US Pet Ownership Trends Highlight Family Status and City Rankings

A 2026 WalletHub report ranked Scottsdale, Arizona as the most pet‑friendly U.S. city, followed by Tampa, Las Vegas and Orlando, while New York City was identified as the least pet‑friendly, with Buffalo near the bottom of the list.

A July 2026 survey by PerkyPet AI of 1,250 American pet owners found that 83.6% consider their pets a family member and 55.8% view them like a child. Pets are present in roughly 95 million U.S. households, according to the American Pet Product Association. The survey reported that pet ownership influences daily routines (76.2% of respondents), travel plans (45.7%), spending habits (43.8%) and social activities (40.5%). Additionally, 83.8% say caring for their pet gives them purpose, 82.5% say pets affect their stress levels, and 78.6% prioritize their pet’s health similarly to their own.