Facts & Figures (2025)
These statistics underscore GADA's mission to make more readily available a wide range of lower-cost, high-quality animal drugs for animal care:
- Pet Ownership in the U.S.: As of 2025, 51% of U.S. households (approximately 68 million) own a dog, and 37% (about 49 million) own a cat. This translates to approximately 89.7 million dogs and 73.8 million cats nationwide. Pet Industry Association
- Pet Medication Usage: The U.S. pet medications market reached $12.6 billion in 2024, indicating widespread use of medications among pet owners. The Freedonia Group
- Generic Animal Drugs: As of the latest available data, 86% of FDA-approved animal drugs lack a generic version, highlighting a significant opportunity for the development of affordable alternatives.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Pet owners predominantly pay out-of-pocket for medications, with less than 2% having pet insurance, emphasizing the need for cost-effective treatment options.
- Aging Pet Population: Pets are living longer and increasingly experiencing age-related health issues such as arthritis, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders, necessitating chronic medications. GlobeNewswire
- Impact of AGDUFA Legislation: The Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act (AGDUFA) marks a new era in animal health, aiming to make generic animal drugs more readily available, thereby reducing costs and expanding treatment options for pet owners.
- Animal Health Market Composition: In the United States, the animal health industry comprises approximately 47% food animals, 43% companion animals, and 10% equine, reflecting the diverse needs across animal categories.
- Livestock Population: The U.S. is home to nearly 100 million cattle, 65 million pigs, and billions of chickens and turkeys, underscoring the scale of the food animal sector.
- Beef Consumption: According to USDA data, beef remains the top protein in America, with a per capita consumption of 58.4 pounds in 2009.
