How many Gen Z own a dog?

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), approximately 17% of Gen Z pet parents own a dog, which is significantly lower compared to 36% of Millennial pet parents who own a dog or cat. The percentage of Gen Z dog owners has been steadily increasing, with 11% of Gen Z owning a pet in 2018, rising to 14% in 2020, and 16% in 2022, indicating a growing trend of pet ownership among the younger generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gen Z and Pet Ownership

1. What percentage of Gen Z own a pet?: 16% of Gen Z owned a pet in 2022, up from 11% in 2018 and 14% in 2020.
2. Do Gen Z like dogs or cats more?: Although cats have been the most popular companion pet, Gen Z and millennials are demonstrating an obsession with cats, but the data does not conclusively show a preference between dogs and cats among Gen Z.
3. How much does Gen Z spend on pets?: Gen Z spends 0.83% of their income on pets, which is more than Millennials (0.74%) but less than the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers (more than 1%).
4. Does Gen Z care about animals?: Yes, 79% of Gen Z pet parents see pets as emotional support animals, indicating a strong emotional bond between Gen Z and their pets.
5. Are Gen Z good pet parents?: Gen Z feels they are doing better than Millennials in areas such as focusing on their children’s emotional health and teaching children to be accepting of all, suggesting they could be good pet parents as well.

Pet Ownership Trends

6. Which generation owns the most dogs?: Millennials have the largest percentage of dog owners, with 36% of Millennial pet parents owning a dog, compared to 17% of Gen Z and 24% of Gen X.
7. What is the most popular pet in the US?: Dogs are the most popular pet overall, with 69 million US households having a pet dog, compared to 45.3 million with a cat.
8. How many US households own a pet?: 70% of US households (90.5 million homes) owned a pet as of 2022.
9. What are the cheapest pets to own?: The cheapest pets include hermit crabs, sea monkeys, dwarf frogs, goldfish, leopard geckos, ants, canaries, and rabbits.

Gen Z and Mental Health

10. What is Gen Z suffering from?: Gen Z is suffering from anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder, with 73% of Gen Z individuals admitting to feeling alone either sometimes or always.
11. Are Gen Z lonely?: Yes, Gen Z is experiencing more feelings of isolation, getting married later, and having less sex, with 63% of men aged 18 to 29 saying they’re single.
12. Do Gen Z view pets as emotional support?: Yes, 79% of Gen Z pet parents see pets as emotional support animals, indicating a strong emotional bond between Gen Z and their pets.

Financial Aspects

13. How much does Gen Z spend on pets compared to other generations?: Gen Z spends 0.83% of their income on pets, which is more than Millennials but less than the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers.
14. Are Gen Z good with money?: Gen Z faces unique financial challenges, with college graduates earning 10% less compared to their parents, and high inflation and affordability concerns.
15. Do millennials own pets more than have children?: Yes, 76% of millennials own pets, with many millennials choosing dogs over babies due to the ease of caring for pets and the flexibility they offer, leading to the concept of “furbabies” as stress-free surrogates for kids.