Approximately 63 percent of households in the United States have pets. The number of pet dogs in the U.S. is about 73 million, while cats number more than 90 million. People keep nearly 140 million colorful fish in their homes, more than 15 million birds, and over 11 million ferrets living as household pets.
Keeping dogs, cats, birds, colorful fish, and many other kinds of animals as pets is common in almost every part of the world. The human–pet relationship is so old that it is commonly seen in prehistoric paintings and carvings.
Pets are generally kept as a member of the household, for enjoyment of their playful behavior, or to reduce feelings of loneliness. Dogs are sometimes also used to guard homes and assist in hunting; however, dogs kept for these purposes are quite different from those kept as household pets.
The highest number of pets in the world are kept in developed countries, where owners must obtain proper licenses from local authorities and follow rules regarding training and health care.
The United States is among the countries where a large number of animals are kept as pets. In every small and large city and town, there are thousands of stores selling pet food and supplies. In addition, most grocery stores also have a dedicated section for pet products. The pet food and accessories industry in the United States is worth billions of dollars.
According to a comprehensive survey conducted by the American Pet Manufacturers Association (APMA), the trend of keeping pets in American society is steadily increasing, and 63 percent of households in the country have at least one pet.
The 375-page survey states that the number of pet dogs in the U.S. is approximately 73 million, while cats exceed 90 million. People keep nearly 140 million colorful fish in their homes, more than 15 million birds, and over 11 million ferrets living as pets.
APMA President Bob Vetere says that the increase in the number of pets indicates that pets bring happiness and comfort into our lives.
He adds that pets not only provide us with unconditional love but also offer significant health benefits.
According to the survey, almost every pet owner said they receive love, sincerity, and selfless companionship from their pets. Fifty-nine percent of people said that pets are beneficial for their own health and that of their family members, as spending time with them relieves daily mental stress and makes them feel refreshed. They also said that keeping pets is a form of regular exercise—playing with them, taking them for walks, bathing them, and caring for their cleanliness and health is, in effect, regular physical activity.
The survey found that most people consider their pets an important member of the household and treat them like their children. Three-quarters of dog owners said they consider their dog like their child, while half of cat owners expressed the same view.
Exchanging gifts on special occasions is an important American tradition. Interestingly, for several years now, the practice of giving gifts to pets on special occasions has been steadily increasing. The survey shows that when people go out to buy gifts for various occasions, eight out of ten also buy gifts for their pets—especially dogs—while more than 63 percent buy gifts for their pet cats. These gifts are usually given on occasions such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and birthdays.
APMA says that, on average, $17 is spent on a gift for a pet.
Recently, the trend of celebrating pets’ birthdays has also increased. The survey reports that more than nine percent of people hold birthday parties for their pet dogs and invite friends and relatives to attend.
The APMA report also notes a growing awareness and concern among people regarding their pets’ diet and health. Many are worried about weight gain and obesity in pets and are paying greater attention to purchasing balanced diets for them. According to the report, sales of balanced, vitamin-rich, and organic pet food have increased in recent years.
In the United States, where approximately 45 million people lack health insurance, health insurance for pet dogs and cats has been steadily increasing. The report states that this rate has risen significantly compared to 2002.