GITNUXREPORT 2025

Pet Travel Statistics

Majority of US pet owners travel with pets, prioritizing pet safety and comfort.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

58% of pet owners prefer pet-friendly accommodations when traveling

Statistic 2

Over 60% of pet travelers choose hotels with pet-friendly policies

Statistic 3

42% of pet travelers face challenges finding pet-friendly accommodations

Statistic 4

43% of pet owners have difficulty securing pet travel accommodations during peak seasons

Statistic 5

27% of pet owners have used pet-friendly travel rental services like Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar

Statistic 6

Nearly 48% of pet owners have taken their pets on a vacation at least once

Statistic 7

30% of travelers consider their pets an integral part of their travel plans

Statistic 8

83% of US households own a pet, contributing to high pet travel rates

Statistic 9

72% of travelers believe pet travel improves their overall experience

Statistic 10

66% of pet owners prefer to plan trips with pet-specific activities

Statistic 11

53% of pet owners have enquired about pet-friendly travel destinations

Statistic 12

46% of pet owners used mobile apps for planning pet travel arrangements

Statistic 13

64% of pet owners have visited pet-specific travel forums for advice

Statistic 14

69% of pet owners report that their pets enjoy travel, especially outdoor adventures

Statistic 15

31% of pet travelers bring their pets to outdoor destinations like beaches and hiking trails

Statistic 16

70% of pet owners believe that having their pet along improves their overall travel experience

Statistic 17

59% of pet owners have used pet travel forums or social media groups for tips and advice

Statistic 18

54% of pet owners consider their pets an essential part of the family travel experience

Statistic 19

45% of travelers have used pet-specific travel insurance

Statistic 20

42% of pet owners said their pet's wellbeing affected their choice of travel destination

Statistic 21

55% of pet travelers pack special pet travel food and treats

Statistic 22

Only 30% of pet owners feel fully confident about traveling with their pets

Statistic 23

25% of pet owners have faced travel-related challenges with their pets

Statistic 24

51% of pet owners have used GPS trackers to monitor their pets during travel

Statistic 25

38% of airline pet policies require health certificates within 10 days of travel

Statistic 26

49% of pet owners consider pet safety a top priority during travel

Statistic 27

37% of travelers have had to change their travel plans due to pet-related issues

Statistic 28

Over 54% of pet travel trips are planned more than a month in advance

Statistic 29

27% of pet owners have experienced traveling with a pet that was unwell, impacting the trip

Statistic 30

30% of pet owners have used pet understanding travel gear like seat belts and harnesses

Statistic 31

50% of travelers turn to vet consultations before traveling with pets

Statistic 32

55% of travelers opt for direct flights to reduce pet travel stress

Statistic 33

26% of pet owners have faced in-flight pet mishaps, such as injuries or escape, during airline travel

Statistic 34

54% of pet owners believe their pet experiences less stress when traveling in-cabin

Statistic 35

44% of pet travel planning involves purchasing special pet travel insurance

Statistic 36

55% of travelers use travel-themed pet accessories to make trips more enjoyable for their pets

Statistic 37

29% of pet owners have experienced losing a pet during travel, highlighting the importance of safety measures

Statistic 38

38% of pet owners research travel tips and safety protocols online before trips

Statistic 39

47% of pet owners prefer to travel with their pets during off-peak travel times to avoid crowds

Statistic 40

35% of pet travel bookings are made through specialized pet travel agencies

Statistic 41

62% of pet owners have purchased travel safety gear such as harnesses and travel crates

Statistic 42

48% of pet owners consult their veterinarian about travel health precautions

Statistic 43

46% of pet owners face challenges with pet boarding facilities at destinations

Statistic 44

34% of pet owners have had to cancel or alter travel plans due to pet health issues

Statistic 45

49% of pet owners prioritize purchasing travel insurance that covers pet health and emergencies

Statistic 46

65% of pet owners attach special travel tags to identify their pets in case of separation

Statistic 47

40% of pet travelers use pet-specific navigation or mapping apps

Statistic 48

54% of pet owners are concerned about their pet's hydration during travel

Statistic 49

33% of pet owners have experienced travel-related pet injuries, such as cuts or bruises, during trips

Statistic 50

66% of pet owners research local veterinary clinics at destination locations before traveling

Statistic 51

44% of key pet travel concerns include heat-related illness, especially in summer travel

Statistic 52

43% of pet owners carry emergency health kits specifically for their pets during trips

Statistic 53

53% of pet owners prefer to keep their pets in their sight at all times during travel

Statistic 54

36% of pet travelers have experienced delays or cancellations that impacted their pets

Statistic 55

49% of pet owners have encountered difficulties with pet travel documentation and paperwork

Statistic 56

22% of pet owners avoid traveling with their pets due to fear of accidents or mishaps

Statistic 57

67% of pet owners feel that their pets are safer traveling in the cabin rather than in cargo

Statistic 58

48% of pet owners use customized or branded travel accessories to reduce pet travel stress

Statistic 59

46% of pet travelers experience some form of motion sickness or stress, especially in car rides

Statistic 60

Approximately 67% of pet owners in the US travel with their pets

Statistic 61

39% of pet owners travel by car with their pets

Statistic 62

Around 2.4 million pets are transported via airlines annually in the US

Statistic 63

52% of pet owners have used pet travel carriers for trips

Statistic 64

69% of pet owners travel with their dogs, making them the most commonly transported pet

Statistic 65

The average travel distance for pet trips is 325 miles

Statistic 66

24% of pet owners seek out pet-friendly airlines specifically for air travel

Statistic 67

61% of pet travelers prefer to travel with their pets in the cabin whenever possible

Statistic 68

57% of pet carriers sold are designed specifically for airline travel

Statistic 69

50% of pet travelers seek out pet-friendly transport options like trains or ferries

Statistic 70

70% of pet owners have traveled within the last year with their pet

Statistic 71

68% of pet travelers prefer to travel during the spring and summer months

Statistic 72

41% of pet travelers take their pets on road trips more than once a year

Statistic 73

29% of traveling pet owners take multiple trips with their pets each year

Statistic 74

58% of pet owners plan to travel with their pets more frequently in the coming years

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Approximately 67% of pet owners in the US travel with their pets
Nearly 48% of pet owners have taken their pets on a vacation at least once
39% of pet owners travel by car with their pets
Around 2.4 million pets are transported via airlines annually in the US
58% of pet owners prefer pet-friendly accommodations when traveling
30% of travelers consider their pets an integral part of their travel plans
Over 60% of pet travelers choose hotels with pet-friendly policies
52% of pet owners have used pet travel carriers for trips
70% of pet owners have traveled within the last year with their pet
45% of travelers have used pet-specific travel insurance
83% of US households own a pet, contributing to high pet travel rates
42% of pet owners said their pet's wellbeing affected their choice of travel destination
55% of pet travelers pack special pet travel food and treats

Did you know that nearly 67% of US pet owners travel with their furry companions, turning pet travel into a booming industry fueled by their love and dedication?

Accommodation Preferences and Amenities

58% of pet owners prefer pet-friendly accommodations when traveling
Over 60% of pet travelers choose hotels with pet-friendly policies
42% of pet travelers face challenges finding pet-friendly accommodations
43% of pet owners have difficulty securing pet travel accommodations during peak seasons
27% of pet owners have used pet-friendly travel rental services like Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar

Accommodation Preferences and Amenities Interpretation

Pet owners are increasingly wagging their tails toward pet-friendly travel options, yet nearly half still face hurdles during peak seasons—highlighting a growing demand that the hospitality industry must fetch quickly to keep up with the four-legged travel trend.

Pet Ownership Attitudes and Behaviors

Nearly 48% of pet owners have taken their pets on a vacation at least once
30% of travelers consider their pets an integral part of their travel plans
83% of US households own a pet, contributing to high pet travel rates
72% of travelers believe pet travel improves their overall experience
66% of pet owners prefer to plan trips with pet-specific activities
53% of pet owners have enquired about pet-friendly travel destinations
46% of pet owners used mobile apps for planning pet travel arrangements
64% of pet owners have visited pet-specific travel forums for advice
69% of pet owners report that their pets enjoy travel, especially outdoor adventures
31% of pet travelers bring their pets to outdoor destinations like beaches and hiking trails
70% of pet owners believe that having their pet along improves their overall travel experience
59% of pet owners have used pet travel forums or social media groups for tips and advice
54% of pet owners consider their pets an essential part of the family travel experience

Pet Ownership Attitudes and Behaviors Interpretation

With nearly half of pet owners taking their furry friends on vacations—many planning around pet-specific activities and sharing travel experiences online—it's clear that in the evolving landscape of travel, pets have become not just companions but integral travel partners shaping destinations, itineraries, and the very way Americans explore the world.

Pet Safety and Comfort Concerns

45% of travelers have used pet-specific travel insurance
42% of pet owners said their pet's wellbeing affected their choice of travel destination
55% of pet travelers pack special pet travel food and treats
Only 30% of pet owners feel fully confident about traveling with their pets
25% of pet owners have faced travel-related challenges with their pets
51% of pet owners have used GPS trackers to monitor their pets during travel
38% of airline pet policies require health certificates within 10 days of travel
49% of pet owners consider pet safety a top priority during travel
37% of travelers have had to change their travel plans due to pet-related issues
Over 54% of pet travel trips are planned more than a month in advance
27% of pet owners have experienced traveling with a pet that was unwell, impacting the trip
30% of pet owners have used pet understanding travel gear like seat belts and harnesses
50% of travelers turn to vet consultations before traveling with pets
55% of travelers opt for direct flights to reduce pet travel stress
26% of pet owners have faced in-flight pet mishaps, such as injuries or escape, during airline travel
54% of pet owners believe their pet experiences less stress when traveling in-cabin
44% of pet travel planning involves purchasing special pet travel insurance
55% of travelers use travel-themed pet accessories to make trips more enjoyable for their pets
29% of pet owners have experienced losing a pet during travel, highlighting the importance of safety measures
38% of pet owners research travel tips and safety protocols online before trips
47% of pet owners prefer to travel with their pets during off-peak travel times to avoid crowds
35% of pet travel bookings are made through specialized pet travel agencies
62% of pet owners have purchased travel safety gear such as harnesses and travel crates
48% of pet owners consult their veterinarian about travel health precautions
46% of pet owners face challenges with pet boarding facilities at destinations
34% of pet owners have had to cancel or alter travel plans due to pet health issues
49% of pet owners prioritize purchasing travel insurance that covers pet health and emergencies
65% of pet owners attach special travel tags to identify their pets in case of separation
40% of pet travelers use pet-specific navigation or mapping apps
54% of pet owners are concerned about their pet's hydration during travel
33% of pet owners have experienced travel-related pet injuries, such as cuts or bruises, during trips
66% of pet owners research local veterinary clinics at destination locations before traveling
44% of key pet travel concerns include heat-related illness, especially in summer travel
43% of pet owners carry emergency health kits specifically for their pets during trips
53% of pet owners prefer to keep their pets in their sight at all times during travel
36% of pet travelers have experienced delays or cancellations that impacted their pets
49% of pet owners have encountered difficulties with pet travel documentation and paperwork
22% of pet owners avoid traveling with their pets due to fear of accidents or mishaps
67% of pet owners feel that their pets are safer traveling in the cabin rather than in cargo
48% of pet owners use customized or branded travel accessories to reduce pet travel stress
46% of pet travelers experience some form of motion sickness or stress, especially in car rides

Pet Safety and Comfort Concerns Interpretation

With nearly half of pet owners investing in insurance, packing gourmet treats, and relying on tech gadgets to safeguard their furry friends, it's clear that modern pet travel is a carefully planned adventure—though with over a quarter experiencing mishaps and only 30% feeling fully confident, it's also a reminder that even the best preparations can't eliminate pet travel's unpredictable nature.

Transportation Methods and Preferences

Approximately 67% of pet owners in the US travel with their pets
39% of pet owners travel by car with their pets
Around 2.4 million pets are transported via airlines annually in the US
52% of pet owners have used pet travel carriers for trips
69% of pet owners travel with their dogs, making them the most commonly transported pet
The average travel distance for pet trips is 325 miles
24% of pet owners seek out pet-friendly airlines specifically for air travel
61% of pet travelers prefer to travel with their pets in the cabin whenever possible
57% of pet carriers sold are designed specifically for airline travel
50% of pet travelers seek out pet-friendly transport options like trains or ferries

Transportation Methods and Preferences Interpretation

With over two-thirds of US pet owners hitting the road or skies with their furry companions—mostly in the cabin—it's clear that these pets aren't just pets; they're frequent flyers and road trip buddies demanding travel options as tailored as their owners' itineraries.

Travel Frequency and Involvement

70% of pet owners have traveled within the last year with their pet
68% of pet travelers prefer to travel during the spring and summer months
41% of pet travelers take their pets on road trips more than once a year
29% of traveling pet owners take multiple trips with their pets each year
58% of pet owners plan to travel with their pets more frequently in the coming years

Travel Frequency and Involvement Interpretation

With over two-thirds of pet owners hitting the road with their furry friends and nearly half taking multiple trips annually, it's clear that Americans are increasingly treating their pets not just as companions but as seasoned travel buddies, prompting the industry to gear up for a future where pet-friendly adventures become the norm.