New York City may be known as the city that never sleeps, but it’s also the city that scoops.
According to data released by World’s Best Cat Litter, the Big Apple ranks No. 1 in the company’s first-ever “Top 20 Cat Kingdoms” list, highlighting U.S. cities that purchase the most cat litter. The list is based on cat litter sales data collected by NielsenIQ from February 2024 to February 2025.
To commemorate NYC’s new feline-friendly distinction, World’s Best Cat Litter is offering a free, limited-edition t-shirt to local cat lovers, celebrating the city’s devotion to its furry companions. The shirt, which will be available while supplies last, features a special “Top Cat Kingdom” design made just for New York.
New York isn’t the only place full of cat lovers. Florida has three cities in the top 20, two of which are in the top 10. Boston is high on the list relative to its population, while Chicago, the country’s third largest city, only ranks No. 7.
Trailing just behind New York are Los Angeles and Philadelphia, followed by the Tampa-Ft. Myers metro area in Florida; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Boston, Mass.; Chicago, Ill.; Atlanta, Ga.; Orlando, Fla.; and Houston, Texas, to round out the top 10.
The Cleveland-Akron metro area in Ohio came in 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.
According to a recent survey by World’s Best Cat Litter, 70% of cat owners check the litter box daily, though 65% admit that life often gets in the way of regular maintenance.
“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 encourages using natural, corn-based litters, which are lighter and offer better odor control than traditional clay-based options. Granular textures, attractant-infused formulas, and a slow transition can also help keep cats consistent with their litter box routines.
Whether it’s penthouse pets or the city’s beloved bodega cats, New York’s feline residents are clearly being looked after.
