Those who aren’t pet people sometimes struggle with the sentiment and importance pet owners place on their dogs and cats. There are certainly other pets, such as horses, reptiles, bunnies, fish, and more, but according to the 2021–2022 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 70 percent of U.S. households—accounting for 90.5 million families—included a pet. Dogs are owned by 69 million families and cats are owned by 45.3 million families—many own both a cat and a dog. To provide perspective, fish came in third at 11.8 million families.
While some people own pets for protection, most studies indicate that dogs and cats provide companionship. They can also help keep us healthy; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that dogs increase the opportunities for their owners to get outside to play and take walks, which can keep both owners and pets fit; it’s not uncommon for the pet’s owners to benefit from decreased blood pressure as well as decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Dogs and cats have also proven helpful in managing loneliness and depression. It’s no surprise to see growing acceptance of service and emotional support dogs, as well as more pet-friendly retailers, restaurants, hotels, and airlines.
