New Yorkers adore their pizza and bagels. But it seems they may love their cats even more. In a bizarre turn of urban priorities, NYC has clawed its way to the top of a very unexpected list—cat litter usage.
World’s Best Cat Litter’s inaugural “Top 20 Cat Kingdoms” report dug beneath our feline lives to discover where Americans are spending big in their cat’s litter box routine. Based on NielsenIQ data betweem February 2024 and 2025, this list follows which U.S. cities are doing the most… scooping.
And though New York vocally meows in the number one position, the contest is closer than you’d imagine. So who else was on the list—and how close did they come to NYC’s litter throne?
1. New York City ($96.6M)
The city that never sleeps evidently never misses a scoop either. NYC ranked first with a whopping $96,613,408 spent on cat litter in one year alone. That’s 147.8 million units—enough to bury all five boroughs in fluff.
With tight city quarters, a surge in apartment pets, and the classic “bodega cat” lifestyle, it’s little surprise New Yorkers are paying top dollar. From Upper East Side rescues to Brooklyn hipster cats with their own Instagram followings, these cats are royalty. To commemorate, World’s Best Cat Litter even released a limited-edition NYC-themed t-shirt.
One thing’s for sure—whether sleeping on a penthouse pillow or snoozing next to a radiator—NYC’s cats are spoiled. And their humans? Devoted, albeit a little tired from all that scooping.
2. Los Angeles ($89M)
The second-biggest cat litter spender is none other than Los Angeles, dropping approximately $89 million per year. And we understand—what cat wouldn’t love sun, yoga energy, and mid-century modern window perches?
Pets are essentially influencers in LA, complete with designer collars and filtered selfies. But it’s not all glitz and fluff. LA’s litter load is considerable, given all those pet owners, apartment residents, and rescued strays. From West Hollywood rescues to Silver Lake studio cats, Angelenos are serious about litter box cleanup.
The only drama? LA wasn’t far behind NYC. One sale of catnip short, and they would’ve taken the number one spot. But for now, the City of Angels takes silver in the cat litter game.
3. Philadelphia ($79M)
Philly might be most famous for cheesesteaks and brotherly love, but it appears it’s a cat-loving stronghold as well. The city dropped a staggering $79 million on cat litter in a year, out-purring larger cities Chicago and Houston.
Why? Point the finger at the proliferation of pet-friendly rentals, a growing rescue community, and yes, dedicated cat parents with hearts (and wallets) of gold. Whether you’re in Fishtown or South Philly, cats are taking over the rowhomes.
There’s a certain blue-collar pride in keeping the litter box clean—just ask any cat owner balancing work, SEPTA delays, and late-nights changing their pet’s litter box. Philly’s ranking might seem unexpected, but one thing’s clear: this city doesn’t mess around when it comes to their furry roommates.
4. Tampa ($74M est.)
Florida clawed its way into the top 10 with not one, not two, but three cities. Top dog in the litter pack is Tampa, ranking number four. While numbers weren’t given, it was estimated at approximately $74 million.
So what’s the reason? Sun, low taxes, and a recent influx of new residents (and pets!) have made Tampa an official cat haven. Retirees with time on their hands to spoil their pets? Check. Millennials heading south with their fur babies? Check. Tampa’s heat means more indoor cats—and more litter.
And it’s not even just a question of volume. Floridians are also choosing natural, corn-based litter products, particularly eco-friendly Gen Zers. Tampa might not be as boisterous as NYC, but in the litter world, it’s softly ahead of the pack.
5. Atlanta ($71M est.)
The Peach State’s capital is making waves in the cat universe as well. Atlanta comes in at number five with an estimated $71 million in yearly cat litter sales.
With both pet adoption rates that are through the roof and a city population that’s bursting at the seams, it’s no wonder ATL’s performance is top-notch. Urbanization means smaller areas, and smaller areas generally mean litter boxes are nearer to human noses—that is, they must be cleaned more frequently.
From Buckhead condominiums to Decatur townhomes, the litter box is an urban fact of life. Add southern hospitality to pets, and it’s easy to see why Atlanta made the top five.
6. San Diego ($69M est.)
San Diego might be famous for surfboards, beaches and burritos, but it’s also a city where a thriving cat-loving population is driving estimated cat litter sales of almost $69 million.
From military families to telecommuters, pet ownership in this coastal paradise is thriving. San Diego’s “green” consciousness can perhaps explain the prevalence of natural, corn-based litters. One of the state’s highest percentages of pet-owning homes is also right here. Translation? More cats, more boxes, more litter.
From Mission Hills to La Jolla to a sunny downtown studio, there’s at least one beloved kitty ruling the roost. And as the cats sleep in sunspots, their owners are scooping like pros.
7. Chicago ($66M)
As the third-largest city in America, you’d think Chicago would be the litter king. But coming in at a surprising No. 7, the Windy City spends around $66 million on cat litter. Not bad, but not quite purr-fection.
With Chicago’s cold, long winters, cats are inside a lot, contributing to the scooping factor. Litter boxes are an unavoidable aspect of urban living, from Logan Square two-flats to Loop high-rises. And the fact that there are so many rescue cats in Chicago contributes to the sum.
So why isn’t it higher? Experts cite increased outdoor time during warmer months and multi-cat households may use alternative measures, possibly explaining the decline. Regardless, Chicago is still a litter giant.
8–10 (Houston, Orlando, Phoenix)
Finishing out the top 10 are Houston, Orlando, and Phoenix—three large spenders. Houston, with its sprawl and pet-friendly culture, comes in at approximately $63 million, showing that everything really is bigger in Texas, including the litter bags.
Orlando is close behind, supported by a dense renter population and families who are taking in cats as low-maintenance pets. And then, naturally, there’s Phoenix—hot, dry, and filled with AC-cooled cats. With more house cats remaining inside to escape desert heat, litter boxes are being used more.
These cities don’t necessarily set the pace, but their devotion to their cats having a clean, comfortable space is certain. Each location brings something unique to the table—whether it’s southern hospitality, theme-park-adjacent pet culture, or sun-drenched living. One thing’s certain: American cities are investing big in their whiskered companions.
What It All Says About Us
So, what does $96 million in cat litter tell us? More than you’d think. These rankings aren’t just about pet products—they reveal how deeply cats are woven into American life.
From city studios to sunbelt suburbs, we’re prioritizing our feline friends’ comfort. The surge in natural litter shows a shift toward eco-awareness, while high sales in smaller cities highlight just how widespread the love is. Cat ownership has gone mainstream—and we’re not shy about showing it.
Whether it’s one New York City bodega cat or three rescue cats in Tampa, Americans are scooping, spending, and smiling their way into a massive cat kingdom. Long live the litter lords. Now, who’s going to clean the litter box?
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