Pet possession in the USA has remained regular on common in the course of the previous 14 years. In 2010, 62% of U.S. households included a pet of any form. In 2024, that figured had risen to 63%. Nevertheless, that modest enhance adopted fluctuations in possession charges. Ingrid Chu, vp of analysis and insights for the American Pet Merchandise Affiliation (APPA) shared that info and extra of her group’s analysis on pet possession throughout her World Pet Expo 2024 presentation on March 21 in Orlando, Florida, USA.
“Typically, issues are steady,” she mentioned. “We did see that we acquired a pleasant bump, particularly amongst canines, throughout COVID… We’re seeing that issues are beginning to normalize going again to the place they had been earlier than COVID. We are forecasting extra stabilization. It’s going to in all probability return as much as round two thirds, after which keep like that for the subsequent a number of years, which is an efficient factor. That is a possibility for us.”
COVID wasn’t the one time pet possession charges elevated above the long-term pattern. Significantly in 2012, 2016 and with the pandemic disruptions of 2020, pet possession elevated past the present charge of 63%. The general pattern of possession has ranged into the excessive 60’s vary, however not beneath that baseline of 62% in 2010. By 2020, APPA analysts predict that the general pet possession charge within the US will climb to 67%.
Canine possession has constantly outpaced cat possession. In 2010, 39% of U.S. households owned a canine. Canine possession peaked in 2020 in the course of the pandemic, settling all the way down to 44% in 2024. APPA analysts forecast that canine possession would rise slowly to 46% by 2030.
Though cat possession will lag canine into the longer term, the quantity of households with pet cats might enhance extra quickly. In 2010, 33% of U.S. households stored cats. That determine really declined to 30% in 2024, whereas not seeing the pandemic bulge that canine possession did. By 2030 although, APPA market researchers consider cat possession will climb to 35%.
Future pet possession traits
Adjustments in human dwelling patterns, together with urbanization, together with mandates that staff return to their brick-and-mortar workplaces, might enhance the expansion of cat possession.
“We have seen a progress in cat,” David McLain, CEO and president of Alphia, informed Petfood Trade. “We do quite a lot of nice stuff in cat due to our give attention to palatability. I feel that you have seen just a little little bit of possession fall off for canines. You have seen much less with cats. There’s extra sustainability there. I feel it is as a result of some individuals are going again to work. Cats are simpler to assist with that life-style.”
The share of households proudly owning pets has held comparatively regular since 2010, whereas the general variety of pet-owning households has grown together with the rising inhabitants of the U.S. In 2010, 73 million households included pets, rising to 82 million by 2024. Canine-owning households grew the most, rising from 46 million to 58 million. Households with pet cats elevated from 39 million to 40 million.
Nevertheless, APPA analysts don’t forecast a big enhance in pet-owning households. By 2030, the quantity might rise by just one million, with canine possession declining to 57 million households and cat rising to 45 million.
