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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Despite having a reputation for being aloof and self-serving, the data shows that cats are among the most popular and beloved types of pets in the world. Cat ownership continues to rise in multiple countries, and more people seem to be drawn to adopting cats because they cost less to take care of than dogs.
We have the latest trends and statistics on cats around the world. You won’t be able to deny how much the world loves cats after reading!
The 17 Pet Cat Statistics
- There are approximately 350 million pet cats worldwide.
- China has the 2nd highest population of pet cats, with about 53.1 million pet cats in 2025.
- Estonia has the lowest recorded number of pet cats, with about 290,000 pet cats.
- In 2023, Germany recorded about 15.2 million pet cats, which is the highest number of pet cats out of all the countries in the European Union.
- The approximate population of pet cats in the United States in 2025 is 74 million.
- About 47 million US households live with a pet cat.
- In 2025, Vermont had the highest cat ownership rate, with 45% of households owning a pet cat.
- 6 million cats were adopted into new homes in 2023.
- The Ragdoll was named the most popular cat breed in the US in 2023.
- 77% of people living with their partners also own at least one pet.
- Millennials are the most likely to own pets, with about 33% of millennials owning a pet in 2023.
- 51% of US pet owners see their pets as much a part of their family as a human member.
- A 2023 survey found that 86% of cat owners say their cats have a positive impact on their mental health.
- 71% of pet owners stated that the most significant stressor of pet ownership is their pets aging or passing away.
- Cat owners spend the most on cat food each year and will spend about $310 per year on food.
- Women are more likely to spend more on their cats than men and spend an average of $647 on pet care and supplies per year.
- Gen X pet owners spend the most on their pet cats, with an average spending of $866 per year.
Worldwide Statistics
1. There are approximately 350 million pet cats worldwide.
(World Population Review)
Cats tend to be the second most popular pet across countries, and dogs are usually the most common pet you’ll find among pet owners. However, there’s still a large number of pet cats around the world. The US is the country with the highest population of pet cats in the world, and Europe is the continent with the most pet cats.
2. China has the 2nd highest population of pet cats, with about 53.1 million pet cats in 2025.
(World Population Review)
China has the largest pet cat population in Asia, and there’s a large gap between the first and second countries with the most pet cats. Japan has the second highest number of pet cats in Asia, but the population is significantly lower, with only about 7.3 million pet cats in the country.
3. Estonia has the lowest recorded number of pet cats, with about 290,000 pet cats.
(World Population Review)
Along with Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, and Slovenia have some of the lowest pet cat populations. However, pets are still popular in many of these countries. Most countries with lower pet cat populations also tend to have smaller general population numbers. So, these countries tend to have higher pet ownership rates while still having lower pet population numbers.
4. In 2023, Germany recorded about 15.2 million pet cats, which is the highest number of pet cats out of all the countries in the European Union.
(Statista)
When you look at just the countries belonging to the European Union, Germany has the highest pet cat population. However, when you look at Europe as a whole, Russia has the largest number of pet cats. It has an approximate total of 23.1 million pet cats.
Pet Cats in the United States
5. The approximate population of pet cats in the United States in 2025 is 74 million.
(Statista)
About 66% of US households own at least one pet. Dogs are the most popular pets, with 76 million pet dogs currently living in the US. Cats follow closely behind as the second most popular pet in the US.
6. About 47 million US households live with a pet cat.
(Statista)
Cats are the second most common type of pet you’ll see in US households with pets. Dogs rank first, with about 65.1 million households owning dogs. You’ll find a more significant gap between cats and the third most common pet in US households, freshwater fish. About 11.1 million households own freshwater fish, and small animals follow behind, with 6.7 million households owning them.
7. In 2025, Vermont had the highest cat ownership rate, with 45% of households owning a pet cat.
(Statista)
Vermont is one of the few states with more households owning cats than dogs, with about one in every two homes having a pet cat. Maine follows closely behind, with about 44% of households owning a cat. Rhode Island is the state with the lowest cat ownership rate. Only 16.7% of households in Rhode Island own a cat, which is about 75,000 households.
8. 6 million cats were adopted into new homes in 2023.
(Shelter Animals Count)
Cat adoptions have continued to rise over the past few years. 2023 saw 34,000 more cat adoptions than 2022. 2023 also has more cat adoptions than pre-pandemic years, with 319,000 more cats getting adopted compared to 2019.
9. The Ragdoll was named the most popular cat breed in the US in 2023.
(PR Newswire)
Ragdolls had the most breed registrations with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in 2023. They remain popular because of their docile and gentle temperaments, and their overall friendliness makes them good cats for families with children.
Maine Coons were listed as the second most popular cat breed of 2023. Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, and Devon Rexes were the third, fourth, and fifth most popular, respectively.
10. 77% of people living with their partners also own at least one pet.
(Pew Research)
When it comes to the highest rates of pet ownership, the majority of pet owners are people who live with their partners or are married. 77% of pet owners live with their partner, and 65% of pet owners are married. In contrast, about 49% of pet owners have never been married, and 55% are divorced, separated, or widowed.
11. Millennials are the most likely to own pets, with about 33% of pet owners being in the Millennial generation.
(APPA)
The majority of pet owners are Millennials. They’re followed by Gen X, which make up about 25% of pet owners. 24% of pet owners are in the Baby Boomer generation. 16% of pet owners are Gen Z.
Attitudes and Beliefs About Pet Cats
12. 51% of US pet owners see their pets as much a part of their family as a human member.
(Pew Research)
The majority of pet owners in the US view their pets as family members. A little over half view their pets at the same level as human family members, while about 46% view their pets as a part of their family but not on the same level as human family members. Women, people in lower income brackets, and people living in urban neighborhoods are more likely to view their pets at the same level as a human family member.
13. A 2023 survey found that 86% of cat owners say their cats have a positive impact on their mental health.
(APA)
Caring for cats can come with therapeutic benefits, and many cats become emotional support animals. Some key benefits that cat owners experience from cats include reduced stress and anxiety, companionship, and unconditional love and support. The majority of cat owners also found that their cats provide a calming presence and consider them as true friends.
14. 71% of pet owners stated that the most significant stressor of pet ownership is their pets aging or passing away.
(APA)
When it comes to worries, the most common worry among pet owners is their pets passing away. The second most significant stressor is their pets’ health. Other significant pet ownership stressors include finding pet care and arrangements while traveling and paying for healthcare-related expenses.
Spending on Pet Cats
15. Cat owners spend the most on cat food each year and will spend about $310 per year on food.
(AVMA)
Most cat owners spend most of their money on food. The second largest annual expense is veterinary care, and cat owners average about $253 on medical bills. Cat owners also spend about $50 per year on toys and $18 on grooming-related expenses.
16. Women are more likely to spend more on their cats than men and spend an average of $647 on pet care and supplies per year.
(MarketWatch)
There are several correlations between pet spending and demographics. Women tend to spend more on their cats than men. It’s speculated that the difference in spending is caused by how men and women view their cats. Women are more likely to see their cats as their children, while men see their cats as companions.
17. Gen X pet owners spend the most on their pet cats, with an average spending of $866 per year.
(MarketWatch)
Even though Millennials have the highest number of pet owners, Gen X tends to spend the most on their cats. Baby Boomers have the second highest annual average pet spending, spending an average of $793 per year. Millennials follow closely behind with an average annual pet spending of $731.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Cats
What is the total cat population in the world?
The worldwide cat population exceeds 1 billion, and it includes wild cats, stray cats, feral cats, and pet cats. There are about 100 million wild cats and 480 million stray cats. (World Population Review)
What is the average cost of cat adoption fees?
Cat adoption fees usually cost between $50 to $175. The fees usually account for administrative costs, veterinary care bills, and general care costs. Kittens tend to have higher adoption fees than older cats. (ASPCA)
What is the average amount of money people spend on pet cats per month?
The average monthly cost of caring for a cat is about $53. Most monthly costs will go to food, toys, and litter box supplies. Costs will rise in months with vet appointments and medication refills.
What is the most significant issue when owning a cat?
Owning a cat is a significant responsibility that comes with challenges you have to consider before adopting. Common issues that cat owners experience include shedding, allergies, behavioral issues, and scratching furniture. Another challenge that’s unique to cat owners is cleaning and maintaining a litter box and reducing litter box odors.
How long does it take cats to get used to their new homes?
A cat’s ability to adjust to a new home will depend on a variety of factors, including the cat’s personality and the new environment they move into. It’s common for cats to take between 1 to 2 months to adjust to their new home fully. It will take time for them to build trust with their new family and feel safe and confident in their new surroundings.
How do you prove ownership of a cat?
The best way to prove ownership of a cat is to get them microchipped. A pet microchip is injected under a cat’s skin and provides permanent identification. When it’s scanned, people can view the microchip’s unique ID number. Microchips also usually contain contact information that people can use to reach the cat’s owner in case the cat gets lost.
Conclusion
Cat ownership has seen a steady increase in most countries, including the US. With the increasing interest in cats, we’ve seen more and more people adopting their cats rather than purchasing them from breeders and pet stores. Studies and surveys have also gathered data on how cats have a positive impact on a person’s mental health and quality of life. We hope that these findings will continue to encourage cat adoptions because it’s quite clear that every cat deserves a loving home.
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Featured Image Credit: U Photo, Shutterstock
