10 Most Common Pets in the U.S

Our Favorite Domesticated Friends

Americans have an uncanny love for cats, dogs, and other exotic and interesting types of animals. They make for great companions, are interesting to be around, and offer comfort on lonely days.
Popular pets like dogs and cats have been human companions for as long as we can remember. Even in Paleolithic times, they served as hunting companions and household pets. Their importance can not be overstated, and that is why 57% of most American households have at least one pet. In this post, we’ll be looking at the top 10 most popular pets in American homes.

10 Most Popular Pets in America

1. Dogs

To the surprise of no one, dogs are the most popular pet in America. Approximately 45% of U.S. households own a dog, which translates to about 65.1 million households. Looking at the statistics, their popularity makes sense. After all, they’re man’s best friend. They are easy to care for, talk to, and make great companions for both children and adults alike.

2. Cats

Cats are a close second to dogs. They were originally brought to North America by the English to help control the rodent problems that persisted on the east coast. A few hundred years later, they are widely domesticated and favored by most animal lovers because of their innate curiosity, cuteness, and playfulness.
Approximately 25% of American households own a cat, with an estimated 46.5 million households having at least one cat. However, keep in mind that 24% of pet-owning households in the United States have both dogs and cats. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 49% of pet owners have dogs only, while 23% have cats only.

3. Freshwater Fish

In what may be a mild surprise, the third most popular U.S. pet is freshwater fish. 11.5 million households—or 9.6% of domestic households—owns freshwater fish, with goldfish being the ultimate beginner fish.
However, guppies, betta fish, angelfish, molly fish, and neon tetras are all common freshwater species you're likely to see in American aquariums. Speaking of which, aquariums are lovely as home decor and they're fairly easy to care for and maintain.

4. Small Animals

This category includes hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other similar animals, totaling around 7 million households. These pets are particularly favored for their small size and ease of care. In some cases, these animals are relatively long-lived. Chinchillas, for example, can live up to 20 years, while rabbits typically live between 8–12 years.

5. Birds

Birds come in fifth place. They are not quite as popular as fish or cats, but they are just as fun and rewarding to nurture, and 5.7 million (or 4.8%) of American households keep them as pets. Cockatiels, parrots, parakeets, and other birds with some capacity to mimic human speech are particularly popular among bird owners.

6. Reptiles

Reptiles, which include snakes, salamanders, iguanas, and all types of lizards, are in fifth place. They're the ultimate “love it or hate it” animal, given that so many people have fears of snakes, crocodiles, and alligators. Apparently, reptiles are particularly loved by millennials because they have an exotic flair and aesthetic.
What's interesting about reptiles is that though they're only in about 4.5 million (or 3.8%) of American households, most reptile owners have multiple reptiles. So, there are probably close to 10 million reptiles kept as pets in the U.S.

7. Horses

In 2017, the American Horse Council reported that 1.3% of U.S. households owned horses, which amounts to 1.6 million households and roughly 7.6 million horses. It's worth mentioning that in another study, 89% of horse owners considered their horses to be either pets (42%) or family members (47%), with only 11% considering them property.

8. Saltwater Fish

Another aquatic option, saltwater fish are kept in roughly 2 million households, which represents approximately 1.3% of all households. Like their freshwater counterparts, saltwater fish like clownfish (Finding Nemo), wrasses, gobies, damselfish, and blennies are known for their vibrant colors and the complexity of their care.

9. Poultry

As unlikely as it might seem, poultry—chicken, turkey, ducks, and geese—are popular pet choices in a lot of households in the US. They are a more pragmatic choice for some pet owners, seeing as some of them lay eggs, which could be sold.

AVMA estimates that chickens are more popular than small mammals and other typical pet choices. Actual percentages are tough to nail down because the popularity of backyard chickens fluctuates due to a variety of factors, including the economy, weather, available resources, etc.

10. Ferrets

Ferrets are a natural choice for most exotic animal lovers. They are spritely, fun, and cute. In addition to that, most pet stores keep and carry food for them, so sustaining a few ferrets long-term should not be an issue. While the exact number may fluctuate, the most current estimate suggests that around 326,000 U.S. households own ferrets, with a total ferret population of approximately 500,000.
Mammals, pet livestock, and even amphibians are also popular pet choices that animal lovers care for in the United States.
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