Click to Skip Ahead
Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
To many people, pets are an important part of our family lives and everyday lives. In the U.S. as a whole, 57% of households own at least one pet, with dogs more popular in terms of the number of households that keep them and the total population.
Georgia has quite low ownership statistics compared to the country as a whole, with just 51% of households keeping a pet. The vast majority of these pets are dogs and cats, although owners also keep fish, birds, small pets, and exotics like lizards and snakes. However, those owners in the state that do keep pets, tend to keep quite a lot, with the average dog owner keeping 1.8 dogs and the average cat owner keeping 2.1 cats.
Below are 14 statistics related to pet ownership in the state of Georgia, as well as some general pet ownership statistics for the country as a whole.
The 14 Pet Ownership Statistics In Georgia
- 57% of U.S. households own pets.
- 51% of households in Georgia own at least one pet.
- Georgia pet owners spend an average of $1,876 a year on their pets.
- 36% of Georgians own at least one dog.
- 33% of Atlantans own dogs.
- 3% of Atlantans own three or more dogs.
- The most popular dog breeds in Georgia are Labs, German Shepherds, and Beagles.
- The average dog owner in Georgia owns 1.8 dogs.
- 20% of Georgians own cats.
- Only 16% of Atlantans own cats.
- The average cat-owning household has 2.1 cats.
- The Savannah is the most popular cat breed in the state.
- 2% of Atlanta residents own fish.
- 57% of Atlanta households do not own any pets.
General Pet Ownership Statistics
1. 57% of U.S. households own pets.
(Pawlicy)
The U.S. is a nation of pet lovers with 57% of all households owning at least one pet. This includes cats and dogs as well as small animals like hamsters and ferrets; fish and birds; and exotic pets like snakes and lizards. The figure also includes households that own a single pet as well as multi-pet households. Dogs are the most popular pets with cats being the second most popular species. Other popular pets include fish, birds, and rabbits. Snakes and lizards are becoming increasingly popular but still only make up a small portion of Atltanta pets.
2. 51% of households in Georgia own at least one pet.
(Wise Voter)
While 57% of U.S. households own at least one pet, the number is lower in Georgia. Just over half, or 51%, of Georgian households, own pets. Approximately 11 million people live in the state of Georgia. Its largest city is Atlanta, which is home to around half a million citizens, with Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Athens, Sandy Springs, and South Fulton being the only other cities in the state with a population of over 100,000 people.
3. Georgia pet owners spend an average of $1,876 a year on their pets.
(Mosquito Joe)
While Georgia does come near the bottom of the list for pet-owning states in the U.S., it fares better in a list of states by pet expenditure. The average Georgian pet owner spends $1,876 a year on their pets, which is the 18th highest pet expenditure rate. New Yorkers spend the most—on average $2,913 a year. Kansas has the lowest average spend, with pet owners in the state spending just $1,247 a year. The largest expense faced by pet owners is pet food.
Dog Statistics
4. 36% of Georgians own at least one dog.
(Wise Voter)
Georgia’s population of nearly 11 million people keep fewer pets than the national average, but still just over a third own dogs. 36% of Georgians share their home with at least one pup.
5. 33% of Atlantans own dogs.
(Axios)
Atlanta is the state’s largest city and its capital city. It has around half a million residents, making it twice as populous as the state’s next-largest city, Augusta. The population makes up 215,000 households and one-third of these households own one or more dogs. Dogs are the most popular pets in terms of population and the number of households that house them.
6. 3% of Atlantans own three or more dogs.
(Axios)
Unlike some cities and municipalities, Atlanta does not have an upper limit on the number of dogs that you can keep in one house. Most owners have a single dog, making up 20% of the total number of households. 9% of households have two dogs, while 3% of households have three or more dogs. These figures cover the whole Atlanta Metropolitan Area, rather than just the city.
7. The most popular dog breeds in Georgia are Labs, German Shepherds, and Beagles.
(Readers Digest)
The French Bulldog usurped the Labrador Retriever as the most popular dog breed in the U.S. in 2022, arresting the Lab’s 31-year reign at the top. However, the French Bulldog does not feature in Georgia’s top three, which consists of the Labrador Retriever, the German Shepherd, and the Beagle.
8. The average dog owner in Georgia owns 1.8 dogs.
(World Population Review)
The average dog owner in Georgia owns 1.8 dogs. The highest averages belong to Montana and Mississippi, where dog owners have an average of 2.1 dogs. Vermont, New Jersey, and South Dakota dog owners keep an average of just 1.3 dogs per dog owner, so Georgia owners seemingly like to keep multiple dogs rather than a solitary pup.
Cat Statistics
9. 20% of Georgians own cats.
(World Population Review)
Georgia has very low cat ownership rates with just 20.4% of households owning cats. This means that just one in five households share their home with a cat. Only four states have lower rates, with Rhode Island’s 16.7% being the lowest. At the other end of the scale, 44.6% of Vermont households own cats.
10. Only 16% of Atlantans own cats.
(Axios)
The state has low cat ownership rates, but the figure is even lower in Atlanta, where just 16% of households keep cats. This may be explained by the large number of apartments that are found in large cities like Atlanta. It could also be because more city dwellers live in rented accommodation when compared to residents who live in rural areas.
11. The average cat-owning household has 2.1 cats.
(World Population Review)
While Georgia might not have a lot of cat owners, Atlantans who do own cats like to keep several. The average number of cats kept by owners is 2.1, putting it on par with states like Kansas and West Virginia, and only just behind Tennessee and Nebraska. However, North Dakota is some way out in front of this list, with the average cat owner keeping 2.8 cats in the state.
12. The Savannah is the most popular cat breed in the state.
(Shane Co)
The Savannah ranks as the most popular cat breed in Georgia, at least according to the number of searches conducted online. The Savannah is a hybrid cat breed that was created by crossing a serval with a domestic cat. The resulting hybrid is a large and athletic breed that is very loving with owners but can be aloof and even standoffish around strangers. The Savannah has high exercise requirements and also needs a lot of mental stimulation to ensure that it behaves well and integrates into the family.
Other Pets
13. 2% of Atlanta residents own fish.
(33n)
Cats and dogs are the most popular pets in Atlanta with 33% of people owning dogs and 17% owning cats. The next most popular pet type is fish, although only 2% of the population is estimated to own them. This includes indoor and outdoor fish. 1.6% of Atlantans own small mammals such as hamsters, with 1.5% owning reptiles. Reptiles include lizards, snakes, and turtles and they are becoming increasingly popular as more information about the species becomes available.
14. 57% of Atlanta households do not own any pets.
(33n)
However, while 43% of households do own at least one pet, with many of them owning multiple pets, more households choose to have no pets. 57% of Atlanta houses have no pets on their property.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership In Georgia
What is the most popular dog breed?
Nationally, the French Bulldog wrested the position of top dog from the Labrador Retriever in 2022, putting an end to the Lab’s 31-year reign. In Georgia, however, the Labrador Retriever retains its top spot and the French Bulldog does not even feature in a list of the top three most popular breeds.
How much does it cost to keep a dog?
On average, Georgia owners spend just under $1,900 a year on their pets but it is possible to spend less than this and still have a happy, healthy, and content dog. Costs will vary according to factors like breed and size of the dog, as well as whether any veterinary treatments are needed. But you should budget around $1,000 a year throughout a small dog’s lifetime, to $1,500 a year for a large breed. (AKC)
How much does it cost to keep a cat?
Similarly, the cost of keeping a cat varies according to various factors. The initial costs over the first year will inevitably be more than subsequent years because you need to pay the initial cost to buy the cat as well as items like beds and bowls. Once you have these items, you shouldn’t need to buy new ones for at least a few years. Expect to pay, on average, $500 per year to keep a cat. (Omlet)
Conclusion
There are many potential benefits to owning pets. They provide companionship and can improve both mental and even physical health, depending on the type of pet you get. However, they do cost money to keep and will require some changes in your lifestyle. Georgia has comparatively low pet ownership rates, compared to the rest of the country, but Georgians who do own pets tend to keep more than other pet owners and spend more than average on their pets each year.
- See Also: 15 Pet Ownership Statistics In New York
Featured Image Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock
