US: Pet ownership returns to pre-pandemic levels

According to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) Dog and Cat 2024 report, pet ownership in the US has stabilized after the pandemic surge.

In 2010, 62% of US households had at least 1 pet, equating to 73 million homes. This number peaked during the pandemic but is now back to 63% (82 million households).

Cat ownership has decreased slightly from 33% in 2010 to 30% in 2024. Conversely, dog ownership has risen from 39% in 2010 to 44% in 2024.

The report is based on the 2024 National Pet Owners Survey (NPOS) conducted by Forsta, a market research company. It used a balanced sample based on US Census targets and self-reported data.

The costs

The cost of owning a dog in the US has seen a significant increase over the years.

Veterinary expenses are the largest burden for American dog owners, with an average surgical vet visit now costing $624 (€562.07) compared to $458 (€411.81) in 2010. Boarding costs have also nearly doubled, from $159 (€142.96) to $408 (€366.84).

Cat ownership has also become more costly since 2018, primarily due to rising emergency vet visit expenses. Cat food prices have increased from an average of $228 (€204.99) in 2018 to $285 (€256.24) in 2024, though the changes are not as dramatic as those seen with dogs.

Workplace and pet care

Per the APPA survey, half of dog owners would bring their pets to the office if workplace policies permitted. 34% would not.

Many dogs are left alone at home when owners are at work, with 40% of dogs staying home alone and 12% relying on friends or family for care – up from 7% in 2018. When traveling, 55% of dog owners adjust their plans to accommodate their pets, and 47% take their dogs along for trips lasting 2 or more nights.

The use of pet care apps like Wag or Rover has also risen, with adoption rates increasing from 13% to 17% in the past 2 years.