MRI-Simmons Q3 2025 Trending Topics data show that 6.1% of U.S. households plan to adopt a pet (of any type) within the next six months, equating to 15.8 million households. Consumer intention data is tricky, but this 6.1% figure is credible when compared to current pet adoption rates, with 5.1% of households having adopted a dog or cat within the last 12 months.
Not surprisingly, given that life-stage is a factor to pet adoption, the top demographic for planning to adopt a pet is Gen Z (born 1997–2010) adults. With 11.2% of Gen Z adults planning to adopt a pet, this cohort is nearly twice as likely than average to do so. By comparison, 8.0% of Millennials, 4.0% of Gen Xers and 2.4% of Boomers plan to adopt a pet. The 5.0 million Gen Zers who plan to adopt a pet represent 32% of those overall who plan to do so, though Gen Zers represent only 17% of adults overall.
