Pets in the USA

Updated February 23, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

The Question:

What is the most popular pet for families to have in the United States?

The Answer:

As of 2011, there were more dog owners (46.3 million households) than cat owners (38.9 million households), but more pet cats (86.4 million) than pet dogs (78.2 million). That's because cat owners tend to have more cats than dog owners have dogs. For the full set of statistics, see Household Pet Ownership.

Check out this recent Infoplease Spotlight to learn what the country's Most Popular Pet Names are.

-The Fact Monster

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