Cat Ownership Statistics USA
Cat ownership in the United States is in the middle of a historic surge. Multi-cat households are growing faster than at any point in recent memory, and by some measures cats are closing the long-standing gap with dogs as America's most-owned companion animal.
The statistics on this page are drawn from the two leading sources for U.S. pet population data — the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook and the American Pet Products Association's (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey and 2025 Dog & Cat Report — along with breed registration data from the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and shelter outcome data from Shelter Animals Count. As with our general pet ownership statistics, where AVMA and APPA report different topline numbers, both are shown side by side and labeled by source rather than combined into one figure.
Key Statistics
AVMA's 2024 count of pet cats nationwide — a survey record.
42.1 million U.S. households owned at least one cat in 2024.
Cat-owning households rose from 40M to 49M between 2023 and 2024.
Share of U.S. pet cats living exclusively indoors as of 2024.
Increase in homes with three or more cats between 2018 and 2024.
Share of shelter/community cats adopted out in 2024.
Statistics Summary
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
|
US Pet Cat Population
AVMA's 2024 count of pet cats nationwide — a survey record. |
73.8M |
|
Cat-Owning Households (AVMA)
42.1 million U.S. households owned at least one cat in 2024. |
32.1% |
|
Cat Ownership Growth (APPA)
Cat-owning households rose from 40M to 49M between 2023 and 2024. |
23% |
|
Indoor-Only Cats
Share of U.S. pet cats living exclusively indoors as of 2024. |
63% |
|
3+ Cat Household Growth
Increase in homes with three or more cats between 2018 and 2024. |
36% |
|
Shelter Cat Adoption Rate
Share of shelter/community cats adopted out in 2024. |
64% |
How Many Cats Are in the U.S.?
AVMA's 2024 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook counted 73.8 million pet cats nationwide, spread across 42.1 million households — 32.1% of all U.S. households. APPA's separately conducted 2025 Dog & Cat Report measured cat-owning households differently and found 49 million, up from 40 million in 2023, a 23% two-year jump that APPA describes as a record-breaking rise in feline companionship.
The Rise of the Multi-Cat Household
Much of that growth is coming from existing owners adding more cats rather than first-time owners.
For the broader national picture across all pet species, see our pet ownership statistics page.
Cat owners should also be aware of regional health risks — see our feline heartworm statistics by state and FeLV & FIV statistics by state pages for state-level test data.
Detailed Statistics
| Statistic | Value | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| US pet cat population | 73.8M | Record pet cat population as of 2024. |
AVMA Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook
May 1, 2025 |
| Cat-owning households (AVMA) | 42.1M | 32.1% of all U.S. households owned at least one cat in 2024. |
AVMA Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook
May 1, 2025 |
| Cat-owning households (APPA) | 49M | Up from 40 million in 2023 — a 23% increase. |
APPA 2025 Dog & Cat Report
Jan 1, 2025 |
| Single-cat households | 58% | Down from 64% in 2018, as more owners add additional cats. |
APPA — "The Year of the Cat Has Arrived"
Oct 27, 2025 |
| Two-cat household growth | 8% | Growth in two-cat households, 2018–2024. |
APPA — "The Year of the Cat Has Arrived"
Oct 27, 2025 |
| Three-or-more-cat household growth | 36% | Growth in homes with 3+ cats, 2018–2024 — the fastest-growing segment. |
APPA — "The Year of the Cat Has Arrived"
Oct 27, 2025 |
| Indoor-only cats | 63% | Share of U.S. cats kept exclusively indoors, 2024. |
AVMA Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook
May 1, 2025 |
| Cat owners with a regular veterinarian | 83.4% | Share of cat owners who report having a regular vet practice. |
AVMA Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook
May 1, 2025 |
| Cat owners who visited a vet in past year | 69.4% | Lower than the share who report having a regular vet — a care gap. |
AVMA Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook
May 1, 2025 |
| Avg. veterinary spend per cat owner (2025) | 529USD | Average amount spent on veterinary care by cat owners in 2025. |
AVMA
Jan 1, 2025 |
| Most popular pedigreed breed (2026 ranking) | Maine Coon Cat | #1 for the 2nd consecutive year, based on 2025 CFA registrations. |
Cat Fanciers' Association — Most Popular Breeds for 2026
Apr 22, 2026 |
| Shelter cat adoption rate (2024) | 64% | Share of sheltered cats adopted out nationally in 2024. |
Shelter Animals Count
Jan 1, 2025 |
| Kitten share of shelter cat intake | 57% | Kittens (5 months or younger) as a share of total feline shelter intake, 2024. |
Shelter Animals Count
Jan 1, 2025 |
Sources
-
AVMA, "Pet population continues to increase while pet spending declines"
AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook (2024) — Cat population, household ownership, indoor/outdoor, and veterinary-visit figures - AVMA — Evolving Pet Owner Economics (2025) — Average veterinary spending per cat owner
-
APPA, "The American Pet Products Association (APPA) Releases 2025 Dog & Cat Report"
APPA 2025 Dog & Cat Report (2025) — Cat-owning household counts and growth rate - APPA — "The Year of the Cat Has Arrived" (Oct 27, 2025) — Multi-cat household trend data
- Cat Fanciers' Association — Most Popular Breeds for 2026 (Apr 22, 2026) — Official pedigreed cat breed popularity rankings
- Shelter Animals Count — 2024 Statistics (2024) — National shelter cat intake, adoption, and outcome data
The Big Picture
Cat ownership is growing faster than at any point in recent AVMA or APPA survey history, driven largely by existing owners adding a second or third cat rather than a wave of brand-new owners. More cats are living exclusively indoors, and shelter outcomes for cats have meaningfully improved over the past five years even as intake volumes remain high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled from publicly available reports, surveys, and industry publications. PetNurture does not conduct original research and cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of third-party data. Users should verify statistics directly with the original source before making decisions based on this information.