October 19, 2026 Back Home

Cats Are Overtaking Dogs Across America

Cats are officially having a major moment.

According to a recent report from market research group Packaged Facts highlighted by Fast Company, kittens have officially overtaken puppies in American homes. With cat ownership surging 5% recently—following a massive 23% explosion in 2024—feline friends are leading the charge in modern pet culture.

We knew it was only a matter of time!

But who or what is driving this paws-itive boom?

A new wave of dedicated cat owners, led by Gen Z and a massive surge in “cat dads“—the number of men owning three or more cats has skyrocketed by 117% since 2018! Other theories point to the housing market, as evidenced by this Reddit thread.

America’s Kittens Just Overtook Its Puppies. The Housing Market May Be Why.
by u/rmn_pub in Pets

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The surge in cat ownership has also created a major increase in spending.

As more multi-cat households and first-time kitten parents enter the scene, expectations around pet care are shifting, and modern cat parents aren’t just looking for basic supplies; they are investing heavily in premium food, enrichment, and superior home care products.

“What’s particularly exciting is that growth isn’t coming from just one place,” American Pet Product Association president and CEO Pete Scott said of the report. “New households are entering the category, existing owners are expanding their homes to multiple cats, and younger generations and male owners are helping shape new expectations around care, nutrition, and companionship.”

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MORE FACTS ABOUT CATS, DOGS, AND THE FUTURE OF PET OWNERSHIP

• Kittens are stealthily taking over: For the first time on record, U.S. households now own more kittens than puppies. Back in 2014, there were nearly two puppy households for every kitten household—now, that ratio has officially flipped (0.94 puppies per kitten). Future generations will be properly feline-dominated.
• Dog popularity is taking a nap: Feline ownership remains as steady as ever, but dog ownership has dropped 5% since 2019. Dogs still technically lead in sheer numbers (71 million households vs. 53 million), but their reign is visibly slowing.
• Five states have officially seen the light: There are now five U.S. states where cat-owning households outnumber dog-owning households.
• Cats cost way less than Dogs: Maintaining a dog costs an average of $1,300 a year, whereas cats cost a sensible $750. You can put the extra $550 right toward premium catnip and fine seafood treats.
• Humans are adopting a cat-like lifestyle: High mortgage rates, expensive housing, and apartment living make high-maintenance dogs impractical. Humans are realizing that staying indoors, living in compact spaces, and keeping to themselves is superior.

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Whether you’re a seasoned cat dad or mom or part of the recent boom in feline ownership, remember that giving your cats the best starts with the litter box.