2022 U.S. Pet Ownership Data: How Many Americans Own Pets?

This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

People in the United States are fascinated by their pets, and most will agree that more and more people are getting them every day. If you want to know what the actual statistics say, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve searched the internet to find all the best information to provide here, and we think you’ll be surprised by what we’ve uncovered.

In this article we go over how many dogs are currently in the US, along with the number of cats, and other pets.

The Top 10 US Pet Ownership Statistics

1. More than 63 million households in the United States have a dog.
2. Dog obesity affects more than 40% of dogs over four years old.
3. The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States.
4. More than 42 million homes in the United States have at least one cat.
5. Every year 530,000 cats are euthanized by animal shelters.
6. There are more than 58 million stray cats in the United States.
7. The Ragdoll is the most popular cat breed in the United States.
8. There are more than 5.7 million pet birds in the United States.
9. Many pet birds can live more than 40 years.
10. The average number of pets per household is 1.8.

How Many Dogs Are in The United States?

1. More than 63 million households in the United States have a dog.

(Finances Online)

Dog ownership has steadily increased since 2000, with only 2002 and 2015 showing a decrease in the number of dogs owned by citizens. In both cases, the following years showed a massive increase in the number of dogs owned, keeping in line with the upward trend.

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2. Dog obesity affects more than 40% of dogs over 4 years old.

(VCA Hospitals)

Dog obesity is a huge problem in the United States, and more than one-quarter of all dogs could stand to lose a few pounds. The number increases as dogs age, and more than 40% of dogs over 4 are overweight. Obesity can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and other health problems. It’s entirely preventable by watching portion control and setting aside enough time to play with your pet.

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3. The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States.

(AKC)

The American Kennel Club lists the Labrador Retriever as the most popular dog breed in the United States, as it has done for the last 30 years consecutively. Other popular dogs include the French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles.

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How Many Cats Are In The United States?

4. More than 42 million homes in the United States have at least one cat.

(HumanePro)

More than 42.7 million homes in the United States have at least one cat, and this number has been increasing since at least 2012.

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5. Every year 530,000 cats are euthanized by animal shelters.

(ASPCA)

Every year, the United States animal shelters must euthanize 920,000 animals that could not find a home. Of these, approximately 530,000 or cats. We can significantly reduce the number of animals in shelters by getting our cats spayed or neutered and keeping them indoors to reduce the feral population.

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6. There are more than 58 million stray cats in The United States.

(Wildlife-Removal)

As of 2018, experts estimate the number of stray cats in the United States at 58 million. However, they recognize that it’s difficult to get an exact number, and it could actually be much higher, with some predicting numbers reaching 75 million.

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7. The Ragdoll is the most popular cat breed in the United States.

(CFA)

The 2020 Cat Fanciers’ Association listed the Ragdoll as the most popular cat breed in the United States. Other breeds that rank high include the Exotic Shorthair, the British Shorthair, the Persian, and the Maine Coon.

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How Many Pet Birds Are There In the United States?

8. There are more than 5.7 million pet birds in the United States.

(Spots)

There are more than 5.7 million pet birds in the United States, and this number has grown slightly since the year 2000, increasing by almost 10%.

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9. Many pet birds can live more than 40 years.

(Animal Life Expectancy)

Many pet birds, especially parrots, can live 40 years or more, with some reaching 80 or even 100 years old. Their long-life span allows these pets to be long-term companions, but it presents a special set of problems as well. Keeping living arrangements the same for multiple decades can be a challenge, and some owners pass on before their birds do, leaving them without a caretaker and forcing them into a shelter.

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The Average Number of Pets Per Household

10. The average number of pets per household is 1.8.

(AVMA)

The average number of dogs per household in the United States is 1.6. The average number of cats is 1.8, and there are 2.1 birds per household. The three of these popular pets combined averages to 1.8 pets per household.

Pet Ownership Statistics by State

These are the 10 states with the highest rate of pet ownership. (World Population Review)

1	Wyoming	72%
2	West Virginia	71%
3	Vermont	70%
4	Idaho	70%
5	Indiana	69%
6	Arkansas	69%
7	Mississippi	66%
8	Oklahoma	65%
9	Kentucky	64%
10	North Dakota	64%

These are the 10 states with the lowest rate of pet ownership. (World Population Review)

1	District of Columbia	38%
2	Rhode Island	45%
3	South Dakota	46%
4	New Jersey	47%
5	Maryland	48%
6	Illinois	48%
7	Massachusetts	49%
8	New York	49%
9	Connecticut	49%
10	Georgia	51%

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership

What type of food is healthiest for pets?

We recommend purchasing commercial food designed for your pet. Dog food, cat food, hamster food, etc., will each have a special formula that provides your pet with a complete and balanced meal. Of course, some brands may have better quality ingredients than others, but dog food will never be a suitable substitute for a cat, for example.

How much food does my pet need?

Portion control is critical no matter what pet you own. Obesity can affect any pet leading to serious health issues and shortening its lifespan. Always follow the feeding instructions listed on the food carefully and resist the temptation to provide a little extra. You also need to be careful with treats as these are usually higher in calories and fat.

What vaccinations should my pet get?

The vaccinations your pet requires will depend on what kind of animal it is. Kenzan puppies usually start their vaccinations around six weeks old. Puppies get a DALPP vaccine which helps protect against dangerous diseases like hepatitis, while the kittens receive an FVRCP vaccine. Both require a rabies vaccination once they’re about four months old and dogs will get a vaccination to protect them from kennel cough.

Should I brush my pet’s teeth?

Yes. If your pet has teeth, we highly recommend manually brushing them as often as possible. Start your pets early so they get used to it and don’t fight as hard. Dental disease is a serious issue for both dogs and cats, and some experts suggest, but more than 90% of cats over the age of four have some form of dental problem. Dental disease can be painful, and it can prevent your pet from eating properly. Crunchy kibble can also help slow the progression of dental issues by scraping away plaque and tartar as your pet eats. (Cornell)

Should I use flea, tick, and heartworm medication?

The choice to use flea, tick, and heartworm medication is a persona, and there are other ways to protect your pet. However, we highly recommend giving these monthly medications serious consideration. Fleas can multiply extremely quickly and can infest your house almost overnight, especially if you have a dog because they tend to put their noses down in tall grass. Text can also get on our pet quickly and can lead to Lyme disease, while heartworm comes from mosquito bites and can be potentially life-threatening. Flea tick and heartworm medication can protect your pet from all of these, and you only need to apply it once per month.

Conclusion

Americans love pets, and they are only becoming more popular each year. Not only are we purchasing more cats and dogs, but we’re getting new kinds of animals also, like iguanas, snakes, turtles, ferrets, and more. Science has even shown that pets can help us stay calmer and even live longer, teach us responsibility, and they can always put us in a better mood. That’s why we love them!

Sources

• FinancesOnline
• VCAHospitals
• AKC
• HumanePro
• ASPCA
• Spots
• Wildlife-Removal
• CFA
• Animal Life Expectancy
• AVMA
• World Population Review
• Cornell