National Pet Day 2022: Most Popular Pets in the US Revealed

National Pet Day is celebrated in the US every April 11.

Primarily dedicated to pets who provide companionship and attention, the day is also a period of acknowledging the importance of our pets and the joy they bring to their owner and other people's lives.

National Pet Day

From dogs to cats, fish to reptiles, and rabbits to rats, the National Pet Day has been a symbol of the relationship between animals and pet owners.

Over the decades, pet owners in the US usually use their time during the national event by posting photos and social media or spending their time with their pets outdoors, including grooming.

However, the question remains as to what are the most popular pets across the country?

Most Popular Pets Per State

The USA Today has compiled the following states with the most searched (non-cat or non-dog) below:

• Alabama - Bearded dragon
• Alaska - Guinea pig
• Arizona - Guinea pig
• Arkansas - Bearded dragon
• California - Guinea pig
• Colorado - Sugar glider
• Connecticut - Chinchilla
• Delaware - Chinchilla
• Florida - Bearded dragon
• Georgia - Bearded dragon
• Hawaii - Guinea pig
• Idaho - Chinchilla
• Illinois - Chinchilla
• Indiana - Bearded dragon
• Iowa - Chinchilla
• Kansas - Guinea pig
• Kentucky - Guinea pig
• Louisiana - Bearded dragon
• Maine - Chinchilla
• Maryland - Guinea pig
• Massachusetts - Guinea pig
• Michigan - Guinea pig
• Minnesota - Chinchilla
• Mississippi - Bearded dragon
• Missouri - Bearded dragon
• Montana - Sugar glider
• Nebraska - Guinea pig
• Nevada - Chinchilla
• New Hampshire - Chinchilla
• New Jersey - Guinea pig
• New Mexico - Hamster
• New York - Guinea pig
• North Carolina - Bearded dragon
• North Dakota - Chinchilla
• Ohio - Chinchilla
• Oklahoma - Guinea pig
• Oregon - Chinchilla
• Pennsylvania - Guinea pig
• Rhode Island - Chinchilla
• South Carolina - Bearded dragon
• South Dakota - Guinea pig
• Tennessee - Bearded dragon
• Texas - Guinea pig
• Utah - Chinchilla
• Vermont - Guinea pig
• Virginia - Guinea pig
• Washington - Guinea pig
• West Virginia - Chinchilla
• Wisconsin - Guinea pig
• Wyoming - Guinea pig

Based on the list, guinea pigs are the most popular pets aside from cats and dogs.

The top contender is followed by bearded dragons.

However, this does not entail that a homeowner cannot have multiple pets. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated most households in the US have at least one pet.

Pet Ownership: Global Statistics

Most of us can claim that our pets are our vanguards throughout rough times. Characterized by their unconditional love, domestic pets have been part of modern history.

According to Germany-based data and analytics company GfK, 33.3% of households worldwide have a dog, making it officially man's best friend.

Cats are the second most popular pets accounting for 23% of pet ownership globally.

They are then followed by fish as the third most popular pet with 12% of reported ownership across all countries.

Meanwhile, the company said 43% of their respondents said they do not have pets in their household.

Health Benefits of Pets

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated owning a pet can yield health benefits, notably in cardiovascular health.

These findings are based on the correlation between the positive psychological stimulus brought about by pets to their owners.

In relation to heart health, positive stimuli received from pets result in the reduction of stress, as well as improvement in overall emotional health.

In the US, 68% of households have a pet, as per the NIH.