New Report Says These 10 U.S. Cities Are Best for Cat Parents

A new report examined several metrics to determine which cities in the United States are best for cat parents, and maybe it's time to move.

In late July, U.S. News wanted to find out which cities in the United States are the most popular for having a cat, and some really stand out. Take a look!

"It makes sense that feline companions can be found in about 44% of U.S. pet-owning households, based on data available from the U.S. Census Bureau," U.S News & World Report states.

"That’s over 28 million households that have at least one cat knocking things off shelves at random and bringing their owners 'gifts' (If you know, you know)."

The 10 Most Popular U.S. Cities to Have a Cat

1. Los Angeles
2. New York
3. Chicago
4. Brooklyn
5. Seattle
6. Philadelphia
7. San Diego
8. San Francisco
9. San Jose
10. Portland

Looking deeper into the report, it's a little surprising to see heavily populated cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago at the top. However, the researchers had a theory that these cities are at the top because of their number of apartments.

"This could be because apartments, which are common in these cities, may be seen by some as better suited to cats than dogs due to size constraints," the study said. "Some apartment dwellers may be more likely to adopt a cat — though of course, many people simply prefer feline companions."

However, they also theorize that pet insurance and the cost in these cities might play a factor, too.

" Cat ownership is generally cheaper than dog ownership (for example, cat insurance policies tend to cost less than dog insurance policies)," the research team at U.S News & World Report shares.

Adding, "Cat ownership might be more affordable in cities with a high cost of living, which might help explain why these larger, more expensive cities have such big cat-owner communities."

Another reason these cities are at the top of the list is because being a cat parent is relatively chill because cats are pretty independent. With cats being pretty happy to do their own thing, they don't need parents who can commit to taking them for a walk outside several times a day like a dog would.

"Cats may be seen as a more laid-back option for pet ownership when compared to dogs," the report states. "Cats tend to be relatively independent companions."

Things You Should Consider Before You Adopt a Cat

According to the New Hampshire SPCA , there are a lot of things you need to really think about before adopting a cat to ensure you will have the time, money, and space to really give a cat what it deserves.

"Cats generally live between 12 and 18 years. However, cats are living longer all the time and it is not unusual for a cat to live until 20 years old or older," the experts warn. "Take a moment to consider that you are prepared for this long-term commitment of your time, energy, and finances."

Other things they suggest thinking about include other pets in the home, being able to afford health care for your cat , whether you can commit to letting your cat be an indoor cat or are very prepared to take all necessary precautions if you want to allow them to spend time outside, and whether you can commit to letting your cat be an indoor cat.