ROCKVILLE, MD. — Pet ownership is on the rise, according to a recent report by market research firm Packaged Facts. Currently, 54% of US households own at least one pet, representing 68 million households across the country.

The firm projects a 4% growth in pet ownership, even amid a global health crisis, economic downturn and upheaval in the job market. This would bring the total number of pet-owning households to nearly 71 million by the end of 2020.

Dog and cat owners make up the vast majority (94%) of pet-owning households in the United States.

The number of households including dogs has grown 36% since 2009 to 49 million households, making up 39% of the total number of pet-owning households in the country. Additionally, 30 million households, or 24% of pet owners, have a cat. Those numbers have been largely unchanged over the last 10 years, according to Packaged Facts.

The firm noted that growth in dog ownership has been a major driver in the proliferation of the dog food, treat and product market in the United States in recent years.

Roughly 10% of all US households own a companion animal other than a dog or cat, including fish, birds, reptiles, hamsters and rabbits. This represents 19% of pet-owning households, or 13 million households, Packaged Facts reported. 

Keep up with the latest pet food trends on our Trends page.