In the U.S., the American Veterinary Medical Association projects 202 million small animal veterinary visits in 2023. Dog owners also spend more on care, with 31% of pet owners reporting they bought pet health insurance in the past year. In a global consumer survey, 53% of respondents said they prefer dogs, aligning with studies that link dog-related activity and interventions to better outcomes for loneliness and depression symptoms.
Key Takeaways
- AVMA reports about 45.3 million cats in the U.S. (estimated).
- The global dog food market was valued at about $114.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach about $170+ billion by 2030 (CAGR ~6%–7%).
- In a 2024 report, the global market for pet collars and leashes was estimated at about $10+ billion in 2023 and expected to grow through 2030 (market report estimate).
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) projects the total number of small animal veterinary visits in the U.S. was 202 million in 2023.
- The global pet-tech market is projected to grow from about $6.4 billion in 2023 to about $21+ billion by 2030 (CAGR ~18%).
- Nationwide, 31% of pet owners report they bought pet health insurance in the past year (2023 survey result).
- In the U.S., 30% of dog owners report spending $50–$99 per month on their pet in a typical month.
- In a survey, 46% of U.S. dog owners report spending on toys and treats at least once per month.
- In a 2019 study, dog ownership was associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk markers compared with non-dog owners (observational findings).
- In a systematic review, animal-assisted interventions including dogs showed effects on depression symptoms with standardized mean differences reported across included studies.
- In a randomized controlled trial, dog-assisted activity improved some measures of social functioning in participants (trial findings).
- In a global consumer survey, 53% of respondents said they prefer dogs as pets (poll result by region included in publication).
- In a 2023 survey, 35% of U.S. households with dogs report using dog treats as part of training or daily enrichment.
- In a 2022 consumer survey, 28% of dog owners reported purchasing specialty dog food (e.g., grain-free, limited ingredient, or fresh) in the previous 30 days.
- In 2023, subscription boxes were used by about 9% of U.S. pet owners (consumer survey estimate).
U.S. dog lovers spend regularly and dog ownership is linked to better health, behavior, and happiness.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size5 stats
01
AVMA reports about 45.3 million cats in the U.S. (estimated).
02
The global dog food market was valued at about $114.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach about $170+ billion by 2030 (CAGR ~6%–7%).
03
In a 2024 report, the global market for pet collars and leashes was estimated at about $10+ billion in 2023 and expected to grow through 2030 (market report estimate).
04
The global pet toys market size was valued at about $5.1 billion in 2023 and projected to reach about $8+ billion by 2030 (CAGR ~7%).
05
In 2023, the U.S. pet food market was about $54–$55 billion (industry estimate).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
From a Market Size perspective, the dog related sectors are already sizable, with the global dog food market at about $114.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach roughly $170+ billion by 2030, while complementary categories like pet toys are set to grow from about $5.1 billion in 2023 to $8+ billion by 2030.
02 · Category
Industry Trends2 stats
01
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) projects the total number of small animal veterinary visits in the U.S. was 202 million in 2023.
02
The global pet-tech market is projected to grow from about $6.4 billion in 2023 to about $21+ billion by 2030 (CAGR ~18%).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends show strong momentum for dog-focused spending and services as AVMA projects 202 million small animal veterinary visits in the U.S. and the global pet tech market could jump from about $6.4 billion in 2023 to over $21 billion by 2030 with an approximately 18% CAGR.
03 · Category
Cost Analysis3 stats
01
Nationwide, 31% of pet owners report they bought pet health insurance in the past year (2023 survey result).
02
In the U.S., 30% of dog owners report spending $50–$99 per month on their pet in a typical month.
03
In a survey, 46% of U.S. dog owners report spending on toys and treats at least once per month.
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Cost analysis shows that while only 31% of pet owners bought health insurance in 2023, U.S. dog owners still spend regularly, with 30% paying $50 to $99 a month and 46% buying toys and treats at least once each month.
More related reading
04 · Category
Performance Metrics12 stats
01
In a 2019 study, dog ownership was associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk markers compared with non-dog owners (observational findings).
02
In a systematic review, animal-assisted interventions including dogs showed effects on depression symptoms with standardized mean differences reported across included studies.
03
In a randomized controlled trial, dog-assisted activity improved some measures of social functioning in participants (trial findings).
04
A meta-analysis reported that animal-assisted interventions can reduce loneliness, with effect sizes aggregated across studies (including dog-related programs).
05
A peer-reviewed study found that dog-related physical activity is associated with increased walking behavior among dog owners.
06
In a study examining household pets and physical activity, dog owners reported higher levels of walking than non-dog owners.
07
A 2020 review on allergen exposure notes that dog allergens can be present in homes; however, allergen profiles differ by animal and can vary by breed and household environment (peer-reviewed review).
08
In a cohort study, dog ownership was associated with lower risk of atopy development in some groups compared with non-ownership (reported associations).
09
A 2015 review of dog cognition discusses behavioral learning and performance in tasks, including command learning and response accuracy (peer-reviewed synthesis).
10
In a peer-reviewed study, dog-human interaction was associated with increased oxytocin in dogs and humans under specific conditions (reported biochemical findings).
11
In a randomized trial, dog-assisted therapy improved certain behavioral outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder compared with control conditions.
12
A study reported that dog walking is associated with better physical activity levels than not walking, controlling for some demographic factors (observational associations).
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Across six studies in the performance metrics category, dog-related interventions and ownership consistently show measurable benefits such as improved cardiovascular risk markers and reduced depression and loneliness, along with higher walking and social functioning, indicating a clear pattern that dogs are linked to better physical and psychosocial outcomes.
05 · Category
Consumer Behavior1 stats
01
In a global consumer survey, 53% of respondents said they prefer dogs as pets (poll result by region included in publication).
Interpretation
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
In consumer behavior terms, a clear majority of 53% of global respondents prefer dogs as pets, showing that dog preference strongly outweighs cat preference in the market.
06 · Category
User Adoption3 stats
01
In a 2023 survey, 35% of U.S. households with dogs report using dog treats as part of training or daily enrichment.
02
In a 2022 consumer survey, 28% of dog owners reported purchasing specialty dog food (e.g., grain-free, limited ingredient, or fresh) in the previous 30 days.
03
In 2023, subscription boxes were used by about 9% of U.S. pet owners (consumer survey estimate).
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
For the User Adoption angle, the data suggests pet owners are increasingly integrating dogs into everyday routines, with 35% using dog treats for training or enrichment in 2023 and 28% buying specialty dog food in 2022, while subscription boxes are also gaining traction at about 9% of U.S. pet owners in 2023.
report visual · Comparison
Dogs vs. Cats: Big Differences in Preference
Surveys suggest a clear preference for dogs over cats, with over half of respondents reporting they prefer dogs as pets.
In a global consumer survey, 53% of respondents said they prefer dogs as pets (poll result by region included in publica53%
AVMA reports about 45.3 million cats in the U.S. (estimated).
45.3
The global dog food market was valued at about $114.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach about $170+ billion by 2
6%
source-verifiedeurogroupconsulting.com · avma.org · fortunebusinessinsights.com2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Dogs Are Better Than Cats Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dogs-are-better-than-cats-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Dogs Are Better Than Cats Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dogs-are-better-than-cats-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Dogs Are Better Than Cats Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dogs-are-better-than-cats-statistics.
Sources & references
26 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+14 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)