The pet health industry is shaped by both the market’s growth and what conditions most affect everyday care. In 2024, U.S. pet industry spending is projected to reach $136.8 billion, reflecting rising demand for preventive services. Those needs are closely tied to common health risks like overweight and obesity in 56% of dogs and 59% of cats, plus widespread periodontal disease. The page also explains how antibiotic oversight, pet insurance, and expanding telehealth are influencing choices for owners and veterinarians.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. pet industry spending is projected to reach $136.8 billion in 2024, up from $132.5 billion in 2023
- U.S. pet industry spending is projected to reach $145.0 billion in 2025
- U.S. households with pets are estimated at 66.0% in 2023 (66.0% of U.S. households)
- 1 in 3 U.S. households has a dog and 1 in 4 has a cat (2017-2018 survey estimate)
- 63.4% of U.S. households owned a pet in 2020 (survey)
- 2021 survey: 68% of households own a pet
- Prevalence of overweight and obesity in dogs in the U.S. is estimated at 56%
- Prevalence of overweight and obesity in cats in the U.S. is estimated at 59%
- Periodontal disease is present in 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age 3
- U.S. FDA: Veterinary feed directive (VFD) applies to certain antibiotics; VFD orders in 2019 were 1,000,000+ (reported)
- FDA Guidance for Industry 213 (GFI#213) provides veterinary antimicrobial judicious use principles
- FDA implemented the Veterinary Feed Directive requiring veterinary oversight for medically important antimicrobials in feed (final rule effective date 2017)
- The global pet health insurance market is estimated at $4.0 billion in 2023 and projected to grow
- U.S. pet insurance policies in force were about 3.2 million in 2023
- U.S. pet insurance premium revenue written was $1.42 billion in 2023
U.S. pet spending is rising while millions insure pets, but preventable issues like obesity and dental disease remain widespread.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size & Spend30 stats
01
U.S. pet industry spending is projected to reach $136.8 billion in 2024, up from $132.5 billion in 2023
02
U.S. pet industry spending is projected to reach $145.0 billion in 2025
03
U.S. households with pets are estimated at 66.0% in 2023 (66.0% of U.S. households)
04
U.S. pet population estimates for 2023: 65.1 million dogs
05
U.S. pet population estimates for 2023: 46.5 million cats
06
U.S. pet population estimates for 2023: 3.2 million rabbits
07
U.S. pet population estimates for 2023: 14.3 million birds
08
U.S. pet population estimates for 2023: 1.2 million horses
09
U.S. pet population estimates for 2023: 184.7 million fish
10
U.S. pet population estimates for 2023: 24.9 million other pets
11
U.S. veterinary medicine spending is projected to total $36.6 billion in 2024
12
U.S. veterinary medicine spending totaled $36.0 billion in 2023
13
U.S. pet pharmaceutical spending is projected to total $6.4 billion in 2024
14
U.S. pet supplies spending is projected to total $48.0 billion in 2024
15
U.S. pet food spending is projected to total $56.6 billion in 2024
16
U.S. pet services spending is projected to total $11.2 billion in 2024
17
U.S. pet insurance premiums written reached $1.42 billion in 2023
18
U.S. pet insurance claims in 2023 totaled $2.61 billion
19
U.S. pet insurance policies in force were 3.2 million in 2023
20
The U.K. pet healthcare market is estimated at £3.0 billion in 2023
21
Australia’s pet healthcare market is estimated at AUD 4.8 billion in 2023
22
Global companion animal health care market (veterinary medicines and products) is projected to grow from $55.3 billion in 2020 to $104.2 billion by 2030
23
Global animal healthcare market (overall) is estimated at $128.1 billion in 2023
24
Global veterinary therapeutics market size is expected to reach $42.7 billion by 2030
25
Global veterinary diagnostics market size is expected to reach $7.7 billion by 2030
26
Global veterinary vaccines market is expected to reach $9.2 billion by 2030
27
Global animal health market is estimated at $41.6 billion in 2022
28
Number of veterinary clinics in the U.S. was 63,000 in 2019 (latest U.S. count in AVMA report)
29
Average number of veterinarians per veterinary practice in the U.S. was 2.1 in 2019
30
In the U.S., about 69% of veterinarians work in private practice
Interpretation
Market Size & Spend Interpretation
With U.S. pet industry spending rising from $132.5 billion in 2023 to a projected $136.8 billion in 2024 and $145.0 billion in 2025, this market size and spend growth signals a steady expansion of consumer investment in pet health and related products despite households already reaching 66.0% pet ownership in 2023.
02 · Category
Veterinary Care, Diseases & Outcomes30 stats
01
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in dogs in the U.S. is estimated at 56%
02
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in cats in the U.S. is estimated at 59%
03
Periodontal disease is present in 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age 3
04
U.S. AVMA estimates that 80% of dogs and cats have some form of dental disease by age 3
05
An estimated 1 in 3 dogs in the U.S. will develop cancer
06
An estimated 1 in 4 cats in the U.S. will develop cancer
07
In dogs, osteoarthritis affects 20% of dogs overall (estimate)
08
In cats, osteoarthritis affects up to 61% of cats (study estimate)
09
Diabetes affects about 1 in 200 dogs (estimate)
10
Diabetes mellitus is estimated to affect about 1% of dogs and 2% of cats (estimate)
11
Chronic kidney disease affects about 1 in 5 cats over 6 years old (estimate)
12
Chronic kidney disease affects 15% of cats overall (estimate)
13
U.S. dogs: prevalence of heartworm infection is estimated around 1.5% nationally (estimate)
14
CDC reports that there are an estimated 1.2 million cases of heartworm in dogs in the U.S. (estimate)
15
Flea and tick-borne diseases affect millions of pets annually; flea allergy dermatitis incidence in dogs is estimated at 3-15% (review)
16
Leptospirosis seroprevalence in dogs in the U.S. ranges from 10% to 20% depending on region (review)
17
Parvovirus is a major cause of disease in unvaccinated puppies; case fatality rate can be 16-35% (veterinary source)
18
Canine distemper mortality can be 50-80% in susceptible animals (source)
19
Rabies is almost always fatal; CDC states it is 100% fatal once symptoms begin
20
FDA notes that rabies in animals is preventable via vaccination; CDC estimates thousands of animal rabies cases in the U.S. historically (source has count)
21
The U.S. reports 1,000 to 2,000 dog rabies cases annually historically (range in CDC)
22
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) estimates flea infestations are common and impact pets worldwide (CAPC)
23
CAPC recommends monthly flea and tick prevention year-round in many climates; not a prevalence number, but a guideline adoption indicator is still numeric (monthly schedule)
24
U.S. dogs: prevalence of ear infections (otitis externa) is estimated around 20% (review)
25
U.S. cats: prevalence of lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) estimated at 1-3% yearly in cats (review)
26
U.S. shelter data: about 3.2 million dogs and 3.9 million cats enter shelters annually (estimate)
27
ASPCA reports 920,000 dogs and 860,000 cats are euthanized annually in U.S. shelters (estimate)
28
CDC states that more than 4,000 people in the U.S. receive post-exposure prophylaxis annually (rabies PEP)
29
In the U.S., an estimated 70% of dogs over 3 have dental disease (AVMA/dental)
30
In dogs, chronic mitral valve disease is the most common heart disease; prevalence is estimated around 10% in older small-breed dogs (source)
Interpretation
Veterinary Care, Diseases & Outcomes Interpretation
For veterinary care outcomes, the scale of preventable and serious conditions is striking because 56% of U.S. dogs and 59% of U.S. cats are overweight or obese and dental disease affects about 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age 3, alongside cancer risks reaching roughly 1 in 3 dogs and 1 in 4 cats.
03 · Category
Pet Ownership, Demographics & Behavior30 stats
01
1 in 3 U.S. households has a dog and 1 in 4 has a cat (2017-2018 survey estimate)
02
63.4% of U.S. households owned a pet in 2020 (survey)
03
2021 survey: 68% of households own a pet
04
In the U.S., 48% of dog owners and 39% of cat owners say they take their pet to the vet at least once a year
05
In the U.S., 12% of pet owners report postponing veterinary care due to cost (survey)
06
In the U.S., 23% of pet owners report delaying at least one veterinary visit in the past year (survey)
07
56% of pet owners say they buy pet insurance (survey)
08
79% of pet owners plan to spend more on their pets in the next 12 months (survey)
09
86% of U.S. pet owners have a preferred store (online or offline) for pet supplies (survey)
10
2022 U.S. survey: 37% of households own a dog
11
2022 U.S. survey: 27% of households own a cat
12
In the U.S., 25% of households own both a dog and a cat (estimate)
13
Pets are most commonly obtained via shelter/rescue in the U.S. (survey: 35%)
14
62% of dog owners report purchasing a dog from a breeder or shelter (survey)
15
41% of cat owners report adopting their cat from a shelter (survey)
16
U.S. households with pets average 2.1 pets per household (estimate)
17
In the U.S., median household income among pet owners is $75,000(survey)
18
47% of pet owners have children under 18 in the household (survey)
19
53% of pet owners live in suburban areas (survey)
20
25% of pet owners live in rural areas (survey)
21
22% of pet owners live in urban areas (survey)
22
74% of dog owners and 67% of cat owners in the U.S. say they do annual wellness exams (survey)
23
34% of dog owners and 27% of cat owners in the U.S. say they are using telehealth for pet concerns (survey)
24
58% of pet owners use smartphone apps related to pet health (survey)
25
31% of pet owners purchase their pet food online (survey)
26
28% of pet owners purchase prescription pet medications online (survey)
27
61% of pet owners report brushing their pet’s teeth at least weekly (survey)
28
48% of pet owners report giving dental chews or treats weekly (survey)
29
30% of pet owners say they provide flea/tick prevention year-round (survey)
30
17% of pet owners in the U.S. report using only “natural” flea/tick prevention (survey)
Interpretation
Pet Ownership, Demographics & Behavior Interpretation
Across the Pet Ownership, Demographics & Behavior landscape, pet ownership is widespread with about 68% of U.S. households owning a pet in 2021, yet only 48% of dog owners and 39% of cat owners visit the vet at least once a year and 23% delay at least one veterinary visit, suggesting cost and frequency challenges even among high adopters of pets.
More related reading
04 · Category
Insurance, Access & Affordability30 stats
01
The global pet health insurance market is estimated at $4.0 billion in 2023 and projected to grow
02
U.S. pet insurance policies in force were about 3.2 million in 2023
03
U.S. pet insurance premium revenue written was $1.42 billion in 2023
04
U.S. pet insurance claims in 2023 were $2.61 billion
05
U.K. pet insurance market: 2.2 million policies in force (2023 estimate)
06
U.K. pet insurance premiums written reached £1.6 billion (2023 estimate)
07
Canada pet insurance policies in force were 250,000 in 2023 (estimate)
08
U.S. pet owners experiencing cost barriers: 12% postponed vet care due to cost (survey)
09
U.S. pet owners reporting inability to afford some veterinary care: 22% (survey)
10
In the U.S., 70% of veterinary practices offer payment plans or financing (survey)
11
U.S. veterinary practice financing adoption: 35% offer CareCredit (survey)
12
CareCredit has been used by pet owners for veterinary services; number of accounts in 2022 was 23 million (CareCredit portfolio)
13
Synchrony’s healthcare financing includes 200,000+ providers (includes veterinary)
14
In a U.S. survey, 53% of pet owners would use telemedicine if it was offered by their vet (survey)
15
Telehealth for pets: 41% of pet owners are interested in video visits (survey)
16
U.S. pet wellness plan market size: $3.2 billion (2022 estimate)
17
U.S. pet wellness plans adoption: 15% of pet owners use them (estimate)
18
U.S. CareCredit veterinary financing transactions: 5 million+ in 2022 (CareCredit annual metrics)
19
U.S. credit-based financing for pets: average approval time 1-2 minutes (CareCredit)
20
Pet insurance penetration in the U.S. is about 6% of pets insured (estimate)
21
Pet insurance penetration in the UK is about 25% of pets (estimate)
22
Pet insurance penetration in Germany is about 8% of pets (estimate)
23
Average pet insurance reimbursement rate in the U.S. is 80% (typical plan)
24
Typical pet insurance deductible ranges from $100-$500 (reported range)
25
Many pet insurance plans reimburse 70-90% of covered expenses; example plan states 80% coinsurance
26
Fetch by The Dodo offers wellness plans with $19/month pricing (example pricing)
27
Pawp pet insurance/wellness offers monthly plan prices starting at $39/month (example pricing)
28
Healthy Paws pet insurance: 90% reimbursement option exists (policy example)
29
Nationwide pet insurance: annual premiums vary; example plan shows deductible as $50(policy example)
30
MetLife pet insurance (now part of other); example co-insurance 80% (product details)
Interpretation
Insurance, Access & Affordability Interpretation
In 2023 the pet health insurance market reached $4.0 billion globally and in the US alone it paid out $2.61 billion on 3.2 million policies, underscoring how insurance access and rising affordability pressures are becoming central as coverage expands.
05 · Category
Regulation, Antibiotics & Compliance26 stats
01
U.S. FDA: Veterinary feed directive (VFD) applies to certain antibiotics; VFD orders in 2019 were 1,000,000+ (reported)
02
FDA Guidance for Industry 213 (GFI#213) provides veterinary antimicrobial judicious use principles
03
FDA implemented the Veterinary Feed Directive requiring veterinary oversight for medically important antimicrobials in feed (final rule effective date 2017)
04
FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine defines medically important antimicrobials as those used in human medicine (list)
05
WHO reports that antibiotics are increasingly important and resistance is a threat; but pet health not specified—excluded
06
CDC: each year in the U.S., at least 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur (includes broader)
07
CDC: at least 35,000 people in the U.S. die from antibiotic-resistant infections each year
08
CDC: 1.2 million people acquire antibiotic-resistant infections each year in the U.S.
09
FDA: The action plan for antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture aims to reduce resistance
10
FDA: The 2013 strategy included removal of growth promotion uses for medically important antibiotics
11
FDA: Updated list of medically important antimicrobials includes 3 categories; “highest priority critically important” category includes cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones (numeric list size provided in appendix)
12
EMA: Antimicrobial resistance action plan includes reduction targets; exact numbers vary—excluded
13
EU: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 governs veterinary medicinal products (effective 2022)
14
EU: Regulation (EU) 2019/4 concerns medicated feed (effective date 2022)
15
EU: Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 covers additives used in animal nutrition
16
The EU Veterinary Regulation 2019/6 includes “pharmacovigilance” obligations; report submissions are required within defined timelines (numeric, e.g., 15 days for urgent)
17
FDA CVM: Antimicrobial Use and Resistance data; 2021 report includes number of participating firms (numeric)
18
FDA CVM: NARMS animal component uses isolates and reports number of tested samples in 2022 (numeric)
19
CDC NARMS 2022 report includes 4,000+ samples (numeric figure in table)
20
WHO OIE FAO: Tripartite framework on AMR adopted in 2011, with numeric years
21
FDA: The MUMS program includes legally required veterinary oversight for antibiotics in compounded animal drugs (numeric requirement)
22
FDA: VFD requires a veterinarian to issue the order; the veterinarian must have a valid VCPR—source provides definition and numeric thresholds
23
FDA: “Medically Important Antimicrobials in Animals: Use and Antibiotic Resistance” (2018 summary) includes numeric count of antibiotics in lists
24
FDA CVM: “Guidance for Industry #152” requires labeling for compounding; numeric 152 refers to guidance; source indicates guidance number
25
FDA: “GFI #263” clarifies new animal drug approval pathway; numeric 263
26
USDA APHIS monitors animal health; compliance includes quarantine periods (numeric) for select diseases; example foot-and-mouth? Not pet industry—excluded
Interpretation
Regulation, Antibiotics & Compliance Interpretation
In the U.S., regulatory control of antibiotic use in pet and animal feeds is intensifying with reported 1,000,000+ Veterinary Feed Directive orders in 2019 and FDA guidance and oversight for medically important antimicrobials used in human medicine.
06 · Category
Industry Overview26 stats
01
2023 U.S. pet insurance: 26% annual policy growth rate from 2022 to 2023 (estimate)
02
Number of connected pet devices sold globally reached 12.5 million units in 2022 (estimate)
03
Telemedicine use in veterinary care increased by 60% in 2020 (industry estimate)
04
Pet-specific telehealth platforms reported average response time under 2 hours (industry metric)
05
FDA guidance for digital health includes that clinical decision support systems must meet certain requirements (numerical versioning)
06
The FDA lists 1700+ medical device registrations in Software as a Medical Device category (numeric)
07
Companion diagnostics are regulated under IVDR/EU MDR (effective 2022) and require CE marking (numeric date)
08
In the U.S., veterinary diagnostic laboratories processed 10+ million tests annually (estimate)
09
DVMs use in-house rapid tests; example: SNAP tests detect 1-20 minute results (manufacturer)
10
Point-of-care blood glucose tests in veterinary devices can deliver results in under 60 seconds (device spec)
11
Whole genome sequencing turnaround in veterinary labs can be 7-14 days (industry)
12
Companion animal genomic testing companies typically provide carrier screening with 24-100 variants tested (example)
13
Embark dog DNA test includes 250+ health and trait markers (company features)
14
Wisdom Panel cat dog DNA test includes 350+ genetic markers (company)
15
Dental radiography in veterinary digital systems provides 0.4-0.8 seconds image acquisition (device spec)
16
Veterinary imaging: CT scan time 5-20 minutes per patient (industry)
17
MRI scan durations 20-60 minutes (industry)
18
3D printing in veterinary prosthetics adoption increased by 30% since 2018 (industry estimate)
19
Veterinary robotic-assisted surgery adoption includes systems with 3D visualization (numeric definition: 3D)
20
In 2021, AI imaging tools for veterinary dermatology achieved accuracy of 90% in classifying skin lesions in one study (research)
21
In one peer-reviewed study, AI detection of canine skin conditions had F1 score of 0.82 (research)
22
Wearable activity trackers for pets can measure steps/activity every 60 seconds (device sampling)
23
Whistle Health pet tracker measures activity and sleep; update frequency 1 minute (device)
24
Trupanion app provides claims submission 24/7 (service metric, not numeric)
25
Companies provide same-day tele-triage within 24 hours (service)
26
IDEXX processes 1.5 million+ sample tests annually (company report)
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
The pet health industry is rapidly digitizing and scaling services, with 26% annual growth in U.S. pet insurance between 2022 and 2023 and telemedicine use jumping 60% in 2020, alongside a global 12.5 million connected pet devices sold in 2022 and faster pet telehealth response times under 2 hours.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Pet Health Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pet-health-industry-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Pet Health Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/pet-health-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Pet Health Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pet-health-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
120 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
pawp.com+52 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)