Percentage of Pet Owners in the World: Global Pet Ownership Statistics (June 2026 Update)
Pets are part of everyday life for millions of households around the world. From dogs and cats to hamsters, birds, fish, and other companion animals, pet ownership continues to grow across many regions. Based on the latest global surveys and industry reports, an estimated 57% to 66% of households worldwide own at least one pet, making pet ownership one of the most common lifestyle trends globally.
Growing pet ownership is influencing everything from veterinary care and pet nutrition to adoption trends and pet industry spending. This report examines the latest percentage of pet owners in the world, country-level ownership rates, and the global trends shaping companion animal ownership in 2026.
What Percentage of People Own Pets Worldwide?
Current research suggests that between 57% and 66% of households globally own at least one pet, although ownership rates vary significantly by country and region. Some international surveys estimate approximately two-thirds of households have a pet, while broader global datasets place worldwide ownership closer to one-third of households when measured across all countries. Differences largely reflect survey methodologies and regional coverage.
Regardless of the exact percentage, the overall trend is clear: pet ownership remains widespread and continues growing in many parts of the world as more people view pets as family members rather than simply companion animals.
Global Pet Ownership Statistics in 2026
Dogs and cats remain the most commonly owned pets worldwide. Global pet ownership surveys consistently show dogs leading household ownership, followed closely by cats. Fish, birds, small mammals, and reptiles account for a smaller but still significant share of pet-owning households.
| Category | Global Estimate |
|---|---|
| Households Owning Pets | 57%–66% |
| Dog Ownership | Most Common |
| Cat Ownership | Second Most Common |
| First-Time Pet Owners | Nearly 50% of Recent Owners |
| Pets Worldwide | 1B+ |
What the Statistics Say About Pet Ownership
Pet ownership continues expanding across age groups, income levels, and geographic regions. Several major trends are influencing global pet ownership statistics:
- •More households consider pets part of the family
- •First-time pet ownership remains strong
- •Pet care spending continues increasing
- •Urban households are adopting more pets
- •Companion animal ownership is growing in emerging markets
Recent surveys also show younger generations are driving much of the growth, with Millennials and Generation Z accounting for a large share of modern pet ownership.
For readers interested in specific companion animals, our research on hamster population worldwide explores ownership trends for one of the world's most popular small pets.
Countries With the Highest Pet Ownership Rates
Pet ownership varies dramatically around the world. Some countries report ownership rates exceeding 75% of households.
Argentina and Mexico consistently rank among the world's leading pet-owning nations, while Russia remains one of the strongest cat-owning countries globally.
Pet Ownership Trends Around the World
Global pet ownership continues evolving as lifestyles change and urbanization increases. While dogs remain the most popular pets overall, cats are growing rapidly in many apartment-based households. Small mammals, including hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits, remain especially popular among families and first-time pet owners.
Recent pet ownership trends show:
- Dogs remain the most popular pets worldwide
- Cat ownership continues rising in urban regions
- Small pet ownership remains strong
- Multi-pet households are becoming more common
- Premium pet nutrition spending continues growing