This brief takes a closer look at who has pets in Houston and Harris County and the self-reported benefits that come with having them. Data comes from a fall 2023 survey administered to the Kinder Institute's Greater Houston Community Panel.
Key findings
- Fifty-four percent of survey respondents reported owning a pet.
- Pet ownership reflects the city’s rich diversity. Among households with pets:
- 58% are homeowners and 42% are renters
- 40% include children under the age of 18
- 17% have at least one person 65 or older
- 15% reported living alone
- The most common pets were dogs (73% of households with pets) and cats (41%).
- People with pets reported positive social, emotional, and physical benefits, and most of these benefits were similar across all types of pets. Nearly half said they helped them meet new people, and 88% said they talked with others about their pet(s).
