If you thought consumers’ passion for pets was declining after pandemic peaks, think again. Rising pet ownership trends, driven largely by Millennials and Gen Z, are reshaping the way people live — and the impact on our homes is significant. Whether it means enhancing assortments with trending pet products or emphasizing home items pet owners will appreciate, it’s an evolving trend for retailers to watch.
State of the Pet Industry
94 million U.S. households owned at least one pet in 2024, up 13% from 82 million in 2023, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Pet industry spending, which includes food, supplies, medical care and other services, was up 3% to $152 billion year over year.
Looking a little deeper, the survey shows Gen Z had the largest increase in pet ownership (43.5%) in APPA’s survey this year. Gen Z is also the generation most likely to own multiple pets.
In fact, Millennials and Gen Z are expected to be the generations with the highest levels of pet ownership ever, Pete Scott, APPA President and CEO, told attendees at The Inspired Home Show 2025. One reason? These generations are especially in tune with health and wellness, and they’re acutely aware of the positive emotional effects of human/animal bonds.
Trend Evolution
While dogs are still the most popular pet in the U.S., cat ownership is growing at a faster rate for the first time in APPA’s survey history (dating back to 1988). “In a post-Covid world, cats are easier,” said Scott. “Cats can stay at home longer, they require fewer vet visits and they don’t require boarding, grooming and things like that. It’s also less expensive to have a cat in a time of inflation.”
Interestingly, Gen Z and Millennial men were at the heart of this shift. Gen Z cat owners increased nearly 18% over 2023; the number of Millennial men with cats was up 24% in the same period.
Also of note: No matter the kind of animal, pet owners are becoming increasingly engaged in animal care and integrating pets into their daily lives more. “What we’re starting to see is the humanization of pets… what’s good for us (as humans) is good for our pets,” said Scott, adding that his industry is struggling a little right now with the term “pet owner.” (Is “pet parent” more appropriate?)
Categories to Watch
To accommodate the growing number of home and specialty retailers interested in pet products, The Inspired Home Show® 2025 featured a Pet Products Pavilion created in partnership with APPA. This special area featured a range of products in trending areas such as smart technology, health and wellness, outdoor and travel gear, and items for pet celebrations.
Just a few top finds? PawsPik Automatic Microchip RFID Feeder, which makes sure each of your pets gets the right amount of food every time, and Jokari’s Cart Cruiser, a carrying device for grocery carts, car travel and even airplanes.
But pet products themselves aren’t the only categories for retailers to pay attention to. Rising pet ownership trends also mean owning a pet has a significant impact on our home lives, affecting everything from cleaning and home environment to storage and organization.
Don’t forget items that will help consumers quickly and easily tidy up after their furry friends, not to mention products that improve air quality, such as Nuwave’s OxyPure® Portable Smart Air Purifier with a nylon pre-filter to trap large particles and pet hair — and anything that helps pet owners save space, cue this attractive and eco-friendly dog crate-meets-end table from RENEW by Trinity.
An audio recording of Scott’s session — and all of the education events at The Inspired Home Show 2025 — is available on the Show site.