Quick answer
About 95 million US households owned a pet in 2025, nearly three quarters of American homes. Dogs lead at 71 million households, followed by cats at 53 million.
- Americans spent $158 billion on pets in 2025, and spending is projected to reach $165 billion in 2026.
- Food and treats are the biggest cost at $68.3 billion.
- Bird ownership grew 25% in a year, the fastest of any pet.
- Shelters took in 5.8 million dogs and cats in 2025 and adopted out 4.2 million.
Pets are part of the family in most American homes, ours included: we share the homestead with two dogs and two cats, plus a flock of hens that would like to be counted too. Here are the newest 2026 numbers on who owns pets, what they cost and where they come from, pulled from the American Pet Products Association, Shelter Animals Count and other primary sources.
Key numbers at a glance
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US households with a pet, 2025 | 95 million | APPA |
| Households with a dog | 71 million (53%) | APPA |
| Households with a cat | 53 million (39%) | APPA |
| US pet industry spending, 2025 | $158 billion (up 3.7%) | APPA industry data |
| Projected pet spending, 2026 | $165 billion | APPA industry data |
| Dogs and cats taken into shelters, 2025 | 5.8 million | Shelter Animals Count |
| Shelter adoptions, 2025 | 4.2 million | Shelter Animals Count |
| Yearly cost range for a dog or cat | $840 to $6,025 | Rover via FOX 5 |
How many US households own a pet in 2026?
About 95 million US households owned at least one pet in 2025, holding steady from the year before, according to the American Pet Products Association’s March 2026 report (APPA). That is nearly three quarters of American homes.
Are dogs or cats more popular?
Dogs win. 53% of US households had a dog in 2025, about 71 million homes, up from 51% in 2024. That is roughly 4 million more dog owning households in a single year (APPA).
Cats are growing too. 39% of households, about 53 million, had a cat in 2025, up 5% from the year before (APPA). Plenty of homes, like ours, have both.
Which pets are growing fastest in popularity?
Birds. The number of households with birds grew 25% in 2025, followed by reptiles at 20% and freshwater fish at 17%, according to APPA. These smaller pets fit apartments and tighter budgets. See our aquarium statistics for more on fish tanks.
Gen X is a surprise growth group. Gen X pet ownership rose 12% in 2025, with dog ownership up 12% and cat ownership up 8% in that generation, while Gen Z and Millennials keep driving overall demand (APPA).
Backyard chickens increasingly live somewhere between pet and livestock. Many families name their hens and treat them like pets that pay rent in eggs. Our chicken statistics cover how many Americans keep them.
How much do Americans spend on pets each year?
Americans spent $158 billion on their pets in 2025, up 3.7% from 2024, and APPA projects $165 billion in 2026. Roughly 2 points of the expected 4.4% growth in 2026 is inflation (APPA).
Food is the biggest line item. Pet food and treats took $68.3 billion, vet care and product sales $41.0 billion, supplies, live animals and over the counter medicine $34.4 billion, and grooming, boarding, training and other services $14.3 billion (APPA industry data).
Every category is expected to grow in 2026, led by food and vet care. The projected category totals below come from APPA’s industry page.
Budgets are tightening for some owners. 22% of pet owners spent less on their pets in 2025, up 10% from 2024, while about half kept spending the same (APPA). Even so, about 77% say money pressures have not affected whether they keep pets (Steve Dale).
How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in 2026?
Rover’s 2026 cost report puts yearly costs for a dog or cat at $840 to $6,025, depending on breed and size (FOX 5 report). A medium dog runs about $145 to $505 a month, while a medium cat runs about $70 to $305.
| Cost | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost, medium size | $145 to $505 | $70 to $305 |
| Senior pet costs per year | $2,475 to $5,200 | $2,255 to $4,740 |
| Lifetime cost, upper estimate | Not published | Up to $72,595 |
Online shopping is now normal for pet supplies. Among online pet purchases, 83% involved food, 80% treats and 55% vitamins or supplements (Steve Dale).
How many pets end up in shelters?
US shelters took in about 5.8 million dogs and cats from their communities in 2025, 2% fewer than in 2024. They placed 4.2 million in adoptive homes, up 0.7%, and returned 638,000 to their owners (Shelter Animals Count).
About 757,000 shelter dogs and cats did not leave alive in 2025, 1% fewer than in 2024. Dog deaths fell 5%, but cat deaths rose 4% (Shelter Animals Count). If you are thinking about a new pet, adopting from a local shelter makes a real difference. Dig deeper with our dog statistics, cat statistics, animal shelter statistics and most popular dog breeds.
Do pets and backyard chickens get along?
They can, with supervision and a secure run. Many dogs see chickens as prey at first, so slow introductions and a solid coop matter. Our guides on how chickens defend themselves and how much space chickens need help you plan a setup where everyone stays safe.
How we gathered these numbers
Ownership and spending figures come from the American Pet Products Association’s 2026 State of the Industry release, which covers 2025. Shelter figures come from Shelter Animals Count’s 2025 annual report, and cost estimates from Rover’s 2026 report. Every number links to its source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of American households have a pet?
Nearly three quarters. About 95 million US households owned at least one pet in 2025, according to the American Pet Products Association’s 2026 report. Dogs were in 53% of households and cats in 39%, and many homes have both.
Are there more dog owners or cat owners in the US?
More dog owners. About 71 million US households had a dog in 2025, compared with 53 million with a cat, according to APPA. Dog ownership rose from 51% to 53% of households in one year, adding about 4 million dog owning homes.
How much do Americans spend on pets per year?
Americans spent $158 billion on pets in 2025, up 3.7% from 2024, according to APPA, which projects $165 billion in 2026. Food and treats were the largest category at $68.3 billion, followed by vet care and product sales at $41.0 billion.
How much does a dog cost per year in 2026?
A medium sized dog costs about $145 to $505 a month, according to Rover’s 2026 cost report as reported by FOX 5. Across dogs and cats of all sizes, Rover puts yearly costs between $840 and $6,025, with senior dogs costing $2,475 to $5,200 a year.
How many animals are adopted from shelters each year?
About 4.2 million dogs and cats were adopted from US shelters in 2025, up 0.7% from 2024, according to Shelter Animals Count. Shelters took in 5.8 million animals that year, 2% fewer than the year before.
