Dogs And Cats (TRUSTED — OVERVIEW)

: Major research reports, such as the Banfield State of Pet Health , utilize data from millions of annual visits to track the top health issues and wellness trends across the U.S.. 3. Welfare and Shelter Data

: Approximately 4.4 million pets enter U.S. shelters annually. As of 2025, there has been a slight 3% decrease in the number of pets successfully returned to their owners. Dogs and cats

: Dogs were domesticated roughly 40,000 years ago as hunting partners. Cats domesticated themselves approximately 12,000 years ago, following the rise of agriculture to hunt rodents in grain stores. : Major research reports, such as the Banfield

: Dogs are biologically omnivorous and can survive on varied diets. Cats are "obligate carnivores," meaning they require specific nutrients found only in animal tissue to survive. 2. Industry and Ownership Trends (2025–2026) shelters annually