Bristol University survey reveals popularity of cats and dogs
Last updated 2/11/2010 8:49:18 AM
Bristol University survey reveals popularity of cats and dogs
Cats and dogs have always been popular pets in the UK but a new study throws some light on just how popular they are and with whom.
The paper published by Bristol University aims to estimate the number of UK domestic cats and dogs and identify the characteristics of their owners. It will be useful to animal health and welfare professions, including rescue charities.
A telephone survey of households randomly selected from the electoral roll revealed that cats and dogs were owned by 26 per cent and 31 per cent of households, respectively.
UK census information was used to help estimate that UK households owned approximately 10.3 million cats and 10.5 million dogs in 2006.
Characteristics associated with cat and dog ownership were also identified. Cats were more likely to be owned by households with gardens, semi-urban/rural households, households with someone qualified to degree level, respondents who were female and respondents who were aged less than 65 years. Cats were less likely to be owned by households with one or more dogs.
The likelihood of dog ownership increased as the household size increased. Dogs were more likely to be owned by households with gardens, rural households and less likely to be owned by households with someone educated to degree level and households with cats or children aged less than 11 years. Female respondents and those aged less than 55 years were more likely to report dog ownership than other respondents. Dogs were less likely to be owned by households with one or more cats.
Past reports have suggested that the number of pet cats exceeds the number of pet dogs in the UK. However, results from the study suggest that there are similar numbers of domestic cats and dogs.
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