How many pet cats are there in the United States?

There are 73.8 million pet cats in the United States as of 2024, according to the AVMA. This count includes owned household cats but excludes feral cats, shelter cats, and barn/working cats.

What percentage of US households own a cat?

32.1% of US households own at least one cat, representing approximately 42.1 million homes. Cat ownership has been steadily increasing, up from 25% in 2016.

How many cats does the average cat-owning household have?

Cat-owning households have an average of 1.8 cats. Multi-cat households are becoming more common, with single-cat households decreasing from 64% in 2018 to 58% in 2024.

How many US households own pets overall?

94 million US households own at least one pet, up from 82 million in 2016. This represents a significant increase in pet ownership over the past decade.

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Population & Ownership

Q: Are more people adopting cats compared to dogs?

Yes, cat acquisitions are rising. Cats now represent 47.6% of recent pet acquisitions in 2025, up from 43.5% in 2023, while dog acquisitions declined from 57.3% to 54.5%.

46 statistics

US cat population counts, household ownership rates, and demographics

🇺🇸73.8 million

+21% vs 2020

There are 73.8 million pet cats in the United States

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association 2025·Current

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About This Category

Understanding cat population and ownership statistics is essential for pet industry professionals, animal welfare organizations, and policymakers. The United States is home to over 73 million pet cats, making it one of the largest cat-owning nations in the world. These statistics reveal trends in household cat ownership, multi-cat homes, and the growing preference for feline companions across different demographics. Whether you're researching market opportunities or planning community programs, these verified data points provide the foundation for informed decision-making.

💡Key Insights

1
Cat ownership has grown 15% since 2016, outpacing dog ownership growth during the same period
2
Multi-cat households are increasing, with the average cat-owning home now having 1.8 cats
3
Gen Z and Millennials are driving cat adoption rates, with 47.6% of recent pet acquisitions being cats

Insecurely attached cats comprise about 35% of the cat population, divided into ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles

Ambivalent cats show excessive proximity-seeking, avoidant cats display distancing behavior, and disorganized cats exhibit approach-avoidance conflict upon caregiver reunion

35.7% of cats classified as insecurely attached

Vitale et al., Current Biology, 2019