New York City Named Top Cat Kingdom In U.S. Based On Litter Sales

New York City has earned a new title that might surprise even lifelong residents: the top “Cat Kingdom” in the nation.

According to World’s Best Cat Litter, the Big Apple leads the country in cat litter usage, topping the brands inaugural “Top 20 Cat Kingdoms” list. The rankings, based on NielsenIQ market data from February 2024 to February 2025, highlight the cities where cat owners are scooping the most.

According to the findings, Florida loves cats, with three cities in the top 20, two of which made the top 10. Chicago, meanwhile, ranks at just No. 7 despite being the countrys third largest city, while Boston is punching above its population weight at No. 6.

Los Angeles and Philadelphia secured the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, followed by the Tampa-Ft. Myers metro area in Florida and Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas. Rounding out the top 10 are Boston, Mass.; Chicago, Ill.; Atlanta, Ga.; Orlando, Fla.; and Houston, Texas.

The full list of top cat-loving cities also includes the Cleveland-Akron metro area in Ohio at No. 11, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; Washington, D.C.; Detroit, Mich.; Pittsburgh, Penn.; Miami, Fla.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Seattle, Wash.; and Denver, Colo.

To celebrate New York Citys status as the countrys top Cat Kingdom, the brand is releasing a limited-edition commemorative t-shirt for local cat lovers. The free shirt, while supplies last, is designed to honor New Yorks unique cat culture — from penthouse pets to iconic bodega cats.

Despite high litter sales, litter box maintenance remains a daily challenge. A recent survey by the brand found that 70% of cat parents check the litter box daily, but 65% admit they dont always scoop as often as intended.

“We know that 54% of cat owners are concerned about their cat’s litter box habits, but there are many ways that cat parents can make smart decisions to help ease anxiety around litter box behaviors,” said Dr. Elizabeth Flickinger, senior manager of insights and innovation at World’s Best Cat Litter. “With the right litter choice, proper box placement, and a gradual transition process, cat parents can create an inviting environment to encourage healthy litter box habits for their cats.”

The company recommends natural, corn-based litter for better odor control and less weight compared to traditional clay-based options. Granular textures, subtle scents, and a slow transition process when switching litters can all improve a cats comfort and consistency in using the litter box.