How many cats are there in Spain? The latest official figures

For years, working out how many cats live in Spain was almost a guessing game: every source gave a different figure and there was no official national count. That has started to change. In June 2026, the Spanish Government published the preliminary results of the first National Statistics on animal protection, and the numbers are very revealing. Here they are, along with what other sources say and how to interpret them.

The official figure: more than 5.6 million cats

According to the preliminary report published by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda in June 2026, in 2025 Spanish households were home to:

• 15,171,569 pets in total.
• 7,562,893 dogs, around half the total.
• 5,619,967 cats, around 37%.
• 1,988,708 animals of other species (rabbits, birds, reptiles, tortoises…), close to 13%.

The Ministry also notes that the number of pets has grown by 14% since 2021. By region, Andalusia has the most pets (3.3 million), followed by Catalonia (almost 2 million), the Community of Madrid (1.9 million) and the Valencian Community (1.5 million). These regional figures include all species, not just cats.

Where do these numbers come from?

The statistics were compiled from registrations in the regional pet registers between 2021 and 2025. This is a preliminary release, not the final statistics.

That has an important consequence: it only counts registered animals. And in the case of cats, identification has traditionally been much lower than for dogs. For example, the Fundación Affinity study on abandonment from 2023 found that 96% of cats arriving at animal shelters had no microchip. So it's very likely that there are cats missing from this figure.

What the European industry says: 4.94 million

The other major reference is the annual report from FEDIAF, the European pet food industry federation. Its "Facts & Figures 2026" edition, with data from 2024, puts Spain at:

• 4,939,000 cats.
• 6,962,000 dogs.
• A total of around 17.1 million pets, including fish, birds and small mammals.

For Spain, FEDIAF compiles this data from information supplied by its national member, the Spanish association of pet food manufacturers (ANFAAC), reviewed by an external consultancy. It doesn't come from the official registers.

Why don't the figures match?

It's not that one is right and the other wrong: they measure different things in different ways.

• The registers count identified animals. They can fall short (cats without a chip) or overshoot (animals that have died but were never removed from the register).
• Market surveys estimate how many animals there are in households based on a sample. They depend on the survey design and the reference year.

What both sources confirm is that Spain has between 5 and 5.6 million cats and that, unlike France, Germany or Italy, dogs still outnumber cats there.

The cat is gaining ground

Although dogs are still ahead, there are signs that cats are growing strongly. According to ANFAAC data reported in the trade press, cat food was the fastest-growing segment of the Spanish market in 2024. The pace of urban life, smaller flats and working hours all favour an animal that doesn't need walks and adapts well to living indoors.

The law is also focusing on cats

Spain's Law 7/2023 on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals requires cats to be identified with a microchip and neutered before six months of age, except those registered for breeding by registered breeders. As these obligations are applied, the registers will more accurately reflect how many cats there really are in the country.

What it means for cat owners in Spain

• If your cat isn't microchipped, book an appointment with your vet: it's compulsory, and it's the best way to get them back if they go missing.
• If you move house or change phone number, update your details in your region's register.
• If your cat dies, report it: this helps make the statistics more reliable.

In short: more than 5 million cats live in Spain, with an official figure of 5,619,967 registered in 2025. Dogs are still in the majority, but cats keep taking a bigger place in Spanish homes.

At Katlune we keep a close eye on data about cats in Europe. If you'd like the most interesting findings every week, Club Katlune sums them up in a few minutes.

Sources: Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda, press release "Un estudio del Gobierno estima que en España hay más de 15 millones de animales de compañía" ("A Government study estimates there are more than 15 million pets in Spain", June 2026); FEDIAF, "Facts & Figures 2026" (2024 data); Fundación Affinity, 2023 study on abandonment and adoption; ANFAAC; Law 7/2023 of 28 March (BOE).