AVMA marks National Pet Week as pet ownership reaches 77.5 million homes

U.S. pet ownership has reached 77.5 million households, and the AVMA is using National Pet Week, running May 3-9, 2026, to tie that growth to a preventive-care message for pet parents. In its May 4 announcement, the AVMA said pet-owning households rose from 71.5 million in 2016 to 77.5 million in 2025, or 58.6% of U.S. households, while the owned dog population increased to 87.3 million and the cat population to 76.3 million. The group’s 2026 theme, “Happiness is a Healthy Pet,” centers on routine veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, behavior, travel safety, emergency preparedness, and senior-pet planning. (prnewswire.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the message is familiar, but the scale is notable. A larger, deeply attached pet parent base can support stronger demand for preventive care, wellness education, and long-term care planning, especially as nearly 80% of dog owners and 70.4% of cat owners say they view their animals as family members. At the same time, AVMA has previously warned that economic pressure can lead clients to delay visits, making National Pet Week a useful engagement point for practices trying to reinforce the value of exams, weight management, behavior counseling, and cost conversations before problems escalate. (prnewswire.com)

What to watch: Expect clinics and industry groups to use AVMA’s National Pet Week toolkit and daily themes to push client education campaigns, with affordability and preventive-care follow-through likely to shape how much this rising pet population translates into actual veterinary utilization. (prnewswire.com)