Probability of Being a Cat Owner

Cat ownership in the United States stands at approximately 29% of households, representing about 47 million homes with roughly 74 million pet cats, according to the American Pet Products Association. While fewer households own cats than dogs (29% vs. 44.5%), cat-owning households often have multiple cats, and the total number of pet cats has grown steadily.

Cat ownership tends to skew slightly different from dog ownership: cat owners are more likely to live in apartments or urban areas, be single, and have smaller households. The average annual cost of cat ownership is approximately $800-1,200, generally lower than dog ownership. Indoor cats live an average of 12-18 years, significantly longer than outdoor cats (2-5 years).

Cats are the most popular pet worldwide and have been domesticated for approximately 10,000 years. Studies show cat ownership has health benefits including reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and a 30% reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. A unique consideration is the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which cats can carry and transmit through their feces. This is primarily a concern for pregnant women (risk of birth defects) and immunocompromised individuals.