Cats in Europe: 108 Million and Counting — Ownership, Costs & Care Trends

With 108 million cats, Europe is a continent of cat people — cats now outnumber dogs in European households. Here's the data behind our favourite feline friends.

Where Europe's cats live

Germany, France, the UK and Italy are home to more than half of Europe's cats. Cat ownership is rising fastest in Central and Eastern Europe — Hungary, Poland and Romania now have some of the highest household ownership rates on the continent.

What a cat costs — and how it compares

Cats are the more affordable companion — around a third cheaper to keep than dogs. A typical UK cat budget looks like this:

Typical annual cat costs (UK, 2025/26 estimates)

Cost item	Annual range	Notes
Food	£300–600	Wet + dry mix
Litter	£120–240	£10–20 per month
Insurance	£120–300	Cheaper than dog cover
Routine vet	£150–300	Vaccinations, flea & worming
Toys, scratching & care	£80–200	Scratching posts last years
Total	≈ £900–1,800	vs £1,500–2,500 for dogs

What Europe feeds its cats

Unlike dogs — where dry food dominates — European cats eat mostly wet food, a preference driven by hydration and palatability:

• Wet food — 60%
• Dry food — 36%
• Treats — 4%

Sources: FEDIAF Facts & Figures 2025; Cats Protection cost data 2024; UK government microchipping rules 2024. Figures are estimates and vary by region.

What this means for cat owners

• Hydration first: the wet-food trend mirrors vets' advice — most cats simply don't drink enough water.
• Enrichment pays off: scratching posts, puzzle feeders and interactive toys prevent the boredom that leads to destructive behaviour.
• Microchip early — it's cheap (around €30–60), often mandatory, and the single best way to get a lost cat home.

Explore our cat collection — toys and everyday essentials loved by cats and their humans.