Dogs beat cats in the popularity stakes

Tue, 05 Apr 2011

The number of households in the UK with dogs has pulled ahead of those with cats, according to new research for the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA).

However, people tend to own more than one cat which means the feline population in Britain is higher than canines, at 8.6 million compared to 8.3 million dogs. The report found that small and medium sized dogs such as terriers and spaniels have increased in popularity, apparently due to fashion trends influenced by celebrity ‘handbag' dogs and by lower costs and greater convenience.

Mintel, which conducted the research for the PFMA, said: "The momentum is definitely behind dogs. Smaller dogs are typically more suited to smaller living spaces, require less exercise, cost less to feed, insure and medicate, have longer lifespans and are arguably better suited to indoor lifestyles and travelling. Therefore for many pet owners it is how pets can fit into their lifestyle as opposed to the other way around."

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