Look Out Cats: Dogs Are Now Britain's Favorite Pets

Blood Hound And Happt Cat

It’s something we American dog lovers have known forever.

Dogs make better pets than cats and now our British friends seem to be agreeing with this as new figures show the number of dogs owned by Britons is at an all-time high and is on course to end feline supremacy.

Britain’s dogs population has risen steadily from five million in 1970 to 8.3 million today, according to figures to be published this week by analysts, Mintel.

The data, compiled by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, shows the cat population peaked in 2004 at 9.6 million and has since dipped to 8.6 million.

Ben Perkins, an analyst at Mintel, said: “The trend indicates dogs overtaking cats this year.

“Dogs are now seen as a fashion accessory, with the likes of Paris Hilton seen carrying hers around, whereas cats are getting less attention.

“They aren’t seen as a sociable animal and you’re not likely to see a celebrity holding a cat.”

Smaller breeds, which are usually cheaper to feed and care for, are driving the increase.
Kennel Club figures show total pedigree registrations have risen by a quarter over the past decade, since 2001, to 275,062.

Over the same period, fashionable ‘handbag dog’ breeds such as Pugs have risen six-fold while the number of Chihuahuas has trebled.

Professor Peter Neville, a pet behavior therapist, said: “People like either cats or dogs and don’t really switch preferences from one to the other except through marriage. But with more of us living in cities, those who might have gone for a cat are choosing to have a small dog that can needs more interaction, attention and exercise.”

“You can feed four Yorkshire Terriers for the same cost as one Labrador, so in the current climate small dogs are more appealing,” Neville added.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said: “Dogs enrich our lives in many ways so it is no surprise that dog ownership figures are increasing.

“They offer companionship, can help to reduce stress levels and encourage us to lead fitter and healthier lifestyles.”

Duh, we knew that!

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Jason Slupski
12 years ago

More power to the Cats for NOT BEING FASHION ACCESSORIES! Hyoomonz Trivialize EVERYTHING and Objectify the rest: CATS are Transcendent and beyond Our Materialistic DOGmas. Pray to Your God for those “Best Friends” of Ours that KNOW NO BETTER.

Knugee Kat/BouncingBaxter
Knugee Kat/BouncingBaxter
12 years ago

I love them both. My home consists of five cats and four dogs. If I could afford more, I would have more of each. Nonetheless, dog ownership is becoming more “fashionable”, sadly…it is all about preference and cats may not require the attention of a dog, they certainly bring a sense of harmony and balance to ones life. Love the sound purrs and the indepedence.

Rivll
Rivll
12 years ago

They are simply different types of animals, one is neither better nor worse.

plumbing
12 years ago

I always saw this scenario whenever my cat would play outside. she will always get caught by my dog but not to hurt her but unless to sleep with her. So sweet and adorable isn’t it? 

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