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Pet owners more attached to dogs than cats, study suggests
Danish pet owners were the least likely to get insurance for their cats.
The difference appeared to vary depending on country.

An international study has suggested that people are more emotionally attached to dogs than they are to cats.

However the difference in attachment levels, based on attachment scores and willingness to spend money on each pet, appeared to vary across different countries.

The study, led by Dr Peter Sandøe of the University of Copenhagen and supported by the University of Glasgow, aimed to develop upon previous research which, while concluding that dogs were more cared for than cats, often relied on convenience samples and focused on one country. This new approach would compare how attachment levels varied across three different countries – Denmark, Austria and the UK.

These European countries were chosen because they each urbanised at different times, with the UK urbanising first and Denmark being the last. The scientists predicted that more distant history with rural animals would affect a country’s societal attitude towards pets today.

The scientists surveyed 2,117 people that owned either dogs or cats. This sample consisted of 844 dog owners, 872 cat owners and 401 people who owned both dogs and cats.

The survey included the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale, which studies emotional attachment to pets, investment in veterinary care and expectations for available care.

The results showed that respondents across all countries did appear to care more about their dogs than their cats. This was based on their attachment scores, how often they insured their dogs, the treatment options they expected and how much they would pay for these treatments.

However they also revealed differing attitudes across the three countries, based on how marked their preference was.

While pet owners in the UK only showed a slight preference for dogs over cats, the difference was more significant in Austria and most noticeable in Denmark. Danish pet owners were much less likely to pay for insurance or treatment for their cats than they were for their dogs.

Dr Sandøe said: “While people care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries, the degree of difference varied dramatically between countries,”

“It doesn’t therefore seem to be a universal phenomenon that people care much less about their cats than their dogs. We suggest instead that the difference is likely to depend on cultural factors, including whether the animals spend a lot of time with their owners in the home.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.