New research is pulling back the curtain on how Americans are choosing their pets these days—with shifting preferences and growing worries about care costs guiding who ends up in their homes. Here’s what the latest data reveals about #petownership and adoptions across the U.S.
Pet Ownership Stays Steady, But Preferences Are Shifting
Overall, how many Americans own pets hasn’t changed much—and dogs still top the list as the most common furry family members. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see subtle shifts, especially when it comes to adoptions.
Per Shelter Animals Count, around 4.1 million cats and dogs found new homes across the U.S. in 2024—split almost evenly between 2 million dogs and 2 million cats. But Hill’s Pet Nutrition points out a bigger trend in pet preferences, citing Packaged Facts’ 2025 #PetPopulation & Ownership Report.
While most pet-owning households still have dogs, the share of those households has dropped 3% since 2019. Cat-owning households, though? Their numbers have stayed steady. Hill’s thinks this could mean a few things: Current cat owners are bringing home more feline friends, some families are switching from dogs to cats, or overall pet adoptions are slowing down, with dogs taking the biggest hit from that slowdown.
Why More People Are Choosing to Adopt Cats
If Americans are adopting a new pet in 2025, cats are increasingly the top pick. A survey of 2,000 Americans and 500 Canadians found that 4 in 10 #petowners plan to adopt a cat if they bring home a new animal.
The reasons for this cat craze are pretty practical (and relatable):
- 62% say cats are self-sufficient (no need for constant attention).
- 58% just prefer cats—pure and simple.
- 36% love that cats don’t need outdoor space (perfect for apartments or busy lives).
- 33% note cat requires less living space overall.
- 33% appreciate that cats groom themselves (one less chore!).
- 25% cite lower ownership costs as a key factor.
When it comes to dogs, size matters—and big dogs aren’t winning. Only a quarter of respondents said they’d prefer a large dog. Medium-sized dogs were the most popular at 47%, with small dogs right behind at 45%.
The Big Barriers to Adoption: Money, Time, and Behavior
While many Americans want to adopt, several hurdles are holding them back—starting with finances. Money is still the top reason people hesitate to adopt, or get picky about which pet they choose.
Vet costs are the biggest worry: 87% of respondents stressed about them, which is a 3% jump from 2024. This concern doesn’t discriminate, either—it spans all ages, income levels, and locations.
Costs don’t stop at vet bills, though. Nearly a third (32%) of pet owners now say the upfront cost of adoption is a barrier (up 4% from last year). And 48% mention the overall cost of owning a pet—food, toys, supplies included—which is a 5% increase year-over-year.
Post-adoption challenges are also playing a role. Behavioral issues are the most common problem, with 44% of pet owners reporting they’ve dealt with things like chewed furniture or anxiety. Time commitment has also become a bigger stressor: 21% of people called it a barrier in 2025, an 11% rise from 2024 (think: long work hours making it hard to walk a dog daily).
On the bright side, one worry has faded: post-adoption health issues. Only 12% of respondents flagged this as a problem in 2025, down 8% from the year before—likely a win for shelters that now provide more pre-adoption vet checks.
At the end of the day, these trends show Americans still love having pets—they’re just being more intentional about it. Adoptions remain a core part of pet ownership, but the “right” pet for each household is now shaped by what they can afford, how much time they have, and what fits seamlessly into their lives. For many, that’s leaning into cats; for others, it’s choosing a medium or small dog. Either way, the goal stays the same: finding a furry friend that feels like family.
Source: GlobalPETS