In this article
Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Approximately two-thirds of all households in the U.S. own at least one pet, with dogs and cats being the most popular companion animal species. Dogs remain the most popular, in terms of the total number owned as well as the number of households that keep them, with cats coming in second. Other popular pets include fish and birds, as well as hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, and rabbits. Exotic pets such as reptiles and snakes have risen in popularity, but they still fall some way behind.
Texas falls a little way behind the national figures, with less than 60% of households owning at least one pet, and with just 20% of households owning cats, feline pets are seemingly very unpopular in The Lone Star State.
Below are 16 statistics related to pet ownership in Texas, including figures on the number and types of pets owned, as well as some alarming figures on pet homelessness in Texas.
The 16 Pet Ownership Statistics in Texas
- Two-thirds of US households own a pet.
- 65 million US households own dogs.
- 47 million US households own cats.
- Approximately 6.3 million animals enter shelters every year in the U.S.
- 58% of households in Texas own at least one pet.
- Nearly a quarter of Texans would prefer pets to children.
- More than two-thirds of Texan pet owners are more concerned with their pet’s diet than their own.
- 43% of households own at least one dog.
- The average Texan dog owner has 1.7 dogs.
- The most popular dog breed in Dallas is the French Bulldog.
- The most popular dog in Houston is the French Bulldog.
- Just 20% of Texan households have cats.
- The average Texan cat owner keeps two cats.
- The Persian is the most popular cat breed in Texas.
- Texas has the highest number of cats and dogs killed in shelters of any state.
- Nearly 600,000 animals enter Texan shelters every year.
General Pet Ownership Statistics
1. Two-thirds of US households own a pet.
(Forbes)
The portion of U.S. households that own pets has risen sharply in the past 30 years. In 1988, just 56% of households had at least one pet in their care. In 2023, 66%, or approximately two-thirds, of all houses have cats, dogs, or other pets. The reasons for owning pets vary greatly from companionship to offering emotional support to their owners. Ownership rates rose considerably between 2020 and 2022, during the Covid pandemic, when pets proved just how invaluable they are to people.
2. 65 million US households own dogs.
(Forbes)
Dogs are the most popular pets in the U.S., in terms of the total population and the proportion of households that own one. Although there is no register and no way of getting a precise figure, it is estimated that there are 65 million dogs across the whole country.
3. 47 million US households own cats.
(Forbes)
The population of 65 million dogs is nearly 40% higher than the 47 million cats that are kept in the U.S., although statistics show that cat owners are more likely to keep multiple cats than dog owners that will keep multiple dogs. And, while the cat vs dog debate will wage on with many people taking one side or the other, there are a lot of households that own both types of animal.
4. Approximately 6.3 million animals enter shelters every year in the U.S.
(ASPCA)
Although there are more than 110 million cats and dogs living in houses across the U.S., the news isn’t as positive for all the companion animals in the country. More than 6 million cats and dogs enter shelters every year and while most do find homes, unfortunately, nearly a million of them are euthanized. Some euthanizations are considered humane because of severe illness, and some are euthanized because they cannot be safely placed with new owners, but many are euthanized because of a lack of space in shelters and because there is such high demand for places.
Texan Pets
5. 58% of households in Texas own at least one pet.
(World Population Review)
Texan households fall some way behind the national average when it comes to pet ownership, with just 58% of households owning at least one pet. This includes cat and dog owners and doesn’t take into account the number of pets that households own, however.
6. Nearly a quarter of Texans would prefer pets to children.
(Times Record News)
Although less than 60% of households own a pet, which is lower than the national average, nearly a quarter of Texans said they would prioritize having pets over having children. Of course, many families and households do choose to have both, with parents getting pets to provide companionship to their children.
7. More than two-thirds of Texan pet owners are more concerned with their pet’s diet than their own.
(Times Record News)
When it comes to caring for their pets, a significant majority of Texan pet owners said that they are more concerned with the nutritional benefits of their pet’s diet than they are their own. The same survey also found that pet owners in Texas would take four days off, on average, to care for a sick pet.
Texas Dogs
8. 43% of households own at least one dog.
(Pawlicy)
Dogs are the most popular pets across the U.S., and this is no different in Texas, where 43% of households own at least one dog. Many owners choose dogs because they are interactive pets. They become a part of the family, although they are higher maintenance than other pets. Dogs need regular walking, whereas most other animals can get their exercise in the house. Dogs are also seen as being more emotionally intuitive than other pets, even cats.
9. The average Texan dog owner has 1.7 dogs.
(World Population Review)
While Texas might not have the highest dog ownership rates, households in the state that own a dog own, on average, 1.7 dogs. Reasons to keep more than one dog include providing companionship for the dog themselves and also because caring for two dogs is not seen as being twice as demanding as owning one dog: you can usually walk the dogs together, for example.
10. The most popular dog breed in Dallas is the French Bulldog.
(AKC)
In 2022, the French Bulldog dethroned the Labrador Retriever as the country’s most popular breed. The Retriever had taken the top spot for more than 30 consecutive years, but the Frenchie has seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years, rising from the 14th most popular breed in 2012 to the most popular 10 years later. Similarly, the most popular dog breed in Dallas in 2022 was the French Bulldog, followed by the Golden Retriever, Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, and Poodle. The national list is similar, although the Bulldog is replaced by the German Shepherd nationally.
11. The most popular dog in Houston is the French Bulldog.
(AKC)
Houston’s list of the five most popular breeds has a very similar look to it, featuring the same five breeds, albeit with a slight difference in order. The French Bulldog remains the top dog with the Bulldog the second most popular breed. The remaining spots went to the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Poodle, respectively.
Texas Cats
12. Just 20% of Texan households have cats (one of the lowest).
(Pawlicy)
While more than 40% of Texan households own dogs, less than half this amount own cats, with just 1 in 5 households owning one or more feline companions. It isn’t clear why dogs are so much more popular than cats in the state.
13. The average Texan cat owner keeps two cats.
(World Population Review)
While fewer households own cats, those that do like to keep the numbers up. On average, cat-owning households in Texas own an average of two cats, which is more than 1.7 average dogs that dog owners keep. Cats are generally less intrusive and can require less attention during the day. They also take up less space, and these could be the principal reasons why there are more cats per cat household than dogs in dog households.
14. The Persian is the most popular cat breed in Texas.
(Shane Co)
While an overwhelming majority of cats are mixed breeds, the most popularly searched cat breed in Texas is the Persian. The Persian is a long-haired breed with a beautiful white coat. They are generally quiet and unassuming cats that will get along very well with their owners but tend to be somewhat aloof with strangers until they form a bond.
Shelters and Rescues
15. Texas has the highest number of cats and dogs killed in shelters of any state.
(Houston Chronicle)
Unfortunately, in addition to having low pet ownership rates, Texas also has the highest number of cats and dogs euthanized in shelters and rescues every year compared to other states in the U.S. Texas shelters have a kill rate, which is the percentage of animals that go into shelters that are euthanized, of just under 20%.
16. Nearly 600,000 animals enter Texan shelters every year.
(Houston Chronicle)
Of the 6 million or so cats and dogs that enter shelters in the U.S. every year, approximately 10% of these are in Texas, where ownership rates are lower than average. 600,000 pets enter shelters and rescues in The Lone Star State every year, with the split around 50/50 between cats and dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership in Texas
Are any dog breeds banned in Texas?
Texas does not ban any specific breeds of dogs. In fact, Texas has openly come out against banning specific breeds, instead preferring to put the onus on owners to ensure their dogs are safe. The decision to ban certain breeds is left to individual municipalities. So, if you’re considering getting a breed like a Pitbull, you will need to check with your local laws to ensure the breed isn’t prohibited.
Are there any limits to the number of cats and dogs you can own?
Similarly, many pet ownership laws are set by the city rather than the state. In Austin, for example, it is illegal to have more than three adult dogs or cats over 4 months. In Dallas, it is also illegal to own more than four pets. (Texas Capital)
How many horses are there in Texas?
While Texas might not be well known for its dog or cat population, the state clearly loves its horses, with an approximate population of more than three-quarters of a million horses. While there aren’t as many horses as there are cats and dogs, Texas is believed to have the highest equine population of any state and it may explain why comparatively fewer households own other pets. (A-Z Animals)
Conclusion
Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. both in terms of population and physical size. But while it is known for its love of horses, the state has fewer cat and dog-owning households per capita than the national average and most other states. Approximately 40% of Texan households own dogs, and just 20% of households own cats, with dog owners having an average of 1.7 dogs each and cat owners with two cats each.
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