Pet ownership & spending
U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics: 2026 Facts and Trends
Current numbers on the people, households, and care that shape life with dogs and cats in the United States.
Last updated September 8, 2026. Each figure below links to its named source.
At a glance
Pets remain central to American homes.
Pet statistics vary because surveys use different questions and samples. This page identifies the source and date for every figure so writers, pet professionals, and curious owners can cite the number that best fits their work.
$158 billion
spent in the U.S. pet industry in 2025
The American Pet Products Association reported a 3.7% increase from 2024 and projected $165 billion for 2026.
Source: American Pet Products Association, May 202671 million
U.S. households owned a dog in 2025
The American Pet Products Association reported dog ownership in 53% of U.S. households, up from 51% in 2024.
Source: American Pet Products Association, May 202653 million
U.S. households owned a cat in 2025
The American Pet Products Association identified cat ownership as another major household category, shaped by Gen Z and Millennial owners.
Source: American Pet Products Association, May 202687.3 million
pet dogs were counted in the United States
This total comes from the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association, 202576.3 million
pet cats were counted in the United States
This total comes from the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association, 202519.1%
of pet dogs were acquired through shelters or rescues
The AVMA breakdown lists 9.4% acquired through a shelter and 9.7% through a rescue group or rescue event.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association, 202517.2%
of pet cats were acquired through shelters or rescues
The AVMA breakdown lists 9.6% acquired through a shelter and 7.6% through a rescue group or rescue event.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association, 20255.789 million
cats and dogs entered U.S. shelters in 2025
Shelter Animals Count reported 70% were adopted and 10% were euthanized, excluding its separate “other” outcome category.
Source: Shelter Animals Count, 2025 annual analysisMethodology & sources
How these figures were selected.
Figures come from established U.S. pet-industry, veterinary, and animal-welfare reporting. Household ownership estimates are kept separate from total animal counts, and survey results are labeled rather than blended into one estimate.
- American Pet Products Association: 2025 spending and 2026 outlook
- HumanePro: comparison of 2025 AVMA and APPA ownership data
- Shelter Animals Count: 2025 annual analysis
Suggested citation: “U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics: 2026 Facts and Trends,” Rebecca Hutchins Art, updated September 8, 2026, https://rebeccahutchinsart.com/pet-ownership-statistics.
A personal way to remember them