Sixty-eight percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). This is up from 56 percent of U.S. households in 1988, the first year the survey was conducted.
The U.S. holds the largest share of the worldwide pet care market as more Americans take on ownership of dogs, cats, reptiles, small mammals and fish. The continuing trend of pet humanization and the willingness of American consumers to opt for premium pet food brands has spurred continued growth in the sector. Further, the increase in the number of non-traditional households with no children, coupled with high levels of disposable income is boosting the per-capita pet expenditure.