August 28, 2009

PetScoop: American Pet Products Association 2009-2010 Survey of Pet Owners

The 2009-2010 American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey has just been released with some interesting tidbits via Steve Dale in Survey Offers Some Surprises on Pet Ownership:

Pet population continues to rise. The number of dogs increased to 77.5 million up from 75 million in 2007-2008. Cats number over 93 million up from 89 million two years ago.
Pet ownership. Twice as many families have a pet, as compared to those with at least one child under 18 by a margin of 62.4 percent to 31 percent. The number of pets has increased, but the number of homes with pets has not.
Sleep. Nearly half of all dogs (46 percent) and more than three-quarters (79 percent) of cats at least sometimes sleep on a family member's bed.
Flea & Tick Meds. 66 percent of dogs receive flea and/or tick preventatives, but only 41 percent of cats.
Treats. 68 percent of cats receive treats regularly, and 88 percent of dogs.
Veterinary care--dogs. 10 percent of dogs never saw a vet in the past year (up from 8 percent); 29 percent saw the veterinarian once (the same as two years ago); 25 percent visited the vet twice (down from 30 percent in the past survey); and 33 percent wentthree times or more (up from 30 percent).
Veterinary care--cats. Over a quarter of all cats (27 percent) never saw a vet in the past year; 38 percent visited a veterinarian once; 16 percent went twice, and 17 percent three times or more. These figures for cats and dogs have basically not changed in two years.
Pet birds. Cockatiels are the favorite bird at 35 percent of pet birds, parakeets (budgies) fell from first place to 32 percent, with a three-way tie for African Grey parrots, conures and lovebirds, all at 8 percent.