94 Million Pet Households: America's Pet Ownership by the Numbers
APPA data reveals 94 million US households own pets. Deep dive into dog vs cat ownership, Gen Z trends, and spending projections for 2025.
Michael Torres
Insurance Analyst
Americans love their pets—and the numbers prove it. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2025 National Pet Owners Survey reveals unprecedented pet ownership levels.
Pet Ownership at a Glance
| Metric | 2025 Data |
|---|---|
| Pet-Owning Households | 94 million |
| % of US Households | ~70% |
| Dog Households | 68 million (51%) |
| Cat Households | 49 million (37%) |
| Total Pet Spending | $157 billion (projected) |
Source: APPA 2024-2025 National Pet Owners Survey
Growth Trend: Households Owning Pets
| Year | Households | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 67 million | - |
| 2020 | 70 million | +4% |
| 2022 | 78 million | +11% |
| 2023 | 82 million | +5% |
| 2025 | 94 million | +15% |
7-Year Growth: +40%
Dogs vs Cats: The Numbers
Dog Ownership
- 68 million households own at least one dog
- 51% of all US households
- Most popular pet type
- Average of 1.6 dogs per dog-owning household
Cat Ownership
- 49 million households own at least one cat
- 37% of all US households
- 23% increase in 2024 (highest since 2010)
- Growing trend: multi-cat households up significantly
The Gen Z Effect
Gen Z is driving pet ownership growth:
| Generation | % Owning Pets | Primary Pet |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Z (18-26) | 63% | Dogs (51%) |
| Millennials | 67% | Dogs (55%) |
| Gen X | 71% | Dogs (52%) |
| Baby Boomers | 58% | Dogs (49%) |
Gen Z adopting pets faster than any previous generation did at their age
Pet Industry Spending Breakdown
| Category | 2025 Projection | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Food & Treats | $72 billion | 46% |
| Vet Care & Products | $38 billion | 24% |
| Supplies & OTC Medicine | $31 billion | 20% |
| Other Services | $16 billion | 10% |
| Total | $157 billion | 100% |
Multi-Pet Households Rising
The trend toward multiple pets is accelerating:
| Household Type | 2018 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-dog homes | 55% | 48% | -7% |
| Multi-dog homes | 45% | 52% | +7% |
| Single-cat homes | 51% | 43% | -8% |
| Multi-cat homes | 49% | 57% | +8% |
Implication: More pets per household = higher insurance demand
What This Means for Pet Insurance
Huge Untapped Market
- 94 million pet households
- Only ~6.4 million pets insured
- Penetration rate: ~4%
Growth Opportunity
If US reaches UK penetration levels (25%+), market could 5x:
- Current insured: 6.4 million pets
- Potential: 30+ million pets
Rising Spending = Rising Need
$157 billion in pet spending means more invested in pet health—and more to protect.
State-by-State Highlights
| State | % of Insured Pets | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| California | 18.3% | Largest market |
| New York | 7.5% | #2 market |
| Florida | 6.2% | Fast growing |
| Texas | 6.0% | Rapid adoption |
| Other | 62.0% | - |
Top 5 states represent ~45% of all US pet insurance policies
Data Sources
- American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2024-2025 Survey
- NAPHIA State of the Industry Report 2025
- Forbes Advisor Pet Ownership Statistics
This article uses official data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA), the pet industry’s leading trade organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many US households own pets?
94 million US households own at least one pet as of 2025, up from 82 million in 2023, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
Are dogs or cats more popular?
Dogs are more popular: 51% of households (68 million) own dogs, vs 37% (49 million) owning cats. However, cat ownership is growing faster.
How much do Americans spend on pets?
Total US pet spending is projected at $157 billion for 2025, covering food, supplies, veterinary care, and other services.