New statistics from the market research firm Packaged Facts indicate that more US households now own kittens than puppies. This marks the first time such a trend has been observed since the firm began tracking these figures, with the ratio currently standing at 1:0.94.
The shift in US pet ownership is reportedly less about a boom in cat ownership and more about a decline in dog ownership. Packaged Facts suggests that economic factors may be playing a role, noting that homeowners are nearly twice as likely as renters to have a dog. The average annual cost for a dog is estimated at $1,300 (£985), while a cat costs an average of $750 (£570).
Robert Granader, chief executive of Packaged Facts, stated in the Washington Post that the trend is not about cats replacing dogs, but rather about America becoming "more like cats: living in smaller spaces, valuing independence and preferring to be left alone."
In the UK, the 2026 UK Pet Food survey shows the dog population at 15.5 million, slightly ahead of the cat population at 13 million. This survey also indicates a slight increase in dogs compared to cats since its last publication two years ago.