Gaby
Millions of cat lovers probably bristled at the idea. So what did the study actually find? An international team surveyed 2,117 pet owners in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Austria who owned dogs, cats, or both. They answered questions about pet-care habits and about how able they were to pay for veterinary services for their dogs or cats. The researchers found that owners were willing to spend more on medical care for dogs than for cats. In all three countries, participants said they felt more attached to dogs. They were more likely to insure their dogs and to pursue more treatment options for them, the Daily Mail reported.
Experts say the results point to a stronger attachment to dogs. Dr. Peter Sando, the lead author of the study at the University of Copenhagen, said, “We found that people are willing to spend significantly less on their cats than on their dogs.” Attachment varied by country: it was strongest among Danish pet owners, slightly smaller in Austria, and smallest in the UK. The researchers cautioned that other countries might show much higher levels of care and attachment to cats. The results were published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
