Pet ownership statistics: cats, dogs and beyond
Explore a range of pet ownership statistics with our handy guide to 2024 and beyond. Here we cover the world’s most owned pets, dog and cat populations across the US and UK, pet industry spending trends, shelter data, and pet sitting insights — including how pet owners on furpetvo.com compare to global trends.
US pet ownership statistics
The number of households owning both cats and dogs in the US has steadily increased between 1991 and 2024 — with dog-owning households consistently outnumbering cat-owning ones. As expected, 2020 saw a sharp rise in dog ownership, followed by a temporary dip before returning to steady growth.
Dog-owning households in the US (in millions)
- 1991: 34.5
- 1996: 31.3
- 2001: 37.8
- 2006: 43.0
- 2011: 43.3
- 2016: 48.2
- 2020: 62.0
- 2023: 53.4
- 2024: 59.8
Cat-owning households in the US (in millions)
- 1991: 29.2
- 1996: 27.0
- 2001: 33.2
- 2006: 37.5
- 2011: 36.1
- 2016: 31.8
- 2020: 37.0
- 2023: 38.7
- 2024: 42.1
Source: AVMA
Key US takeaways
- In 2024, 59.8 million US households owned at least one dog.
- In 2024, 42.1 million US households owned at least one cat.
- 33% of US pet parents are Millennials.
Sources: AVMA, Catster
UK pet ownership statistics
According to 2024 research by the PDSA:
- 51% of UK adults own at least one pet.
- 28% own a dog — roughly 10.6 million dogs nationwide.
- 24% own a cat — approximately 10.8 million cats.
- 2% own rabbits — about 800,000 pet rabbits.
Source: PDSA
Global pet ownership statistics
The US, Brazil, the EU, and China collectively house over 500 million dogs and cats. Globally, pets live in more than half of all households — and pet ownership is especially strong among Millennials, who tend to start families later than previous generations.
Regional breakdowns:
- EU: 92 million dogs and 113 million cats
- China: 74 million dogs and 67 million cats
- US: 85 million dogs and 65 million cats
Source: Health for Animals
Most popular pets on FurPetVo in the US
How do pet ownership patterns on furpetvo.com reflect national trends? Our platform data shows dogs remain the top choice among US members — closely followed by cats — aligning with broader ownership patterns across the country.
Most popular pets in the UK
The dogs vs. cats debate continues! In the UK, dogs are the most popular pets, with cats a close second:
- Dogs: 36% of UK households
- Cats: 29%
- Indoor birds: 3%
- Rabbits: 1.6%
- Tortoises and turtles: 1.6%
- Domestic fowl: 1.6%
- Hamsters: 1.5%
- Horses and ponies: 1.5%
- Snakes: 1.3%
- Guinea pigs: 1.2%
Source: Statista
Most popular pets on FurPetVo in the UK
On furpetvo.com, UK-based pet owners mirror national preferences — with dogs leading in household representation, followed closely by cats. This consistency highlights how platform trends often reflect wider cultural pet-keeping habits.
Dog ownership statistics in the US
In 2024, 45.5% of US households owned at least one dog — totaling 59.8 million households. Dog ownership varies significantly by state, with the highest rates found in rural and midwestern regions.
Top 10 US states by dog ownership rate (2024)
- Idaho: 58.3%
- Montana: 51.9%
- Arkansas: 51.6%
- Mississippi: 51.0%
- West Virginia: 49.6%
- Indiana: 49.4%
- Oklahoma: 47.7%
- Colorado: 47.2%
- Nebraska: 47.1%
- Tennessee: 47.0%
US dog population trends
After a slight dip in 2023 — falling from 88.3 million dogs in 2022 to 80.1 million — the US dog population is rebounding steadily. Today, 45.5% of all US households include at least one dog.
Key historical trends
- Between 1996 and 2024, the US dog population grew from 52.9 million to 89.7 million.
- In 1996, 31.6% of US households owned a dog.
- In 2024, that figure rose to 59.8 million dog-owning households.
Source: AVMA
Top 10 most common dog breeds in the US
- Chihuahua
- French Bulldog
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Shih Tzu
- Goldendoodle
- Yorkshire Terrier
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Pit Bull
- Labrador Retriever (black)
Source: US News
The Chihuahua remains America’s most common breed — making up 4% of all dogs nationwide. Golden Retrievers are especially popular in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. German Shepherds also hold strong regional appeal, particularly in working-dog communities.
