15 Pet Statistics That Might Surprise You

It's no surprise that there are a lot of dog breeds out there, but what's the exact figure? While the American Kennel Club recognizes 190 dog breeds, the World Canine Organization recognizes 360. These don't include mixed breeds or cross-breeds like golden doodles or pomskies, either.

That's a lot of money! In 2022, $136.8 billion dollars were spent on pets in the U.S. On average, a dog owner spends around $730 annually, while a cat owner spends an average of $634. The biggest expenses are, unsurprisingly, food and medical bills. Other expenses include toys, grooming, training, and pet daycare.

If you have a pet, there's a good chance they weigh more than they should. It's estimated that over 50% of dogs and 60% of cats have a few too many inches around their waists. As cute as a fat cat or dog can be, it's not good for their health. If you've got a pudgy pal, reevaluate their diet and make sure they get enough daily exercise.

More and more people rightly think that pets make their lives better and welcome them into their families. This number is significantly higher compared with previous decades. A 2023 study revealed that 86.9 million or 66% of households in the U.S. own at least one pet. That's a pretty significant increase from 1988, when around 56% of households reported owning a pet.

When life brings you down, your furbabies are there to pick you back up again. Most pet owners say that having a pet helps reduce stress. There's something soothing about petting a cat or dog, and it's probably related to all those feel-good hormones pets trigger. The next time you're feeling a little worried, try giving your best fuzzy friend a cuddle.

When pets manage to escape, it can be terrifying, but there's relieving news—90% of pets are quickly found when their owners go looking for them. In many cases, when a pet isn't found or returned quickly, it's because they don't have identification tags or microchips. If your fuzzy friend doesn't have a tag, now's the time to get one!

All too commonly, people give up their pets when they have a new bundle of joy, worrying about allergies, safety, and hygiene. Despite the common belief that pets and infants don't mix, having a well-behaved pet when your child is young can actually be protective against future allergies.

Studies show that being exposed to pets in early childhood reduces the rate of asthma and allergy from 49% to 32%.

If a dog or cat is too basic, why not try a tiger? Some people have chosen to do just that: there are at least 5,000 tigers in the U.S. living the pampered pet life. This is interesting, considering that it's actually a bigger number than the estimated 3,900 tigers in the wild. Four states have no restrictions on tiger ownership, while 13 more allow it with a permit.

Seniors with pets actually have better health than those without. They attend 30% fewer appointments with their doctors and take less medication, which is a pretty significant difference. Not only that, seniors with pets are typically less lonely when they feel like they have a daily purpose. Having a pet can encourage them to walk around more and can provide a sense of fulfillment.

If you prefer your pet to your life partner, you're far from alone. A study of 2,000 pet owners revealed that nearly half of them preferred spending time with their pets over their partners. That study also reported that nearly 30% of people think their pets are comfier cuddlers than their partners.

While pet ownership can feel stressful sometimes, it's actually good for you. After all, your pup does more than just warm your heart. They actually protect it. According to a Swedish study of 3.4 million people, those who lived alone but with a pet experienced heart attacks 11% less frequently than those who lived alone without a furbaby.

Beyond reducing the risk of heart attack, canine companions can also reduce the rate of death in general by 24%. Part of this is likely due to pet owners generally having less risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure, perhaps due to reduced stress and more physical activity. That's a pretty good reason to go out and get a furry friend!

Hamsters might look tiny, but they sure can pack in the food. Their cheeks can accommodate around 20% of their body weight. That's the same as an average 150-pound person stuffing 30 pounds of food in their mouth! In the wild, they do this to hide their food away for later so they can eat when they want to.

Fishkeeping can be a fun hobby, but for many, these scaly buddies are actually beloved pets and friends. Many fish can recognize their owners and get excited when they come up to the tank. No wonder 11.1 million households in the U.S. have at least one freshwater fish! If you're adding a fish to your home, just be sure to do your research and make sure they have enough space!

During a time when normalcy seemed to disappear overnight, people turned to furry companions. More than 23 million households in the U.S. adopted a pet during the COVID-19 pandemic. With so many people working at home and isolated from friends or family, it seemed like the perfect time to welcome a new animal friend into their worlds.