Pet Population & Ownership Trends in the US, 8th Edition

Table of Content

CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
• Scope of Report
• Methodology
• Generational Cohorts and Geographic Regional Breakouts
• Figure 1-1 US Census Regional Divisions and Sub-Divisions
• Pets as Family
• National Population Growth
• Macroeconomics and Pet Population Growth
• Ownership Rates and Pet Household Growth for Dogs vs. Cats
• Figure 1-1. Growth in Number of Pet-Owning Households by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification, vs. 2024 (percent)
• Distribution Trends by Dog vs. Cat Ownership
• Trends by Number of Dogs Owned
• Puppy and Senior Dog Populations
• Trends by Number of Cats Owned
• Kitten and Senior Cat Populations
• 14% of Pet Households Have Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats
• OPPORTUNITIES
• Supporting Pet Parenting
• Growth in Cat Ownership
• Growth in Gen Z and Millennial Pet Ownership
• Figure 1-2. Annual Change in Number of Dog-Owning Households by Generation: Gen Z Adults vs.
• Millennials, 2020-2024 (thousands)
• Senior Pets and Pet Owners

CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW

• CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
• PET OWNER PSYCHOGRAPHICS
• Pets as Family
• Table 2-1. Selected Pet Owner Psychographics: Dog Owners vs. Cat Owners, 2024 (percent agreeing)
• Generational Trends in Psychographics
• Table 2-2. Selected Dog Owner Psychographics, 2024 (percent agreeing)
• Table 2-3. Selected Cat Owner Psychographics, 2024 (percent agreeing)
• 1/14/2025 (C) Packaged Facts i
• Pets in the House
• Figure 2-1. Patterns for Keeping Dogs and Cats Inside or Out, 2024 (percent of pet owners)
• Figure 2-2. Patterns for Where Dogs and Cats Are Fed, 2024 (percent of pet owners)
• Figure 2-3. Patterns for Where Dogs and Cats Sleep, 2024 (percent of pet owners)
• NATIONAL POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD TRENDS
• Population Growth and International Migration
• Table 2-4. National Population at Decennial Censuses, 1910 -2020 (number and percent change)
• Table 2-5. Projected Population Change for the US, 2025 -2034 (thousands and percent change)
• Figure 2-4. Projected Immigrant Population Shares by Legal Status, 2015 - 2060 (percent)
• Number of Households
• Table 2-6. Annual Estimates of Housing Units for the US: Overall and by Region, 2018 -(thousands and percent change)
• Figure 2-5. Average Annual Growth in Number of Households, 2011 through 2016 and 2016 through
• 2021 (thousand households)
• Table 2-7. Household Population Patterns for the US: Pet Ownership Indexes and Projected Change in
• Household Population by Selected Demographics, 2023 -2028 and 2028-2033 (index, million
• households, and percent change)
• OVERVIEW OF PET OWNERSHIP TRENDS
• Topline Pet Ownership Rates
• Table 2-8a. Topline Pet Ownership Rates by Type: Overall, Dogs, and Cats, 2019 - 2024 (percent ofoverall households)
• Table 2-8b. Number of Pet-Owning Households by Type: Overall, Dogs, and Cats, 2019 - (millions)
• Historical Dog vs. Cat Ownership Rates
• Table 2-9. Household Ownership Rates for Dogs vs. Cats, 1990 - 2024 (percent)
• Widening Ownership by Age Bracket Drove Dog Population Growth
• Table 2-10. Household Ownership Rates for Dogs by Pet Owner Age Bracket, 1990 - 2023 (percent)
• Generational Trends in Pet Ownership
• Dog Ownership
• Figure 2-6. Annual Change in Number of Dog-Owning Households by Generation: Gen Z Adults vs.
• Millennials, 2020-2024 (thousands)
• Cat Ownership
• Table 2-11a. Dog/Cat-Owning Household Population by Generational Cohort, 2010 -
• (thousands)
• Table 2-11b. Dog/Cat-Owning Household Population by Generational Cohort, 2015 - (thousands)
• Table 2-11c. Dog/Cat-Owning Household Population by Generational Cohort, 2020 - (thousands)
• Puppy vs. Kitten Adoption Trends
• Figure 2-7. Percent of Dog Owners with Puppies vs. Percent of Cat Owners with Kittens, 2013 - (% of dog/cat-owning households)
• Table 2-12. Number of US Households with Dogs/Puppies vs. Cats/Kittens, 2010 -2024 (thousands)
• Cats Gain Market Representation
• Table 2-13. Share of Cat Owners Who Agree That Pet Industry Sectors Sometimes Treat Cats as Second Class Citizens, 2024 (percent)
• MACROECONOMICS AND PET POPULATION
• Housing Affordability
• Figure 2-8. Housing Affordability: Share of Homeowners vs. Renters with Cost Burdens, 2019, 2022, 2023 (percent)
• Housing Prices
• Figure 2-9. Median Sales Price of Houses Sold in the United States, 1990 -Q3 2024 (dollars)
• Mortgage Rates
• Figure 2-10. Average 30-Year and 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates, September 2015 - January (percent)
• Home Insurance Premiums
• Consumer Credit and Debt
• Figure 2-11. Total Housing and Non-Housing Debt Balance, Q1 2003 - Q3 2024 (trillion dollars)
• The Student Loan Factor
• Table 2-14. Student Loan Patterns by Generation, 2024 (percent with loans, thousands of borrowers, percent of total borrowers, and index)
• Pet Shelter Data as Indicator
• Figure 2-12a. Shelter Animal Counts: Total Dog & Cat Intakes, 2016 - 2023 (millions)
• Figure 2-12b. Shelter Animal Counts: Total Dog & Cat Non-Live Outcomes, 2016 - 2023 (millions)
• Consumer Sentiment Trends
• Figure 2-13. Consumer Sentiment Index, 2015 - 2024 (monthly data and 3-month moving average)

CHAPTER 3: PATTERNS BY DOG OR CAT OWNERSHIP CLASSIFICATION

• CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
• OVERVIEW BY DOG/CAT OWNERSHIP CLASSIFICATION
• Topline Ownership Rates and Population
• Table 3-1a. Household Ownership Rates by Dog/Cat-Keeping Classification, 2018 - 2024 (percent)
• Table 3-1b. Household Ownership Base by Dog/Cat-Keeping Classification, 2018 - 2024 (thousands)
• Table 3-2. Household Ownership Rates by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification, 2003 - 2024 (percent)
• Figure 3-1. Growth in Number of Pet-Owning Households by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification, vs. 2024 (percent)
• Table 3-3. Number of Pet-Owning Households by Dog/Cat-Keeping Classification, 2003 - (thousands)
• Distribution Trends by Dog vs. Cat Ownership
• Table 3-4. Distribution Trends by Dog vs. Cat Ownership, 2018 - 2024 (percent of overall dog/cat households)
• Key Demographics by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification
• Table 3-5a. Pet Ownership Rates by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification and Demographic, 2018 vs.2024 (percent)
• Table 3-5b. Pet Ownership Rates by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification and Demographic, 2018 vs.2024 (percent)
• Table 3-6a. Pet Ownership Propensity by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification and Demographic, vs. 2024 (index)
• Table 3-6b. Pet Ownership Propensity by Dog/Cat Ownership Classification and Demographic,
• vs. 2024 (index)

CHAPTER 4: FOCUS ON DOG POPULATION TRENDS

• CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
• DOG OWNERSHIP OVERVIEW
• Topline Ownership Rates and Population
• Table 4-1. Dog Ownership, 2018 - 2024 (percent and million households)
• Trends by Number of Dogs Owned
• Table 4-2. Household Ownership Rates for Dogs: Overall and by Number of Dogs, 2018 -
• percent of US households)
• Table 4-3. Dog Ownership Distribution by Number of Dogs, 2018 - 2024 (percent of dog-owning households)
• Table 4-4. Household Base of Dog Owners: Overall and by Number of Dogs, 2018 - 2024 (thousands)
• Size of Dogs Owned
• Figure 4-1. Distribution of Dog Ownership by Size/Weight of Dogs, 2023 (percent of dog owners)
• Puppy and Senior Dog Populations
• Table 4-5a. Percentage of Dog-Owning Households With Puppies Under Age 1 or Senior Dogs Age 7+,2019 - 2024 (percent)
• Table 4-5b. Number of Dog-Owning Households With Puppies Under Age 1 or Senior Dogs Age 7+,2019 - 2024 (thousands)
• Overweight and Special Needs Dogs
• Table 4-6. Share of Dog Owners With Special-Need Dogs, 2024 (percent)
• DOG OWNERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS
• Patterns for Dog Ownership Demographics
• Table 4-7. Overview of Dog Ownership by Selected Demographics, 2018 vs. 2024 (percent who own, percent of owners, and index)
• Gender of Adults in Household
• Table 4-8. Dog Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Gender of Adults in Household,2018 - 2024 (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Generational Cohort
• Table 4-9. Dog Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Generational Cohort, 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Race/Ethnicity
• Table 4-10. Dog Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Race/Ethnicity, 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Geographic Region
• Table 4-11. Dog Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Census Region 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Household Income
• Table 4-12. Dog Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Household Income, 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Household Composition
• Table 4-13. Dog Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Household Composition, 2018 - 2024 (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Home Ownership
• Table 4-14. Dog Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Ownership of Residence, 2018 - 2024 (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)

CHAPTER 5: FOCUS ON CAT POPULATION TRENDS

• CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
• CAT OWNERSHIP OVERVIEW
• Topline Ownership Rates and Population
• Table 5-1. Cat Ownership, 2018 - 2024 (percent and million households)
• Trends by Number of Cats Owned
• Table 5-2. Household Ownership Rates for Cats: Overall and by Number of Cats, 2018 - 2024 (percent
• of US households)
• Table 5-3. Cat Ownership Distribution: Overall and by Number of Cats, 2018 - 2024 (percent of cat- owning households)
• Table 5-4. Household Base of Cat Owners: Overall and by Number of Cats, 2018 - 2024 (thousands)
• Size of Cats Owned
• Figure 5-1. Distribution of Cat Ownership by Size/Weight of Cats, 2024 (percent of cat owners)
• Kitten and Senior Cat Populations
• Table 5-5a. Percentage of Cat-Owning Households With Kittens Under Age 1 or Senior Cats Age 7+,
• 2019 - 2024 (percent)
• Table 5-5b. Number of Cat-Owning Households With Kittens Under Age 1 or Senior Cats Age 7+, - 2024 (thousands)
• Overweight and Special Needs Cats
• Table 5-6. Share of Cat Owners With Special-Needs Cats, 2024 (percent)
• CAT OWNERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS
• Patterns for Cat Ownership Demographics
• Table 5-7. Overview of Cat Ownership by Selected Demographics, 2018 vs. 2024 (percent who own,
• percent of owners, and index)
• Gender of Adults in Household
• Table 5-8. Cat Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Adult Gender(s) in Household, - 2024 (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Generational Cohort
• Table 5-9. Cat Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Generational Cohort, 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Race/Ethnicity
• Table 5-10. Cat Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Race/Ethnicity, 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, and thousand households)
• Geographic Region
• Table 5-11. Cat Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Census Region 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Household Income
• Table 5-12. Cat Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Household Income, 2018 - (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Household Composition
• Table 5-13. Cat Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Household Composition, 2018 -2024 (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)
• Home Ownership
• Table 5-14. Cat Ownership Trends by Key Demographic Variables: Ownership of Residence, 2018 -2024 (percent who own, share of total owners, thousand households, and index)

CHAPTER 6: OWNERSHIP OF OTHER PETS

• CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
• OWNERSHIP RATES FOR PETS OTHER THAN DOGS OR CATS
• 14% of Pet Households Have Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats
• Table 6-1. Topline Ownership Rates for Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats, 2024 (percent of pet-owning households)
• Types of Freshwater Fish Owned
• Types of Birds Owned
• Types of Small Mammals Owned
• Figure 6-1. Distribution of Small Mammal Ownership by Type of Pet, 2024 (percent of small mammal owners)
• Types of Herptiles Owned
• Figure 6-2. Distribution of Herptile Ownership by Type of Pet, 2024 (percent of herptile owners)
• Skew to Newer Pet Owners
• Figure 6-3. Years as Pet Owners by Type of Pet Owned, 2024 (percent of current pet owners by classification)
• Table 6-2. Ownership Indices by Types of Pets Owned: Selected Demographics, 2024 (index)