Did you know that most households (roughly 66%) in the United States have at least one type of pet? This number jumps to 71% for those that live in rural areas. Millennials (born 1980-1995) are the most likely to own a pet followed by Gen X (born 1966-1980). The Silent Generation (born 1928-1945) is the least likely to own a pet, followed by Gen Z (born 1997-2012). Sure, fish are great and cats are terrific, but who is truly “top dog” when it comes to pets?
The following is the ranking of pets in the United States according to Forbes Advisor.
- Saltwater Fish
There are many types of saltwater fish that thrive in home aquariums. Some of the popular types include:
- Clownfish
- Damselfish
- Tangs
- Gobies
- Royal gramma
- Horse
There are many households that own horses in America- roughly 2.2 million. The most popular types of horses owned include:
- American quarter horse
- Thoroughbred
- American paint horse
- Miniature horse
- Draft horse
- Reptile
As many as 6 million households in the United States have some type of reptile as a pet. Popular types include:
- Bearded dragon
- Gecko
- Anole
- Green snake
- Ball python
- Garter snake
- Red-eared slider turtle
- Russian tortoise
- African clawed frog
- Axolotl
- Bird
There are over 6 million households in the United States that have a bird as a pet. Some of the most popular pet birds are:
- Parakeet
- Cockatiel
- Finch
- Lovebird
- Canary
- Small Animal
There are close to 7 million households in the United Stares that have some type of small animal as a pet. This category includes lots of different types of animals, but some of the most popular are:
- Rabbit
- Hamster
- Guinea pig
- Ferret
- Rat
- Freshwater Fish
Over 11 million households have freshwater fish as pets. This is another category that has a wide variety of types, but some of the most common freshwater fish pets are:
- Betta fish
- Goldfish
- Neon tetra
- Guppy
- Cat
If 11 million households sounds like a lot, when it comes to cats, that number jumps to over 46 million! Cats are a common household pet that are often aloof but definitely well loved. Common types include:
- Domestic shorthair
- Domestic longhair
- Ragdoll
- Maine coon
- Exotic shorthair
- Persian
- Siamese
- Dog
It might not surprise you that dogs top this list, but it may surprise you just how many households have a pet pup: over 65 million. There are a lot of mixed breed pet dogs as well as these current top breeds:
- French bulldog
- Labrador retriever
- Golden retriever
- German shepherd
- Dachshund
Before getting any type of pet, make sure to do your research. How long does the animal live? What does it eat? What type of environment does it need? What are the laws for owning it? Are there any homeowner association (HOA) or community regulations for pets where you live? Where can you find a healthy animal or a rescue pet? What does ongoing training or veterinary care look like?
A pet tortoise or bird might sound like a great idea for your grandma until you learn that their lifespan can be close to a human (50-100 years for some). A pet hamster might sound like a fun pet for your tween until you realize they are nocturnal. A pet Rottweiler dog might sound perfect for your family until you learn your HOA has a limit on permitted breeds. Do your research before you commit to any pet! They deserve a quality life from someone that can take care of them correctly for their lifetime.
Whatever the type of pet you have, Peak City Puppy can help with all of your pet sitting needs. Whether you need your dog fed and walked multiple times per day, your fish fed once while you are away, or your bird fed and talked to every day while you are at work, we can make sure your pet is taken care of when you have to be away. We love all types of pets and are here when you need us, just like your beloved pet.
Peak City Puppy: https://peakcitypuppy.com/
Pet sitters: https://peakcitypuppy.com/plans-pricing/
