Gen X Empty Nesters Drive Pet Boom: 12% Ownership Surge in Dogs, Cats, Birds, and Reptiles
Generation X households experienced a remarkable 12% year-over-year increase in pet ownership during 2025—the largest growth of any generation—as empty nesters replace departed children with furry, feathered, and scaled companions. This surge has reshaped the $158 billion U.S. pet industry and signals a fundamental shift in how Americans aged 45-59 are filling their homes and…