A recent year-long analysis of Google search behavior finds the United States favors dogs overall, but regional patterns reveal clear pockets of feline preference — mostly along the coasts and in major tech hubs. The split matters for advertisers, pet insurers and even people dating, because where you live helps predict whether you’re more likely to be a “dog person” or a “cat person.”
The research, commissioned by MetLife Pet Insurance and conducted by Fractl, reviewed search activity across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 55 large metropolitan areas. Rather than raw search totals, the study compared each location to the national baseline, so “cat-leaning” places are those where searches come closer to parity — not places where cats outnumber dogs in absolute terms.
The “Dog Belt” vs. the “Cat Belt”
At the state level, the strongest dog preference shows up deep in the South and parts of the Mountain West. Mississippi stands out: searches for dogs there exceeded cat searches by roughly 120% — the largest gap in the country. Neighboring and culturally similar states round out the top dog-leaning group.
- Most dog-leaning states:
- Mississippi
- Wyoming
- South Carolina
- Louisiana
- Alabama
On the other side, Washington state tops the list of cat-oriented states — though even there, dog-related searches still outpace cat queries by a substantial margin (about 53%). The “cat belt” tends to include smaller, older states in the Northeast and the Pacific Northwest.
- Most cat-leaning states:
- Washington
- Rhode Island
- Washington, D.C.
- Massachusetts
- Maine
Big Cities Show Sharper Preferences
When researchers zoomed into metropolitan areas, differences intensified. Urban centers often tilt more decisively toward one pet type.
El Paso emerged as the most dog-focused metro, with dog searches about 135% higher than cat searches. By contrast, the most cat-oriented cities are largely coastal and tech-centered — and the cat advantage in those metros exceeds the strongest cat-leaning states.
- Notable cat-first metros:
- Philadelphia (the most cat-leaning metro)
- Seattle
- Boston
- Baltimore
- Minneapolis
- Portland
- Oakland
- New York
- Columbus
- San Jose
What the People Say — Personality and Relationships
The study’s survey arm polled 1,005 adults about pet identity, revealing that nearly half of Americans self-identify as dog people (47%), while about 28% say they are cat people. Respondents who favor dogs were more likely to describe themselves as loyal and protective; those who favor cats more often labeled themselves low-maintenance.
One of the clearest behavioral differences: 62% of self-identified cat fans said they recharge best alone, compared with 53% of dog fans — a result that aligns with common stereotypes but is backed here by survey data.
Pet preference also has social consequences. A majority of adults — 57% — said a partner’s taste in pets could be a dealbreaker; 18% insisted a romantic partner must share their own preference. Almost one in three pet owners admitted they would side with their pet over their partner in a serious conflict.
- Quick takeaways:
- Nationally, dogs are the more-searched pet, but regional variation is strong.
- Urban areas tend to show more extreme preferences than states as a whole.
- Pet identity correlates with self-described personality traits and can influence relationships.
- These patterns matter to businesses targeting pet owners and to services that use location-based audience insights.
For marketers and insurers, the study highlights where demand for dog- or cat-focused products might be concentrated. For individuals, it underscores how pet preference has become a meaningful social marker — one that can shape neighborhoods, retail choices and even romantic decisions.
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Miles Harper focuses on optimizing your daily life. He shares practical strategies to improve your time management, well-being, and consumption habits, turning your routine into lasting success.