Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA) chiefs say this means that the UK now has 17 million pet-owning homes, with the majority owning either a cat or a dog – or both.
There are now around 12million pet cats in the UK, comprising a range of popular breeds.
Of course, once you’ve decided to add feline friend to your family, there’s the tricky business of what to call your new ball of fur.
Insurance company GoCompare has carried out some research into the most popular cat names.
Here are the top 10.
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5. Loki
Cats are notorious for being mischievous - so it's no surprise that Loki, the Norse god of mischief, is a top five name for lockdown kitten. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Charlie
Charlie is the sixth most popular cat name since March 2020. The name means 'free man'. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Bella
Meaning 'beautiful' in Italian, Bella is the seventh most popular cat name in the UK. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Leo
Coming from the Latin word for 'lion', and the name of the fifth sign of the astrological zodiac, it's maybe surprising that Leo only features in eighth place. Photo: Canva/Getty Images