ASPCA Cat Statistics

Cats in the United States:

• There are approximately 70 million cats (compared to 58 million dogs) living in U.S. households in the United States (Pet Food Institute. 1998 Projected Figures)
• There are 34 million cat owners in the United States (Pet Food Institute. 1998 Projected Figures)
• Cats are in 31.5 million households; that's an average of 2.1 cats per home (1996 Pet Owners Survey American Pet Products Manufacturing Association)
• Cat owners tend to have more animals than dog owners on average: 2.1 cats compared with 1.5 dogs per household (1997 American Humane Association)
• Fertile female cats can produce three litters of kittens a year. If one cat and each of her offspring reproduce regularly, they may produce as many as 420,000 kittens over 7 years (1999 American Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
• The state with the highest rate of cat ownership in 1996 was Idaho where 42.7% of the households owned cats (1997 American Veterinary Medical Association)
• The lowest rate of cat ownership, outside the District of Columbia (9.2%) was in New Jersey (21.2%) (1997 American Veterinary Medical Association)

The cost of keeping a cat:

• Veterinary care will typically run from $100-$200 per year, including office visits, vaccinations and medications.
• First year vaccination costs and spay/neuter will add to this.
• Food for a cat: $150-$200 per year.
• Cat litter: $100-$200 per year
• Total cost, not including treats, toys, beds etc. for a cat: $400-$700 a year (1999 American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Cats as part of the family:

• Nine in ten pet owners surveyed say they consider their pet a member of the family (1997 American Humane Association)
• 58% of cat owners give their pets presents at Christmas (1997, American Humane Association)
• Americans spent $100 million on cat treats in 1995 compared with a virtually nonexistent market 15 years ago (1997 American Humane Association)
• Americans spent $3.8 billion on cat food in 1995 (1997 American Humane Association)
• In 70% of feline households, cats are allowed to sleep on furniture (1997 American Humane Association)
• In 65% of cat households, cats are permitted to sleep at night on some family member's beds compared with 39% of dogs (1997 American Humane Association)
• 45% of pet owners set up a special bed for their pet in the house (1997 American Humane Association)
• 31% of cat owners prominently display the cat's picture in their homes (1997 American Humane Association)
• 10% carry a wallet photo (1997 American Humane Association)
• 48% of cat owners say their cat watches TV (1997, American Humane Association)