Why more Indians living in flats are choosing cats as feline companions gain ground on dogs

The dog has long been the default image of a family pet: waiting at the door, ready for a walk, delighted to see everyone. The cat offers a different picture of companionship. It might greet its owner after work, if it feels like it. Or, it might just stay perched at the windowsill and only purr for food. But, for some, that distance can be a part of the attraction. More and more Indians are making room for cats in their homes (and their hearts), although cats have not overtaken dogs. A study by the Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada puts India’s pet-cat population at 4.5 million in 2025, up from 2.4 million in 2020, which is an annual growth of 13.6%. The estimated dog population remained far larger, at 33.4 million, but grew at a slower 5.9 % annually over the same period.

The population is only concentrated though. An Euromonitor study on Cat Food in India finds that Indian cat adoption is still low relative to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, domestically, the adoption is concentrated only in certain tier-1 and metro cities. It only forecasts a spread to tier-two and tier-three cities. In other words, cats are gaining ground from a much smaller base. They are not replacing dogs as India’s most common pet.

But, aren’t cats too stuffy for a flat? Shouldn’t they be in huge houses with gardens? Not necessarily. Cats can use an indoor litter tray, and can comfortably play, perch, scratch and hide, despite the size of the dwelling. Moreover, for a house whose working day is organised around work and commute, a cat is a perfect companion. As many vets observe, cats like to choose when the contact with its parent begins and ends, unlike the routine associated with dogs.

However, easier to accommodate shouldn’t translate into easy to neglect. While a cat does not need to be walked like a dog, their indoor life still needs planning. A cat does not need to be walked like a dog, but an indoor life still needs planning. The American Association of Feline Practitioners and International Society of Feline Medicine guidelines call for:

safe hiding places;

separated areas for food, water, toileting, scratching and rest;

opportunities to play and engage in hunting-like behaviour;

and predictable, positive interaction with people.

Independence also doesn’t mean a complete distance from the cat. A cat shouldn’t spend every day alone without stimulation. The RSPCA advises against leaving cats alone for long periods of time, and recommends toys and food for when they are left. It also stresses the importance of daily play and regular contact, but obviously on the cat’s terms. The cat that is content to sleep through their owner’s workday, still needs some to make the hour at home enjoyable.

There is also an issue of physical safety. The flat still needs to be cat-proofed. Open balconies pose a huge risk, especially at heights. A 2025 study, titled ‘High-rise syndrome in cats’, examined 1,125 cats treated after falls of at least four metres at a veterinary clinic in Berlin. Of those cases, 58.3% involved chest trauma and 47.2% involved a limb fracture; 13.3% of the cats died or were euthanised. With more and more buildings stacking houses on top of each other, one can only imagine the risks in the high-rises of urban India. Cat-owners need to ensure proper cat-proofing of their house before their furry roommate moves in.

People in urban cities want a furry companion that can fit their smaller homes and crowded schedules. While cats may be a good match, they are not a workaround for not having time to care for one. When you choose a pet, choose one whose life you can enrich and who can enrich yours.

Cats can adapt well to flat living, as they can use indoor litter trays and do not require daily outdoor walks.

Cats can fit well into busy schedules, as they are generally comfortable spending some time independently, although they still need daily interaction, play and stimulation.

For people who prefer a quieter kind of companionship, a cat can be affectionate without demanding attention every waking hour.

With appropriate scratching areas, hiding spots, play opportunities and safe spaces, cats can have a fulfilling indoor life.

The appeal of cats, then, may not be that they are easier pets. It is that they can fit into the rhythms of modern urban life. But, they still require care, attention and responsibility.