Understanding the Data

Obtaining accurate statistical data about pets in the United States isn’t easy. Most of the information is based on estimates derived from surveys, and the various survey-takers don’t always agree. Data reflecting shelter/rescue animal populations is spotty due to a lack of reporting requirements, which leaders in animal welfare are aiming to address with the Shelter Animals Count project.

Fact	2012 AVMA Sourcebook	2015-2016 APPA Survey	2017-2018 AVMA Sourcebook	2017-2018 APPA Survey
Total number of U.S. households		124.587 million	125.819 million
Number of households with a pet	66.5 million (year-end 2011)	79.7 million	74.4 million	84.6 million
Percentage of households with a pet	56% (year-end 2011)	65%	56.8%	68%
Pet-owning households with more than 1 pet	62.2%	42%	61%
Estimated number of pet dogs and cats	144.1 million	163.6 million	135.2 million	183.9 million
Percentage of pet-owners who consider their pets to be family members	63.2%		80%
Percentage of pet-owners who consider their pets to be pets or companions	35.8%		17%
Percentage of pet-owners who consider their pets to be property	1%		3%

Dogs
Fact	2012 AVMA Sourcebook	2015-2016 APPA Survey	2017-2018 AVMA Sourcebook	2017-2018 APPA Survey
Households that own at least one dog	Nearly 43.3 million (36.5%)	54.4 million (44%)	48.3 million (38%)	60.2 million (48.5%)
Estimated number of pet dogs	70 million (year-end 2011)	77.8 million	76.8 million (year end 2016)	89.7 million
Average number of pet dogs per household	1.6	1.43	1.6	1.49
Dog-owning households with small dogs	39.3%	50%		50%
Dog-owning households with medium dogs	33.4%	26%		28%
Dog-owning households with large dogs	27.3%	37%		35%
Percentage of dog owners who consider their dogs to be family members	66.7%		85%
Percentage of dog owners who consider their dogs to be pets or companions	32.6%		14%
Percentage of dog owners who consider their dogs to be property	0.7%		1%
Average amount spent on veterinary care per year, per dog	$227	$1,542	$495	$1,386
Percentage of owned dogs who are spayed or neutered		86%	69.1%	85%
Percentage of dogs who are “pure breed”		62%	48.7%	60%
Percentage of dogs who are mixed breed/”mutts”		47%	51.3%	51%

Cats
Fact	2012 AVMA Sourcebook	2015-2016 APPA Survey	2017-2018 AVMA Sourcebook	2017-2018 APPA Survey
Households that own at least one cat	36.1 million (30.4%)	42.9 million (35%)	31.9 million (25%)	47.1 million (38%)
Estimated number of pet cats	74.1 million (year-end 2011)	85.8 million	58.4 million (year end 2016)	94.2 million
Average number of pet cats per household	2.1	2.0	1.8	2.0
Percentage of cat owners who consider their cats to be family members	56.1%		76%
Percentage of cat owners who consider their cats to be pets or companions	41.5%		20%
Percentage of cat owners who consider their cats to be property	2.4%		3%
Average amount spent on veterinary care per year, per cat	$90	$1,200	$335	$890
Percentage of pet cats who are spayed or neutered		90%	80%	93%
Percentage of cats who are “pure breed”		18%	16%	16%
Percentage of cats who are mixed breed/”mutts”		87%	84%	90%