45 Veterinary Industry Statistics You Should Know (2026)
The veterinary industry is experiencing sustained growth driven by rising pet ownership and increasing consumer spending on animal healthcare. With over 67% of U.S. households owning a pet and veterinary spending reaching record highs, the demand for efficient scheduling and modern practice management has never been greater. These 45 statistics paint a comprehensive picture of the veterinary market in 2026.
45 Veterinary Industry Statistics You Should Know (2026) reveal key trends in scheduling and appointment management. This page compiles 31 data points from industry sources to help you make informed decisions. Sources include G2, Capterra, and published industry research.
Table of Contents
Market Size & Growth
U.S. veterinary services market size in 2026.
IBISWorld
Annual growth rate of the U.S. veterinary services industry.
IBISWorld
Global animal health market including pharmaceuticals and services.
Grand View Research
Number of veterinary practices in the United States.
AVMA
Licensed veterinarians currently practicing in the U.S.
AVMA Market Research Report
Average annual revenue for a single-veterinarian practice.
AVMA Economic Report
Pet Ownership & Spending
Of U.S. households that own at least one pet.
APPA National Pet Owners Survey
Number of U.S. households with pets.
APPA National Pet Owners Survey
Total U.S. pet industry spending in 2026.
APPA
Spent on veterinary care and products annually in the U.S.
APPA
Average annual spending per dog on veterinary care.
APPA National Pet Owners Survey
Average annual spending per cat on veterinary care.
APPA National Pet Owners Survey
Of pet owners willing to go into debt for their pet's medical care.
LendingTree Pet Survey
Appointment & Scheduling Trends
Average no-show rate for veterinary appointments.
AVMA Economic Report
Of pet owners prefer online booking for vet appointments.
PetDesk Veterinary Client Survey
Of vet appointments booked outside business hours when online scheduling is available.
PetDesk Data Report
Average annual vet visits per pet-owning household.
AVMA Pet Demographics
Increase in appointment volume for practices offering online scheduling.
Veterinary Practice News
Reduction in phone call volume after implementing online booking.
PetDesk Client Data
Technology Adoption
Of vet practices that use practice management software.
AVMA Economic Report
Of veterinary practices that offer online appointment scheduling.
Veterinary Practice News Technology Survey
Of vet practices that use automated appointment reminders.
AVMA Technology Survey
Of practices that offer telemedicine or virtual consultations.
AVMA Telemedicine Report
Of pet owners who want digital communication (text/email) with their vet.
PetDesk Veterinary Client Survey
Of vet practices that use AI tools for client communication.
Veterinary Practice News
Workforce & Practice Operations
Median annual salary for veterinarians in the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Projected job growth for veterinarians through 2032.
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Of veterinary practices that report difficulty hiring qualified staff.
AVMA Workforce Study
Average daily time vet staff spend on scheduling and phone calls.
Veterinary Practice News Operations Survey
Of veterinary practices that have expanded hours to meet demand.
AVMA Practice Trends Report
Of vet practices that say client retention improved with automated reminders.
PetDesk Client Data
What the Data Tells Us
The US veterinary market is $38.3 billion, growing at 5.2% annually as pet ownership reaches 67% of households.
Pet owners spend $35.9 billion on veterinary care annually, averaging $410 per dog and $270 per cat.
58% of pet owners prefer online booking, and practices that offer it see 42% more appointments.
72% of vet practices use practice management software, but only 45% offer online scheduling.
The veterinary profession is growing 19% through 2032, but 62% of practices struggle to hire qualified staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the US veterinary market?
The US veterinary services market is worth $38.3 billion in 2026, growing at 5.2% annually. There are 34,000 practices and 121,000 licensed veterinarians in the country.
What percentage of US households own pets?
67% of US households — roughly 90.5 million homes — own at least one pet. Total pet industry spending is $147 billion, with $35.9 billion going to veterinary care.
Do pet owners prefer online booking for vet appointments?
Yes, 58% of pet owners prefer online booking. 37% of appointments are booked outside business hours when online scheduling is available, and practices see 42% more appointments.
What is the no-show rate for veterinary appointments?
The average no-show rate is 12%. Automated reminders significantly reduce missed appointments, and 71% of practices report improved retention after implementing them.
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60 Online Scheduling Statistics for 2026
60 must-know scheduling statistics for 2026: 67% of consumers prefer online booking, 40% book after hours, and businesses using scheduling software see 27% more revenue.
35 AI Receptionist & Virtual Assistant Statistics (2026)
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40 Small Business Scheduling Statistics (2026)
40 small business scheduling statistics for 2026: owners spend 7.4 hrs/week scheduling, 35% of revenue lost to inefficiencies, 77% use software.
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