All time high in cat ownership

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) presented the 2024 Dog and Cat Report: Strategic Insights from the National Pet Owners Survey at a virtual press conference at the end of June. The pet industry expenditures totaled 152bn dollars in 2024, with 157bn dollars projected in 2025, Ingrid Chu, Vice President, Research and Insights, explained the state of the industry. 94m US households owned at least one pet in 2024, compared to 82m in 2023 – an increase by 12 per cent.

The rise in pet ownership is driven largely by Gen Z, who are coming of age and embracing pet ownership earlier than previous generations, said Chu.

The first of four key trends presented regards cat ownership which increased by 23 per cent in 2024. This is an “all time high since the figures were first collected in 2010”, explained Chu.  

“Very encouraging: Owners are expanding their households to include more than one cat.” Two cat households have increased by 8 per cent and the number of households with 3 or more cats by 36 per cent since 2018.

The human-feline bond is also evolving, with cats no longer being considered merely independent companions. According to Chu, every third cat owner trained their cat in 2018, and nearly every second owner did so in 2024. Finally, in this trend: Celebrating cats has become a core part of modern cat ownership. Hosting parties for their cat increased by 250 per cent from 2018, purchasing pet-themed merchandise by 89 per cent.

Chu identified a second trend in which dog owners prioritise shared experiences and deeper connections with their dogs. They are increasingly incorporating their pets into their daily routines to support healthy, active lifestyles. Dog owners also include their pets more often in their travel plans, and the majority want dog-friendly workplaces.

The third trend concerns pet nutrition. Dog and cat owners are adopting a wellness-focused approach to pet nutrition, making significant shifts towards premium diets and functional add-ons. In 2024, premium food regained momentum, while sales of basic dog food fell by 7 per cent. Trend four: Proactive pet wellness remains a top priority for dog and cat owners, fuelling growing demand for vitamins and supplements.