Dogs are the most popular household pets in America. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are around 76 million companion dogs in the US, cared for by 48 million households.
Cats are a close second to dogs. They were first introduced to North America by the English to help reduce rodent populations on the east coast.
Fish are the third most common pet in the United States, with about 12% of all families owning one or more.
Birds finish in fourth position. Birds are not as popular as fish or cats, but they are just as enjoyable and satisfying to care for, with 2.8% of American families having birds as pets.
Reptiles, which include snakes, salamanders, iguanas, and many species of lizards, are becoming increasingly popular among animal lovers in America.
Rabbits are a very popular specialty pet among animal lovers. It ranks only below fish and birds and could be more popular if they were less difficult to care for.
As improbable as it may appear, poultry chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese are popular pet choices in many American households.
Hamsters are second only to poultry in terms of popularity among household pets. They are popular because they are easy to care for, modest in size, and rarely become ill.
Guinea pigs are just as cute but less popular than hamsters. Most young pet owners find it difficult to pick between the two pets because they might be so similar at times.
Ferrets are an obvious choice for most unusual animal enthusiasts. They are lively, entertaining, and cute. Furthermore, most pet stores stock and sell ferret food.