17 Facts About Pet Ownership in America
Millions of Americans have pets. While owning a furry, feathered, or scaled animal friend is a bigger responsibility than some expect, it’s rare to find an animal lover who isn’t thankful for having a pet in their life.
These are some facts that offer a glimpse of pet ownership in the USA.
1: A Growing Trend
Pet ownership is on the rise in America. Since 1988, it has increased by 56%. Today, two-thirds of Americans own a pet.
2: Dogs Beat Cats
It seems the United States is full of dog people. Amongst pet owners, 44.6% have a canine companion. Only 26% have feline friends.
3: A Millennial Thing
Millennials make up the biggest share of pet owners by generation. Thirty-three percent of current pet owners are part of the Net Generation, while only 24% are baby boomers.
4: Pet Owners Spend More
In 2021, Americans spent $123.6 billion on their pets. It’s hard to argue that’s chump change. However, by 2022, we had increased our spending by nearly 11% ($136.8 billion).
5: Part of the Family
Ninety-seven percent of pet owners say they consider their animal companions to be full-fledged family members, according to Pew Research Center. Women and lower-income families were more likely to say this than men or higher-income households.
6: Mostly From Stores
Though many say adopting a rescue animal is the best way to find a new pet, most pet owners still purchase their pets from a store or breeder. Sadly, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter American shelters each year.
7: Pandemic Boom
According to an ASPCA survey, more than 23 million American households acquired a pet during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2021, 90% of these new pet owners still had their pets, despite reports of mass “adoption regret.”
8: Most Likely To Own
Americans living in rural areas are far more likely to own a pet than their urban counterparts. Married and those living with a partner are also more likely to adopt an animal friend than people who are single, divorced, or widowed.
9: Not Enough or Too Much
Twenty-six percent of Americans say we don’t put enough emphasis on taking good care of our animals in the U.S. An equal amount say we put too much emphasis on treating pets well.
10: Average Expenses
According to Forbes, the average cost of owning a dog is $1,533 per year. However, those expenses can skyrocket in the event of a medical emergency. Cancer treatment, for example, costs an average of $4,100.
11: Pet Spoils
Gen Z pet owners are the most likely to spoil their animal companions with things like costumes, custom treats, and birthday cakes. They’re also the most likely to spend extra on services like dog walking and regular doggy daycare.
12: Most Expensive Place To Own a Dog
If you’re a dog owner, you might want to avoid Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It ranked as the most expensive place to own a canine in terms of average vet bills, boarding costs, and pet insurance.
13: Adoption Regret
According to a 2022 survey, over half of dog owners experienced adoption remorse. Owning any pet comes with challenges, but dogs can be especially demanding. Their unconditional love comes at the cost of many additional responsibilities.
14: Can’t Afford It
Many pet owners may not be able to afford their pets if their animal has a serious medical condition. Thirty-one percent of dog owners said they wouldn’t be able to afford a vet bill over $2,000, and a vet bill of $999 or less would push 42% of all pet owners into debt.
15: Sacrifices Required
Some pets are fairly easy to care for, but others require their owners to make sacrifices. For example, over 5% of dog owners said they took a pay cut to have remote work or a more dog-friendly office. And almost 14% reported moving out of their apartment to find a home with a dog-friendly yard.
16: High Maintenance Pets
In Florida, Washington, and Alaska, dog owners were more likely to bring their dogs on vacation, make them homemade treats, and push them in their own strollers. This isn’t as irregular as you might think. According to research by Motel 6, 54% of dog and cat owners plan to take their pets with them on vacation.
17: Pet Insurance
Despite the high costs associated with vet visits, most pet owners (79%) don’t have pet insurance. According to Forbes research, given current inflation, few pet owners are considering adding pet insurance to their monthly bills.
Before You Adopt a Pet
Most Americans own pets, but that doesn’t mean you should too. If you’re considering adopting a dog, cat, reptile, or bird, the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) suggests you give some serious thought to a few things.
Cost
Pet costs vary from relatively inexpensive to exorbitantly high. If you have a tighter budget, you’ll want to consider pet breeds with lower likelihoods of food allergies or major health issues. You’ll also want to think about grooming and lodging costs for each pet type you consider.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle plays a huge role in what type of pet will suit you best. If you work long hours or have to travel often for work, adopting an exercise-loving border collie might not be a good idea. Instead, you might want to consider an extra-independent feline friend.
Laws
Before adopting any animal, make sure you look up local regulations on licensing and registration. If you rent your home or live within an HOA, there may also be limits on the type of pet you can adopt.
Your Why
The AMVA suggests giving serious thought to what you want in a pet relationship before you sign adoption papers. Do you want an animal that will curl up in your lap every night, or are you looking for a dog that will accompany you on runs and hikes? Knowing your why will help you pick the right pet.
Current Family Situation
It’s important to consider your current family situation before you adopt. You’ll want to think about who will take on the majority of the responsibilities, whether anyone has a potential allergy, and whether your new pet could pose any dangers or risks to any family members, like young children.
The Future
Pets typically have long lifespans, so it’s crucial to consider what your future may look like before adopting. If you plan to move, have children, or make other major life changes in the next five to ten years, you’ll need to think about whether your pet will still be a good fit.
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