Which pet is most popular among the US in terms of animal population?

According to statistics on US residents, dog-owning households outnumbered those owning cats, but the total number of pet cats was higher than that of dogs. Fish are the most popular pet as far as population is concerned.

These four rank within the top 5 among pet owners.

The following are estimated averages taken from statistics among multiple sources:

Fish: 150-172 million (includes freshwater & saltwater fish)

Cats: 88-94 million

Dogs: 75-78 million

Other Small Mammals: 16-24 million

More Info: m.livescience.com

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

143 Comments

Timothy Rayburn

cats may be bets dogs, but still i know more people who have dogs then cats, and i know lots who have 2 or more dogs perfamily. however, no one has that many fish in every home. and can any one say that a fish is a pet. It is not like they jump up in to your lap and ask you to take them for a walk much less want you to pet them ...ok not a good question.

Israel Jimenez

I have lots of fish, probably more than fifty. I don't know about other fish, but mine do interact with me (probably instinct like any other pet) If I put my hand on the tank they all pass touching my hand, if I put my finger on the glass they all follow it, they also know when I'm going to feed them.

Richard Singleton

I don't think a fish is a pet.

Barry Dingle

I like cats, I just can't eat a whole one by myself.

Nina Kamwene

I am a cat lover so yippee!

DannyBoy

Dawn Heistand Actually they are the only Pet you can serve with a nice Lemon Pepper sauce.

cwflammer

google says dogs are most popular 65.1 million households, cats are next @ 46.5 million households, and fish are third! @ 11.1 million households!!!

Patty K

So many comments that fish are not pets. If this is your opinion, ask yourself this question: "Why are fish, and supplies for keeping them, sold in a pet store?

mainjim

According to my sources, dogs ae the most popular in the U.S.

Cheryl Love

World Atlas lists this order: dogs, cats, fish, reptiles. Not surprised most didn’t get the given answer, I believe it’s wrong.

Shirley Dutt

I have two cats and two dogs. I've never owned a fish and won't ever buy one.

Marianne Frederick Halterman

I do not believe this and my husband was a veterinarian!

Bruce A. Girdler

Timothy Rayburn, I think that having aquariums is more like a hobby.

Vance Duncan

Dubious to refer to fish as "pets." Plus, most fish tanks have multiple fish. I'd wager that far more households have dogs than fish. But I may be wrong.

Elsy O. Stromberg

May Tuan Tucker, PHD, Cats are more popular.

Bob Gorby

I should have guessed! Fish are more popular on our Dinner Table as well!

Joann C. Bolda

??? World Atlas as of 8-20-20 ranks: Dogs, Cats, Fish and Reptiles in that order.

knnwatt

People are so bias, if the answer wasn't their preferred pet, they will not except any other answer.. I actually liked the question even though I got it wrong.

Johnny Rock

I didn't get it right but the question asked which pets total population is highest (has the most) and the answer states that the number 3 pet has a larger population than the number 2 pet which makes no sense. Rigged question is you ask me.