Americans love their cats — and the numbers prove it. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), approximately 45.3 million American households own at least one cat, with an estimated 73 to 96 million pet cats living in homes across the country. That doesn't even count the estimated 30 to 80 million free-roaming feral and community cats. In a nation of 335 million people, that's roughly one pet cat for every three to four Americans.
The United States: A Cat Superpower
The US is second only to China in total pet cat population globally. American cats are big business: owners spend over $35 billion per year on cat food, veterinary care, toys, litter, and accessories. The cat economy supports thousands of specialty shops, veterinary clinics, groomers, and an entire ecosystem of influencer cats — from Grumpy Cat (who earned an estimated $100 million before passing in 2019) to Lil Bub and countless viral TikTok celebrities.
Cats surpassed dogs as the most numerically common pet in the US by the 1980s, though dogs remain ahead in terms of households owning them. The reason? Many cat owners have multiple cats — it's far more common to have two, three, or even five cats than it is with dogs.
Which State Has the Biggest Cat Population?
When looking at raw cat population, the answer correlates closely with overall population size — but some states punch significantly above their weight:
- California — As the most populous state, California is home to the largest absolute number of pet cats, estimated at 7–8 million. California's mild climate also supports one of the largest feral cat populations in the country.
- Texas — A close second by total numbers, with an estimated 6–7 million pet cats. Texas's large rural areas and wide-open spaces mean many cats live semi-outdoor or barn cat lifestyles.
- Florida — Florida's large retiree and snowbird population is heavily cat-oriented. Florida also faces one of the most significant feral cat crises in the nation, particularly in coastal and tourist-heavy areas like the Florida Keys.
Cat Ownership Rate: Which States Are the Most "Cat Crazy"?
Total population isn't everything. When you look at cat ownership rate by household, a different picture emerges — and rural, midwestern, and New England states dominate:
- Vermont — Consistently ranks #1 per capita for cat ownership. Vermont households own cats at a rate around 45–49%, meaning nearly half of all Vermont homes have at least one cat. The state's cold winters, rural culture, and independent Yankee spirit seem to match perfectly with cat ownership.
- Maine — Maine is literally home to one of America's most iconic cat breeds, the Maine Coon — the largest domestic cat breed and beloved for its dog-like personality. Maine households have some of the highest cat ownership rates in New England.
- Wyoming and Montana — Both states have high rates of cat ownership relative to their small populations. Ranches, farms, and wide rural expanses make working cats (mousers and barn cats) extremely common alongside beloved house pets.
- West Virginia — Consistently appears in national surveys as one of the highest per-capita cat ownership states, reflecting a rural, working-class culture with strong pet attachment.
The States with the Fewest Cats
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the states with the lowest cat ownership rates tend to be the most urban and densely populated:
- New Jersey — High-density housing and apartment living suppresses pet ownership across the board.
- Hawaii — Ironically, Hawaii has strict biosecurity rules that make importing cats difficult, and feral cats are considered an invasive species threatening Hawaii's unique bird populations. The state has actually run campaigns to reduce feral cat numbers.
- Utah — Lower cat ownership likely reflects cultural factors, including the LDS community's traditionally more conservative attitudes toward indoor pets.
The Feral Cat Problem
America's feral cat population is one of the most contentious environmental debates in the country. Estimates range from 30 to 80 million feral and community cats, making them the most abundant carnivore in North America after humans. Studies by the Smithsonian and the American Bird Conservancy estimate that feral cats kill between 1.3 and 4 billion birds and between 6.3 and 22.3 billion small mammals every year in the US — making them the single largest human-caused source of bird mortality.
Most states have active Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs as the primary management approach, though debate continues about their effectiveness at reducing feral populations at scale.
Fun Cat Facts About the US
- The first cat show in the United States was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1895.
- Stubbs the Cat served as the unofficial "mayor" of Talkeetna, Alaska for nearly 20 years (1997–2017) — and was a major tourism draw.
- The Internet Cat Video Film Festival, held annually in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has drawn crowds of 10,000+ people.
- Key West, Florida has a famous colony of polydactyl cats (cats with extra toes) descended from Ernest Hemingway's pets — now protected and living at the Hemingway Home museum.
- The US has over 600 cat cafés across all 50 states as of 2025, with California, New York, and Texas having the most.