In 2020, remote work in the Netherlands fueled a surge in pet adoptions, especially cats. Petplan, a leading pet insurer, reported over 50% more cats insured that year. New owners favored timeless favorites, with Simba retaining the top spot for males—just like in 2019—while Luna overtook Nala as the most popular female name. This insight comes from Petplan's analysis of data from more than 9,000 pet owners.
Do indoor cats really not need insurance? Cats boomed during the pandemic, yet an estimated 95% of kittens remain uninsured. Many owners assume indoor cats are risk-free. "Unfortunately, that's a myth," explains Marélie Sweep from Petplan. "We frequently handle high-cost claims for issues any cat can face, like gastrointestinal blockages from hairballs, which can rack up vet bills as high as €5,000. Ironically, indoor cats are often the ones hit by cars after a brief escape—startled by street noise, they dart into traffic." Skyrocketing vet costs force heartbreaking decisions based on budgets, not animal welfare.
A Close Contest
Simba held firm as 2020's overall top cat name, displacing Nala to fourth place. Luna climbed two spots to become the runner-up.
Top 10 Cat Names 2020:
Simba
Luna
Pip
Nala
Bella
Tommy
Max
Pip
Lola
Charlie
Top 3 Male Cat Names 2020:
Simba
Max
Tommy
Top 3 Female Cat Names 2020:
Luna
Nala
Bella
