The definitive collection of pet care industry data for 2026. Market sizing, growth rates, consumer spending, technology adoption, and revenue benchmarks — compiled from APPA, IBISWorld, BLS, and public industry sources.
Last updated: April 2026 | Sources cited inline
The American pet industry continues its remarkable expansion. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), total US pet industry spending exceeded $150 billion in 2026, up from $136.8 billion in 2022 and $123.6 billion in 2021. The industry has grown every year for over three decades, including through multiple recessions.
Pet industry spending breaks down into several major categories:
| Category | Estimated 2026 Spending | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Food & Treats | $64–$68B | ~5–6% |
| Veterinary Care & Products | $38–$40B | ~7–8% |
| Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine | $26–$28B | ~3–4% |
| Pet Services (grooming, boarding, daycare, training, walking, sitting) | $14–$16B | ~8–10% |
| Pet Insurance | $5–$6B | ~15–20% |
| Total | $150B+ | ~6–7% |
Sources: APPA National Pet Owners Survey, NAPHIA, IBISWorld. Figures are estimates based on publicly available data.
66–67% of US households own at least one pet — approximately 86.9 million homes according to APPA’s 2023–2024 survey. This is up from 56% in 1988, representing a steady multi-decade increase in pet ownership.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated adoption: an estimated 23 million American households acquired a new pet between 2020 and 2022. While adoption rates have normalized, surrender rates remain relatively low, meaning the expanded pet population is largely being retained.
US households with dogs (APPA 2026). Dogs remain the most popular pet, with an average of 1.6 dogs per dog-owning household.
US households with cats. Cat ownership has grown steadily, with multi-cat households becoming more common.
Average annual spending per dog on food, vet care, grooming, boarding, toys, and other expenses (APPA survey data).
Average annual spending per cat. Lower than dogs primarily due to less grooming and boarding demand.
Now the largest pet-owning demographic. More likely to spend on premium services, treat pets as family members, and use technology-based booking.
95% of pet owners consider their pet a family member (APPA). This drives increased spending on premium grooming, organic food, and wellness services.
The US pet grooming and boarding industry (NAICS 81291) generates an estimated $12–$13 billion in annual revenue according to IBISWorld, with grooming representing roughly 55–60% of that figure. The industry has grown at 6–8% annually since 2020, outpacing GDP growth.
There are approximately 180,000+ pet grooming businesses in the US, ranging from solo mobile groomers to multi-location corporate salons. The industry remains highly fragmented — no single chain holds more than 5% market share, creating significant opportunity for independent operators.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies animal care workers (including groomers) under occupation code 39-2021. The BLS projects 29% job growth from 2022 to 2032 for animal care and service workers — much faster than the average for all occupations (3%).
| Grooming Business Metric | Industry Average |
|---|---|
| Average salon revenue | $200,000–$350,000/year |
| Average mobile groomer revenue | $50,000–$100,000/year |
| Average full groom price (dogs) | $50–$90 (varies by breed/region) |
| Average bath & brush price | $30–$55 |
| Average nail trim price | $15–$25 |
| Groomer median hourly wage (BLS) | $14–$16/hour (tips add $3–8/hr) |
| Client retention rate (well-run salon) | 70–85% |
| Profit margin (independent salon) | 15–30% |
Sources: IBISWorld, BLS Occupational Outlook, industry surveys. Ranges reflect geographic and business-model variation.
The US pet boarding and daycare market is estimated at $9–$11 billion in 2026, with daycare growing faster than traditional boarding. Post-pandemic, daycare demand surged as pet owners returned to offices but wanted socialization and supervision for their dogs during work hours.
Dog daycare has grown at 10–15% annually since 2021, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in the entire pet care industry. Facilities that offer combined boarding + daycare + grooming under one roof report 20–40% higher per-client revenue than single-service operations.
Average boarding rates range from $35–$75 per night depending on region, facility type (cage-free vs. traditional kennel vs. luxury suite), and additional services. Premium facilities with live cameras, individual suites, and enrichment activities command the highest rates.
National average boarding rate. Luxury and cage-free facilities average $65–75+, while basic kennels average $30–40.
National average daycare rate. Multi-day packages (5, 10, 20-day) are the dominant pricing model, with per-day rates dropping 10–20% for packages.
Dog daycare is growing 2–3x faster than the pet industry average, driven by remote work normalization and pet humanization.
Mobile grooming is the fastest-growing segment within pet grooming. Industry estimates suggest mobile grooming has grown 15–20% annually since 2020, fueled by convenience-oriented consumers and lower startup costs compared to brick-and-mortar salons.
Mobile groomers typically charge a 20–40% premium over salon prices, reflecting the convenience factor. A full groom in a mobile van averages $75–$120 compared to $50–$90 at a salon. Despite higher per-service prices, mobile groomers often have lower overhead and can achieve strong profit margins with 4–6 dogs per day.
The mobile segment also attracts a different operator profile: many mobile groomers are solo operators or husband-wife teams who value scheduling flexibility and independence. Software needs differ from salons — mobile groomers prioritize route optimization, GPS-based scheduling, and mobile-first interfaces.
Technology adoption in pet care businesses lags behind other service industries, but is accelerating rapidly. Industry surveys suggest:
Only about 35–40% of pet care businesses use dedicated management software. The majority still rely on paper calendars, spreadsheets, or generic scheduling tools.
Online booking adoption has increased sharply post-pandemic. Businesses with online booking report 15–25% more appointments than those using phone-only scheduling.
Automated appointment reminders via SMS reduce no-show rates by 30–50%. Yet most pet businesses still call or text manually.
Boarding facilities with live camera access report higher client satisfaction, increased rebooking rates, and the ability to charge premium rates.
Most pet care businesses still process payments through a separate POS system. Integrated invoicing and payment tracking reduces admin time and reconciliation errors.
Pet care technology spending is growing at an estimated 20–25% annually as more operators recognize the operational and revenue benefits of digital tools.
The technology gap represents a massive opportunity. With 180,000+ pet grooming businesses alone, and only 35–40% using dedicated software, there are roughly 100,000+ potential customers who could benefit from modern pet care management software but have not adopted it yet.
Consumer spending on pet services has outpaced overall pet industry growth in recent years. APPA data shows pet services spending has grown at 8–10% annually, compared to 5–6% for the overall industry.
Key consumer spending trends in 2026:
Consumers are trading up to higher-quality, higher-priced services. Demand for organic shampoos, spa treatments, and breed-specific styling has increased significantly.
Consumers willingly pay 20–40% more for mobile grooming, pickup/delivery services, and same-day availability. Time savings outweigh cost sensitivity.
Monthly membership and subscription models (recurring grooming, daycare packages) are growing rapidly. Businesses with membership programs report 30–50% higher client lifetime value.
Clients who use grooming + boarding + daycare at the same facility spend 2–3x more annually than single-service clients. Bundled facilities have higher retention rates.
The US dog training market is estimated at $2–$3 billion annually, with growth accelerating post-pandemic due to the surge in first-time pet owners who adopted during lockdowns. Many of these owners now need behavioral help as their pandemic puppies matured.
Private training sessions average $75–$150 per hour. Group classes average $150–$300 for a 6–8 week series. Board-and-train programs command $1,500–$3,500+ for multi-week programs. The training segment is less commoditized than grooming, with trainers’ individual reputation and methodology being key differentiators.
Statistics compiled from publicly available data including: APPA National Pet Owners Survey (2023–2024), IBISWorld Industry Reports (NAICS 81291), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, NAPHIA State of the Industry Report, Grand View Research pet care market reports, and publicly cited industry surveys. Where exact 2026 figures were not yet published at time of writing, estimates are projected from the most recent available data using observed growth rates. All figures represent the US market unless otherwise noted.
The US pet care industry is estimated at over $150 billion in 2026, encompassing pet food, veterinary care, grooming, boarding, daycare, training, pet insurance, and retail products. Pet services (grooming, boarding, daycare, training) represent approximately $14–16 billion of that total.
The US pet grooming industry has grown at approximately 6–8% annually since 2020. IBISWorld estimates there are over 180,000 pet grooming businesses in the US, with total revenue exceeding $12 billion. The market is expected to maintain steady growth through 2030 driven by rising pet ownership and premiumization.
According to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey, approximately 66–67% of US households (roughly 86 million homes) own at least one pet as of 2024–2025. Dog ownership is most common at around 65 million households, followed by cats at approximately 47 million households.
According to APPA survey data, dog owners spent an average of $100–$120 per year on grooming in recent surveys. However, spending varies significantly by breed, region, and service level. Owners of breeds requiring regular professional grooming (poodles, doodles, shih tzus) may spend $600–$1,200+ per year.
According to IBISWorld and industry surveys, the average pet grooming salon generates approximately $200,000–$350,000 in annual revenue. Solo mobile groomers typically generate $50,000–$100,000. High-volume salons with 3–5 groomers can exceed $500,000–$750,000+ annually depending on location and service mix.
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