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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Ohio has a population of just under 12 million people living in approximately 4.7 million households. Its largest cities are Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Approximately 62% of households in Ohio own pets, which is slightly lower than the 67% national ownership rate. Dogs are the most popular pets, as is true of the vast majority of states, with around 38% of Ohio households owning at least one dog while 29% own at least one cat. Owners spend nearly $2,000 a year on cats and dogs, which excludes the cost of emergency treatments.
When it comes to individual pets, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers are the most popular dog breeds while the Sphynx is the most popular cat breed.
The 19 Pet Ownership Statistics In Ohio
- 67% of U.S. households keep pets.
- Americans own 65 million dogs and 47 million cats.
- 45% of U.S. households keep dogs, compared to 29% that own cats.
- 62% of Ohio households keep pets.
- There are approximately 250,000 horses in Ohio.
- 126,000 cats and dogs enter Ohio rescue shelters every year.
- 38% of Ohio homes own dogs.
- The average dog owner in Ohio owns 1.7 dogs.
- Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers are the most popular dog breeds.
- The French Bulldog and German Shepherd are the most popular breeds in Columbus.
- The Bulldog is the most widely researched dog breed in the state.
- It costs approximately $1,900 a year to keep a dog in Ohio.
- 3% of Ohio dog owners have broken up with an ex because they didn’t get on with their dog.
- 12% of dog owners in the state have moved to a bigger place to give their dog yard access.
- 7% of dog owners changed jobs because their new employer was more dog-friendly.
- 31% of households in Ohio own at least one cat.
- The average Ohio cat owner keeps 1.9 cats.
- The Sphynx is the most popular cat breed in the state.
- It costs $1,800 a year, on average, to keep a cat in Ohio.
US Pet Ownership Statistics
1. 67% of U.S. households keep pets.
(Forbes 1)
The U.S. is a nation of animal lovers with two-thirds of all American households owning at least one pet. This figure includes all pet types. Dogs and cats are the most popular, in terms of the total number kept, but other popular pets include small mammals like hamsters; exotics like snakes and lizards; and birds and fish. The number has risen dramatically over the past 35 years, with just 56% of households owning pets in 1988.
2. Americans own 65 million dogs and 47 million cats.
(Forbes 1)
Dogs and cats are the most popular pets in the U.S. as they are across the world. Americans own 65 million dogs and 47 million cats. Fish are the next most popular pet, and there are 11.1 million pet fish. This includes indoor and outdoor fish. Millennials make up one-third of pet owners, making them the largest pet-owning generation.
3. 45% of U.S. households keep dogs, compared to 29% that own cats.
(Forbes 1)
Dogs and cats are by far the most popular type of pets in the U.S. with 45% of households owning dogs and 29% owning cats. Looking at dog owners, 42% got their dogs from a pet store, 38% got their pets from a rescue or shelter, and the remainder acquired their dogs from breeders or friends and family. The figures are similar for cats, too, with 43% coming from stores, 40% from rescues, and the rest from friends and family or breeders.
Ohio Pets
4. 62% of Ohio households keep pets
(Pawlicy)
While 67% of American households keep pets, Ohio’s figures are slightly below this. 62% keep pets, with these figures including dogs, cats, and other pet types.
5. There are approximately 250,000 horses in Ohio.
(Data Paddock)
As well as dogs, cats, and fish, Ohio does have a large population of horses, many of which are considered pets. There are around a quarter of a million horses in the state, although this figure has dropped significantly from nearly 310,000 in 2003. This means there has been a 16% decline in horse ownership in the state.
6. 126,000 cats and dogs enter Ohio rescue shelters every year.
(Best Friends)
While the vast majority of pets are loved and cared for, this sadly isn’t true of all companion animals. More than 125,000 cats and dogs enter shelters every year. While many of these do get rehomed, and find their forever homes, unfortunately just over 3,400 are euthanized each year because homes cannot be found for them. There are calls for Ohio, and other states, to be no-kill states by 2025, but it will take work to reach this target.
Dog Ownership Statistics
7. 38% of Ohio homes own dogs.
(Pawlicy)
Dogs are the most popular type of pet in the state; nearly 4 in 10 households own at least one dog. This number is lower than a lot of states. Montana and Arkansas have the highest dog ownership rates with 59% of households in these states owning at least one dog. New Hampshire and Connecticut’s 24% dog ownership rates make them the states with the lowest dog ownership rates.
8. The average dog owner in Ohio owns 1.7 dogs.
(World Population Review)
The typical dog owner in Ohio owns an average of 1.7 dogs. In Mississippi and Montana, the average owner has 2.1 dogs, which is the highest rate of any state. The lowest rates are seen in Vermont, New Jersey, and South Dakota where the average owner has just 1.3 dogs.
9. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers are the most popular dog breeds.
(Reader’s Digest)
The French Bulldog has become the most popular breed in the U.S., taking the Labrador Retriever’s 31-year reign. However, in Ohio, the Labrador Retriever remains the most popular breed with the German Shepherd and the Golden Retriever being the second and third most popular breeds respectively.
10. The French Bulldog and German Shepherd are the most popular breeds in Columbus.
(AKC)
In Columbus, which is the state’s most populous city, the French Bulldog is the most popular breed. The Frenchie is a small breed, which means it takes well to life in an apartment which makes it a popular breed in populous cities. The German Shepherd is the second most popular breed in Columbus.
11. The Bulldog is the most widely researched dog breed in the state.
(Cincinnati.com)
While the Golden Retriever is the most popular dog in the state, according to registration figures, the Bulldog is the one that garners the most interest from potential owners as it has the highest Google search rates in Ohio.
12. It costs approximately $1,900 a year to keep a dog in Ohio.
(Canine Journal)
There are a lot of different costs associated with owning and keeping dogs from the actual cost of buying the dog to the ongoing cost of buying food and treats. On average, dog owners in Ohio pay $1,900 a year to care for their pets. This makes Ohio one of the most expensive states to own a dog, although New York, where it costs $2,010 per annum, is still the most expensive.
13. 3% of Ohio dog owners have broken up with an ex because they didn’t get on with their dog.
(Forbes 2)
Dogs really are treated as part of the family by most owners, and according to one survey, 3% of owners in Ohio have broken up with a partner because they didn’t get along with the owner’s dog.
14. 12% of dog owners in the state have moved to a bigger place to give their dog yard access.
(Forbes 2)
More than 1 in 10 dog owners in the state said they have even moved from an apartment to a house so that their dogs would have access to a yard or garden. Although it is possible to keep a happy and healthy dog in an apartment, some breeds do benefit from having their own outdoor space so they can enjoy time outside and extra exercise.
15. 7% of dog owners changed jobs because their new employer was more dog-friendly.
(Forbes 2)
Dogs also affect people’s work. Leaving a dog at home all day can lead to separation anxiety which may lead to destructive chewing and other unwanted behaviors. It can also cause anxiety and depression in some dogs, with popular breeds like Labradors and Retrievers being somewhat prone to these problems. 7% of Ohioans report they have changed jobs because a new employer offered more dog-friendly working conditions with some even allowing employees to take their dogs to work.
Cat Ownership Statistics
16. 31% of households in Ohio own at least one cat.
(Pawlicy)
While dogs are more popular than cats in Ohio, still more than 3 in 10 households own at least one cat. Rhode Island has the lowest cat ownership rates with just 17% of households in the state owning one or more cats.
17. The average Ohio cat owner keeps 1.9 cats.
(World Population Review)
While North Dakota cat owners keep an average of 2.8 cats, Ohioans own 1.9 cats which is considerably more than the 1.3 cats per cat owner in Vermont.
18. The Sphynx is the most popular cat breed in the state.
(Shane Co)
When it comes to the most popular cat breeds, the Sphynx reigns supreme in Ohio. The Sphynx is a hairless cat breed with wrinkled skin and a very recognizable appearance. It is a very affectionate breed that usually loves to cuddle and spend time with its owners. The breed is sometimes also known as Canadian Sphynx or Canadian Hairless.
19. It costs $1,800 a year, on average, to keep a cat in Ohio.
(Pettable)
The cost of caring for a cat in Ohio is almost as high as the cost of owning a dog, and owners should expect to pay around $1,900 a year for their pet feline. The costs are usually higher in the first year, because of the cost of buying the cat in the first place and also because there are some purchases, such as beds and bowls, that you won’t need to replace at least for a few years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership In Ohio
How many cats and dogs can Ohioans own?
No statewide laws are discerning the number of dogs or cats that you can own, but you do need to ensure that you can properly care for any animals you own. This means making sure that you have the money or insurance to cover vet bills and to feed your pets properly, but it also means that your cats or dogs shouldn’t be living in poor conditions. Some cities, neighborhoods, and buildings may have specific regulations governing the number of pets you can keep.
Are any dog breeds banned in Ohio?
Ohio no longer bans specific breeds, but they do have dangerous dog laws designed to prevent dogs from attacking people or other animals. Also, some cities may have their own laws regarding the banning of certain breeds, and owners are advised to always check city statutes before getting any breed of dog.
Do dogs need licenses in Ohio?
Dogs over the age of 3 months must be licensed according to Ohio state law. The dog should wear a license tag which not only means that it meets legal requirements but can help in ensuring a dog is returned to its rightful owner in the event of it escaping or getting lost.
Do owners need to have pet insurance?
Pet insurance is not a legal requirement but it can help meet the unexpected costs if your pet gets ill unexpectedly or is involved in an accident. Pet insurance is most commonly available for dogs and cats but it is possible to find policies for other types of pets, too.
Conclusion
Having pets can improve the physical and mental health of their owners. Dogs and cats are the most popular pet species across the U.S. and this is equally true in Ohio, where 38% of households own dogs and 29% own cats. However, Ohio’s ownership rates are slightly below the U.S. average rates.
- See Also: 15 Pet Ownership Statistics In New York
Featured Image Credit: Gerain0812, Shutterstock
