U.S. Pet Spending Rose in 2025 While Adoption Rates Slowed

Spending on pets reached $158 billion in 2025, according to the National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association. U.S. households, or about 71 percent of Americans, owned a pet that year. Dog ownership stood at 68 percent and cat ownership at 46 percent, according to a CivicScience survey.

Spending at veterinary services rose nearly 6 percent year over year in April 2026, while spending at pet stores increased 1 percent.

America global research found that dog adoptions declined modestly in the first half of 2025 while cat adoptions remained stable. 7 percent between 2025 and 2026 occurring among lower-income households. Taylor Bowley, a Bank of America Institute economist, said affordability constraints are shaping decisions about adding pets.

The report noted that consolidation of veterinary services by private equity firms may have contributed to higher prices.

Average monthly pet spending in Seattle during the first four months of 2026 was nearly 23 percent above the national average. Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine, ranked second and third, while Atlanta, Dallas, and Orlando, Florida, were about 10 percent below the national average.

Lower-income Millennials reduced pet-store spending by slightly more than 2 percent in April, compared with a 1 percent increase among higher-income Millennials. 8 percent rise for higher-income shoppers. 73 for her three-year-old Golden Retriever, Lemon.

She said she would cut other expenses if needed to maintain care for the dog.