The United States has the most pet cats in the world, with an estimated 70 to 80 million, followed by China, whose cat population is rising fast. Russia, Brazil, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom round out the world's leading cat-owning nations.
Introduction
Cats are among the world's most popular pets, with hundreds of millions kept in homes across the globe. Counting them precisely is difficult — surveys vary in method, and huge numbers of stray and feral cats fall outside official figures. Still, industry surveys from pet associations give a reliable picture of which countries have the largest pet cat populations.
Two trends stand out. The United States has long been the world's biggest cat market, reflecting its large population and high rate of pet ownership. Meanwhile, China's pet cat population has been growing at remarkable speed as urban, younger households increasingly embrace pet keeping. This guide ranks the leading nations and explains what is driving the numbers.
Countries With the Most Pet Cats
- United States: The clear world leader, with an estimated 70 to 80 million pet cats living in roughly a third of American households. High disposable income and a strong pet culture keep the US at the top.
- China: The fastest-growing market, now home to tens of millions of pet cats and closing on the United States. Urbanisation, smaller households, and a young generation of pet owners have driven explosive growth, with cats increasingly favoured over dogs in cities.
- Russia: A famously cat-loving nation, with an estimated 20 to 25 million pet cats. Cat ownership rates in Russia are among the highest in the world by share of households.
- Brazil: Latin America's leader, with well over 25 million cats and a rapidly expanding pet market as the middle class grows.
- France: Europe's top cat nation, with around 15 million pet cats — the French keep noticeably more cats than dogs.
- Germany: Home to roughly 15 million pet cats, making them the most popular pet in the country.
- United Kingdom: Around 11 to 12 million pet cats live in British homes, kept in roughly a quarter of households alongside the nation's beloved dogs.
Exact totals differ between surveys, and the gap between countries can be narrow, but the United States consistently ranks first while China's rise is the defining story of the past decade. If feral and community cats were counted, the global picture would look very different, as countries with warm climates host enormous free-roaming populations.
What Drives Cat Ownership
- Urban living: Cats suit apartments and busy lifestyles, fuelling growth in cities from Shanghai to Berlin.
- Income: Rising disposable income expands spending on pets, food, and veterinary care.
- Household size: Smaller and single-person households often favour low-maintenance pets like cats.
- Culture: Nations such as Russia and France have deep-rooted traditions of keeping cats.
China's surge is the standout trend. Pet keeping was once uncommon there, but a booming urban middle class, delayed marriage, and the popularity of cats on social media have transformed the market into one of the largest and fastest-growing in the world. Analysts expect China to keep narrowing the gap with the United States in the years ahead.
Quick Questions
Which country has the most pet cats?
The United States has the most pet cats, with an estimated 70 to 80 million living in around a third of American households. Its large population and strong pet culture keep it well ahead of other countries.
Is China's cat population growing?
Yes. China's pet cat population is rising very quickly, driven by urbanisation, smaller households, and a young generation of owners. Cats have become especially popular in cities, and China is closing the gap on the United States.
Which country has the most cats per household?
Russia and France have some of the highest rates of cat ownership by share of households. In both countries cats are more common than dogs, reflecting long-standing cultural preferences.
Key Facts
- The United States leads the world with an estimated 70 to 80 million pet cats.
- China's pet cat population is the fastest-growing in the world.
- Russia and France have some of the highest cat-ownership rates by household.
- Stray and feral cats are not counted in most national pet surveys.
Fun Facts
- The domestic cat was first tamed from wildcats in the Near East around 10,000 years ago.
- In many surveys the French keep more pet cats than dogs.
- Cats have overtaken dogs as the preferred pet in several major Chinese cities.
Final Thoughts
Cat ownership mirrors demographics, income, and culture. The United States remains the world's largest cat nation, but the most important trend is China's rapid rise, powered by urban living and changing lifestyles. As pet ownership spreads across developing economies, the global cat population — and the ranking of the countries that keep them — will keep shifting.