---
title: "How Many Pets Are In The World & The US?"
canonical: "https://www.simplyinsurance.com/how-many-pets-are-in-the-world/"
description: "While we love our pets, there are still millions of them that don't have a home, end up in a shelter, or worst, killed or euthanized."
silo: "business"
published: "2026-05-21"
updated: "2026-05-21"
author: "sa-el"
source: "Simply Insurance"
---
While we love our pets, there are **still millions of them that don’t have a home**, end up in a shelter, or worst, killed or euthanized. Discover **pet statistics from America and around the world**, ranging from things like pet population, pet ownership, pet shelters, **most popular pets**, and even pet adoption.

## **Top Pet Statistics In America & The World:**

- There are more than **900 million dogs and counting around the world**

- Around **600 million cats** are living on the planet today.

- **68% of American households** own at least one pet. Up 12% since 1988.

- About **6.5 million pets enter animal shelters** nationwide every year in the U.S.

- America has around **70 Million stray animals** living in the country.

- There are about **4 million cats and dogs adopted from shelters** each year in the U.S.

- **About 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized each year**, around 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats.

- On Average, to own a dog or cat will **cost you between $500 and $600 annually**.

- **Just 2% of pet parents** have purchased **pet insurance in the U.S.**

- **Only 20% of pet owners** can afford to pay a $5,000 vet bill.

## Cat & Dog Population In The World

### **How Many Dogs & Cats Are In The World?**

The current global dog population is estimated to be **around 900 million and rising**, with the global cat population coming in at about **600 million**. Approximately 470 Million dogs are actually kept as pets, and around 370 million pet cats are in the world.

**Key Statistics:**

- There are more than **900 million dogs around the world** and their numbers are growing.

- Around **600 million cats** are living on the planet.

- More than **740 Million Dogs Live as unrestrained** or free-ranging

- Only **17–24% of dogs live as pets** in developed countries

- Over **470 million dogs are kept as pets** around the world.

- There are about **370 million pet cats** living on this planet.

- The world’s most balanced pet population is in Romania, **45% of their households own dogs and 45% owns cats.**

- The **fastest growing dog population** in the world can be found in India.

- The highest number of **small dogs per capita** goes to Brazil

- Saudi Arabia is the winner in regards to big dogs with **70% of their dog population** belonging to larger breeds.

### **Cat & Dog Ownership By Country**

The U.S. has the **highest dog & cat population per capita**. For every four people, there is one dog! There are more dogs or cats in some families than children, making them an integral part of the household. Below is a list of the **top 10 cat and dog populations by country**.

### **Top 10 Dog Populations By Country**

COUNTRY | POPULATION
--- | ---
USA | 69,929,000
China | 27,400,000
Russia | 12,520,000
Japan | 12,000,000
Philippines | 11,600,000
India | 10,200,000
Argentina | 9,200,000
United Kingdom | 9,000,000
France | 7,570,000
South Africa | 7,400,000

### **Top 10 Cat Populations By Country**

COUNTRY | POPULATION
--- | ---
USA | 74,059,000
China | 53,100,000
Russia | 17,800,000
Brazil | 12,466,000
France | 11,480,000
Germany | 8,200,000
United Kingdom | 8,000,000
Italy | 7,400,000
Ukraine | 7,350,000
Japan | 7,300,00

## Pet Ownership Stats In America

### **How Many U.S. Households Own A Dog Or Cat?**

68% of U.S. households or over **85 Million families own at least one pet** according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by APPA (the American Pet Products Association).

**Key Statistics:**

- **68% of U.S. households** own at least one pet. Up 12% since 1988.

- American households own around **42.7 Million pet cats**.

- Dogs are owned at an average number of **1.6% per household**.

- Cats are owned at an average number of **1.8% per household**.

- There are more than **77 million dogs** in the U.S.

- More than **59 million cats** live in America.

### How Many Pets Die From Food Poisoning In America?

According to the FDA more than **70 pets that have died** and more than **80 pets that are sick** after eating Sportmix pet food. This comes at the beginning of 2021, hopefully this number won’t increase but we will keep it updated.

**Key Statistics:**

- In **2021 alone**, more than **70 pets** have died from being poisoned by eating pet food.

### **What Are The Most Popular Pets In America?**

**Dogs are the most popular pet in the U.S.** with over 48 Million of them being owned in over 63 Million households.

### **How Many U.S. Households Own a Pet?**

PET TYPE | NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS OWNED
--- | ---
Dogs | 63 Million
Cats | 42 Million
Freshwater Fish | 12 Million
Birds | 6 Million
Small Animals | 5 Million
Reptiles | 5 Million
Saltwater Fish | 2 Million
Horses | 2 Million

### **Are Cats Or Dogs The Most Popular Pet In America? (By State)**

**In 2025 Dogs still turn out to be much more popular than pet cats** with 45 out of the 50 states owning more dogs than cats. And just recently, the **Hawaiian government updated their pet ownership percentage to that of 60%** and the Municipality Of Anchorage, Alaska did a study that showed pet ownership to be **25.5% of the States population.** The states of Montana, Arkansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Indiana have **the highest dog ownership in the U.S.**

STATE | TOTAL PET OWNERSHIP % | DOG OWNERSHIP % | CAT OWNERSHIP %
--- | --- | --- | ---
Alabama | 59.8% | 46.9% | 26.1%
Alaska | 25.5% | N/A | N/A
Arizona | 58.0% | 43% | 26.4%
Arkansas | 69.0% | 51.6% | 34.8%
California | 40.1% | 0% | 22.9%
Colorado | 47.2% | 27.1% | 0%
Connecticut | 49.9% | 24% | 26.7%
DC | 21.9% | N/A | N/A
Delaware | 57.9% | 42.2% | 24.1%
Florida | 56.0% | 39.8% | 24.2%
Georgia | 51.1% | 36.7% | 20.4%
Hawaii | 60% | N/A | N/A
Idaho | 69.9% | 33.3% | 34.4%
Illinois | 48.6% | 32.4% | 21%
Indiana | 69% | 49.4% | 37.5%
Iowa | 59.4% | 36.3% | 35.6%
Kansas | 62.8% | 43.1% | 32.4%
Kentucky | 64.1% | 46.5% | 32.2%
Louisiana | 54.4% | 38.3% | 19%
Maine | 63.5% | 35.9% | 43.6%
Maryland | 48.6% | 30.2% | 18.6%
Massachusetts | 49.4% | 28.9% | 23.5%
Michigan | 62.4% | 41.9% | 31.2%
Minnesota | 54.0% | 35.5% | 26.5%
Mississippi | 65.5% | 51% | 29.1%
Missouri | 63.5% | 45.1% | 0%
Montana | 61.9% | 51.9% | 22.8%
Nebraska | 51.3% | 47.1% | 30.9%
Nevada | 53.3% | 36.8% | 23.1%
New Hampshire | 51.8% | 23.7% | 36.4%
New Jersey | 47.4% | 29.1% | 18.9%
New Mexico | 60.1% | 39.4% | 25.2%
New York | 49.7% | 27% | 21.1%
North Carolina | 58.6% | 41.3% | 26.5%
North Dakota | 63.7% | 44.3% | 24.8%
Ohio | 62.4% | 37.9% | 30.7%
Oklahoma | 65.0% | 47.7% | 28.4%
Oregon | 59.2% | 37.8% | 30%
Pennsylvania | 60.6% | 38.9% | 28.9%
Rhode Island | 45.4% | 25.8% | 16.7%
South Carolina | 62.0% | 45.3% | 25.2%
South Dakota | 46.4% | 32.1% | 26.6%
Tennessee | 61.7% | 47% | 30.9%
Texas | 58.2% | 43.4% | 20.5%
Utah | 58.5% | 36.2% | 24.7%
Vermont | 70.0% | 28.3% | 44.6%
Virginia | 55.5% | 35.6% | 23.9%
Washington | 62.7% | 42.8% | 30.5%
West Virginia | 70.7% | 49.6% | 37.7%
Wisconsin | 59.0% | 33.6% | 32.4%
Wyoming | 71.8% | 36% | 30%

## Animal Shelter Statistics In America

### **How Many Cats & Dogs Are In Shelters In The U.S.**

About **6.5 Million cats and dogs** enter U.S. shelters every year; about 3.3 million are dogs, and 3.2 million are cats. While this is a considerable number, it is a **decline from 7.2 million pets** that entered shelters in 2011.

**Key Statistics:**

- About **6.5 million pets enter animal shelters** nationwide every year in the U.S.

- Around **3.3 million dogs** will enter a shelter in the U.S. every year.

- Some **3.2 million cats** will find themselves in a shelter in America every year.

- The number of cats and dogs going into shelters in the U.S. has **declined from 7.2 million** over the last 9 years.

- The **largest decrease in sheltered animals** came from dogs, from 3.9 million to 3.3 million since 2011.

- There are about **3,500 animal shelters** in the U.S.

- It’s estimated that there are over **10,000 rescue groups** and animal sanctuaries in the U.S. & Canada.

- **25% of all the dogs** in an animal shelter are Purebred.

- Humane organizations are spending about **$2.5 Billion per year** to help pets.

- About **30 million people** get a new pet every year.

**Common Reasons Dogs Are Returned to the Shelter:**

- They become **more expensive** than the owner expected

- The pet owner is allergic to the animal or **has health issues**

- Destructive behaviors like **destroying furniture**

- Being **disobedient**

- Uncontrolled **barking**

- Super hyper or **too active**

- Being **too aggressive** with kids, other pets or family members.

### **How Many Dogs & Cats Get Euthanized In Shelters Each Year**

About **1.5 million cats and dogs get euthanized** in a shelter every year. Around 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats. This is a huge number, but it’s still down from [2.6 million pets being euthanized annually just 9 years ago](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/how-many-road-rage-fatalities-are-there-each-year/).

**Key Statistics:**

- About **1.5 million shelter animals** are euthanized each year, around 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats.

- The number of pets being euthanized in American animal shelters has **declined from 2.6 million** since 2011.

- About **20% of dogs** entering a shelter are euthanized

- **81% of people** would prefer to have a “community cat” than to have it be euthanized.

- In 2019 there were **733,000 pets euthanized**.

- **More Cats** Are Put Down Than Dogs

- Owners leave some **30% of their pets** at a shelter.

- Americans are spending about **$2 Billion a year on animal shelters**.

### **How Many Pets Get Adopted From Shelters Each Year**

Each Year close to 4 million pets are adopted from animal shelters(2 million dogs and 2 million for cats). About 620,000 dogs and 90,000 cats that enter shelters as strays are returned to their pet parents.

**Key Statistics:**

- There are about **4 million cats and dogs adopted** from shelters each year in the U.S.

- About 48% of the dogs entering an animal shelter **will be adopted.**

- About **50% of cats** entering a shelter will be adopted.

- Around 23% of dogs that are adopted in America **come from a shelter**.

- **1 in 10 pets adopted** from an animal shelter won’t be in their adoptive homes after six months.

**What Are The Most Popular Dog Breeds In Shelters?**

- American Pit Bull Terrier

- Labrador Retriever

- German Shepherd

- Dachshund

- Jack Russell

- Chihuahua

- Boxer

- Beagle

- American Bulldog

- American Staffordshire Terrier

## Stray Dog & Cat Statistics In The U.S.

### **How Many Stray Cats & Dogs Are There In America?**

There are more than **70 million stray cats, dogs and animals** living in the United States according to the Humane Society. Of those, only about 6 to 8 million of them will enter the **3,500 animal shelters** a year.

**Key Statistics:**

- America has around **70 Million stray animals** living in the country.

- There are about **5 homeless animals** for every 1 homeless person in the U.S.

- As of 2018 there were about **58 million stray cats** in America.

- About **27% of the cats** owned by people were first strays, this is down from 35% in 2012.

- Only around **6% of the dogs** owned by people were first strays.

- Some strays are pets that have been **lost and not properly able to be identified**.

### **How Many Stray Dogs & Cats Are There In The World?**

There are about **200 Million stray dogs** in the world and about **70 Million stray cats** in the world according to the World Health Organization. Of course, this is a strong estimate because it’s hard to come by the exact numbers.

**Key Statistics:**

- More than **200 Million stray dogs** exist in the world.

- Over **70 Million stray cats** are in the world

## Pet Insurance Statistics In America

### **What Percentage Of Pet Owners Have Pet Insurance?**

Believe it or not, only **2% of pet owners have pet insurance** on their pets in the United States. This means that only about 1.4 Million Dogs are covered and about 1.1 million cats are covered. We probably need to do much better than this to [Compare Small Business Insurance Quotes Online](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/compare-small-business-insurance-quotes-online/). **protect our furbabies**.

**Key Statistics:**

- Just **2% of pet parents** have purchased pet insurance in the U.S.

- Only 20% of pet owners can afford to pay a **$5,000 vet bill**.

- About **82% of dog owners** are interested in pet health insurance.

- Almost 10% of pet parents are shopping for pet insurance for a **dog with a pre-existing condition**

- Almost **88% of the dogs** who had pre-existing conditions were adults

- Pet parents shopping for pet insurance who owned cats with pre-existing conditions **was only around 12.27%**

- Around **92% of the cats** that had pre-existing conditions were adults

- In 2019 the number of **pets insured was 2.2 million**, down by around 1% from 2018.

- In 2018 the number of pets insured were 2.43 million, **up by over 17% from 2017**

- Dogs are the **most covered with pet insurance** with over 88% of in-force written premiums on them.

- The first pet to be insured in the U.S. was the **tv show dog Lassie**.

- Compared to the U.S. about **26% of dogs and cats** in the U.K. are insured

- **Sweden takes the lead** with over 90% of their cats and dogs being insured.

- Pet insurance **premiums in 2019** were $1.6 billion

- The average policy cost was about **$46.00 per month** in 2019.

## Annual Cost Of Owning A Pet

### **How Much Does It Cost To Own A Dog Or Cat?**

On average it’s going to initially cost you around **$500 – $600 to adopt a cat or dog**, get pet insurance, and handle any other initial medical costs. After that, you should look at around **$500 – $600 per year** for ongoing costs, which will vary based on the size of your pet and the brands they prefer.

**Key Statistics:**

- Average annual cost to own a cat or dog is **between $500 to $600.00**

**One Time Pet Expenses**

TYPE OF EXPENSE | COST
--- | ---
Adoption cost: | Dog: $0 to $660 / Cat: $0 to $270
Food: | Dog: $30-$50 / Cat: $100-$200
Startup supplies | $50 to $300
Vet and vaccinations: | Dog: $50 to $300 / Cat: $100-$200
Preventative medical | $50-$100
Spay or neuter: | $20 to $300
Licensing: | Dog: $10 to $20 / Cat: $0 to $20
Microchip: | $50
Total One-time Costs for Dogs: | $260 to $1,780
Total One-time Costs for Cats: | $370 to $1,440

**Annual Pet Expenses**

TYPE OF EXPENSE | COST
--- | ---
Food: | Dog: $250-$750 / Cat: $100-$200
Annual medical exams: | $50-$100 *
Vaccinations: | $10 to $100 *
Preventative medical: | $50-$100 *
Litter: | Cat: $200-$250
Toys and Misc. supplies: | $20-$100
License: | $0 to $20
Pet Insurance | $26 – $46
Total Annual Cost for Dog: | $406 to $1,216
Total Annual Costs for Cats: | $456 to $916

## Taking Action

### **Concluding Thoughts**

While it’s hard to give an exact number of dogs or cats living in the world, our goal was to help you better understand the pet population in the world and America. With so many pets going into shelters and so many uninsured pets, we have a lot of work to do. However, I think we have what it takes to lower the number of pets going into shelters and increase the number of adopted pets and insured pets. The most shocking statistic that we found was that there are over 1.5 million animals euthanized each year. We would love to see that number go down soon.

**Sources:**

[Wild Life Removal](https://www.wildlife-removal.com/howmanystraycats.html) | [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet) | [Modern Cat](https://moderncat.com/articles/country-highest-percentage-pet-ownership/) | [World Population Review](https://web.archive.org/web/20230308084017/https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/pet-ownership-statistics-by-state) | [American Pet Products](https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp) | [ASPCA](https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics)|[ASPCA Pet Insurance](https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/cat-ownership-cost/) | [AVMA](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics) |[→](https://web.archive.org/web/20230308084017/https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics)[Daily Dog Stuff](https://www.dailydogstuff.com/us-pet-ownership-statistics) | Do Something | [Humane Society](https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/animal-cruelty-facts-and-stats) | [Insurance Information Institute](https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-pet-statistics) | [Insider](https://www.insider.com/most-popular-pets-in-the-us-2018-7)| [Lone Tree Vet](https://www.lonetreevet.com/blog/most-popular-pets/) |[Money Under 30](https://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership) | [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2017/12/29/574598877/no-easy-answer-to-growing-number-of-stray-dogs-in-the-u-s-advocate-says)| [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/well/family/pet-insurance-is-the-latest-work-perk.html) | [One Green Planet](https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/12-alarming-facts-about-pet-homelessness/) | [Pawlicy](https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/pet-insurance-statistics-2019-2020/)| Pet Coach | [Pet Secure](https://www.petsecure.com.au/pet-care/a-guide-to-worldwide-pet-ownership/) | [Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1044386/dog-and-cat-pet-population-worldwide/)| [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jul/15/euthanasia-and-assisted-dying-rates-are-soaring-but-where-are-they-legal) | [The Spruce Pets](https://www.thesprucepets.com/the-cost-of-dog-ownership-1117321) | [World Atlas](https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-the-world.html) |