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Pet Info ‘07

by Rebecca Andrews

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December 31, 2007

NATIONAL – Nearly 60 percent of Americans own pets and they’re spending more money to keep them happy and healthy, shows a survey by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).

The AVMA has just released their 2007 edition of “U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.” Over 47,000 households were surveyed in 2006, making the book the largest surveyor of the pet-owning public.

Households across the U.S. are home to 82 million cats and 72 million dogs with an average of 2.2 cats per home and 1.7 dogs.

The number of pets in homes increased 26.5 million since 2001, the last time the survey was published.

Americans are spending $24.5 billion on veterinary bills, showing an increase in care for the animal’s well-being. The average household spent $366 at the veterinarian last year.

Caring for a pet can be expensive but it’s paying off, because they’re living longer. Forty-four percent of cats and dogs are living past the age of six, which is more than a 10 percent increase since 1987.

Vermont comes in at number one for the highest percentage of pet-owning households at 74.5 percent. Our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., ranks last at 20.2 percent.

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Cindy C.
Cindy C. (ladyboarder9669)
6 months ago
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I'm actually surprised to see more homes have cats than dogs! But I'm a total cat lover, so I can totally understand why! hehe.
 
crttrs
crttrs
8 months ago
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i'm all for keeping my pets happy and healthy, whatever it takes.
 
Marcia L.
Marcia L. (Marcia1946)
8 months ago
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good information.
 
Edie Jo N.
Edie Jo N. (enorman)
8 months ago
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Spay and neuter comes to mind here. Pets living longer ... a good thing. People not having a need for a new pet...... a bad thing.
 
Praisethekitty
Praisethekitty
9 months ago
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Only 44% of cats live past age 6? That must be factoring in outdoor cats. I can't believe that is true of cats kept indoors
 
Beth M.
Beth M. (thewetlizard)
9 months ago
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I think you are right they aren't averaging indoor cats because my siamse is going to be ten this year and he is an indoor cat.
 
Terry F.
Terry F. (TZFitch)
9 months ago
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The average household spends $366/year. I guess I'm not the average household; I can spend that in just one visit.
 
Michele C.
Michele C. (pattimichele)
8 months ago
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I am above average also, my baby costs me that just for her annual well-care check up blood tests! And I am NOT complaining.
 
ArthurCurtis
ArthurCurtis
8 months ago
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I am right up there in costs,b ut would also never complain. I would do anything for the health and welfare of my furball
 
sunnysdad
sunnysdad
9 months ago
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Wow, I wonder why Washington DC has such a low rate?
 
HomePro
HomePro
9 months ago
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Not surprising to me at all.
 
karen b.
karen b. (beacatlay)
9 months ago
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i would spend anything on what my animals need, my husband not so much
 
Pia S.
Pia S. (GuinnieGirl)
9 months ago
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So, what are the 2008 numbers?
 
Melanie
Melanie (mfqz)
9 months ago
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Pet ownership is rewarding and now that our pets are living longer might mean fewer pets might be able to find homes. More and more reason spay and neutering is so important and that needs to keep being preached to the public.
 
ihatesnow
ihatesnow
10 months ago
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I wonder if this is still true now that the economy is tanking. I hope people are able to keep up with their care
 
Stacy M.
Stacy M. (csmatheson)
10 months ago
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This is a great story I am glad to see everyone is taking the inicitave to become more pet consious.
 
VKiggins
VKiggins
10 months ago
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It is wonderful that we are caring for our animals and they are living longer - pet care needs to be available to all pet owners
 
reemmy
reemmy
10 months ago
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Yes, it is so great that people are more "pet aware" now than ever before. I would never want to come home to an empty house devoid of pets!
 
DEREKDEMANE
DEREKDEMANE
10 months ago
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I agree.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
11 months ago
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DDRau
DDRau
11 months ago
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Glad to hear pet ownership is on the rise. Maybe it means more are being adopted from shelters. Let's hope they are all being spayed and neutered. Probably so - that's why the vet bill numbers keep increasing as well.
 
Thumbs up, up, up for this article. Great! Fantastic! Animals are family and not disposable. My cat is 20 years old...yes, vet fees! Love her <3
 
Sarah W.
Sarah W. (Roxymimi)
1 year ago
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Finally a postitive article.
 
beverly y.
beverly y. (beverlyyerk)
1 year ago
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great story
 
daryl b.
daryl b. (darylob)
1 year ago
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i agree with you piper. this article is good to hear
 
piper33
piper33
1 year ago
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Well finally I read a positive article about real humans who love animals and take great care of them .
 
Shanna T.
Shanna T. (diablo72187)
1 year ago
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at least some of American's money is going towards a good cause :)
 
Morgan
Morgan (kcovey)
1 year ago
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As a child, I would spend more on my pet's healthcare to ensure the best quality of life. I have no hesitation in this area. If I could handle more pets, I would take in more
 
Patrick B.
Patrick B. (mrpib8008)
1 year ago
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Animal care is really expensive, so I'm not surprised that people are spending more and more.
 
jan l.
jan l. (janlincicome)
1 year ago
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This doesn't surprise me. Pets and people are living longer and with a better quality of life. Since pets are becoming more popular I hope that means adoption rates at shelters will increase!
 
cwasson
cwasson
1 year ago
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I can attest to the fact that we are spending more money on our pets and them living longer. I've had 3 cats live to be 1 - 17 years and 2 - 19 years. They were worth every penny spent!!!!
 
Alex J.
Alex J. (roadisland49)
1 year ago
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I likme to spend my money as a kid to buy my dogs toys so they have something to do.
 
jfoxmu78
jfoxmu78
1 year ago
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Know we spend lots on our pets to keep them healthy so they'll be around much
longer than six years.
 
Scott J.
Scott J. (Scott9843)
1 year ago
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it's very interesting.
 
Lana S.
Lana S. (critterfriend)
1 year ago
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My dogs are already 6 and I don't see them slowing down! I hope they have many years ahead of them!
 
Heather
Heather (littlepeeps)
1 year ago
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Interesting
 
Michelle H.
Michelle H. (sinbad90)
1 year ago
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I hope the statistic for the percent of dogs and cats living past age six continues to increase. Six is not very old and it is sad to think over half the cats and dogs born don't live this long.
 
RoseLong
RoseLong
1 year ago
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Pets are a big business in the united states. We love our animals and most of us would be willing to pay any price to keep them healthy and happy. I am not a bit surprised at these numbers.
 
Ashlee S.
Ashlee S. (ashleerdh)
1 year ago
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Can't imagine not having my pets!!!!!!
 
chris a.
chris a. (carmstrong84)
1 year ago
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awesome
 
Kim
Kim (norswl1)
1 year ago
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cool info!
 
mARY ANN M.
mARY ANN M. (foxflower)
1 year ago
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I read a number of the comments as well as the article. I am glad to see that people are spending more at vets for their animals. I spend far more than the average, but I have more exotic pets and more than most also.

I have to agree with the commenter that said perhaps we can encourage people to buy toys and care articles for their animals, but rather than to buy unneeded expensive fancy stuff that is more show than for the animals own health, care and welfare, we can encourage people to donate to shelters. I think that commenter had great points on that issue.

As to Vermont having the most pets, I really don't know why other than they have a high population for a rural state. Rural families tend to have more pets. Who knows, I'm just guessing.
 
Jill6Johnson
Jill6Johnson
1 year ago
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Pet care is expensive, but is something we must do.
 
TimDemp30
TimDemp30
1 year ago
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It looks like more and more folks are realizing how great it is to have a pet in the home. I didn't realize Vermont was #1 and DC was last (not surprising, they probably work very long hours down there).
 
Rebecca
Rebecca (stutzmar)
1 year ago
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Its kind of funny to see how much money actually goes into animal care.. and then to think how much more I spend! Good thing I really love my pets.
 
Elisha C.
Elisha C. (constable73)
1 year ago
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I am a statistic. I spent way more that 400 last year on vets alone. I love my pets like they are children.
 
abby B.
abby B. (brownbaby)
1 year ago
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thats interesting
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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kathy k.
kathy k. (kewlmom522)
1 year ago
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I have seen the same thing. In addition to more vet specialists & higher vet bills, we are seeing more and more catalogs with expensive, fancy pet-related items. I would encourage people rather than buying fancy dog carriers, toys, etc., maybe we should instead donate that money to a shelter or adoption group struggling just to keep their animals alive.
 
jill l.
jill l. (JillLong)
1 year ago
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It is nice to see that more people are keeping up on their pets medical care. Boy, it is expensive! With four of my own it can put a big dent in the budget.
 
Patty B.
Patty B. (patbow)
1 year ago
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my average bill is higher than what was listed, I have two dogs and two cats, but they are worth it.
 
Brad J.
Brad J. (BradJohnston)
1 year ago
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Why would we let our animals suffer. Of course we spend the money on them. It would be nice if we could buy health insurance for them though. At least Progressive now covers your pets if they're in the vehicle when your in an accident. It's a start.
 
Erin S.
Erin S. (eRiNaShLeY)
1 year ago
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Our babies are worth it!! you would spend that much money on a kid too mabye more
 
hmdi
hmdi
1 year ago
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They are worth every dime - they are my children! Many of us ARE good. We just have to get through to the torturers, and abusive idiots!
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