Taipei: The number of pet cats in Taiwan reached a significant milestone in 2025, surpassing the population of pet dogs for the first time, with a total of 1,742,033 cats recorded. This marks a 32.8 percent increase from 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) based on a recent survey.

According to Focus Taiwan, the number of pet dogs experienced a slight decline of 1.2 percent during the same period, totaling 1,462,528. Despite the increase in the feline population, households with dogs still outnumber those with cats by a narrow margin of 1.2 percent. However, a notable rise in households with multiple cats has been observed, contributing to the overall growth in cat numbers.

Chiang Wen-chuan, deputy head of the MOA's Department of Animal Welfare, highlighted that this trend mirrors broader social changes, including a rise in single-person households. In urban areas, where living spaces are often limited, cats are perceived as more suitable pets compared to dogs.

The survey further revealed that registration rates for both dogs and cats have been on the rise in recent years. Dog registration increased from 69.5 percent in 2021 to 77.2 percent in 2025, while cat registration improved from 58.45 percent in 2023 to 66.48 percent. Despite this progress, the MOA pointed out that some pet owners are still unaware of mandatory cat registration following amendments to the Animal Protection Act effective from January 1, 2026, emphasizing the need for increased public awareness.

Regionally, dog registration rates remain lower in areas such as Chiayi, Yunlin, and Changhua counties, at 44.7 percent, 63.6 percent, and 66.2 percent respectively, although gradual improvements have been noted. Additionally, sterilization rates for dogs have seen an increase, rising from 66.41 percent in 2021 to 71.75 percent, indicating effective source management measures, particularly for female dogs, in controlling the stray population.

The MOA expressed its commitment to enhancing oversight, policy guidance, and public education in regions with lower registration and sterilization rates to curb stray animal populations effectively.