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Our Relationship with Pets
58% of all American
households have at least one pet in the house. There are more than 61 million
dogs in US households today.
– American Veterinary
Medical Association
More than half of all pet owners stated they would want their pet instead of
another person with them if they were stranded on a desert island.
– American Animal
Hospital Association
Percentage of pet owners who…
- refer to themselves as their pet’s
“mom” or “dad”– 84
- greet their pet first when they
return home – 72
- greet their spouse or significant
other first – 13
- greet their children first – 7
- include their pet in holiday
celebrations – 86
- hang a Christmas stocking for their
pet – 64
- say they are willing to go into debt
to provide care for their pet – 74
- say they will spend $1,000 or more to
save their pet in a life-threatening situation – 73
- have sung to or danced with their pet
– 65
- celebrate their pet’s birthday – 63
- have cooked or baked for their pet –
54
- include their pets in family or
holiday portraits – 51
- have taken time off work to tend to a
sick pet – 51
- have given their pet a wrapped
present – 43
- have taken their pet to work – 44
- have more pictures of their pets than
of their spouse or significant other – 39
- allow their dog to sleep in their bed
– 36
- talk to their pets on a phone or
answering machine when they’re away from home – 33
- have held a funeral after their pet’s
death – 19
- carry a pet’s picture in their wallet
– 17
- say they feel closest to their pet
when exchanging kisses – 11
– From a survey
conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) among pet owners in
Canada and the United States.
- Percentage of pet owners who consider
vaccinations and routine care critical to their pet’s quality of life – 92
- Amount spent by pet owners on
veterinary care in…
- 1991 – $6.9 billion
- 2002 – $11 billion
- Number of vets in the United States
who perform surgery on pet fish – about 20
- Cost of fish surgery–$350 to
$1,000
- Number of vets in the United States
who specialize in pet dentistry – about 60
- Cost of dog or cat root
canal–$600 to $800
- Cost of dog or cat
orthodontics–$2,800 and up
- Average amount spent annually by pet
owners on pet expenses–$1,266
- Typical breakdown:
- $156 Routine vet visits
- $289 Specialized vet visits
- $187 Food
- $45 vitamin supplements, worm
medications
- Eight out of ten owners purchased at
least one gift for their dogs in 2000
- Percentage of pet owners who…
- say their pets make their family
or home life healthier, either emotionally or physically–84
- say that playing with or
confiding in their pet relaxes, calms and helps them cope better with
life and the associated stresses of our fast-paced society when they are
stressed or worried–70
- Average amount spent on food, toys
and treats annually–$750
– From a survey conducted
by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA)
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