APPA 2025 State of the Industry Report Cover Image Courtesy of APPA
U.S. pet ownership regains momentum, with 94 million households having at least one pet and
Gen Z is driving a remarkable shift in multi-pet ownership
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced at Global Pet Expo that the total U.S. pet industry expenditures reached $152 billion in 2024, showing continued growth and resiliency. The expenditures were released alongside the association’s 2025 State of the Industry Report during Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s premier event.
The 2025 State of the Industry Report provides comprehensive analysis and visuals of industry expenditures, ownership trends, consumer habits, sentiment and behaviors with comparative data across each generation.
Pete Scott, APPA President and CEO
“The pet industry continues to demonstrate resilience, even amid economic uncertainty. What’s encouraging is that pet ownership itself is expanding, with 94 million U.S. households now owning at least one pet, up from 82 million in 2023. These figures reaffirm that pet care remains a top priority for Americans, reflecting the deep and lasting bond between people and their pets, especially with the Millennials and Gen Zs who are more likely to have multiple pets than their Boomer and Gen X counterparts,” said Pete Scott, APPA President.
Key findings from the report include:
1. The pet industry shows continued growth and resiliency, with the total U.S. pet industry expenditures reaching $152 billion in 2024. $157 billion in sales is projected for 2025. Seventy-seven percent of U.S. pet owners say the current economy has not affected their pet ownership.
2. Pet ownership regains momentum. Ninety-four (94) million U.S. households own at least one pet, compared to eight-two (82) million in 2023. Overall, pet ownership has increased for both dogs and cats, with 51% of U.S. households (68 million) owning a dog and 37% of U.S. households (49 million) owning a cat.
3. Amid rising egg costs, backyard chicken ownership is rebounding.
Eleven (11) million U.S. households own backyard chickens (a 28% increase from 2023).
4. Gen Z shows significant growth in pet ownership and is the generation most likely to own multiple pets.
In 2024, Gen Z comprised 20% (18.8 million) of U.S. households that owned a pet, a 43.5% increase from 2023. Gen Z also contributed to significant growth in dog and cat ownership, making up 20% of both dog and cat owners, an 18% and 25% increase from 2023, respectively. Seventy percent of Gen Z pet owners have two or more pets.
5. Millennial and Gen Z men are obtaining more pets.
Fifty-eight percent of Gen Z and 63% of Millennial dog owners are men, a 15.2% and 18.6% increase from 2023, respectively.
Surprisingly, the most significant growth in cat ownership was among Gen Z and Millennial men, with 38% of Gen Z and 46% of Millennial cat owners being men, a 17.8% and 23.9% increase from 2023, respectively.
6. Pet owners are concerned about affordability and access to pet services and veterinary care.
Thirty-seven percent of U.S. pet owners are concerned about access to veterinary care, with 60% citing affordability and 32% saying ease of getting an appointment as their top concerns. Twenty-two percent of U.S. pet owners are concerned about access to pet care services, with 38% citing affordability and 31% saying ease of getting an appointment as their top concerns.
7. Pets are redefining the hybrid work model.Fourteen percent of people report that their workplace allows pets, a 17% increase from 2023.
Most human resources professionals and senior leaders believe pets benefit the workplace. Eighty percent agree that a pet-friendly workplace helps recruit and retain the best talent, while 75% think it helps drive return-to-office efforts.
8. Calming products are an essential component of pet care, especially among Gen Z and Millennials.
Seventy-eight percent of Gen Z dog owners and 71% of Gen Z cat owners use calming products.
Seventy-two percent of Millennial dog owners and 66% of Millennial cat owners use calming products.
9. Pet owners shop across online and in-store, making a strong omnichannel presence essential to pet retailers.
Fifty-one percent of buyers typically shop for pet products online.
Forty-seven percent of buyers shop for pet products in-store.
Ingrid Chu, APPA VP, Insights and Research
Added Ingrid Chu, APPA’s vice president of Insights and Research: “Gen Z is driving a remarkable shift in pet ownership, with a 43.5% increase in pet-owning households from 2023 to 2024. This generation is also leading in multi-pet ownership. What’s particularly exciting is how they discover and engage with pet products; social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram play a crucial role in their purchasing decisions. As pet brands look to the future, leveraging visual and digital-first strategies will be key to capturing the attention of this rapidly growing demographic.”
The American Pet Products Association is a membership organization serving the pet industry through services and programs designed to help its members prosper. Since 1988, APPA has published the APPA National Pet Owners Survey, the premier resource of its kind, providing in-depth data on consumer behavior. APPA’s research and insights monitor consumer habits, identify short- and long-term trends and discover new opportunities in pet ownership, pet product and service consumption published across four quarterly reports, including State of the Industry, Dog & Cat, Fish & Reptiles and Horse, Birds & Small Animals.
Source: APPA News Release
