Whether they’re wagging their tails or purring on the couch, pets are an important part of many families. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Americans continue to spend billions of dollars each year on their pets, with purchases extending well beyond food. From treats and toys, to grooming supplies and health products, pet owners fill their shopping carts with products that help keep their pets healthy, happy, and comfortable.

According to the 2025 National Pet Owners Survey cited in the APPA’s 2026 State of the Industry Report, 95 million U.S. households have a pet. Of that, 53 million own a cat and 71 million own a dog.

Pet food is by far the largest category of pet spending. With so many choices, from dry kibble and canned food to fresh, frozen, and specialty diets, owners have more options than ever before to meet their pets’ nutritional needs.

While food and treats account for the largest share of pet spending, caring for a pet involves much more than filling the food bowl. Pet owners also purchase everyday supplies, invest in preventive healthcare, and often rely on services that help keep their pets happy, healthy, and well cared for.

Categories of Pet Spending

According to the APPA, Americans spent billions of dollars on their pets in 2025, with spending divided into four major categories. To better understand what the categories represent, here’s a look at the types of products and services that generally fall within each one.

The following are 2026 projected sales.

🐾Pet Food & Treats – $69.7 Billion
This category represents the largest share of pet industry spending. It includes the food and treats pet owners purchase to help keep their pets healthy, nourished, and happy.

🐾Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine – $35.6 Billion
This category covers many of the everyday products pet owners purchase, including toys, beds, collars, leashes, grooming supplies, cat litter, and over-the-counter health products such as flea and tick treatments. It also includes the purchase of fish, birds, and other small pets.

🐾Vet Care & Product Sales – $42.4 Billion
Regular veterinary care plays an important role in keeping pets healthy throughout their lives. This category includes routine checkups, vaccinations, diagnostic testing, prescription medications, and other veterinary products and services that help prevent illness, treat medical conditions, and support pets’ overall well-being.

🐾Other Services – $14.9 Billion
Many pet owners also spend money on services that help care for their pets beyond products alone. This category includes grooming, boarding, pet sitting, dog walking, training, and pet insurance. Whether it’s keeping a pet looking its best, providing care while owners are away, or investing in training and health coverage, these services have become an important part of pet ownership.

I would love to hear about your pet(s) and some of their favorite things! Leave a comment below.

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If you have pets, don’t forget to scan and report all the products you purchase for them. Pets are part of the NCP family too! Thank you!

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Regards,
Taylor

More from NCP

Check out our Pets category for past blogs about pets.

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