People care about their dogs more than their cats, study confirms

When it comes to owning pets, we all know whether we're more of a ‘dog person' or a ‘cat person'.

Now, at the risk of upsetting those who favour felines, experts have revealed that people's levels of attachment are greater when it comes to their dogs – and they are willing to pay higher vet fees for them.

Researchers sampled 2,117 people who owned either dogs, cats or both.

Participants were asked to answer questions about their pets' care and their attachment to them. 

Analysis revealed that people appeared to care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries and across all measures.

Although the preference for dogs was only slight in the UK, in Austria it was more marked and, in Denmark, the preference was very pronounced (pictured: a man walking his dog in Bornholm, northern coast of Denmark

They had higher attachment scores for their dogs, insured their dogs more often, generally expected more treatment options to be available for dogs, and would pay more for that treatment. 

However, there were striking differences in attitudes between countries. Participants for the study were taken from the UK, Denmark and Austria. 

Although the preference for dogs was only slight in the UK, in Austria it was more marked and, in Denmark, the preference was very pronounced.

Dr Peter Sandoe, first author of the study at the University of Copenhagen, said: ‘We and others have found that people are willing to spend much less on their cats than on their dogs.' 

But, writing in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, the authors said there could still be other nations where the level of care for and attachment to cats is higher.