Individuals and families who live in states where a majority of the area is rural own more pets per household says The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Homes in rural areas and states that have very few large cities tend to have less pet restrictions, breed restrictions, and absent homeowner’s associations. Additionally, many individuals own their homes, so they can make decisions on kitten and puppy purchases or adoption without the conditions enforced by a landlord. Many households also have multiple pets, from a purebred English Mastiff to a rescued Domestic Shorthair. As of 2019, this is how states rank.

Here are the top ten states with the most overall pet ownership

Wyoming
West Virginia
Vermont
Idaho
Indiana
Arkansas
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Colorado

Households in these states own more cats and kittens

Vermont
Maine
West Virginia
Indiana
New Hampshire
Iowa
Arkansas
Idaho
Wisconsin
Kansas

These States Have the Most Dogs and Puppies in Their Homes

Idaho
Montana
Arkansas
Mississippi
West Virginia
Indiana
Oklahoma
Colorado
Nebraska
Tennessee

Overall, in the United States, 38.4 percent of households had a dog as a pet; while 25.4 percent of households chose a cat as their pet. Widely agricultural states such as West Virginia and Wyoming report that over 70% of their households having at least a cat or a dog or even multiple pets. According to World Animal Foundation‘s latest research and data of 2023-2024, 86.9 million US households own a pet, which accounts for about 66% of all households. As a lifelong resident of multiple rural states in the South, I can say – I don’t remember ever NOT having a pet. I am pretty sure all my friends had a dog or a few of them (mostly hunting dog and hound dog breeds).