North America
United States
A nation of dog and cat lovers
Top pets: dogs, cats, fish .
See pets in United StatesThe pets people keep say a lot about where they live. Dogs rule many countries, cats reign across much of Europe and Japan, and some nations are famous for their pet birds or ornamental fish. Pick a country to see its most-kept pets and the stories behind them.
North America
A nation of dog and cat lovers
Top pets: dogs, cats, fish .
See pets in United States
Europe
Famous as a nation of animal lovers
Top pets: dogs, cats, rabbits .
See pets in United Kingdom
Asia
Where cats edged ahead of dogs
Top pets: cats, dogs, fish .
See pets in Japan
Asia
Home of the goldfish and a booming pet market
Top pets: dogs, cats, fish .
See pets in China
Europe
Cats lead in Europe's largest pet market
Top pets: cats, dogs, small mammals .
See pets in Germany
Europe
A country that adores its cats
Top pets: cats, dogs, fish .
See pets in France
South America
One of the world's largest pet populations
Top pets: dogs, cats, birds .
See pets in Brazil
Asia
A fast-growing pet-loving nation
Top pets: dogs, cats, fish .
See pets in India
Oceania
High pet ownership and a native pet bird
Top pets: dogs, cats, fish .
See pets in Australia
Europe and Asia
Where cats reign supreme
Top pets: cats, dogs, fish .
See pets in Russia
North America
Cats edge ahead by the numbers
Top pets: cats, dogs, fish .
See pets in Canada
Europe
Where street cats are protected by law
Top pets: cats, dogs, birds .
See pets in ItalyDogs and cats are the most popular pets in the world overall. By sheer number of individual animals, however, aquarium fish often top the count, because a single tank can hold many fish at once.
Cats are the number one pet in several countries, including Germany, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan, where they outnumber or have overtaken dogs. In many other countries, such as the United States, Brazil, and India, dogs are kept in more homes.
Countries with very large pet populations include the United States, Brazil, and China. The United States and Brazil are home to enormous numbers of dogs, cats, and birds, while China has one of the world's fastest-growing pet markets.
No. While dogs are the most popular pet in many countries, cats lead in much of Europe and in Japan, and some nations are especially known for pet birds or ornamental fish.