Quick answer
There are about 76.3 million pet cats in the US in 2025, living in roughly 53 million households, or 39% of American homes. Cat ownership grew 5% in a year.
- The Maine Coon is the most popular pedigreed cat breed for 2026.
- Cat owners spend about $529 a year on vet care.
- Shelters took in 3.0 million cats in 2025 and adopted out 2.2 million.
- Only about 6% of stray cats in shelters are reunited with their owners.
Cats are closing the gap with dogs as America’s favorite pet. We share our homestead with two of them, and if you have cats too, you know they come with their own quirks and costs. Here are the newest 2026 cat statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Pet Products Association, the Cat Fanciers’ Association and national shelter data.
Key numbers at a glance
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pet cats in the US, 2025 | 76.3 million | AVMA sourcebook |
| Households with a cat | 53 million (39%) | APPA |
| Cats per cat owning household | 1.8 | AVMA sourcebook |
| Most popular pedigreed breed | Maine Coon | CFA |
| Yearly vet spending per cat owner | $529 | AVMA sourcebook |
| Cats taken into shelters, 2025 | 3.0 million | Shelter Animals Count |
| Cats adopted, 2025 | 2.2 million | Shelter Animals Count |
| Lifetime cost of a cat, upper estimate | Up to $72,595 | Rover via FOX 5 |
How many pet cats are there in the US?
About 76.3 million pet cats lived in US homes in 2025, up from 73.8 million in 2024 and 59.8 million in 1996, according to the AVMA’s 2025 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook (Petfood Industry). That compares with about 87.3 million dogs.
Those cats live in about 53 million households, 39% of American homes, and the number of cat owning households grew 5% in 2025 (APPA). Cat homes are getting smaller, though: the average cat owning household has 1.8 cats, down from 2.2 in 1987 (AVMA sourcebook).
What are the most popular cat breeds in 2026?
The Maine Coon tops the Cat Fanciers’ Association list of most popular pedigreed breeds for 2026, followed by the Ragdoll and the Persian (CFA). Keep in mind that most pet cats are not pedigreed at all; the list reflects cats registered with the CFA.
| Rank | Breed | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine Coon | Large, friendly, shaggy coat |
| 2 | Ragdoll | Calm, goes limp when held |
| 3 | Persian | Long coat, flat face |
| 4 | Exotic | Persian look with a short coat |
| 5 | Devon Rex | Curly coat, big ears |
| 6 | Abyssinian | Active, ticked coat |
| 7 | British Shorthair | Round face, dense coat |
| 8 | Siberian | Thick coat, built for cold |
| 9 | American Shorthair | Easygoing, sturdy |
| 10 | Russian Blue | Silver blue coat, shy |
How much does it cost to own a cat?
A medium sized cat costs about $70 to $305 a month, according to Rover’s 2026 cost report, and lifetime costs can reach $72,595 (FOX 5 report). Senior cats can add $2,255 to $4,740 a year in extra care.
Vet care is a big piece. Cat owners spent an average of $529 a year on veterinary care in 2025, compared with $598 for dog owners (AVMA sourcebook).
| Cost | Cat | Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost, medium size | $70 to $305 | $145 to $505 |
| Yearly vet spending per owner | $529 | $598 |
| Senior pet costs per year | $2,255 to $4,740 | $2,475 to $5,200 |
How many cats end up in shelters?
US shelters and rescues took in about 3.0 million cats in 2025, more than the 2.8 million dogs. About 2.2 million cats were adopted, a 63% adoption rate, up from 62% in 2024 (Shelter Animals Count).
Lost cats rarely make it home through a shelter. Only 6% of stray cats taken in were returned to their owners in 2025, compared with 34% of stray dogs (Shelter Animals Count). A microchip and a breakaway collar with an ID tag give your cat a much better chance.
Shelters euthanized about 277,000 cats in 2025, down 2% from 2024 (ASPCA). See our full animal shelter statistics for more.
Do outdoor cats hurt birds and wildlife?
Yes, more than most people realize. A landmark study estimated free roaming cats kill a median of about 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals in the US each year, with unowned cats responsible for most of it (Nature Communications). That study is from 2013, and it is still the most cited national estimate.
For backyard chicken keepers, a grown hen is usually too big for a house cat, but chicks and bantams are at risk. Keep brooders covered and young birds secure; our guide to raising chicks without a hen covers safe brooder setups.
How we gathered these numbers
Population and vet spending figures come from the AVMA’s 2025 sourcebook. Household counts come from APPA’s 2026 report. Breed rankings come from the CFA’s April 2026 list, shelter numbers from Shelter Animals Count’s 2025 report and costs from Rover’s 2026 report. For dogs, see our dog statistics and pet ownership statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cats are in the US?
About 76.3 million pet cats lived in US homes in 2025, according to the AVMA’s 2025 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. That is up from 73.8 million in 2024 and 59.8 million in 1996. The US also has about 87.3 million pet dogs.
What percentage of American households have a cat?
About 39% of US households, roughly 53 million homes, had a cat in 2025, according to the American Pet Products Association. Cat owning households grew 5% from 2024, and the average cat home has 1.8 cats.
What is the most popular cat breed in 2026?
The Maine Coon is the most popular pedigreed cat breed for 2026, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association. The Ragdoll is second and the Persian third, followed by the Exotic and Devon Rex.
How much does a cat cost per year?
A medium sized cat costs about $70 to $305 a month, or roughly $840 to $3,660 a year, according to Rover’s 2026 report. Cat owners spend an average of $529 a year on vet care alone, per the AVMA.
How many cats are adopted from shelters each year?
About 2.2 million cats were adopted from US shelters and rescues in 2025, out of 3.0 million taken in, according to Shelter Animals Count. That is a 63% adoption rate, slightly better than the 62% seen in 2024.
