Originally published on February 14, 2023, this article has been updated on April 29, 2025 to reflect the latest research and statistics. Our editorial team has ensured you’re viewing the most current data on this topic. Need help or have a question? Email us.
If you’re a Cat Lady or if you just love the little critters, you’re in the right place. You’ve probably thought about things like, ‘How many cats are in the USA?’ or ‘What’s the most popular cat breed?’
We have both answers as well as share how many cats are in the world, which generation owns the most cats, and what kind of money people spend on their furry ones.
Cats as pets are here to stay, and any knowledge you can learn about them will help both of you in your relationship. We’ll begin with the US, move around the world, and even talk about shelter cats.
By the end, you might be thinking what every cat all over the USA is… that cats rule the world!
Top 8 Most Interesting Facts
- There are 73.8 million pet cats in America
- Stats say 37% of US Households Own at Least One Pet Cat
- An Average of 1.8 Cats Is Owned per Household in the USA
- The American State That Owns the Most Cats (45%) Is Vermont
- There Are Approximately 60-100 Million Feral Cats in the US
- Annually, 2.88 Million Cats Are Brought into US Shelters
- 273,000 Cats Are Euthanized Annually in Shelters
- Maine Coon is the Most Popular Cat Breed in the US in 2025
How Many Cats Are in the USA
Whiskers, purrs, and playful leaps: Have you ever wondered just how many feline friends call the USA their home? Let’s take a look!
According to the AVMA 2024 Pet Ownership Notebook, There are 73.8 Million Pet Cats In The USA (AVMA)
There were 58.3 million pet cats and 50-80 million feral cats living in the US, according to old estimates. As per the latest stats from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the USA has 73.8 million pet cats, emphasizing the widespread presence of feline companions across the nation.
In 2021-2022, 5% of people in the US fostered a cat. This can certainly be improved upon and is important since fostering allows for one more space for a cat in a shelter.
According to the Latest Stats in 2024- 2025, 37% (49 million) of US Households Own at Least One Pet Cat. (APPA)
According to the APPA 2024–2025 survey, pet ownership is growing again. About 94 million U.S. households now have at least one pet, up from 82 million in 2023.
Dogs took the lead with 68 million, followed by 49 million U.S. households that own at least one cat.
Basic annual expenses for cats total around $1,060/year and include:
- Vet costs (Routine and surgical)
- Food
- Boarding
- Treats
- Vitamins
- Toys
- Groomer/Grooming aids
The Number of Cats in the US in 2017 Was 94.2 Million, According to the American Pet Products Association. (APPA)
As suggested by APPA, there were 94.2 million cats in the US in 2017. Between stray and feral cat populations, and community cats, there are so many that there’s not one exact answer, but it’s estimated there are between 50 and 70 million feral cats in the US. This figure should be included in the number above.
An Average of 1.8 Cats Is Owned per Household in the USA. (AVMA)
Compare that with the average American household owning 1.5 dogs, 1.6 birds, and 0.5 horses. The trend we’re seeing is households owning more than one cat.
Pet owners usually acquire more than one cat for companionship purposes, for both the human and the cat.
The American State That Owns the Most Cats (45%) Is Vermont. (2022-statista, AVMA)
Vermont has the highest rate, at around 45% of cat ownership. In 2018, Maine and West Virginia were right behind them at 44% and 38%, respectively.
In Vermont, cat adoptions are beginning to slow down. The VT Digger reports that during COVID, animal shelters could barely keep a kitten due to so many adoptions. Now, the market is becoming saturated.
In the last several decades, there has also been an influx of cats being transported from the south, where pet overpopulation is rampant. More homes could be found in the north. This activity hasn’t decreased and is adding to the oversaturation of cats in VT.
The Mean Veterinary Expenditure on Cats per Household Decreased From $163 in 2023 to $138 in 2024. (AVMA)
In 2024, 77.1% of cat owners reported having a regular veterinarian or veterinary practice, and 57.3% visited their veterinarian during the year. In 2022, the annual total expense for cats was $321. Veterinary expenditure per cat (mean) was $98.
Cost of an annual wellness visit for cats:
- $141 in 2016
- $133 in 2020
- $169 in 2022
- $163 in 2023
- $138 in 2024
There Are Approximately 60-100 Million Unowned or Feral Cats in the US. (NCBI)
The latest statistics reveal that the number of feral cats in America ranges from 60 to 100 million, according to NCBI, updating the previous estimate by the USDA, which stated there were approximately 30-80 million unowned or feral cats in the US.
Seventy-six percent (76%) of the feral cat populations call urban areas “home.” The council admits that while there are no real numbers on how many stray and feral cats there are in America, this is the best hypothesis.
“One female cat that hasn’t been spayed, along with her offspring, can create 420,000 cats in seven years.”
This isn’t an exaggeration. Not altering your cat can result in devastating circumstances.
Maine Coon is the Most Popular Cat Breed in the US in 2025 (CFA)
The Maine Coon, named the top pedigreed cat breed for 2025, is known for its large size but even bigger heart—these cats are incredibly friendly and make wonderful companions for both families and individuals.
Each year, cat lovers look forward to the big announcement of CFA’s top pedigreed cat breeds. This year’s list features many familiar favorites, but there’s a fun surprise—a new gentle giant has claimed the top spot! The 10 most popular cat breeds worldwide are:
There Is a Trend With People Purchasing Cat Toy Subscription Boxes. On Top of That, Owners Are Looking for Eco-Friendly Products. (Future Market Insights – FMI)
The cat toys market is projected to expand significantly, increasing from USD 3.3 billion in 2025 to USD 4.5 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% over the forecast period.
Here are some interesting cat stats about feline ownership that might amaze you!
- Cat owners who see their cats as family members: 84.7%
- Cat owners who see their cats as pets: 20%
- Cat owners who see their cats as property: 3%
Lost Cat Statistics
Each year in the United States, an estimated 10 million cats and dogs go missing or are stolen. (AVMA)
According to an AVMA study, about 1 in 3 pets will get lost at some point in their lives. Each year, an estimated 10 million cats and dogs go missing or are stolen in the U.S.
Cats and dogs often go missing due to escaping from homes, fear caused by loud noises, or a lack of proper identification. Unsecured yards, open doors, and outdated microchip info make recovery difficult.
According to the study, only 1 in 50 shelter cats were returned to their owners. (AVMA)
This number highlights the challenges of cat reclaim rates. Unlike dogs, cats are rarely identified or retrieved once lost.
When microchipped, nearly 2 out of 5 were successfully reunited with their families. Only about 6 out of 10 pet microchips are actually registered, which can stop lost pets from finding their way back home.
The Rate of Cats Returning to Their Homes or Colonies Dropped by 1% From 2023, but Still Stands 1% Higher Than in 2019. (SAC)
According to the Animal Shelter Count study, in 2024, 2.6 million cats had a live outcome in their communities, up by 1% (26,000 cats) from 2023 and 2% (51,000 cats) compared to 2019.
Share of Cat Intakes Has Increased—From 27% in 2019 to 29% in 2024. (SAC)
Between 2019 and 2024, the share of cats in shelter intakes rose from 27% to 29%, driven by increased owner surrenders and improved adoption rates.
Stray cat intakes declined, but more cats are entering shelters through relinquishment than before. In 2024, 64% of cats entering shelters were adopted—a noticeable increase from 62% in 2023 and 57% in 2019.
Shelter Cat Statistics
Diving into the heart of feline havens, let’s unravel the numbers behind our sheltered purring companions.
Annually, 2.88 Million Cats Are Brought into US Shelters. (SAC)
In 2024, cat intakes from community sources saw a slight decline, dropping by less than 1% (around 19,000 cats) compared to 2023. The number of dogs that entered shelters was 2.87 million in 2024.
27% of the Cats Adopted from Animal Shelters in 2019 Were Strays. (ASPCA)
This places the onus on the public/society to actively search for a stray cat to adopt from a shelter. Only seven of every 100 cats that enter shelters are reunited with their owners, according to Feline Research.
273,000 Cats Are Euthanized Annually in Shelters. (SAC)
In 2024, approximately 748,000 dogs and cats experienced non-live outcomes, representing a 1.6% decrease from 2023. Much of this progress was driven by cats, with 3% fewer non-live outcomes than in 2023. Euthanasia rates for cats also dropped significantly, falling from 13% in 2019 to 8% in 2024.
Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) in Kanab, UT, strives to stop any animal from dying in a shelter by the year 2025. Their motto is “Save Them All.” This is absolutely possible. We only need more people to step up and adopt.
San Francisco, CA, became the first no-kill city in 1994.
Furry Feline Facts
What do the USA, Canada, and Russia all have in common? Besides that, they’re gorgeous countries; they all have tons of kitties. Do you know which American state owns the most cats? We do and can’t wait to share it.
Besides the ins and outs of cat ownership, here are some other interesting cat facts:
- The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) 2023-24 Top Cats in Championship winner was a Black Persian male who won Best Cat and Best of Breed awards.
- There are more than eight hairless cat breeds. (And you thought the Sphynx was all alone!)
- Early colonists sailed from Europe and unleashed felines in the USA.
- For centuries, the Russians have considered cats to be good luck.
- Although there are several islands with cats, Aoshima, also known as “Cat Island” in Japan, has over 100 cats. Although that may not seem like a lot, the island is only about a mile long and has less than 20 residents.
FAQ’s
What Age Group Owns Cats the Most?
“Millennials have grown particularly in cat ownership, increasing from 30% to 34%, while only increasing one percentage point in dog ownership.” However, here is the breakdown of top cat ownership by age group. (Spoiler alert: Gen X is the winner!)
- Gen X: 55%
- Millennial: 53%
- Gen Z: 46%
- Baby Boomers: 45%
Interesting note: Although millennials have the highest percentage of pet ownership, Gen Xers top them for cat ownership.
Which Generation Buys the Most Gifts for Their Pets?
It’s the millennials who take the prize for best in showering their cats with baubles and tiaras, and bows. It should be recognized that it was largely Baby Boomers who raised them (modeled it) and were probably pet parents themselves.
What Age Group Treats Their Pets as Fur Babies?
Millennials are on the fast track with their careers and are in the sweet spot to choose what to focus on. Many either don’t want children or want to wait a while until they have them.
So their attention and love go to pets – or fur babies. I know several millennials, some in my family, who take their pets to babysitters and would never take a Christmas card photo without them.
Sixty-nine percent (69%) of millennials buy organic food for their pets.
Where is their money going?
- Toys 51%
- Special food treats 49%
- Grooming items 34%
- High-end food 30%
- New bed 24%
- Vitamins/Supplements 19%
- New crate/kennel 11%
- Clothing 9%
- Pet subscription box 9%
- None of these 5%
How Much Do American Cat Owners Spend on Their Cats?
“The average American spends $25,304 on their friendly fur ball during their life, according to a poll of 2,000 cat owners.” (source)
Although some cat owners just stick to the “normal” stuff like mouse toys and laser pointers, there are people who go all out and redecorate entire rooms for their cats. They like to make sure their kitty has plenty of cubbies to climb in and tunnels to run through. They buy things like ornate beds and entire wardrobes.
Since domestic cats can live 10+ years, this is definitely something you need to mull over.
How Many People Brought Cats Home During COVID?
Adoptions were up a scratch compared to how many were taken in. There were 999,530 cat adoptions in 2020, which was down from 2019 and 2021. But there were also fewer cats that entered shelters.
Percentage of new cat owners whose decision to acquire a cat was influenced by COVID-19:
40% overall.
- 49% male
- 33% female
- 56% millennials
- 40% Gen Z
- 27% Baby Boomers
- 19% Gen X
Have Lots of Cats Been Surrendered That Were Adopted During the Pandemic?
No. A significant portion, eighty-five percent (85%) of households still have cats they adopted in 2020. One in five households acquired a cat or dog since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, which would account for approximately 23 million American households based on the 2019 U.S. Census. (source)
In Conclusion
I’ve grown to adore cats and have a deep respect for them. Cats have not only been domesticated from being completely wild, which is no small feat, but they’ve also gracefully walked the tightrope between living with us and living free.
They’ve kept some of their most innate characteristics intact while dealing with people who sometimes don’t understand them.
With so many people discussing them using countless statistics and being such an impactful part of our culture, they have certainly claimed a stake in our world.
