Pet ownership in the U.S. has jumped significantly over the past three decades. As of 2022, 70% of U.S. households (90.5 million homes) own a pet.[1] That’s up from 56% in 1988, pet ownership statistics show. From companionship to emotional support, pets are a vital part of their owners’ lives. In fact, 85% of dog owners and 76% of cat owners consider their pets to be a member of the family.[2]
Forbes Advisor conducted a deep dive into the latest available pet owner statistics to determine which pets are most popular, how pet ownership and spending habits differ by generation, the cost of pet ownership and the most common lifestyle sacrifices made by pet owners.
