All About Pets

They are our friends and part of our family. They keep us company and can even be annoying. They are our pets and whether you have a dog, cat, bird, reptile, fish or other creature, they usually have a special place in our hearts.

Here are some interesting stats about pets.

Pets Are Popular

Over 90 million American households have a pet. That is over 70% of the entire U.S. population. Pet popularity increased during the pandemic when many were secluded in their homes looking for company.

Cats vs Dogs

There are 42 breeds of cats and 197 official breeds of dogs recognized by the AKC. Worldwide, there are far more dogs than cats, with 471 million dogs and 373 million cats. There are some 76 countries, however, where cats are more popular than dogs. About 25% of families in the U.S. have cats as pets.

Beyond Canines and Felines

Next to dogs and cats, fish are the most popular pet in America with about 10% of us owning them. Birds are next in popularity, followed by reptiles, snakes, and lizards (5%), hamsters and guinea pigs at 2%, horses at 2% and rabbits at 2%.

Pet Spending

It may not be surprising that pet owners spend more feeding their dogs than cats in the U.S. Surveys indicate that dog owners spend 442 dollars on dog food while cat owners spend about 329 dollars annually on cat food.

Overall, Americans spent an estimated 109 BILLION dollars on pets in 2021.

End of Life Services

End of life services for the average-sized cat or dog cost an average of $300-$400. This can include euthanasia and cremation. In-home euthanasia services are more expensive but are becoming very popular.

Top Dog Names

The top five names for female dogs in 2021 was Bella, followed by Luna, Lucy, Daisy and Zoe. Top male dog names include Max, Charlie, Milo, Buddy and Rocky.

Good pet owners provide a loving, protected environment for their pets as they do for their families. This can include protecting your home with home insurance to cover your property and protect against liability claims. If it has been longer than you remember since you had a home insurance review, contact us. We can review your insurance and provide a price quote. Contact us today.