No. 424. Household Pet Ownership and by Selected Characteristic
 
[(36.1 represents 36,100,000). Based on a sample survey of 80,000 households in 1991 and 1996,
40,000 households in 1987, and 20,000 in 1983; for details, see source]
 
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                        ITEM                          Unit         Dog         Cat       Pet bird     Horse
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1983: Households owning companion pets \1               Million       36.1        24.2         4.2         2.4
  Percent of all households                             Percent       42.5        28.4         5.0         2.8
1987: Households owning companion pets \1               Million       34.7        27.7         5.2         2.6
  Percent of all households                             Percent       38.2        30.5         5.7         2.8
 
1991: Households owning companion pets \1               Million       34.6        29.2         5.4         1.9
  Percent of all households                             Percent       36.5        30.9         5.7         2.0
  Average number owned                                   Number        1.5         2.0         2.2         2.5
  Total companion pet population \1                     Million       52.5        57.0          11         4.9
  Households obtaining veterinary care \2               Percent         82          62          11          54
  Average visits per household per year                  Number        2.6         1.6         0.2         2.4
 
   PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS OWNING PETS
Annual household income: Under $12,500                  Percent         14          15          16           9
  $12,500 to $24,999                                    Percent         20          20          21          21
  $25,000 to $39,999                                    Percent         24          23          24          25
  $40,000 to $59,999                                    Percent         22          22          21          22
  $60,000 and over                                      Percent         20          20          18          23
 
Family size: \1 One person                              Percent         14          18          16          10
  Two persons                                           Percent         32          33          27          34
  Three persons                                         Percent         21          20          20          20
  Four or more persons                                  Percent         33          29          37          36
                                                                      
1996: Households owning companion pets \1               Million       31.2        27.0         4.6         1.5
  Percent of all households                             Percent       31.6        27.3         4.6         1.5
  Average number owned                                   Number        1.7         2.2         2.7         2.7
  Total companion pet population \1                     Million       52.9        59.1        12.6         4.0
  Households obtaining veterinary care \2               Percent       85.3        67.7        10.8        59.1
  Average visits per household per year                  Number        2.6         1.9         0.2         2.3
 
   PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS OWNING PETS
Annual household income: Under $12,500                  Percent       12.7        13.9        17.3         9.5
  $12,500 to $24,999                                    Percent       19.1        19.7        20.9        20.3
  $25,000 to $39,999                                    Percent       21.6        21.5        22.0        21.8
  $40,000 to $59,999                                    Percent       21.5        21.2        17.5        23.1
  $60,000 and over                                      Percent       25.2        23.7        22.3        25.4
 
Family size: \1 One person                              Percent       13.2        16.8        12.7        12.1
  Two persons                                           Percent       31.0        32.6        27.9        29.1
  Three persons                                         Percent       21.4        20.6        20.4        22.0
  Four or more persons                                  Percent       34.5        29.9        38.9        36.7
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\1 As of December 31 for 1987, 1991, and 1996; as of May 31 for 1983.
\2 During the year.
 
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association, Schaumburg, IL,
U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, 1993 and 1997 (copyright).
 
http://www.avma.org