The size and makeup of the nation’s pet population affect nearly every aspect of companion animal practice. Insights from the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook illuminate what’s changing—and where opportunities may lie.
What the data show
As the trend lines in this month’s chart show, the pet dog population has been climbing steadily in the U.S.—from an estimated 52.9 million in 1996 to 87.3 million in 2025.
In contrast, the owned cat population varied between 1996 and 2025, but recent years show some population growth.
What does this mean?
While these trends suggest that pets remain integral in American life,…
