Pet Ownership Statistics By State

Pet Ownership Rate

Pet Ownership Rate
1.WyomingWyoming71.8%
2.West VirginiaWest Virginia71%
3.IdahoIdaho70%
4.VermontVermont70%
5.IndianaIndiana69.2%
6.ArkansasArkansas69%
7.MississippiMississippi65.5%
8.OklahomaOklahoma65%
9.KentuckyKentucky64.1%
10.North DakotaNorth Dakota63.7%
11.MaineMaine63.5%
12.MissouriMissouri63.5%
13.WashingtonWashington63%
14.KansasKansas62.8%
15.MichiganMichigan62.4%
16.OhioOhio62.4%
17.South CarolinaSouth Carolina62%
18.MontanaMontana62%
19.TennesseeTennessee61.7%
20.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania60.6%
21.New MexicoNew Mexico60%
22.AlabamaAlabama59.8%
23.OregonOregon59.2%
24.IowaIowa59%
25.North CarolinaNorth Carolina59%
26.WisconsinWisconsin59%
27.UtahUtah58.5%
28.TexasTexas58.2%
29.ArizonaArizona58%
30.DelawareDelaware57.9%
31.FloridaFlorida56%
32.VirginiaVirginia55.5%
33.LouisianaLouisiana54%
34.MinnesotaMinnesota54%
35.NevadaNevada53%
36.New HampshireNew Hampshire52%
37.NebraskaNebraska51.3%
38.GeorgiaGeorgia51%
39.New YorkNew York50%
40.ConnecticutConnecticut50%
41.MassachusettsMassachusetts49%
42.MarylandMaryland48.6%
43.IllinoisIllinois48.6%
44.New JerseyNew Jersey47.4%
45.ColoradoColorado47.2%
46.South DakotaSouth Dakota46%
47.Rhode IslandRhode Island45.4%
48.CaliforniaCalifornia40.1%

Fur, Feathers, and Scales Across the States

Pet ownership in the United States is a widespread phenomenon, enriching lives with companionship and mutual affection. The bond between humans and their pets continues to grow, with different states showing varying levels of pet adoption influenced by factors like lifestyle, climate, or economic constraints. From dogs and cats to birds or reptiles, each pet owner in America holds diverse preferences reflecting their unique personality and lifestyle choices. Transporting us into this realm of pet fascination, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) conducts detailed surveys capturing the nuances of pet ownership among households. Nearly 59% of American households were proud pet owners, making pets an integral part of American households. Key findings from the data include:

  • Wyoming tops the ranking with the country's highest pet ownership rate at 71.8%, followed closely by West Virginia at 71% and Idaho and Vermont, both at 70%.
  • In contrast, California, with a pet ownership percentage of 40.1 %, has the lowest pet ownership rate. Rhode Island and South Dakota also show lower percentages with 45.4% and 46% respectively.
  • Among the top 10 states with high pet ownership, seven are rural states, indicating a potentially higher preference for pets in rural settings. On the other hand, states with large urban populations like California and New Jersey exhibit lower pet ownership rates.
  • While dogs maintain their edge as America's preferred pet, having found a home in nearly 40% of households by the end of 2019, roughly 27.8% of households hosted cats.
  • Most states have pet ownership rates higher than 50%, reflecting the nation's love for pets and the integral role they play in many American households.

States with the Highest Levels of Pet Ownership

When it comes to states with the highest levels of pet ownership, Wyoming secures the top spot with a pet ownership rate of 71.8%. This is closely followed by West Virginia, which holds a pet ownership rate of 71%. Idaho and Vermont tie for third place, each showcasing a pet ownership rate of 70%. Coming in just behind the top three, Indiana holds a pet ownership rate of 69.2%. This is followed closely by the southern state of Arkansas with a pet ownership rate of 69%. Despite its predominantly rural nature, Mississippi still has a robust pet ownership rate of 65.5%. The eighth position is held by Oklahoma, with a pet ownership rate of 65%. Not far behind, Kentucky sports a pet ownership rate of 64.1%. Last in the top 10 list but no less important, is North Dakota, showcasing a pet ownership rate of 63.7%. States with the Highest Levels of Pet Ownership:

  1. Wyoming - 71.8%
  2. West Virginia - 71%
  3. Idaho - 70%
  4. Vermont - 70%
  5. Indiana - 69.2%
  6. Arkansas - 69%
  7. Mississippi - 65.5%
  8. Oklahoma - 65%
  9. Kentucky - 64.1%
  10. North Dakota - 63.7%

By Region

Alabama

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Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

59.8%

#22

Dog Ownership Rate

46.9%

#11

Cat Ownership Rate

26.1%

#29

Arizona

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Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

58%

#29

Dog Ownership Rate

43.0%

#18

Cat Ownership Rate

26.4%

#28

Arkansas

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Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

69%

#6

Dog Ownership Rate

51.6%

#3

Cat Ownership Rate

34.8%

#7

California

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California

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

40.1%

#48

Dog Ownership Rate

40.1%

#23

Cat Ownership Rate

22.9%

#39

Colorado

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Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

47.2%

#45

Dog Ownership Rate

47.2%

#8

Cat Ownership Rate

27.1%

#23

Connecticut

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Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

50%

#40

Dog Ownership Rate

24.0%

#47

Cat Ownership Rate

26.7%

#24

Delaware

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Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

57.9%

#30

Dog Ownership Rate

42.2%

#20

Cat Ownership Rate

24.1%

#35

Florida

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Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

56%

#31

Dog Ownership Rate

39.8%

#24

Cat Ownership Rate

24.2%

#34

Georgia

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Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

51%

#38

Dog Ownership Rate

36.7%

#31

Cat Ownership Rate

20.4%

#44

Idaho

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Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

70%

#3

Dog Ownership Rate

58.3%

#1

Cat Ownership Rate

33.3%

#8

Illinois

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Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

48.6%

#43

Dog Ownership Rate

31.0%

#40

Cat Ownership Rate

21.0%

#42

Indiana

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Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

69.2%

#5

Dog Ownership Rate

49.4%

#6

Cat Ownership Rate

37.5%

#4

Iowa

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Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

59%

#24

Dog Ownership Rate

36.3%

#32

Cat Ownership Rate

35.6%

#6

Kansas

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Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

62.8%

#14

Dog Ownership Rate

43.1%

#17

Cat Ownership Rate

32.4%

#9

Kentucky

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Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

64.1%

#9

Dog Ownership Rate

46.5%

#12

Cat Ownership Rate

32.2%

#11

Louisiana

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Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

54%

#33

Dog Ownership Rate

38.3%

#27

Cat Ownership Rate

19.0%

#45

Maine

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Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

63.5%

#11

Dog Ownership Rate

35.9%

#35

Cat Ownership Rate

43.6%

#2

Maryland

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Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

48.6%

#42

Dog Ownership Rate

30.2%

#41

Cat Ownership Rate

18.6%

#47

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

49%

#41

Dog Ownership Rate

28.9%

#43

Cat Ownership Rate

23.5%

#37

Michigan

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Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

62.4%

#15

Dog Ownership Rate

41.9%

#21

Cat Ownership Rate

31.2%

#12

Minnesota

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Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

54%

#34

Dog Ownership Rate

35.5%

#37

Cat Ownership Rate

26.5%

#27

Mississippi

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Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

65.5%

#7

Dog Ownership Rate

51.0%

#4

Cat Ownership Rate

29.1%

#19

Missouri

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Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

63.5%

#12

Dog Ownership Rate

45.1%

#14

Cat Ownership Rate

28.6%

#21

Montana

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Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

62%

#18

Dog Ownership Rate

51.9%

#2

Cat Ownership Rate

22.8%

#40

Nebraska

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Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

51.3%

#37

Dog Ownership Rate

47.1%

#9

Cat Ownership Rate

30.9%

#13

Nevada

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Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

53%

#35

Dog Ownership Rate

36.8%

#30

Cat Ownership Rate

23.1%

#38

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

52%

#36

Dog Ownership Rate

23.7%

#48

Cat Ownership Rate

36.4%

#5

New Jersey

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New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

47.4%

#44

Dog Ownership Rate

29.1%

#42

Cat Ownership Rate

18.9%

#46

New Mexico

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New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

60%

#21

Dog Ownership Rate

39.4%

#25

Cat Ownership Rate

25.2%

#31

New York

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New York

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

50%

#39

Dog Ownership Rate

27.0%

#45

Cat Ownership Rate

21.1%

#41

North Carolina

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North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

59%

#25

Dog Ownership Rate

41.3%

#22

Cat Ownership Rate

26.5%

#26

North Dakota

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North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

63.7%

#10

Dog Ownership Rate

44.3%

#15

Cat Ownership Rate

24.8%

#32

Ohio

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Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

62.4%

#16

Dog Ownership Rate

37.9%

#28

Cat Ownership Rate

30.7%

#15

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

65%

#8

Dog Ownership Rate

47.7%

#7

Cat Ownership Rate

28.4%

#22

Oregon

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Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

59.2%

#23

Dog Ownership Rate

37.8%

#29

Cat Ownership Rate

30.0%

#18

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

60.6%

#20

Dog Ownership Rate

38.9%

#26

Cat Ownership Rate

28.9%

#20

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

45.4%

#47

Dog Ownership Rate

25.8%

#46

Cat Ownership Rate

16.7%

#48

South Carolina

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South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

62%

#17

Dog Ownership Rate

45.3%

#13

Cat Ownership Rate

25.2%

#30

South Dakota

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South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

46%

#46

Dog Ownership Rate

32.1%

#39

Cat Ownership Rate

26.6%

#25

Tennessee

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Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

61.7%

#19

Dog Ownership Rate

47.0%

#10

Cat Ownership Rate

30.9%

#14

Texas

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Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

58.2%

#28

Dog Ownership Rate

43.4%

#16

Cat Ownership Rate

20.5%

#43

Utah

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Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

58.5%

#27

Dog Ownership Rate

36.2%

#33

Cat Ownership Rate

24.7%

#33

Vermont

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Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

70%

#4

Dog Ownership Rate

28.3%

#44

Cat Ownership Rate

44.6%

#1

Virginia

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Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

55.5%

#32

Dog Ownership Rate

35.6%

#36

Cat Ownership Rate

23.9%

#36

Washington

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Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

63%

#13

Dog Ownership Rate

42.8%

#19

Cat Ownership Rate

30.5%

#16

West Virginia

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West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

71%

#2

Dog Ownership Rate

49.6%

#5

Cat Ownership Rate

37.7%

#3

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

59%

#26

Dog Ownership Rate

33.6%

#38

Cat Ownership Rate

32.4%

#10

Wyoming

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Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

Pet Ownership Rate

71.8%

#1

Dog Ownership Rate

36.0%

#34

Cat Ownership Rate

30.0%

#17