According to a national pet owners survey, there was a total of approximately 95.6 million cats living in households in the United States in 2017. In the same year, some 68 percent of all U.S. households owned at least one pet.

Increasing pet expenditure

Whilst the number of households owning cats, and pets in general, has remained relatively consistent over the last few years, pet industry expenditure has steadily grown. Consumers are expected to spend a record breaking 75.38 billion U.S. dollars on their pets in 2019. The majority of pet market revenue comes from food sales, followed by veterinary care costs.

Shopping location preferences

When it comes to shopping locations, most consumers still purchase their pet products in physical retail stores. However, the number of consumers buying pet products online is on the rise. Dry cat food was the number one pet product bought online by cat owners in the United States in 2018.

An estimated 65.1 million households in the United States owned at least one dog according to a 2023/24 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 46.5 million and 11.1 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 66 percent of all households in the United States owned a pet. This is a decrease from 2020, but still around a 10 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 136 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.

Vermont was the leading state in terms of cat ownership, with some 45 percent of households owning a pet cat in 2024. In comparison, around 32 percent of households in Wisconsin were cat owners that year. Cat ownership in the U.S. There are almost 47 million households in the U.S. that own a cat. Cats are the second most popular type of pets, only surpassed by dogs, which are owned by about 65 million households. The average accident and illness insurance premium for a cat in the U.S. amounts to approximately 387 U.S. dollars annually. The costs of insurance largely depend on the type of cat. The largest cat insurance claims paid in Canada and in the U.S. are made for a sphynx. A total claim amount of approximately 40,000 U.S. dollars is paid annually to treat various conditions for this breed. In comparison, a total claim amount of slightly under 15,000 U.S. dollars is paid for domestic short hairs at the age of four. American pet food companies The global pet food market has shown a growing trajectory for over a decade. The market reached sales of approximately 124 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. The U.S. company Freshpet is the fourth fastest-growing pet food company worldwide, with an annual growth rate of about 40 percent. The U.S. companies General Mills and Tuffy’s Pet Foods are also among the top ten fastest-growing pet food companies worldwide, with annual growth rates of approximately 33 and 25 percent, respectively. The German company Bewital petfood GmbH & Co. KG ranks in first place, with an annual growth rate of almost 100 percent. The leading pet food company in the U.S. is Mars Petcare Inc., with 19.5 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. Nestlé Purina PetCare follows closely in second place with just under 19.4 billion U.S. dollars in revenue.

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.

In 2023, Romania ranked highest for cat ownership among countries in the European Union, with 48 percent of households in Romania owning at least one cat. Poland followed in second with about 41 percent of cat-owning households. That year, the overall pet cat population on the continent was estimated at around 129 million. Pet food production in Europe The pet food industry in Europe gained pace in recent years and presently holds a prominent position on the global level. In 2022, Europe was the largest pet food producing region in the world, with a production volume of approximately 11.78 million metric tons, compared to 11.2 million metric tons produced in North America. That year, Europe’s pet food production volume was, however, one of the slowest-growing in the world. The Latin American region was the fastest-growing. European pet food companies Europe’s growing pet food industry also means there are many players in the pet food market competing for profits. In 2021, United Pet Food Producers, a Belgian pet food manufacturer, garnered the highest revenues of approximately 800 million U.S. dollars. Other leading pet food companies in Europe included Agrilomen SA fromSpain and Deuerer from Germany, with annual revenues totaling 753 million and 750 million U.S. dollars, respectively.

US Cat Food Market size was valued at USD 25.08 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 41.28 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.43% from 2026 to 2032.

US Cat Food Market Drivers

Increasing Pet Ownership:
A fundamental driver is the high and growing rate of cat ownership in the US. Cats are popular pets, and this large pet population provides a stable and expanding market.
Humanization of Pets:
Pet owners increasingly view their cats as family members. This “humanization” trend leads to a greater willingness to spend on premium, high-quality cat food.
Rising Awareness of Pet Nutrition:
Cat owners are becoming more knowledgeable about feline nutritional needs. This drives demand for specialized diets, such as those for weight management, allergies, or specific health conditions.
Premiumization:
There’s a strong trend towards premium cat food, with pet owners seeking natural, organic, grain-free, and other high-quality options.
E-commerce Growth:
Online sales of cat food are increasing, offering convenience and a wider selection of products.
Health and Wellness Trends:
Like human food trends, pet owners want food that promotes their pets health and wellness.

The population of pet cats in India amounted to nearly 3.6 million in the year 2023 and the population was forecast to reach approximately 5.76 million by the end of year 2028. The growth in the number of pets in India had led to the increase in of pet food sales, from approximately 172 million U.S. dollars in 2016 to approximately 629 million dollars in 2023.

Sixty six percent of households in the United States owned one or more pets in 2023. Household penetration rates for pet-ownership have increased by 10 percent since the beginning of the survey period in 1988.

What kinds of pets do Americans prefer?

There were estimated to be around 65 million dog-owning households in the United States according to a recent survey, making dogs the most popular kind of pets in American homes. Cats and freshwater fish ranked in second and third places, respectively. Horses and saltwater fish were the least popular types of animals to keep, with around 2.2 million households owning each type of pet.

How much do Americans spend on their pets?

Total pet industry expenditure reached around 136.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, an increase on the previous year. As well as regular expenses such as food and vet costs, households were estimated spend around 1.7 billion U.S. dollars on Valentine's Day gifts for their pets in 2023.

Dermatophytes with their MALDI-TOF MS scores.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a gammaretrovirus with horizontally transmitted and endogenous forms. Domestic cats are the primary reservoir species, but FeLV outbreaks in endangered Florida panthers and Iberian lynx have resulted in mortalities. To assess prevalence and interspecific/intraspecific transmission, we conducted an extensive survey and phylogenetic analysis of FeLV infection in free-ranging pumas (n=641), bobcats (n=212) and shelter domestic cats (n=304). Samples were collected from coincident habitats across the United States between 1985-2018. FeLV infection was detected in 3.12% puma, 6.25% domestic cat, and 0.47% bobcat samples analyzed. Puma prevalence varied by location, with Florida having the highest rate of infection. FeLV env sequences revealed variation among isolates, and we identified two distinct clades. Both progressive and regressive infections were identified in cats and pumas. Based upon time and location of sampling and phylogenetic analysis, we inferred 3 spillover events between domestic cats and puma; 3 puma-to-puma transmissions were inferred in Florida. An additional 14 infections in pumas likely represented spillover events following contact with reservoir host domestic cat populations. Our data provides evidence that FeLV transmission from domestic cats to pumas occurs widely across the US, and puma-to-puma transmission may occur in genetically and geographically constrained populations.

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.

Environmental impacts of the livestock sector are proportional to consumption levels. To assess the relative consumption of livestock animals within the diets of dogs, cats and people, this study examined their dietary energy needs within the US in 2020, and globally in 2018. Also studied were US pet food ingredients, and environmental sustainability indicators for plant- and animal-based foods consumed globally. Relative consumptions of average livestock animals were: US: dogs– 17.7%, cats– 2.3%, humans– 80.0%; and globally: dogs– 7.7%, cats– 1.2%, humans– 91.1%. Full transition to nutritionally-sound vegan diets would spare from slaughter the following numbers of terrestrial livestock animals annually (billions): US: dogs– 1.7, cats– 0.2, humans– 7.8, and globally: dogs– 6.0, cats– 0.9, humans– 71.3, as well as billions of aquatic animals in all dietary groups. Very large impact reductions were also associated with land and water use, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), acidifying and eutrophifying gases, and biocide use, in all dietary groups. If implemented globally, nutritionally-sound vegan diets would free up land larger than the following nations: dogs–Saudi Arabia or Mexico, cats–Japan or Germany, humans–Russia–the world’s largest country–combined with India. Such diets would save freshwater volumes greater than all renewable freshwater in the following nations: dogs–Denmark, cats–Jordan, humans–Cuba. Such diets would reduce GHGs by amounts greater than all GHG emissions from following nations: dogs–South Africa or the UK, cats–Israel or New Zealand, humans–India or the entire EU. The numbers of additional people who could be fed using food energy savings associated with vegan diets exceeded the 2018 human populations of the following nations: dogs–the entire European Union, cats–France or the UK, humans–every single nation or collective region on Earth, as defined by the World Bank. All of these estimates are conservative.

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Pet Wearable Market Size 2024-2028

The pet wearable market size is forecast to increase by USD 3.67 billion at a CAGR of 18.57% between 2023 and 2028.

The market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing focus on health and wellness for pets. Wearable technology, such as smart-connected pet collars, is gaining popularity as they offer real-time monitoring of pet health using sensors and RFID tags. 
The integration of wearables with smartphones and smart homes is also driving market growth, enabling pet owners to remotely monitor their pets' activities and location using GPS and other wearable sensors. The robust growth of e-commerce and online sales is further fueling market expansion, allowing pet owners to easily purchase these digital products from the comfort of their homes. 
However, challenges such as ensuring battery life and addressing concerns around data privacy and security remain key considerations for market participants.

What will be the Size of the Pet Wearable Market during the forecast period?

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The market encompasses a range of IoT (Internet of Things) devices designed to enhance the care and monitoring of pets. This market is experiencing significant growth as pet ownership continues to rise and technology advances. Wearable sensor systems, including smart collars with GPS technology, Bluetooth, and LED displays, are popular choices among pet owners seeking real-time data on their pets' location and health. Wearable cameras offer pet parents the ability to monitor their pets remotely, providing peace of mind and facilitating veterinarian consultations. OEMs are also developing wearables with advanced features such as photoplethysmographs, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Inupathy technology for emotional bonding.
These devices enable medical diagnosis, treatment, and controlling functions, as well as identification, tracking, and safety and security features. The employment rate of smart harnesses and other wearable pet technology continues to grow, contributing to the expansion of animal healthcare services and pet adoption initiatives.

How is this Pet Wearable Industry segmented?

The pet wearable industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Product

  Smart collar
  Smart camera
  Smart harness and vest


Application

  Identification and tracking
  Monitoring and control
  Medical diagnosis and treatment
  Facilitation/safety and security


Technology Type

  RFID
  GPS
  Sensors


Animal Type

  Dog
  Cat
  Other


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    UK
    France


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  Middle East and Africa

    South Africa


  South America

    Brazil

By Product Insights

The smart collar segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.Smart collars for pets, also known as wearable sensor systems, have gained significant traction In the market due to their ability to enhance pet health and safety. Equipped with features like GPS tracking, these collars enable real-time location monitoring, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners and facilitating quick retrieval in case of loss or escape. Wearable sensors In these collars can also measure health metrics such as heart rate through photoplethysmograph and electrocardiogram, providing valuable data for veterinarians. Lightweight, waterproof, and customizable, these smart collars are popular among pet parents. They come with various attachments, including collar and harness options, and can integrate with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LED display for easy data access.

With the increasing adoption of technology in animal healthcare and the growing number of pet owners, the demand for smart collars is expected to continue. The market for pet wearable devices is expanding, with key players focusing on acquisition strategies, production costs, and employment of advanced technologies like RFID, algorithms, and IoT.

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The smart collar segment was valued at USD 546.50 million in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

North America is estimated to contribute 40% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

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In North America, the pet ownership population is substantial, with numerous households owning pets. This expanding demographic drives the demand for pet-related products, including advanced wearables. Pet p

Proportion of dietary energy attributable to animal and non-animal sources, in the diets of dogs, cats and humans globally, in 2018.

Since 2010, the number of pet cats in the United Kingdom has increased by about four million cats. the cat population has increased almost every year during this time period. As of 2023, the number of pet cats stood at 11.9 million.

Cats and dogs are European households’ favorite animals to keep, although more unconventional choices such as reptiles and small mammals are chosen as pets in high numbers too. In 2023, the population of pet cats in Europe was over 129 million. Germany and France were the two countries where the number of cats was the highest. What about dogs? The number of dogs in Europe was lower than the number of cats, although dogs are a constant presence for a considerable share of Europeans as well. In 2022, about one in four households in Europe owned at least one pet dog. Dog ownership per household showed a slight increase compared to previous years and the number of dogs in Europe generally increased as well. Pet care in Europe Pets are invaluable companions to us all, but also predictably tied to a valuable industry. Fressnapf, headquartered in Germany, was the leading pet care retailer in Europe based on turnover. UK-based Pets at Home ranked in second place among pet care retailers. Typically, pet care products consist of pet food as well as accessories and veterinary supplies.

During a survey conducted in 2024, it was revealed that millennials represented the biggest share of pet owners in the United States (32 percent), followed in second place by Generation X (24 percent). Baby Boomer's came in third, representing some 24 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 56 percent in 1988 to approximately 66 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 51 U.S. dollars, compared to only 28 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 58.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Vet care and product sales were the second biggest pet market category that year, generating around 35.9 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.

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.

In 2018, Brazil was the country with the highest amount of cats from the presented Latin American countries, with 22.1 million cats. Mexico followed, with 6.9 million. In 2021, the pet food market in Latin America is expected to reach a value of nearly 12 billion U.S. dollars.

The annual amount that was spent on cat food in South Korea in 2019 was about 148 U.S. dollars per household. Regarding the category snacks for cats, the average spending amounted to around 92 U.S. dollars. In total, about 240 U.S. dollars were spent on cat food per household. The cat population in South Korea gradually increased over the years.