The American Pet Products Association’s 2025 report reveals how Gen Z (ages 15-29) is transforming pet ownership trends, withย 94M US householdsย now including pets (+12% YoY) and spending projected to hitย $157Bย this year.
๐ Generational Breakdown:
— Gen Z:ย Fastest-growing owner group (30% have pets)
— Millennials:ย Still dominate at 30% of all owners
— Male Surge:ย Young men drive pet adoption (+24% cat ownership among Millennial men)
๐ก Housing & Workplace Shifts:
— 84% of homeowners have pets (up from 79% in 2022)
— Gen Z leads in pet-friendly workplaces (18% vs Boomers’ 8%)
— Rental challenges persist: 43% of Gen Z still rent
๐ฐ Economic Pressures:
— Gen Z most impacted: 40% report financial barriers vs 11% of Boomers
— Paradox: 15% delayed pets while 15% acquired new ones
๐ถ vs ๐ฑ:
— Dogs lead in 68M homes (51%)
— Cats grow to 49M households (37%)
— Global cat ownership now reachesย 1Bย (Mars Petcare 2024)
๐ง Ownership Barriers:
— #1 Reason: Lifestyle (time/responsibility)
— Gen Z most cost-conscious (21% cite finances vs 11% Boomers)
“Young adults are redefining pet parenthood as both an emotional priority and economic challenge,”ย notes the APPA report, highlighting the industry’s resilience through generational shifts.
๐ขย How is your generation approaching pet ownership? Share below!
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