Dog Ownership is on the Rise in 2024 - Here's Why

In recent years, the percentage of people who own dogs has kept growing higher and higher. In 2010, there were an estimated 68 million dogs in the USA, and the most recent estimation is close to 100 million! For any dog owner, it is no surprise that more people are beginning to understand all the benefits of owning a dog, but what are the reasons behind the continued growth?

#1 - Increased pet friendliness

As we're sure many dog owners have already noticed, communities are generally becoming more dog friendly. Bringing your dog with you everywhere you go is becoming simpler, whether restaurants that allow you to come with your pup, trails that allow off-leash hiking, more dog parks, or even work environments that allow you to bring your pup with you. The various ways dog friendliness is improving are making it easier and more accessible for people to own a dog. So if someone previously hesitated to get a dog because it would mean that the dog would need to stay home alone for many hours in the day, this is not necessarily the case anymore. As the adage goes, "If you build it, they will come," which is precisely what we are seeing as communities become more dog friendly and the rate of ownership increases.

#2 - Health benefits

It is becoming more well-known that having a dog at home has many positive benefits for your mental and physical health. There are many ways in which dogs can improve our health, whether through the release of oxytocin, the sense of responsibility and purpose, or the additional physical exercise we do. Given that humans are happier when their dogs are around, it is clear why dog ownership is higher than ever before in history, and the rates are continuously climbing.

#3 - Improved breeding capabilities

While we at DogPack believe that you should always adopt before shopping, there is no hiding the fact that the variety of dogs that you can purchase is growing more and more. If you include all the mixed breeds out there, there are hundreds and hundreds of different breeds. In addition, breeders today are making it easier to find a dog that is ideally suited to your lifestyle, allowing more people to own dogs than ever before. 

#4 - Access to pet-related products & professionals

Nowadays, any dog-related service you need can be easily accessed. Don't have time to go to the market for dog food? Some services will deliver to the door. Don't have time to take your dog on a walk? The local dog walker down the road will be happy to assist. These are only a few examples of the numerous services available; however, this aspect has made owning a dog more convenient. 

The increase in dog ownership worldwide has been continuous for decades, and it does not appear to be slowing down. Most of the reasons behind the growth of dog ownership listed in this article are related to the benefits for humans; however, we must always remember that owning a dog is a big responsibility. These animals are 100% dependent on their people for all aspects of their lives, whether getting enough exercise, eating good food, or being treated respectfully. While dog ownership is on the rise, so is the number of dogs that are becoming homeless and placed in shelters, and that is why it is crucial to do as much research as possible on dog ownership before bringing a pup home!