Reference guide
Key U.S. figures on the dogs, households, and everyday waste behind a cleaner yard. Updated October 9, 2026.
See the statisticsWhy these numbers matter
More dogs mean more walks, more backyard time, and more routine cleanup. This page brings together a small set of useful, clearly sourced numbers for dog owners, local writers, and community groups discussing pet waste, yard care, and responsible ownership.
The figures below are national, not a count for the St. Croix River Valley. They show the scale of the routine, while each household still has its own yard, dog, and schedule.
The numbers
The American Pet Products Association reported that 51% of U.S. households, or 68 million households, owned a dog in its 2025 State of the Industry Report.
American Pet Products Association, 2025 State of the Industry Report, published March 2025. ↗APPA’s 2026 industry report, drawing on its 2025 National Pet Owners Survey, says 95 million U.S. households own at least one pet.
American Pet Products Association, 2026 State of the Industry Report and 2025 National Pet Owners Survey. ↗The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates a typical dog produces about three-quarters of a pound of waste each day, or 274 pounds per year.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Composting Dog Waste fact sheet, published 2005 and posted 2022. ↗APPA reported $152 billion in total U.S. pet-industry spending for 2024 and projected $157 billion for 2025.
American Pet Products Association, 2025 State of the Industry Report, published March 2025. ↗The practical takeaway
Dog waste is not a lawn fertilizer. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that uncollected waste can affect ground and surface water, attract pests, and create unsanitary conditions. Regular pickup keeps the yard easier to use and makes the cleanup less likely to turn into a weekend project.
For dog owners who would rather spend their time outside than scanning the grass, My Scooper Hero offers dependable weekly and one-time cleanup across the St. Croix River Valley.
Get a free quoteMethodology and sources
This is a hand-picked roundup, not an original survey. Every number is tied to the organization that published it and the date of that source. We use primary public sources where available and keep each statistic linked directly to its source.
Different surveys can produce different pet-ownership totals because they ask different groups, use different definitions, and collect data at different times. For that reason, the source and date stay attached to every figure here.
My Scooper Hero. “Dog Waste and Ownership Statistics.” Updated October 9, 2026. myscooperhero.com/dog-waste-statistics.
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See how regular and one-time dog waste removal works for homes around the St. Croix River Valley.
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