Dude, Gen X is, like, so totally slacking on pet ownership. Psych! Generation X, once considered a lost generation to the pet industry, surged as a major contributor to pet population growth in 2025, increasing 12% year-over-year in the American Pet Product Association’s latest National Pet Owners Survey results.
“It's grown by almost 20% in the last six or seven years,” Ingrid Chu said during her presentation at Global Pet Expo 2026. “That increase is not as dramatic this year, but it keeps going up.”
Gen X dog ownership increased 12% year-over-year. Cat ownership increased 8%. Smaller pets increased by even greater percentages, although by smaller overall numbers. Birds increased 25% year-over-year, reptiles by 20%, and freshwater fish were up 17% compared to 2024.
Empty nest fuels Gen X pet ownership growth
Millennials and Gen Z remain pet ownership powerhouses, especially as they form households of their own. Those younger generations leaving home fuels Gen X pet ownership growth.
“There’s no more children in the household,” Chu said. "There's a lot more GenXers who have an empty home. And if you are pet owner and you've lost a pet, and you don't replace the pet, that house is very quiet.”
As children leave home, members of Generation X are increasing in pet ownership, during the so-called “empty nest” stage. This cohort, typically defined as born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, is demonstrating a growing tendency to adopt or acquire pets as companions, filling both emotional and lifestyle gaps created by the departure of adult children.
Industry data has shown that pet ownership rates among middle-aged households remain strong, with dogs and cats leading adoption trends. The shift may also influencing purchasing behavior, as these pet owners often have greater disposable income and may be more inclined to buy premium pet food. As a result, Generation X is emerging as a stable and economically significant segment within the broader pet care market.
Gen X may be bummed that their kids have bounced, but it’s all good, because the generation is majorly stoked to bring some furry, feathery or scaly dudes into the crib.
