Pet ownership by life group
Wise, J.K.; Kushman, J.E.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 185(6): 687-690
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 6490495 Document Number: 239946
Of the total US market for veterinary services, 82% is estimated to be for pets. This report is confined to dogs and cats. Of 20 000 US households sent a questionnaire on pets owned between May 1982 and April 1983, 13 506 replied. 54% of households owned dogs or cats or both. Among the four types of household (young single, young couple with or without family, older couple with no children under 18, older single) pet ownership was highest amoung young couples (69%) and lowest among older singletons (31%). The same two groups had the largest and smallest numbers of pets per household. Analysis of pet ownership in relation to different socio-economic variables and to sex showed the most important factor to be children aged 6-17 years requiring a dog for companionship. Ageing of the human population population would lead to a decline in pet numbers, though this could be offset by an increase in home ownership. The over-all effect, however, of rising income, higher educational status and urban environment would be lower dog and perhaps also cat ownership. Choice of location of a pet health service should be influenced by such factors as new or expanding schools. On the other hand, a practice in an urban urea containing young single people may have a high population of cats with female owners. Highly educated households, although less likely to own pets, have a higher propensity to use services.