Real Quick: America’s Pet Era
There are now more homes in America with pets than homes with kids under 18.
That means that 7 out of 10 households have a pet, and that number continues to rise.
Beyond dogs and cats, millions of people own reptiles, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, turtles, snakes, ferrets, and even hedgehogs. We are spending more than ever on pet food, daycare, grooming, vets, toys, treats, and even pet insurance.
Young adults are waiting to have kids and spend their money on pets, trips, experiences, and lifestyles that give them freedom and flexibility instead.
Why Pets Matter So Much
Research keeps showing that animals genuinely make us feel better.
Dogs get us walking outside. Cats help us slow down and relax. Even simple things like watching fish swim in a tank have been linked to lower stress levels.
And the relationship Americans have with pets is changing fast.
People are throwing birthday parties for dogs, buying holiday outfits for cats, scheduling pet daycare, and planning trips around boarding availability.
Pets are no longer just animals living in the house. They are part of the family.
The Numbers That Stuck With Me
Americans spent $152 billion on pets in 2024, that’s more than the GDP of some entire countries.
Pet insurance has become one of the fastest-growing parts of the industry, with more than 6 million insured pets in North America.
Americans buy around 10 billion pounds of pet food every year.
About 1 in 5 Americans say they have skipped travel or changed plans because of pet care responsibilities.
More than 11 million U.S. households own freshwater fish, making fish one of the country’s most common pets.
Roughly 6 million U.S. households own birds, while millions more own reptiles, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and other small animals.