Pet Population Ownership - Market Research, Industry Trends, Market Share, Consumer Insights


Published: 08/05/2021
Pages: 128
Full Study Price: US$ 2,000

This report provides a topline overview of ownership rates and pet adoption and acquisition trends in the wake of COVID-19 for pets overall, including dogs, cats, and other pets (fish, small mammals, herptiles, and birds).

The report then focuses on the dog and cat population, including detailed demographic tables and figures for pet ownership by numbers of dogs or cats owned, by age of dogs or cats owned, and by size (in lbs.) of dogs owned. Discussion also covers the prime growth demographics in dog- or cat-owning households by 10-year and 5-year historical spans.

In addition to Packaged Facts’ catalog of pet reports, this information in this report draws on consumer surveys from Packaged Facts and the syndicated consumer database from MRI-Simmons. In addition, figures provided on pets other than dogs or cats cite American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owner Survey data.

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Table Of Contents

  • Executive Summary
    • Report Scope and Methodology
    • Proprietary Packaged Facts Survey Data
    • Packaged Facts vs. MRI-Simmons Pet Population Estimates
    • Topline Pet Ownership Rates
    • Number of Pet Dogs and Cats
      • Table Number of Pet Dogs and Cats, 2016 – 2020 (in millions)
    • 12% of Households Have Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats
    • Multiple Pets, Multiple Types of Pets
    • First-Time Pet Owners in Wake of COVID-19
    • Pet Acquisition by Generational Cohort
      • Table Overview of Pet Acquisition in 2020 Among Current Pet Owners: By Generational Cohort, (percent of current pet owners who’ve had pets 2+ years)
    • Pet Acquisition Trends Remain Positive in H1 2021
      • Table Increases or Decreases in Household Levels of Pet Ownership: Full-year 2020 vs. January-June 2021 (percent of pet owners)
    • Surge in Senior Pets
    • 10-Year Growth Demographics for Owning Dogs
    • Households Without Children at Home
    • Retiree Households
    • Never-Married Adults
    • 65- to 74-Year Olds
    • 10-Year Growth Demographics for Owning Cats
  • Overview of Pet Ownership Trends
    • Chapter Highlights
    • Topline Ownership of Pets Overall
      • Pet Ownership Rates
        • Table Topline Pet Ownership Rates by Type, 2016 – 2020 (percent of overall households)
        • Table Number of Pet-Owning Households by Type, 2016 – 2020 (in millions)
    • Dog and/or Cat Ownership Patterns
      • Table Topline Household Ownership Rates for Dogs and/or Cats: 2002/03 – 2020/21 (Odd-Numbered Years) (percent and number)
      • Number of Pet Dogs and Cats
        • Table Number of Pet Dogs and Cats, 2016 – 2020 (in millions)
      • Most Popular Breeds of Dog Owned
    • Topline Ownership Levels for Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats
      • Table Topline Household Ownership Rates for Pets by Type: Fish, Small Mammals, Herptiles, and Birds, 2010/11, 2015/16 and 2020/21 (percent)
      • Overview of “Other” Pet Population
        • Table Overview of Pet Population for Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats, 2020/21 (percent and number of households in millions)
      • Freshwater vs. Saltwater Fish
      • Types of Freshwater Fish Owned
      • Types of Small Mammals Owned
      • Types of Herptiles Owned
      • Types of Birds Owned
  • Focus on Pet Acquisition in Wake of COVID-19
    • Chapter Highlights
    • Pandemic Reset of Pet Population
      • Pet Appeal Unleashed
      • Multiple Pets, Multiple Types of Pets
      • First-Time Pet Owners
      • COVID Motivators for Pet Acquisition
        • Table Patterns for Working at Office/Company and Working at Home: Adults Overall and Pet Owners, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2021 (percent)
      • Pet Population Churn
      • Pet Acquisition by Generational Cohort
        • Table Overview of Pet Acquisition in 2020 Among Current Pet Owners: By Generational Cohort, (percent of current pet owners who’ve had pets 2+ years)
      • Acquisition by Type of Pet
        • Table Types of Pets Acquired in Last 12 Months, February 2021 (percent of current pet owners who’ve had pets 2+ years)
      • Population Gains for “Other” Pets
      • Characteristics of Pet Acquisition
      • Pet Gifting for Winter Holidays 2020
      • Pet Acquisition Trends Remain Positive in H1 2021
        • Table Increases or Decreases in Household Levels of Pet Ownership: Full-Year 2020 vs. January-June 2021 (percent of pet owners)
      • Pet Shelters vs. Other Sources of Pet Acquisition
        • Table Sources of Pet Acquisition in Last 12 Months, February 2021 (percent of pet owners acquiring new pets)
  • Focus on Dog Ownership
    • Chapter Highlights
    • Dog Population Trends
      • Topline Dog Population: Historical Perspective
        • Table Topline Household Ownership of Dogs: 2002/03 – 2020/21 (Odd-Numbered Years) (percent and number)
      • Trends by Number of Dogs Owned
      • Growth in Share of Dog Owners with Senior Dogs
        • Table Household Ownership of Dogs: By Age of Dogs, 2020/21 (percent and number of dog-owning households)
      • Overweight and Special Needs Dogs
        • Table Share of Dog Owners Who Report Having Overweight, Special Needs, or Handicapped Dogs, February 2021 (percent)
      • Trend Away From Smaller Dogs
        • Table Size of Pet Dogs: Previously Acquired and Recently Acquired, February 2020 vs. February 2021 (percent of dog owners)
    • Dog Owner Demographics
      • 10-Year Growth Demographics for Owning Dogs
      • Retiree Households
      • Never-Married Adults
      • 65- to 74-Year Olds
        • Table Key Growth Demographics for Dog Ownership, 2010/11 – 2020/21 (in thousands and percent)
      • 10-Year Growth Demographics for Owning 2+ Dogs
        • Table Key Growth Demographics for Ownership of 2+ Dogs, 2010/11 – 2020/21 (in thousands and percent)
      • 5-Year Dog Ownership Rate Growth Demographics
      • Asian-Americans
      • New Englanders
      • College-Age Adults
        • Table Key Growth Demographics for Dog Ownership Rates, 2015/16 – 2020/21 (in percentage point change)
      • Detailed Demographic Tables
        • Table Dog Ownership Rates by Demographic: By Number of Dogs in Household— Any, One, Two, or Three or More, 2021 (percent)
        • Table Total Number of Dog Owners by Demographic: By Number of Dogs in Household— Any, One, Two, or Three or More, 2020/21 (in thousands)
        • Table Dog Ownership Indexes by Demographic: By Number of Dogs in Household— Any, One, Two, or Three or More, 2020/21 (index with base = 100)
        • Table Dog Ownership Rates by Demographic: By Age of Dogs in Household— Under 1 Year, 1-2 Years, 2-6 Years, 7 or More Years, 2020/21 (percent)
        • Table Total Number of Dog Owners by Demographic: By Age of Dogs in Household— Under 1 Year, 1-2 Years, 2-6 Years, 7 or More Years, 2020/21 (in thousands)
        • Table Dog Ownership Indexes by Demographic: By Age of Dogs in Household— Under 1 Year, 1-2 Years, 2-6 Years, 7 or More Years, 2020/21 (index with base = 100)
        • Table Dog Ownership Rates by Demographic: By Size of Dogs in Household— 10 lbs. or Fewer, 11-20 lbs., 21-60 lbs., 61 or More lbs., 2020/21 (percent)
        • Table Total Number of Dog Owners by Demographic: By Size of Dogs in Household— 10 lbs. or Fewer, 11-20 lbs., 21-60 lbs., 61 or More lbs., 2020/21 (in thousands)
        • Table Dog Ownership Indexes by Demographic: By Size of Dogs in Household— 10 lbs. or Fewer, 11-20 lbs., 21-60 lbs., 61 or More lbs., 2020/21 (index with base = 100)
  • Focus on Cat Ownership
    • Chapter Highlights
    • Cat Population Trends
      • Topline Cat Population: Historical Perspective
        • Table Topline Household Ownership of Cats: 2002/03 – 2020/21 (Odd-Numbered Years) (percent and number)
      • Trends by Number of Cats Owned
      • Growth in Share of Cat Owners with Senior Cats
        • Table Household Ownership of Cats: By Age of Cats, 2020/21 (percent and number of cat-owning households)
      • Overweight and Special Needs Cats
        • Table Share of Cat Owners Who Report Having Overweight, Special Needs, or Handicapped Cats, February 2021 (percent)
      • 10-Year Growth Demographics for Owning Cats
        • Table Key Growth Demographics for Cat Ownership, 2010/11 – 2020/21 (in thousands and percent)
      • 10-Year Growth Demographics for Owning 2+ Cats
      • Detailed Demographic Tables
        • Table Key Growth Demographics for Ownership of 2+ Cats, 2010/11 – 2020/21 (in thousands and percent)
        • Table Key Growth Demographics for Cat Ownership, 2015/2016 – 2020/21 (in percent and percentage point change)
        • Table Cat Ownership Rates by Demographic: By Number of Cats in Household—Any, One, Two, or Three or More, 2020/21 (percent)
        • Table Total Number of Cat Owners by Demographic: By Number of Cats in Household— Any, One, Two, or Three or More, 2020/21 (in thousands)
        • Table Cat Ownership Indexes by Demographic: By Number of Cats in Household— Any, One, Two, or Three or More, 2020/21 (index with base = 100)
        • Table Cat Ownership Rates by Demographic: By Age of Cats in Household— Under 1 Year, 1-2 Years, 2-6 Years, 7 or More Years, 2020/21 (percent)
        • Table Total Number of Cat Owners by Demographic: By Age of Cats in Household— Under 1 Year, 1-2 Years, 2-6 Years, 7 or More Years, 2020/21 (in thousands)
        • Table Cat Ownership Indexes by Demographic: By Age of Cats in Household— Under 1 Year, 1-2 Years, 2-6 Years, 7 or More Years, 2020/21 (index with base = 100)
    • Appendix: Map of Census Regions and Sub-Regions

Pet Population Ownership Market Research, Market Share, Market Leaders, Industry Trends, Industry Analysis, Consumer Insights


Published: 06/29/2020
Pages: 94
Full Study Price: US$ 995

The new pet owner estimates draw primarily on Packaged Facts surveys conducted between February 2019 and August 2019, as published in our separate U.S. Pet Market Focus: New Dog and Cat Owners (August 2019). New pets are defined as those purchased, adopted, or acquired (including breeding within the home) within the last 12 months, regardless of the age of the pet.

Pet ownership rates for dogs and cats—the bedrock for the pet industry—generally held up through the Great Recession of 2008-09. Dog ownership rates notched up slightly to 50% of households and then kept advancing, while cat ownership rates maintained their longer-term pattern of hovering in the 25% of households range. Ownership rates for pets other than dogs and cats did slide to about 12% of households, but these “other” types of pets account for only 4% of industry revenues, and their incremental decline in popularity ties into longer-term and ongoing trends including a falling percentage of households with kids. Packaged Facts anticipates that this pattern might repeat, with ownership of the most companionable and pet-table type of pets perhaps getting a boost among a national population that is now largely isolated, staying at home, and well aware of the mental and physical health benefits of pet ownership.

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Table Of Contents

CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Syndicated Simmons Market Research Data and Indexes
Proprietary Packaged Facts Survey Data
Packaged Facts New Pet Owner Estimates
PET OWNERSHIP OVERVIEW
Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic
54% of Households Keep Pets
Pet Adoption in Response to COVID-19
Pet Ownership Projections for 2020
Key Demographics for Pet Ownership
Dog and Cat Ownership Overview
95% of Pet-Owning Households Have Dogs or Cats
Shifts in Dog/Cat Owner Demographics, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20
One-Tenth of Pet-Owning Households Have “Other” Pets
CHAPTER 2: PET OWNERSHIP TRENDS
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
PET POPULATION OVERVIEW
Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic
Illustration 2-1 Hamilton County, Indiana Humane Society COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus Update
54% of Households Keep Pets
Table 2-1 Household Ownership Rates for Pets by Type: Any Pets, Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (percent)
Table 2-2 Household Base for Ownership of Pets by Type: Any Pets, Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (in millions)
Table 2-3 Household Ownership Rates for Pets Other than Dogs or Cats by Type, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (percent)
Table 2-4 Household Base for Ownership of Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats by Type, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (in thousands)
The Decade of the Dog
Figure 2-1 Number of Pet-Owning Households: Overall and by Type of Pet, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (in millions)
Dog Owners at 73% of Overall Pet Households
Figure 2-2 Share of Overall Pet-Owning Households: By Selected Types of Pet, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (percent)
Pet Cross-Ownership Rates
Table 2-5 Cross-Ownership Rates for Different Types of Pets, 2019/20 (in percent and thousands of households)
Historical Rates for Cross-Ownership of Pets
Table 2-6 Overview of Cross-Ownership Rates of Pets: By Percent of Households, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (rate)
Table 2-7 Overview of Cross-Ownership of Pets: By Number of Households 2008/09 -2019/20 (in thousands)
PET ADOPTION RATES IN 2019
Table 2-8 Pet Ownership and New Pet Ownership by Type of Pet, 2019 (in percentages and millions)
PET ADOPTION RATES IN 2020
Pet Adoption in Response to COVID-19
Illustration 2-2 Petco Foundation Email Encouraging Pet Shelter Support During Coronavirus Pandemic
Table 2-9 Pet Adoption Rates by Type of Pet: Last 12 Months vs. Last 3 months, April/May 2020 (percent of adults)
Figure 2-3 Types of Pets in Household: Pet Owners Overall vs. Recent Pet Adopters, April/May 2020
Pet Ownership Projections for 2020
Figure 2-4 Pet Ownership Rates by Type, 2020P (percent of U.S. households and of pet-owning households)
Table 2-10 Overview of Pet Ownership by Type, 2020P (percent of and number of U.S. households)
KEY DEMOGRAPHICS FOR PET OWNERSHIP
Overview
Figure 2-5 High-Indexing Demographics for Pet Ownership, 2019/20 (index)
Table 2-11 Key Demographic Increases in Households Owning Pets by Type: Any Pets, Dog or Cats, Dogs, and Cats, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (in thousands)
Figure 2-6 Share of Pet-Owning Households by Presence/Absence of Children, 2019/20 (percent)
Key Demographics for Owning Different Types of Pets
Figure 2-7 High-Indexing Demographics for Owning Different Types of Pets, 2019/20 (index)
Table 2-12 Ownership Rate for Pets Overall: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (percent)
Table 2-13 Ownership Base for Pets Overall: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (in thousands of households)
Table 2-14 Pet Ownership Indexes for Pets Overall: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (index)
CHAPTER 3: FOCUS ON DOG AND CAT OWNERSHIP
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
95% of Pet-Owning Households Have Dogs or Cats
Figure 3-1 Household Ownership Rates by Number of Pets Owned: Dogs and Cats, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (percent)
Table 3-1 Household Ownership Rates for Pets by Type and Number of Pets: Any Pets, Dogs, and Cats, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (percent)
Table 3-2 Household Base for Ownership of Pets by Type and Number of Pets: Any Pets, Dogs, and Cats, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (in millions)
Cross-Ownership Patterns for Dogs and Cats
Table 3-3 Cross- and Multiple-Pet Ownership Patterns Among Dog and Cat Owners, 2019/20 (percent and number in millions)
Table 3-4 Cross- and Multiple-Pet Ownership Patterns Among Dog and Cat Owners, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (percent)
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF DOG AND CAT POPULATIONS
Smaller Dogs Remain Big
Table 3-5 Size of Pet Dogs: Previously Acquired and Recently Acquired, 2019 (percent of dog owners)
Aging Pet Population
Table 3-6 Age of Dogs and Cats, 2020 (percent of pet owners)
Pet Overweight/Obesity
Figure 3-2 Level of Agreement with Statement, “I have an overweight dog/cat,” 2016-2020 (percent of dog- and cat-owning households)
KEY DEMOGRAPHICS FOR DOG VS. CAT OWNERSHIP
Overlaps and Variations
Figure 3-3 High-Indexing Demographics for Pet Ownership: Dogs vs. Cats, 2019/20 (index)
Shifts in Dog/Cat Owner Demographics, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20
Table 3-7 Selected Changes in Demographic Shares: Households Overall vs. Dog-Owning and Cat-Owning Households, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (in percentages and percentage point change)
Table 3-8 Pet Ownership Rates for Dogs or Cats by Types of Pet Owned: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (percent)
Table 3-9 Pet Ownership Customer Base for Dogs or Cats by Types of Pet Owned: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (in thousands of households)
Table 3-10 Pet Ownership Indexes for Dogs or Cats by Types of Pet Owned: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (index)
CHAPTER 4: FOCUS ON OWNERSHIP OF PETS OTHER THAN DOGS OR CATS
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
One-Tenth of Pet-Owning Households Have “Other” Pets
Figure 4-1 Household Ownership Rates for Pets by Type: Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Hamsters, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (percent)
Table 4-1 Households Ownership Rates for Pets by Type: Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Hamsters, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (percent)
Table 4-2 Household Base for Ownership of Pets by Type: Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Hamsters, 2008/09 - 2019/20 (in thousands)
Cross-Ownership Patterns for Other Pets
Table 4-3 Cross-Ownership Patterns Among Types of Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats: Fish, Birds, Reptiles, and Rabbits/Hamsters, 2019/20 (percent and number in millions)
Key Demographics for Other Pet Ownership
Figure 4-2 High-Indexing Demographics for Ownership of Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats, 2019/20 (index)
Figure 4-3 High-Indexing Demographics for Pet Fish Ownership, 2019/20 (index)
Figure 4-4 High-Indexing Demographics for Pet Bird Ownership, 2019/20 (index)
Figure 4-5 High-Indexing Demographics for Pet Reptile Ownership, 2019/20 (index)
Figure 4-6 High-Indexing Demographics for Pet Rabbit/Hamster Ownership, 2019/20 (index)
Shifts in Other Pet Owner Demographics, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20
Table 4-4 Selected Changes in Demographic Shares: Households Owning Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats, 2008/09 vs. 2019/20 (in percentages and percentage point change)
Table 4-5 Ownership Rates for Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (percent)
Table 4-6 Ownership Base for Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (in thousands of households)
Table 4-7 Pet Ownership Indexes for Pets Other Than Dogs or Cats: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (index)
Table 4-8 Ownership Rates for Pet Fish: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (percent)
Table 4-9 Ownership Base for Pet Fish: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (in thousands of households)
Table 4-10 Pet Ownership Indexes for Pet Fish: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (index)
Table 4-11 Ownership Rates for Pet Birds: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (percent)
Table 4-12 Ownership Base for Pet Birds: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (in thousands of households)
Table 4-13 Pet Ownership Indexes for Pet Birds: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (index)
Table 4-14 Ownership Rates for Pet Reptiles: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (percent)
Table 4-15 Ownership Base for Pet Reptiles: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (in thousands of households)
Table 4-16 Pet Ownership Indexes for Pet Reptiles: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (index)
Table 4-17 Ownership Rates for Pet Rabbits or Hamsters: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (percent)
Table 4-18 Ownership Base for Pet Rabbits or Hamsters: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (in thousands of households)
Table 4-19 Pet Ownership Indexes for Pet Rabbits or Hamsters: Key Demographics, 2019/20 (index)