SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — A new study finds that South Dakota is the No. 47 pet-owning state in the country with 46.4 percent of households owning a domestic pet.
Some studies suggest that there are health benefits to owning a pet. Studies show dogs reduce risk of death by 33 percent.
In America, there are now 245 million pets, almost as many pets as people.
SeniorLiving.org released a study on Pet Ownership in America after analyzing the latest data from the American Veterinary Medical Association through 2018.
Here are key findings in South Dakota:
- No. 25 in cat ownership, with 26.6% of households having at least one cat.
- No. 41 in dog ownership, with 32.1% of households having at least one dog.
Here are key national findings:
- Most popular pets: dogs (31.1%), fish (30.9%), cats (23.6%), chickens (6.2%), birds (3.1%), reptiles (2.4%), rabbits (.9%), horses (.8%), pet livestock (.7%) and ferrets (.2%).
- 25.4% of U.S. households have at least one cat, and 38.4% have at least one dog.
- Fish are the fastest growing pet, seeing a 32% increase since 2011.
- 5 biggest pet-owning states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana, West Virginia, Nebraska.
- 5 lowest pet-owning states: Maryland, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Illinois, New Jersey.
(SeniorLiving.org contributed this report.)
