AVMA marks National Pet Week as U.S. pet households hit 77.5 million

U.S. pet ownership reached 77.5 million households in 2025, according to the AVMA’s new Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, and the association is using National Pet Week, observed May 3-9, 2026, to tie that growth to a preventive-care message under the theme “Happiness is a Healthy Pet.” AVMA says that equals 58.6% of U.S. households, up more than 8% from 2016. Dogs remain the most common companion animal, present in 42.6% of households, followed by cats at 32.6%, and the campaign is emphasizing routine veterinary visits, nutrition, exercise, behavior, travel safety, and emergency preparedness. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the update is less about a holiday observance than a reminder that the addressable client base is still large, emotionally invested, and looking for guidance. AVMA says 79.5% of dog pet parents and 70.4% of cat pet parents consider their animals family members, which supports continued demand for preventive care conversations, while the group is also positioning National Pet Week as a practice-engagement opportunity through client-facing toolkits and daily health themes. At the same time, outside analysis citing the 2025 AVMA sourcebook suggests access and follow-through remain uneven, especially for cats and for cost-sensitive households, underscoring the need for practices to make wellness care easier to understand and easier to access. (dvm360.com)

What to watch: Watch how practices use the AVMA campaign in May to drive wellness visits, weight-management counseling, and stronger preventive-care compliance through the rest of 2026. (dvm360.com)