Today, we’re going to explore some of the most valuable Pet Spending Stats for 2023.
Let’s get started.
Key Pet Spending Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- The value of the pet industry in the US will reach nearly $109.6 billion this year.
- Average annual expenses for a pet dog amount to about $1,380.
- Only 2.1% of all pets in the US are insured.
- Dogs are the biggest influence driving first-home purchases among millennials.
- More than half of millennial pet owners buy their pets gifts at least once a month.
- Buying pet supplies online is a preferred shopping method for 77% of millennials.
- More than half of millennials buy gifts for their pets on a monthly basis.
- In the past 10 years, American pet spending has more than doubled.
- Forty-five percent of American pet owners spend the same amount of money or more on their pets’ healthcare as they do on their own.
- One in 10 American pet owners is putting off having kids or more children because of pet expenses.
US Pet Industry Analysis and Expenses Statistics 2023
The US pet industry will reach nearly $109.6 billion in sales by the end of 2021.
(APPA)
According to data from APPA, the amount Americans spend on their pets grew to $103.6 billion in 2020 – that is nearly $13.1 billion more than in 2018. Pet food and treats make up the biggest portion of the market at $42 billion, followed by vet care and products at $31.4 billion.
Annually, owners spend an average of $1,480 on pet dogs’ basic expenses.
(APPA)
At 76.2%, dogs make up the majority of pets in US households. Data from APPA’s pet spending statistics per year on dogs reveal that owning a dog costs an average of $1,480 in basic expenses annually. On cats, average annual expenses amount to roughly $902.
In the case of dogs, surgical vet visits make up the most significant expenditure, while the single biggest expenditure for cats is food.
Dogs are the biggest influence when it comes to driving first-home purchases among millennials.
(Zulily)
So, if millennials and younger generations are willing to buy a house with a backyard just for Fido to run around, can you imagine how much Americans spend on their pets?
Rather than getting married or having kids, needing more space for their pets (dogs specifically) is the main reason a third of millennials cite for purchasing their first home, according to stats provided by pet retailer Zulily.
Among those yet to purchase a home, nearly 42% admitted that their pet or the desire to have one would be a key factor in their decision to buy a house.
Over the past decade, the amount of money Americans spend on pets has more than doubled.
(Statista)
In 2010, the total money spent on pets was roughly $45.53 billion. Within the next decade, this spending has mushroomed to $103.6 billion annually. The biggest annual increase was between 2017 and 2018, when spending quickly jumped from $69.51 billion to $90.5 billion – a growth of 30%.
By 2023, online sales are expected to make up about a quarter of the total American pet supply market.
(Packaged Facts)
Despite its rapid rise in popularity and it being the default method of shopping among the younger demographic, online shopping is yet to reach its true potential when it comes to buying pet products. In 2018, online sales of pet products only reached an estimated $9.5 billion.
However, this field currently has one of the fastest growth rates of any channel. By 2023, eCommerce is expected to double its share and make up 26% of the total pet market. Currently, the best online pet store – judging by its popularity, at least – is Amazon, followed closely by Chewy
Pet Insurance Statistics 2023
Only 2.1% of all pets in the US are insured.
(Forbes)
US pet spending and ownership statistics show that a mere 2.1% of all pets within the country are covered by any form of insurance. Of these, dogs represent 82.9% of the total. However, the pet insurance industry is currently experiencing rapid growth.
From 2016 to 2020, the market grew by a remarkable 23.2%. For comparison, the pet supply and products industry grew by approximately 4% during that time
More reviews of pet insurance providers
The rising US pet insurance market had more than $1.99 billion in gross written premiums in 2020.
(NAPHIA)
Most pet owners opted for combined insurance, which makes up $1.86 billion of the gross total. Insurance against accidents accounted for only $6.42 million, while another $125.1 million went toward riders such as wellness and cancer endorsements.
Average annual insurance premium for accidents and illnesses in 2020 stood at $549.15 for dogs and $341.81 for cats.
(NAPHIA)
Pet insurance market statistics indicate that pet owners primarily seek to cover illness-related costs with their premiums, especially considering that digestive tract problems, cancer, and infections are relatively common pet health issues.
On the other hand, monthly dog and cat insurance for accidents cost pet owners on average $18.17 for dogs and $11.13 for cats in 2020.
The market for pet insurance increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as 14% of previous and existing pet owners got a new pet.
(APPA)
According to APPA’s biennial survey, about 25% of pet owners who acquired a new pet during the pandemic said that their decision was influenced by COVID-19.
Pet Spending Categories 2023
Pet apparel is among the fastest-growing categories in pet eCommerce.
(Zulily)
ECommerce pet spending statistics by Zulily reveal that pet apparel is experiencing some of the fastest-growing online sales rates of all pet supply product categories. Between 2017 and 2018, sales of pet dresses, T-shirts, and sweaters grew by over 200%. In the case of pet hoodies, sales grew by a staggering 622%.
Pet dry food is the most common item purchased by pet owners online.
(Statista)
In the case of both pet cats and dogs, the biggest pet category bought online was dry foods; 43% of cat owners who shop online buy dry food, while 44% of dog owners do the same. Among cat owners, litter and wet food make up the second and third most commonly purchased items online, at 37% and 34% respectively.
For dog owners, the second and third most commonly bought items online are pet treats/chews and flea medication, at 43% and 30% respectively.
An estimated 60% of all cats and 56% of all dogs in the US are overweight or obese.
(APOP)
How much do Americans spend on pet food? Probably too much, if this stat is anything to go by. Obesity is a prevalent problem among pets in the country, with an estimated 60% of all cats and 56% of all dogs being classified as obese or overweight.
It seems there’s a lack of consensus among pet owners and veterinary professionals regarding pet nutrition.
Pet Industry Trends 2023
American pet spending on dog walking services has reached $979.2 million in 2021.
(IBIS World)
Dog walker jobs are on the rise as more and more Americans are opting to pay dog walking services to ensure their canine companions’ exercise needs are taken care of. In 2019, the country’s dog walker market was valued at around $1.05 billion.
That number dropped to $885.9 million in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then bounced back 10.5% in 2021.
The pet grooming industry is expected to reach $5.49 billion by 2025.
(Allied Market Research)
Pet industry statistics show that the grooming sector is made up of a diverse range of products, including pet shampoos and conditioners, pet toothpaste, detangling brushes, special scissors, and clippers.
The industry is expected to grow at an annualized rate of 4.5% to reach a total market value of $5,488 million over the next five years. Surprisingly, rather than North America or Europe, the Asia-Pacific region was found to be the fastest-growing market for such products.
45% of American pet owners spend the same amount of money or more on the healthcare needs of their pets than they do on themselves.
(LendEDU)
In a national pet owners survey conducted by financial website LendEDU, it was found that nearly half of all Americans spend the same or more on the healthcare of their pets than they do on themselves. Of those respondents, 20% have gone into debt caring for their pets, with the average owed amount being $1,567.
Pet Industry Demographics 2023
Millennials are the largest age group of pet owners in the US, with 32% of them owning at least one.
(APPA)
Baby boomers, at 27%, are the second largest group withs pets in their home, followed by Gen Xers at 24%, and Gen Zers at 14%.
More than half of millennial pet owners buy their pets gifts at least once a month.
(Zulily)
Pet spending statistics – or more specifically, a millennial pet ownership statistics report from Zulily – show that younger generations are particularly generous toward their pets, whom they treat as part of the family (or even better).
In total, 92% of millennials who own pets buy their pets gifts, while 51% do so on a monthly basis. Millennials are also twice as likely to purchase clothes for their pets than baby boomers.
86% of pet owners shopped online for pet products in 2020.
(APPA)
COVID-19 has significantly changed pet owner trends and the shopping habits of pet owners. Approximately 60% of them got their pet supplies mostly at brick-and-mortar pet stores. Since the onset of the pandemic, that number has shrunk to 41%.
77% of millennials prefer to buy pet supplies online.
(Zulily)
Online pet spending statistics tell us that the majority of younger pet owners (77%) prefer to shop online for their A to Z pet supplies, rather than opting to do so at a brick-and-mortar pet store.
The most commonly purchased items online include toys, accessories, and pet food. Furthermore, 70% of millennials who shop online opted to buy pet products via subscription.
One in 10 American pet owners are putting off having kids or more children because of pet expenses.
(LendEDU)
The same pet owner survey by LendEDU we’ve already cited above produced these fascinating pet owner spending statistics: 11% of respondents said that because of the cost of pet care, they were putting off having kids or more children. Other commonly missed milestones included delaying marriage and buying/renting a house.
Who would have thought that owning a pet could have such a profound impact not only on people’s financial health, but also on their personal lives?
Concluding Note
Which of the above pet spending statistics did you find the most interesting? Tell us in the comments below. If you found this article to be informative and entertaining, don’t forget to share it with others in your circle who may also find it a worthwhile read. Thank you!
Taking into account all expenses, an average of $139.73 is spent on pets monthly in the US. Dogs are typically the most expensive household pets to keep, followed by birds and cats. Pet fishes are the most affordable animals to keep, incurring a monthly cost of $30.48.
In 2016, pet spending statistics per country revealed that Americans were among the highest spenders on pet care. The average US pet owner spent roughly $160 on pet care compared to about $93 in Britain, $65 in Germany, $45 in Japan, and less than $8 in China.
Millennials (18 to 34 years old) are the most likely demographic to own a pet of any US age group. Among millennials who don’t own a pet, 43% say that they would like to have one in the future. Many millennials are delaying having children and opting to take care of pets instead.
According to OppLoans, millennials are the most generous spenders on pets. Millennials aged 18-24 spend an average of $173.67 monthly on pet products and care, while those aged 25-34 spend an average of $141.5 monthly. Baby boomers are the least generous spenders among adults, spending an average of $80.43 monthly.
As pet owners are spending more than ever on pets, sales in the pet business are booming. Among the most profitable ventures is high-quality pet food, for which pet owners are willing to pay a premium. Pet treats and end-of-life services are also fields that generate significant revenues.
Pet spending statistics reveal that the global pet industry was worth an estimated $223.54 billion per year in 2020. Of this, the US domestic market occupies roughly 47%.
Of all types of pets, dogs remain the most popular among Americans, as per APPA pet statistics. Approximately 69 million US households own a pet dog compared to 45.3 million who own a cat.
