2021 pet statistics estimate that there are 8.1 million domestic cats1 in Canada. Cats out number dogs as the country’s most popular pet. Let’s look at everything that you need to know about cats in Canada.
Canada’s Most Popular Cat Breeds Here are the 11 most popular cat breeds in Canada:
Rank Breed
1 Domestic Shorthair
2 American Shorthair
3 Domestic Longhair
4 Siamese
5 Ragdoll
6 Maine Coon
7 Bengal
8 Russian Blue
9 Sphynx
10 Persian
11 Himalayan
Canadians’ Relationships With Cats Image Credit: Piqsels Since one in three households in Canada owns a cat, we wanted to know more about how Canadians feel about their cats. According to Canadian pet statistics, here’s what we know.
Canadians are willing to pay top dollar for cats. In 2020, cat owners spent CA$2,275 per cat.
There are over 700 pet stores in Canada. Sales of cat treats and cat food totaled over CA$900 million in 2020.
Canadian Wild Cats Canada has many domestic cats, but they also have several wild cats. When people think of big cats, the lions and tigers of Asia or Africa come to mind. But did you know there are three distinctly Canadian wild cat species that roam the country? They include the Canada Lynx, Bobcat, and Cougar. The Canada Lynx is the most widespread wild feline species, and it can be found in most forests throughout Canada and the U.S. These cats are often mistaken for Bobcats but can be distinguished by the long tufts of fur on the back legs and ears. The Bobcat is the smallest of Canada’s wild cats. Its name comes from its tail, which is stubby and “bobbed.” It’s about three times the size of a house cat. This species is found throughout North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They adapt well to different climates, including swampland, forests, and even urban environments. Cougars are the largest wild cat in Canada and the most dangerous. These powerful predators grow up to 2 metres in length and weigh up to 90 kg. They have the largest habitat range of any land mammal in the western hemisphere: They roam from the Yukon all the way to Argentina. This nocturnal cat can kill prey up to four times their size. Fun Facts About Cats in Canada Image Credit: Daniel Zopf, Unsplash
Only 46% of Canadian cat owners take their cats to the vet.
Fewer than 3% of cat owners have pet insurance.
The average cost of cat ownership in Canada is $2,542 per year.
In 2019, over 78,000 cats took refuge in Canadian shelters.
Cats are taken into shelters at twice the frequency of dogs.
About 85% of Canadian shelter cats are adopted into new homes.
Canada’s feral cat population is estimated to be between 1.2 and 4 million, roughly equalling 6–15% of the human population.
Summary There are approximately 8.1 million cats in Canada, and one in three households owns a cat. Cats are the most popular pets in the country. Canada can also claim the three wild “big cat” breeds that roam throughout North America. Sources
Canadian Animal Health Institute Statista TVP TIME PHI Direct Humane Canada Nature Canada
Next On Your Reading List: 10 Best Cat Litters for Odour Control in Canada
Featured Image Credit: Lalandrew, Shutterstock
2021 pet statistics estimate that there are 8.1 million domestic cats1 in Canada. Cats out number dogs as the country’s most popular pet. Let’s look at everything that you need to know about cats in Canada.
Canada’s Most Popular Cat Breeds
Here are the 11 most popular cat breeds in Canada:
Rank Breed
1 Domestic Shorthair
2 American Shorthair
3 Domestic Longhair
4 Siamese
5 Ragdoll
6 Maine Coon
7 Bengal
8 Russian Blue
9 Sphynx
10 Persian
11 Himalayan
Canadians’ Relationships With Cats
Since one in three households in Canada owns a cat, we wanted to know more about how Canadians feel about their cats. According to Canadian pet statistics, here’s what we know.
Canadians are willing to pay top dollar for cats. In 2020, cat owners spent CA$2,275 per cat.
There are over 700 pet stores in Canada. Sales of cat treats and cat food totaled over CA$900 million in 2020.
- Canadians are willing to pay top dollar for cats. In 2020, cat owners spent CA$2,275 per cat.
- There are over 700 pet stores in Canada. Sales of cat treats and cat food totaled over CA$900 million in 2020.
Canadian Wild Cats
Canada has many domestic cats, but they also have several wild cats. When people think of big cats, the lions and tigers of Asia or Africa come to mind. But did you know there are three distinctly Canadian wild cat species that roam the country? They include the Canada Lynx, Bobcat, and Cougar.
The Canada Lynx is the most widespread wild feline species, and it can be found in most forests throughout Canada and the U.S. These cats are often mistaken for Bobcats but can be distinguished by the long tufts of fur on the back legs and ears.
The Bobcat is the smallest of Canada’s wild cats. Its name comes from its tail, which is stubby and “bobbed.” It’s about three times the size of a house cat. This species is found throughout North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They adapt well to different climates, including swampland, forests, and even urban environments.
Cougars are the largest wild cat in Canada and the most dangerous. These powerful predators grow up to 2 metres in length and weigh up to 90 kg. They have the largest habitat range of any land mammal in the western hemisphere: They roam from the Yukon all the way to Argentina. This nocturnal cat can kill prey up to four times their size.
Fun Facts About Cats in Canada
Only 46% of Canadian cat owners take their cats to the vet.
Fewer than 3% of cat owners have pet insurance.
The average cost of cat ownership in Canada is $2,542 per year.
In 2019, over 78,000 cats took refuge in Canadian shelters.
Cats are taken into shelters at twice the frequency of dogs.
About 85% of Canadian shelter cats are adopted into new homes.
Canada’s feral cat population is estimated to be between 1.2 and 4 million, roughly equalling 6–15% of the human population.
- Only 46% of Canadian cat owners take their cats to the vet.
- Fewer than 3% of cat owners have pet insurance.
- The average cost of cat ownership in Canada is $2,542 per year.
- In 2019, over 78,000 cats took refuge in Canadian shelters.
- Cats are taken into shelters at twice the frequency of dogs.
- About 85% of Canadian shelter cats are adopted into new homes.
- Canada’s feral cat population is estimated to be between 1.2 and 4 million, roughly equalling 6–15% of the human population.
Summary
There are approximately 8.1 million cats in Canada, and one in three households owns a cat. Cats are the most popular pets in the country. Canada can also claim the three wild “big cat” breeds that roam throughout North America.
Sources
Canadian Animal Health Institute Statista TVP TIME PHI Direct Humane Canada Nature Canada
- Next On Your Reading List: 10 Best Cat Litters for Odour Control in Canada
Featured Image Credit: Lalandrew, Shutterstock
Sources
Canadian Animal Health Institute Statista TVP TIME PHI Direct Humane Canada Nature Canada
- Canadian Animal Health Institute
- Statista
- TVP
- TIME
- PHI Direct
- Humane Canada
- Nature Canada
