Are There More Cats or Dogs in the World?
Dogs currently outnumber cats worldwide, especially when both owned pets and free-roaming populations are included in global estimates. Current companion animal research suggests there are roughly 900 million dogs worldwide compared to an estimated 600 million cats globally. Pet ownership trends, urban living, and changing household lifestyles continue shaping the modern dog vs cat debate.
Recent cat and dog statistics also show strong growth in global pet ownership, with dogs remaining the most popular companion animals overall while cats continue gaining popularity in apartment-based and urban households. This report from Pet Nutrition University reviews the latest available pet population estimates, ownership trends, and global pet statistics for 2026, alongside our upcoming research covering global dog ownership statistics.
Are There More Dogs or Cats in the World?
Number of Dogs and Cats Kept as Pets Worldwide in May 2026
Dogs remain the most commonly owned pets worldwide. Current estimates suggest there are more than 470 million pet dogs globally compared to approximately 373 million pet cats living in households worldwide.
What the Statistics Say About Pet Ownership
Global pet ownership continues rising as more households view pets as companions and family members rather than simply domestic animals. Dogs still maintain a clear numerical advantage worldwide, but cats are experiencing faster ownership growth in many urban regions.
Several trends continue shaping modern cat and dog statistics:
- Urban living increasingly favors cats
- Dogs remain more common in family households
- Younger adults are adopting more indoor cats
- Premium pet food spending continues rising globally
- Multi-pet households are becoming more common
Research also shows strong regional differences in ownership patterns. Europe maintains one of the world’s largest pet cat populations, while dog ownership remains especially dominant across the United States, Brazil, and several Latin American countries.
Urban Living Increases Cat Ownership
Cities with higher population density and apartment living tend to report stronger cat ownership growth because cats generally adapt well to smaller indoor spaces.
Families Are More Likely to Own Dogs
Dog ownership remains especially common in larger households and family environments where outdoor activity and social interaction play a bigger role in daily routines.
Premium Pet Food Spending Continues Rising
Global spending on premium pet nutrition products continues increasing as pet owners focus more on ingredient quality, health support, and specialized diets for both dogs and cats.
Dog vs Cat Popularity Trends 2020–2026
Dogs remain the world’s most popular companion animals overall, but cats continue showing stronger growth trends in several urban and apartment-based markets. Population growth for indoor cats has accelerated in parts of Asia and Europe where smaller households and independent pet lifestyles are becoming more common.
Recent dog vs cat ownership trends show:
- Dog ownership remains dominant globally
- Cat ownership is rising steadily in urban regions
- Indoor-only cat ownership continues increasing
- Pet adoption rates remain strong for both species
- More households now own both cats and dogs
Countries such as Japan and South Korea have also reported growing cat ownership trends linked to apartment living and younger urban demographics. Additional regional insights will be included in our upcoming cat ownership statistics research hub.