> **来源：[研报客](https://pc.yanbaoke.cn)** # The State of Pet Ownership in the U.S. Summary ## Core Content This report provides an in-depth analysis of pet ownership trends and behaviors in the United States, focusing on both dog and cat owners. It highlights the demographic and behavioral characteristics of pet owners, their media habits, and the brands they consider for purchase. ## Key Takeaways - **Pet Ownership Rates**: As of December 2025, 75.6% of U.S. adults live in dog-owning households, while 58.6% live in cat-owning households. Cat ownership has grown by nearly 8 percentage points since late 2018, surpassing dog ownership growth. - **Millennials as the Defining Generation**: Millennials lead all generations in both cat and dog ownership, with 61% and 80% respectively. This reflects their strong engagement with pet-related products and services. - **Demographics of Pet Owners**: Pet owners are generally younger, wealthier, and more likely to be White compared to the general U.S. adult population. They are also more likely to be married, own homes, and have children. - **Digital Engagement**: Cat owners are more active on niche digital platforms like Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest, compared to the general population. Dog owners are more engaged with sports media, particularly NFL and ESPN. - **Behavioral Spending**: Both dog and cat owners are more likely to engage in shopping, digital commerce, and leisure spending. Dog owners are more inclined to host social gatherings, while cat owners prefer meal delivery and grocery apps. - **Brand Consideration**: PetSmart and Petco are the top brands for purchase consideration among both dog and cat owners. Hulu stands out as a non-pet brand with significant crossover appeal, appearing in the top 12 for both groups. ## Main Points ### Pet Ownership Trends - **Stability in Dog Ownership**: Dog ownership has remained stable, ranging from ~72% to ~76% over the past seven years. - **Growth in Cat Ownership**: Cat ownership has increased by nearly 8 percentage points since late 2018, reaching 59% by the end of 2025. This growth was most pronounced during and after the pandemic, with a slight dip in 2023 followed by a strong rebound. ### Generational Ownership Patterns - **Millennials Lead**: Millennials are the primary pet-owning generation, with higher rates of both dog and cat ownership compared to other generations. - **Generational Gap**: Boomers have significantly lower rates of pet ownership than Millennials, with a 12-point gap in dog ownership and a 10-point gap in cat ownership. - **Age and Lifestyle Shifts**: As boomers age, there has been a slight decline in dog ownership, possibly due to the increased care requirements of dogs compared to cats. ### Media and Behavioral Habits - **Digital Engagement**: Cat owners are more active on platforms like Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest, indicating a preference for community-driven and niche content. - **Sports Media**: Dog owners are more engaged with sports media, especially NFL and ESPN. - **Social Activity**: Dog owners are more likely to host social gatherings, with 50% hosting parties or events at home 2+ times a year. - **Leisure Spending**: Cat owners are more frequent moviegoers, with 26% attending 5+ times a year, compared to 20% of the general population. ## Brand Purchase Consideration ### Top Brands by Audience Segment | Rank | All Respondents | Gen Z | Millennials | Gen X | Boomers | Dog Owners | Cat Owners | |------|-----------------|-------|-------------|-------|---------|------------|------------| | 1 | PetSmart 41.8 | PetSmart 40.3 | PetSmart 47.4 | PetSmart 45.6 | Purina 34.5 | PetSmart 55.3 | PetSmart 53.1 | | 2 | Petco 38.9 | Petco 37.7 | Petco 44.4 | Petco 43.6 | PetSmart 34.0 | Petco 50.4 | Purina 50.2 | | 3 | Chewy.com 36.0 | Chewy.com 32.3 | Chewy.com 40.1 | Purina 41.3 | Chewy.com 31.6 | Chewy.com 47.7 | Petco 49.9 | | 4 | Purina 34.9 | Purina 24.0 | Purina 37.0 | Chewy.com 39.7 | Petco 30.6 | Purina 45.0 | Friskies 48.2 | | 5 | Purina ONE 30.5 | Pet Supplies Plus 23.7 | Purina ONE 34.7 | Purina ONE 35.9 | Milk-Bone 27.9 | Milk-Bone 43.1 | Chewy.com 47.9 | | 6 | Milk-Bone 28.5 | Purina ONE 21.9 | Pedigree 33.4 | Milk-Bone 33.3 | Purina ONE 27.4 | Purina ONE 40.8 | Meow Mix 46.4 | | 7 | Friskies 26.7 | Meow Mix 21.8 | Milk-Bone 30.7 | Pedigree 32.6 | Friskies 24.4 | Pedigree 38.6 | Purina ONE 44.2 | | 8 | Pedigree 26.4 | Milk-Bone 20.6 | Friskies 30.1 | Friskies 31.1 | Meow Mix 20.2 | Blue Buffalo 32.2 | Milk-Bone 33.2 | ### Brand Consideration by Generation - **Millennials Lead**: Millennials are the most engaged generation, leading or tying for the top across every brand. - **Gen Z Lag**: Gen Z scores lower than other generations on almost every pet brand, likely due to lower purchasing power and less brand loyalty. - **Boomers Outperform on Food Staples**: Boomers show strong consideration for food brands like Purina and Chewy, but lag behind on newer retail formats. ### Standout Brands - **Dog Owners**: PetSmart and Petco are the top brands. Hulu and Tractor Supply Company also make the top 12, showing crossover appeal. - **Cat Owners**: Friskies and Meow Mix are the top cat-specific brands, with significant lifts over the general population. Hulu is the top non-pet brand for cat owners, reflecting their interest in entertainment and gaming. ## Conclusion The U.S. pet ownership landscape is evolving, with cat ownership growing faster than dog ownership. Millennials are the primary pet-owning generation, and both dog and cat owners are highly engaged in digital media, shopping, and leisure activities. PetSmart and Petco dominate purchase consideration, but Hulu and other non-pet brands are gaining traction, highlighting the broader appeal of pet households as a high-value consumer segment.