It anyway remains a fact that pets are valued persons in our families and according to the recent survey by Forbes Advisor, below are the most preferred Most Popular Pets in the United States of America. Yess, let’s analyze this!
Currently, pets have been promoted from residents of our homes to members of our families. They are our lovely pets that brighten up our days and turn the bad ones into even worse ones at least on our side. Given that National Pet Day is fast approaching, it is about high time to get closer to the hearts of Americans and reveal the creatures that make Americans absolutely ‘head over heels’. A recent poll by Forbes Advisor illuminates the pet species that have leaped up in the pet ranking chart, bewitching American families with their frivolous personalities and cuteness, no matter whether they are four-legged animals, two-winged birds, or nothing-legged babies. So sit and fasten your seat belt and let’s go and embark on the Most Popular Pets list in the United States.
Top 8 Most Popular Pets in the United States
- Dogs
- Cats
- Fish
- Small Animals
- Reptiles
- Horses
- Farm Animals
- Insects
1. Dogs

Is there any surprise here? As the proverb goes, “A dog is a man’s best friend,” and looking at the data, it cannot be further from the truth. Dogs indeed deserve this title of being the most popular pet animal in the world today with studies showing that approximately more than half the world population owns a dog. Their loyalty does not fade, they are intelligently gifted and very trainable; these characteristics make them appropriate companions for families and every person of any age. Dogs have been selectively bred for thousands of years for various different purposes including: hunting, herding, guarding and companionship.
They are dogs which are very sociable and need the company of humans, and are equally known to have special attachment to their masters. Whether you want a play companion, a guard dog or a companion for your laps or for your jogging, you can train a dog to have these qualities and he will become an integral part of your life. Do you think you can tell what kind of dog is most common in America today? You can find this info in our Most Popular Dog Breeds in America post.
2. Cats

Cats remain the most dominant with millions of cat videos seen on the social site taking over a whopping 26 billion views on You tube. However, in the United States, cats are ranked the second on the Most Popular Pets in the U.S list. Being known for their independent personalities and mysterious personality; cats are ideal pets for those who seek a pet who will choose to give out affection on one’s own.
Cats are also expert hunters, which help to rid homes of unwanted pests not forgetting the cherished kiss. They have very good maneuverability and are hunters by nature, and therefore they will be suitable for those residents who suffer from increased invasions of rodents. Petting cats is known to reduce anxiety and stress in humans and prove to be in a way helpful to their overall health. Also, they are not very demanding and are considered by many people as supplementary animals since they do not demand much of a person’s time. All these characteristics make cats one of the best animals that anyone who wants a pet can go for.
3. Fish

Fish as pets can be nearly as lovely as they are calming and provide good visual fodder. Should you decide that you want a low maintenance pet which at the same time can bring a touch of elegance to your house, an aquarium could be ideal for you. Indeed one of the beauty of fish being your pets is that they are relatively easy to maintain and do not demand much of your attention every day. Thus, you see that it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort and a few simple supplies to be able to establish a serene environment for your fish.
If you want a pet fish, then you will be glad to hear that there are many kinds of fish and they are not just limited to the tropical fish or the goldfish. This is so because there are so many species available that it will be difficult not to find one you will like to associate with most especially due to the lifestyle you lead. There are some varieties of fish that demand more attention in terms of care as compared to the other fish and thus one has to take some time and find out which kind of fish he or she would wish to raise.
4. Small Animals

Rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and other small animals are on the fifth place on our list. Well, they have become favorite pets among families who want their children to be responsible and get a pet that requires little attention. They are cute and love to play. That is why they are famous in many homes. Another aspect that makes pets out of the small animals to be more appealing is that they play. For example, rabbits are an active species which perform binkies – jumping and twisting in the air in an unpredictable manner.
It can be understood that small animals are ideal for kids thus being classified as first-pets. In this way, it is always easier to teach kids about responsibility, care, and empathy when children are allowed to practice it through play. Huge animals have more complex needs than those belonging to small animals and contrary to big animals that may be difficult to manage, especially by young children under supervision, small animals have a limited space requirement to be confined in. Such activities as feeding, hosing the cages, and petting animals softly are good ways through which students can learn about the needs of the creatures and the need to have a timetable of the things that ought to be done.
5. Reptiles

This is followed by the Five most popular pets; reptiles which are commonly known to be turtles, snakes and lizards. Reptiles are fascinating to people who want to be Guardians of exotic species and admire the aesthetic sense of these animals. But, having a reptile is not an easy task because they need proper housing conditions and they are strict in terms of diet among the things that need to be provided by the owner. All in all, reptiles are very satisfactory animals that could become good friends for years if someone or anyone is ready to devote effort to them. Regardless of whether you decide to choose a snake, a lizard or a turtle you will be surprised at how such creatures can be endearing with their own personalities and behavior.
6. Horses

Of course horses are noble animals which reflect the idea of a harmonious unit of beauty and strength. Although they are not considered the usual pets to keep in homes because of their size and the care they require, those who own horses find that they have an extraordinary relationship that they share with their horses.
Horses need a large space in which they can walk and feed and most of the time they cannot just be confined in the house they need big yards or fields. They also need care, such as grooming, feeding and exercising on a daily basis, which may take a lot of time, but which is very much rewarding since a lot of interaction can be accorded to these great animals. Nonetheless, to those who could afford to maintain them, they bring about companionship, loyalty and an incomparable kind.
7. Farm Animals

Poultry like chicken and livestock like goats are assuming a new trend of being a pet, particularly in a village or an area with a backyard. That makes them even more preferable as they also provide food, for instance eggs and milk besides being pets. Taking farm animals as pets can be an enriching process, for it enables owners to learn many things from these animals as well as understand that these animals can have personalities too. Furthermore, Animal husbandry is also very good in teaching children how to be responsible as well as being sustainable in putting food on the table.
8. Insects

There is a wide variety of insects which can be kept as pets, one may not even think of it but it is a viable option for people who want something not ordinary as a pet. I will talk about two main insects which are also kept as pets: tarantulas and ants and the second activity will be focused on or can be about a chance to have a closer look at the world of these small creatures.
Tarantulas are like giant spiders but make good pets to keep, they don’t need much space and can live for several years. Watching them is very interesting and such animals can give valuable information on the behavior and lifespan of spiders. While cockroaches are solitary bugs and you simply spray them with insecticides and get rid of them; ants are social insects that need a little more tender loving care. These ants can be brought and preserved in a separate ant farm and what is most interesting is that people will be able to see their complicated society and their ways of communicating.
Hearing a list of insects, most people cringe, however, they can be a good option for the extreme lovers of exotic pets. Although they are small, non demanding in terms of space and relatively easy to care for, they allow the owner to get acquainted with a new fascinating world of work of such small and unnoticeable creatures.
End
Pets are always close to us and take their place in our lives and homes. They are the source of happiness, affection and company, and the friendship that we have with them is rather special. It does not matter if it is a dog or cat, fish or birds or small animals like hamsters and guinea pigs, there is a perfect pet for everyone out there. It is important to note that the Most Popular Pets in the USA are really diverse and all come with characteristics and advantages that make pet owners prefer them.