Pet ownership in the United States has increased at a steady pace over the past two decades to reach its highest level ever, with 71.1 million households—63 percent of the 133.7 million total U.S. households—owning at least one pet, according to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.).

APPMA’s latest survey shows a continual rise in pet ownership from 69 million households in 2005, 64 million households in 2002 and 51 million households in 1988, when the association began its research. According to the survey, Americans currently own 74.8 million dogs, 88.3 million cats, 142 million freshwater fish, 9.6 million saltwater fish, 16 million birds, 24.3 million small animals, 13.4 million reptiles and 13.8 million horses.

“There is nothing that more clearly demonstrates than the survey that over the past two decades we have come to realize people consider pets a part of the family and treat them accordingly,” said Bob Vetere, president of APPMA. “That has led to the evolution of everything from new and improved services and travel accommodations to food and medicines, all of which make spending time with our pets more enjoyable and help fuel the continued rise in pet ownership.”

According to the survey, key trends have helped spur the growth of pet ownership, including an explosive rise in the availability of pet accessories; increased use of pet-care services such as grooming, pet-sitting, hotel lodging and training; a meteoric rise in the use and efficacy of oral and topical flea/tick products; a greater variety of food and treat choices, such as organic, kosher and gourmet; better dental care, such as brushing, flossing and breath odor control; improved veterinary care and medicines helping pets live longer; increased use of homeopathic medicines; streamlined information sources; and a widespread expansion of pet-care items and odor-control products.

APPMA’s survey tracked hundreds of pet ownership trends. Among them:
•  An increased number of owners consider specially formulated pet food worth the extra time and money due to the benefits they offer, such as managing weight, treating health conditions or maintaining a healthy coat.
•  An increased number of owners use homeopathic remedies to treat pets. Currently, 6 percent of dog owners and 4 percent of cat owners choose homeopathic remedies when treating health conditions.
•  Three out of 10 dog owners use dental products on dogs, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, tartar/breath control/whitening products or floss. Dog owners are more likely to clean their pets’ teeth at home than cat owners.
•  Nearly three out of 10 owners memorialize deceased pets in some way. While the most common item chosen is a memorial/garden stone, 15 percent of dog owners and 11 percent of cat owners purchased an urn for pets’ ashes in 2006.
•  More than half of pet owners have purchased a gift for their pet in the past 12 months, with Christmas remaining the most popular gift-giving holiday, followed by Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Hanukkah. Dog owners buy up to seven gifts per year, and owners of other pets buy up to four. On average, owners spend $10 per gift, regardless of the species.
•  Seven out of 10 dogs, cats and other pets receive treats and toys from owners. Dog owners spend $66 per year on treats and $41 per year on toys. Saltwater fish owners spend $71 per year on tank decorations.