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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9. Willow
Meaning 'freedom', the name Willow is the ninth most common choice when it comes to naming a kitten. It also relates to the tree of the same name and the 'pussy willow' catkins it produces. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Coco
Completing the top 10 kitten names is Coco, a stylish name of French origin forever associated with fashion designer Coco Chanel. Photo: Canva/Getty Images