1 in 4 Gen Z Cat Owners Have Turned Down a Nicer Apartment for Their Pet — Here’s How to Make Any Space Work

It’s no secret that some of us humans are pretty obsessed with our cats. Around 39% of American households now own cats, with Gen Z accounting for 22% of that total, according to the American Pet Products Association. Of these young cat owners, nearly half of them report that their pet is “the most important thing in their life.” From “purr-lates” classes to cat cafes, lifestyle trends and new businesses seem to be catering to cat owners more and more as well. But cat ownership still comes with its challenges, particularly for younger pet owners. 

Mars, the maker of several popular pet foods (including my own cat Phoebe’s favorite treats, Temptations), surveyed pet parents all across the country for their 2026 U.S. Pet Parent Perception Research study — and what they found was pretty shocking. Nearly one in four Gen Z pet owners has reportedly turned down a “nicer” home because it wasn’t pet-friendly, or charged steep deposits and fees. But don’t despair, cat-lovers: Even if your housing options might be more limited, you can still create the cat-friendly space of your design-loving dreams. 

As it turns out, having a pet can limit your housing options in today’s rental market. On top of the fact that many rentals just aren’t pet-friendly, according to Mars’ report, 42% of pet owners say upfront pet deposits and monthly pet fees are an added hurdle. Losing out on a nicer, newer, or larger apartment because of your cat can sting, but it doesn’t mean you have to live uncomfortably. In smaller spaces, you just have to get creative. 

Try adding a built-in pet food station in the kitchen or a cozy window bed to save floor space. Invest in a stylish litter box enclosure to keep your apartment looking (and smelling) much cleaner. You can even turn overhead storage into a mini cat apartment, like Lox and Lottie’s owners did; their Instagram account @loxandlottie went viral for this last year. “We are seeing how inside the home, pets are becoming an even greater priority in everyday life,” says Fawad Farrukh, vice president of Mars’ North American Feline Nutrition Portfolio. “They want their cats comfortable and connected to the family.”

Of course, the key to a truly stylish home as a cat owner is investing in aesthetically pleasing (and functional) accessories. All sorts of cute collars, leashes, and crates exist for dogs, but it’s a lot harder to find good-looking toys and furniture for fashionable felines.

So as both a style editor and a cat owner, I did some research so you don’t have to. You can shop six of my favorite cat-friendly home finds below — and seeing as today is National Cat Day, it’s the perfect excuse to treat your little furry friend (and yourself!) to something chic.