Joys of Pet Ownership

Pets are still a popular choice for a best friend. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association,

• Petting and talking to an animal lowers blood pressure and stress levels
• Aquarium viewing is a proven stress buster
• Pet owners make fewer visits to the doctor
• Pets increase the survival rate of people with heart problems

* According to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, 63% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.1 millions homes


* In 1988, the first year the survey was conducted, 56% of U.S. households owned a pet as compared to 63% in 2006


Breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S. according to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey

Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions)

Bird 6.4
Cat 38.4
Dog 44.8
Equine 4.3
Freshwater Fish 14.2
Saltwater Fish .8
Reptile 4.8
Small Animal 6.0
Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)

Bird 16

Cat 88.3

Dog 74.8
Equine 13.8
Freshwater Fish 142.0

Saltwater Fish 9.6

Reptile 13.4

Small Animal 24.3

* Ownership statistics are gathered from APPMA’s 2007/2008 National Pet Owners Survey