If you’ve ever caught your dog staring longingly out the window or your cat claiming the only sunny patch of carpet in your apartment, you already know — your pet has opinions about where you live. And as it turns out, so do most homeowners.
The numbers on this are genuinely fun. As of 2025, 94 million U.S. households own at least one pet. That’s not a niche lifestyle — that’s most of America. And here’s where it gets interesting for anyone thinking about homeownership: about 58% of homeowners own a dog and 36% own a cat, compared to 39% and 29% of renters. The gap is real, and it makes sense. More space, no pet deposits, no landlord rules about breeds or weight limits. When you own, the pets win too.
But it goes deeper than that. According to a Realtor.com survey, 82% of Americans with pets who are planning to buy a home consider their pets’ needs just as important — if not more so — than their own. Let that sink in for a second. People are out here house hunting for their dog. And they mean it — two-thirds of prospective buyers with pets say they’d buy a home specifically because of features that cater to their pet, and 66% have declined to live in an otherwise perfect home because it couldn’t accommodate their animals.
So what are pet owners actually looking for? According to the National Association of Realtors, 49% of pet-owning buyers want a fenced-in yard first, followed by a larger home and better flooring. Among homeowners who’ve already added pet-friendly features, the number one addition was a dog door, followed by fencing in the yard and installing a dedicated dog bath or shower station. People are out here building their pets a spa. Honestly, respect.
The bottom line is this: pets are family, and family deserves a real home. Renting with pets means navigating restrictions, extra fees, and the constant anxiety that your next lease might not allow your 65-pound golden retriever. Owning changes that equation entirely. 97% of pet owners consider their animals members of the family — and members of the family deserve a yard, a dog door, and a sunny windowsill that’s actually yours to give them.
If homeownership feels out of reach right now, you’re not alone — and there are paths forward worth exploring. Your dog will wait. But probably not patiently.
