, is driving the dem