Source: Freedonia Group
As cat-owning households now outnumber puppy-owning households for the first time since Packaged Facts began tracking them, the pet industry faces growing pressure to better serve feline owners. Although innovation has focused heavily on premium cat nutrition, many consumers still feel cats are treated as “second-class citizens,” particularly in retail and non-medical pet services. Cats accounted for an estimated $46.2 billion in U.S. pet industry sales in 2025, or 30% of the market, yet product assortments, services, and merchandising remain largely dog-centric.
Evolving demographics, including apartment living, hybrid work, aging pet owners, and smaller households, are fueling cat ownership and creating new opportunities. Areas such as healthy aging, behavioral health, enrichment, smart technologies, subscription services, and improved retail experiences remain underdeveloped. Companies that design products and services specifically for modern feline lifestyles, rather than adapting dog-focused strategies, will be best positioned to capitalize on one of the pet industry’s fastest-growing segments.