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Hey cat lovers, welcome back to another video. It’s no secret that Americans love cats. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found that 25% of all U.S. households own a cat. To put things into perspective, that’s 1 in 4 homes! But are there more cat owners in certain states? Interestingly, the answer is yes! Every 5 years or so, the AVMA conducts a pet demographics survey.
That’s why we looked to the AVMA’s most recent Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook to find out which states have the highest and lowest percentages of cat owners. So, you’ll be getting two lists in this video. To keep things interesting, we’ll also share cat-related facts about these states. Now, without further ado, here are the top and bottom 10 states for cat ownership in America.
Top 10 States for Cat Ownership
10. Wisconsin (32.4%)
Starting off the Top 10 list for cat ownership is the Badger State (also known as the Cheese State), with 32.4% of households owning cats. We’ve visited Wisconsin before, so I can confirm that the stereotype is true. Wisconsinites really do LOVE cheese. But apparently they love cats too! As tempting as it may be to share cheese with your cat, Fluffy’s digestive track will thank you if you don’t. Believe it or not, most cats are lactose intolerant.
9. Kansas (32.4%)
Next is the Sunflower state, also with 32.4% of households owning cats. Hmm, maybe Toto should have been a cat instead of a dog! If you recall, there actually was a cat in The Wizard of Oz. In the scene where Dorothy and Professor Marvel are about to leave in a balloon basket, Toto spots a Siamese cat being held by an Emerald City resident. Toto then leaps from the basket, making Dorothy chase after him.
NOTE: Since Wisconsin ties with Kansas at 32.4%, we had to further rank them somehow. So we put Wisconsin at #10 because their average number of cats per household is 1.9, while Kansas’ average is 2.1.
8. Idaho (33.3%)
Now we have the Gem State, with 33.3% of households owning cats. Aside from gems, Idaho is also known for potatoes. Speaking of which… can cats eat potatoes? According to Purina, cats can occasionally eat potatoes, but only certain kinds. The best kind of potatoes for cats are peeled and roasted (NOT raw or boiled), and prepared without any fats, spices, or salt. Just remember that cats are obligate carnivores, so potatoes should never be their main diet.
7. Arkansas (34.8%)
Next in line is the Natural State, with 34.8% of households owning cats. Aside from enjoying the beauty of natural scenery, it looks like Arkansans love felines. Arkansas has a wildlife refuge called Turpentine Creek, which is a non-profit organization that rescues exotic cats nationwide. More specifically, their mission is to “provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected big cats with an emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars.”
6. Iowa (35.6%)
Coming in at #6 is the Hawkeye State, with 35.6% of households owning cats. As an added fun fact, Iowa is also known as the Corn State because it’s the largest producer of corn in the U.S. Now you may be wondering if cats can eat corn. The answer is technically yes. But while corn is a common filler in many cat foods, it’s meant to be just that – a filler. With that said, corn should never be given outside of dry and canned cat foods, because it doesn’t provide any substantial nutrition for our feline friends.
5. New Hampshire (36.4%)
Starting off the Top 5 is the Granite State, with 36.4% of households owning cats. This state actually has a baseball team named the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. But don’t get excited just yet. Despite the name, Fisher Cats are not actually cats, and funny enough, they don’t even fish. Instead, Fisher Cats are small, carnivorous mammals (in the weasel family) that are common in New Hampshire and the rest of New England. The more you know!
4. Indiana (37.5%)
Now we have the Hoosier State, with 37.5% of households owning cats. The word Indiana means “Land of the Indians,” but maybe it’s becoming the “Land of the Cats.” As for fun facts, did you know that the Bobcat is the only resident wild cat of Indiana? Sure, Indiana has Mountain Cats too, but they aren’t a resident species. The Bobcat was actually a state-endangered species in Indiana until 2005. They are most commonly found in the west-central and southern parts of the state.
3. West Virginia (37.7%)
Starting off the Top 3 is the Mountain State, with 37.7% of households owning cats. Recently, a West Virginian cat, Oliver, made news headlines. Sadly, the orange tabby cat went missing during his family’s moving process. But, two months later, he showed up at their new house… which is 40 miles away from the old house. Cats have incredible instincts, so believe it or not, this isn’t the only story of a cat traveling long distances to find its owners.
2. Maine (43.6%)
Next is the Pine Tree State, with an impressive 43.6% of households owning cats. To no surprise, the Maine Coon cat breed originated from Maine. In 1985, the Maine Coon was designated as the official state cat of Maine. The Maine Coon is one of the largest, if not, the largest, domesticated cat breeds. Thanks to the breed’s exceptionally sweet demeanor, they are known as the “gentle giants” of the cat world.
1. Vermont (44.6%)
The state with the highest percentage of cat owners is the Green Mountain State, with a whopping 44.6% of households owning cats. This didn’t surprise us because Vermont also had the highest percentage of cat owners for the previous AVMA Pet Demographics sourcebook. It’ll be interesting to see if the trend continues! So if you’re looking to move somewhere with beautiful scenery and A LOT of cat lovers, Vermont might be your best bet.
Bottom 10 States for Cat Ownership
10. California (22.9%)
Starting off the Bottom 10 states for cat ownership is the Golden State, with 22.9% of households owning cats. This one surprised me, because since California is such a big state, I expected there to be a lot of cat owners. But apparently, dogs are the most popular pet in California. My best guess is that with all the outdoor activities and beautiful weather, many people want to share those experiences with dogs.
9. Montana (22.8%)
Next up is the Treasure State, with 22.8% of households owning cats. Montana State University has a football team named the Montana State Bobcats. According to the University, the Bobcat was selected as their mascot in 1916 “for its cunning intelligence, athletic prowess and independent spirit.” Pretty fitting for a football team, right? As a PSA to all Montanans, housecats also have the same amazing traits! Hint hint, nudge nudge.
8. New York (21.1%)
Next is the Empire State, with 21.1% of households owning cats. In 2019, New York became the first state to ban declawing cats. This was a huge win for the cat community because declawing is largely considered to be a cruel procedure. During the surgery, the end bone of each toe is amputated, which is 1/3 of a cat’s paws. This is equivalent to cutting a human’s fingers off at the first knuckle. The aftermath is extremely painful for cats and often results in permanent or long-term complications. Although New York may not have a ton of cat owners, they are looking out for the well-being of cats!
7. Illinois (21.0%)
Coming in at #7 is the Prairie State, with 21.0% of households owning cats. Scientists at the Illinois State Museum played a role in understanding the history of cats in Illinois and the Midwest. Last year, the Illinois State Museum had an exhibit called “Walk on the Wild Side: The Story of Illinois Cats.” If you want to learn about the topic, the museum has a virtual version of the exhibit.
6. Texas (20.5%)
Now we have the Lone Star State, with 20.5% of households owning cats. Due to the state’s size and location, Texas is one of the most biologically diverse states in the U.S. In fact, it has the second highest mammal diversity after California. According to Texas Native Cats, “there are five species of wild cats that either currently or historically call Texas home: jaguar, mountain lion, bobcat, ocelot, and jaguarundi.”
5. Georgia (20.4%)
Starting off the Bottom 5 is the Peach State, with 20.4% of households owning cats. Speaking of peaches, here’s a fun fact for you. Did you know that cats can’t taste sweetness? In fact, cats are the only known mammals that lack the sweet gene. If you catch your cat sneaking licks of your ice cream or peach cobbler, it’s actually the fat they taste and enjoy, not the sugar.
4. Louisiana (19.0%)
Next is the Pelican State, with 19.0% of households owning cats. Although there aren’t a lot of cat owners, there are still plenty of cat lovers. A Louisiana man recently made headlines after recusing 13 kittens. After Robert Brantley stopped to rescue a kitten he saw on the side of the road, 12 more appeared. Robert recorded a video of his initial meeting of the kittens which went viral. This lead to tons of donations and support to get the kittens cared for and adopted. We’ll have the adorable video linked below.
3. New Jersey (18.9%)
Starting off the Bottom 3 is the Garden State, with only 18.9% of households owning cats. Despite the lack of cat ownership, New Jersey still has enough for cat shows. The Garden State Cat Club is a notable non-profit group that hosts an annual cat show and expo, which is the primary fundraiser for the Club. Proceeds, after the deduction of expenses, are donated to feline research and animal welfare organizations. The club was organized in 1936 and is the third oldest cat club affiliated with the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA).
2. Maryland (18.6%)
Now we have the Old Line State, with only 18.6% of households owning cats. Recently, in 2022, Maryland became the second U.S. state to ban declawing cats. The ban on declawing cats will take effect on October 1, 2022. Again, like New York, there may not be a huge percentage of cat owners. But there must be a lot of Marylanders who care about the well-being of cats.
1. Rhode Island (16.7%)
The state with the lowest percentage of cat owners is The Ocean State, with only 16.7% of households owning cats. H.P. Lovecraft, a well-known American writer, is from Providence, Rhode Island. Lovecraft wrote weird, science, fantasy, and horror fiction. Yes, Lovecraft was also a cat lover. He even wrote a short story called The Cats of Ulthar, which is a tale about of how a law forbidding the killing of cats came to be in a town called Ulthar.
BONUS: District of Columbia (16.4%)
While Rhode Island is the state with the fewest cat owners, there is technically one other place in the U.S. that takes the bottom spot for cat ownership. That place is Washington, D.C., with only 16.4% of households owning cats. While D.C. is not a state, it’s obviously part of the U.S., so it’s interesting to see how its cat ownership stats compares with the rest of the country.
Sources
https://ebusiness.avma.org/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=2050
AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook – 2019, American Veterinary Medical Association,
© American Veterinary Medical Association. Content used with permission.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article263925451.html
https://sites.google.com/illinoisstatemuseum.org/ismfamilyfun/exhibits/hot-science-cats
https://gardenstatecatexpo.com/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/06/16/cats-louisiana-man-viral-video/7648014001/
https://www.turpentinecreek.org/
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
