According to the results of this Harris Poll, 63% of Americans have a companion animal and 88% of these companion animal owners consider their companion animal to be a member of their family. Women are more likely to believe this than men and dog owners are more likely to believe this over cat owners. Demographic profiles of those most likely to have a companion animal are included in this survey summary.

Most Likely Companion Animal Owners

• Approximately 63% of all Americans own a companion animal, with women, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers being more likely to have companion animals than relatively younger and older population segments.
• By region, Midwesterners are the most likely (67%) to own a companion animal, while Easterners are the least likely (58%).
• Those with more education are less likely to have a companion animal; 54% of those with post-graduate education and 57% of college-educated respondents have a companion animal.
• Higher income individuals are more likely to have a companion animal.
• 70% of companion animal owners have a dog, compared with 52% who have cats, 15% fish, 7% bird(s), and 12% some other companion animal.
• Baby Boomers are more likely to have dogs (74%), Gen Xers are more likely to have fish (21%).
• 35% of companion animal owners have one animal, 25% have two animals, 13% have three animals, 7% have four animals, 6% have five animals, and 13% have six+ animals.

Companion Animal Owner Behavior

• 69% allow companion animals to sleep in their beds, with women and gen Xers more likely to to do this. Cats are more likely to sleep in the bed than dogs.
• 65% have bought their dog companion animal a holiday present, while 37% have bought their companion animals birthday presents.
• 23% of companion animal owners have cooked for their companion animals.
• 18% have dressed their companion animals in some type of clothing.
• 10% have brought their companion animals to work.