Study reveals which pets owners are more attached to dogs or cats

NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — A new study has found that owners care more about dogs than about cats. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, recruited over 2,000 cat and dog owners from Denmark, Austria, and the UK.

The study used a variety of measures to assess the emotional attitude of owners towards their pets, including the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) questionnaire. The results showed that dog owners had greater emotional attachment to their pets than cat owners. Dog owners were also more likely to insure their pets, choose better-equipped veterinary clinics for them, and express a willingness to pay more for their treatment.

The researchers believe that this difference in attitudes may be due to a number of factors, including:

• Humans’ evolutionary history with dogs. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and have played a variety of roles in human society, from hunting companions to working dogs to emotional support animals. Cats, on the other hand, were domesticated much later and have always been more independent creatures.
• The different social roles of dogs and cats. Dogs are often seen as members of the family, while cats are often seen as more solitary creatures. Dogs are also more likely to be used in working roles, such as law enforcement and search and rescue. This may lead people to view dogs as being more important and valuable members of society.
• The different needs of dogs and cats. Dogs require more care and attention than cats. They need to be walked and played with regularly, and they can be more destructive if they are not properly exercised. This may lead people to invest more time and money into their dogs than their cats.

However, it is important to note that the study’s findings varied from country to country. While the differences in attitudes towards domestic dogs and cats were insignificant in Great Britain, the preference for dogs was stronger in Austria and Denmark. This suggests that cultural factors may also play a role in how people view and treat their pets.

Implications of the Study

The findings of this study have a number of implications. First, they suggest that we need to be more aware of the different ways in which people bond with their pets. Second, they highlight the importance of providing high-quality veterinary care for all pets, regardless of whether they are dogs or cats. Finally, they raise important questions about the role of pets in our lives and the relationship between humans and animals.

What Can We Do to Improve the Lives of Cats?

Even though the study found that owners care more about dogs than about cats, there are a number of things we can do to improve the lives of cats. Here are a few ideas:

• Educate people about the needs of cats. Many people do not realize how much care and attention cats need. We need to educate people about the importance of providing cats with food, water, shelter, enrichment, and veterinary care.
• Promote cat adoption. Millions of cats are euthanized in shelters every year. We need to promote cat adoption and encourage people to adopt cats instead of buying them from breeders.
• Support cat welfare organizations. There are many organizations that work to improve the lives of cats. We can support these organizations by donating our time or money.

By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that all cats have the opportunity to live happy and healthy lives.

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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.

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