economics
National Impact
The care and companionship of pets is integral to not only the emotional and physical health and well-being of people, but also to the strength and stability of our economy.
New data through 2021 demonstrates that the U.S. pet sector contributes $260.5 billion directly and indirectly to the U.S. economy.
This is an increase of 18% from $221 billion in 2015.
U.S. Pet Sector Economic Impact
Impact
$260.5 Billion
Total Economic Output
$174 Billion
Pet sector contribution to annual gross domestic product
Jobs
2.78 Million
U.S. jobs are directly and indirectly linked to pets
Taxes
$23.4 Billion
Public revenues generated by consumer expenditures on pets from local, state and federal taxes
State Economic Impact
The below infographics reflect 2021 data. Click a state to download its economic impact infographic.
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U.S. households spent
$93.95 billion on their pets.
Pet food, including treats, is the largest expense for most pet owners.
Americans spent $50 billion on pet food and treats.
Pet Spending
$50 Billion
Pet Food & Treats
$29.8 Billion
Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine
$9.5 Billion
Other Services
Pet spending and ownership statistics source: APPA
Pet Ownership
84.9 million
Households in the U.S. have at least one pet.
70%, or about two-thirds, of American households own some type of pet.
186 million
Americans own 186 million dogs and cats.
54% of U.S. households own of a dog and
35% own a cat.
23 million
U.S. households brought home a new pet between spring of 2019 and summer of 2021.
Featured Pet Statistic
70% of American households own at least one pet
Dog54%
Cat35%
Freshwater Fish9%
Bird8%
Small Mammal5%
Reptile4%
Saltwater Fish2%
It Takes a Community
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