New National Report: More Dog Owners Are Handling Preventive Care at Home in 2026
A fresh industry survey of 71 million U.S. dog-owning households finds more people brushing, chewing, and grooming at home to stretch a tight budget. Here is what that trend can and cannot replace, according to what vets already know about at-home versus professional care.
Key takeaways
- A new 2026 survey from the American Pet Products Association covering 71 million U.S. dog-owning households found veterinary care still takes the largest single share of pet spending at 29 percent, even as owners cut back elsewhere.
- Ownership of dental care products rose to 46 percent of dog owners, chew purchases climbed to 65 percent, and dog wipes usage more than doubled year over year, a clear sign owners are leaning harder on home routines.
- None of that changes the underlying dental biology: an estimated 80 to 90 percent of dogs over age three have some degree of periodontal disease, and veterinary dental researchers note that daily brushing and professional cleanings work together, not as substitutes for one another.
- The takeaway for Las Vegas pet owners isn't to stop budgeting smartly. It's to make sure at-home routines are paired with, not swapped for, the checkups where a vet can actually see and treat what brushing alone cannot.
Spending figures from the American Pet Products Association's 2026 Dog Report; periodontal disease prevalence from Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center.
What the new report actually found
The American Pet Products Association released its 2026 Dog Report on July 22, tracking spending and care habits across an estimated 71 million U.S. households that own a dog, a 4 percent increase over the prior year. APPA President and CEO Pete Scott summed up the mood behind the numbers by describing today's owners as "looking for value" without wanting to give up on quality of care for their pets.
The report breaks down where that value-seeking shows up. Veterinary care remains the single largest category of dog-related spending at 29 percent of wallet share, ahead of food at 27 percent, even as owners look for ways to economize elsewhere. Treat spending actually declined 11 percent even though more packages were purchased overall, a sign owners are trading down on price without cutting out the category entirely.
Owners are doing more preventive care themselves
Where the shift shows up most clearly is in home routines. Dental care product ownership climbed to 46 percent of dog owners, chew purchases rose to 65 percent, and use of dog wipes for at-home cleanups more than doubled year over year. At-home grooming now covers 51 percent of dog owners, while professional boarding and salon grooming visits declined over the same period.
Basic dog food, rather than premium formulas, also grew 11 percent year over year, driven largely by younger pet-owning households. Put together, the report paints a picture of owners who still prioritize their dog's wellbeing but are increasingly managing routine maintenance themselves rather than paying a professional for every task.
Where at-home care hits its limit: dental health
Dental care is a useful test case for how far a home routine can go on its own. Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center notes that 80 to 90 percent of dogs over age three have some degree of periodontal disease, a rate that climbs further in smaller breeds and with advancing age. That is despite the fact that dental chews and dental-marketed products are more popular with owners than ever.
Cornell's veterinary dental researchers describe why brushing alone, however consistent, cannot fully substitute for a professional cleaning: a cleaning temporarily reduces the harmful bacteria below the gumline, but "within days, the bacteria are back." Their conclusion is that daily home brushing and periodic professional cleanings under anesthesia work as a pair, not as alternatives, because each addresses a part of the problem the other one cannot reach.
What this means for a Las Vegas pet owner's budget
None of this is a reason to feel guilty about a dental chew habit or doing your own grooming between salon visits. Those routines genuinely help, and the survey data shows most owners are choosing to keep investing in their dog's day-to-day comfort even while trimming costs elsewhere. The point is knowing which jobs a home routine can fully handle and which ones still need a set of trained eyes and hands.
A practical approach many vets suggest is treating the wellness exam as the anchor appointment that everything else builds around. During that visit, a vet can catch dental tartar building under the gumline, early joint stiffness, or a skin issue before it becomes a bigger and more expensive problem, all things that are hard for an owner to spot from a home routine alone.
At-Home Routines That Pair Well With a Vet Visit
The survey shows owners leaning into these home habits, and vets generally agree they're worth keeping. The trick is treating them as a complement to checkups, not a replacement.
- Daily or near-daily tooth brushing: The single most effective home dental habit, according to veterinary dental researchers, but it works best alongside periodic professional cleanings.
- Dental chews and treats: Can help reduce plaque between brushings, though they are a supplement to brushing rather than a stand-in for it.
- At-home grooming and wipes: Great for day-to-day coat and paw maintenance, and a good chance to notice any new lumps, hot spots, or sore areas worth mentioning at the next visit.
- Basic, budget-friendly food choices: A reasonable way to manage costs, as long as the formula still meets your dog's life stage and any condition-specific needs your vet has flagged.
- Tracking weight and body condition at home: Useful between visits, since gradual weight change is often easier to notice at home than during a single appointment.
- Scheduling the annual wellness exam anyway: The one item on this list that a home routine cannot replace, since it's the only place a vet can screen for problems that aren't visible from the outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does more at-home pet care mean I can skip the annual vet visit?
No. At-home routines are a great complement to professional care, not a substitute for it. A wellness exam catches things like early periodontal disease, joint changes, or internal issues that aren't visible from a home routine alone.
My dog gets dental chews every day. Does she still need her teeth professionally cleaned?
Likely yes, at some point. Veterinary dental researchers note that a professional cleaning removes buildup below the gumline that brushing and chews cannot reach, so the two work together rather than as alternatives. Ask your vet what dental care schedule makes sense for your specific dog.
Is it actually cheaper to switch to basic dog food?
It can be for your monthly grocery bill, but whether it's the right choice depends on your dog's life stage, breed, and any health conditions. That's exactly the kind of question worth bringing to a wellness visit rather than deciding on price alone.
Why does veterinary care still take up the biggest share of pet spending if people are cutting back elsewhere?
The 2026 APPA report suggests owners are prioritizing their dog's core health needs even while trimming discretionary categories like grooming visits or premium treats. It reflects a broader pattern of value-seeking without sacrificing essential care.
Sources
- America's Dog Owners Are Becoming Smarter Spenders: New APPA Report Reveals How 71 Million Households Are Prioritizing Their Pets in a Tight Economy — American Pet Products Association
- APPA Dog Report Reveals 71M American Households are Prioritizing Pets in Tight Economy — Pet Age
- Periodontal Disease — Cornell University Riney Canine Health Center