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More cat owners 'have degrees' | |
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People who own a cat are more likely to have a university degree than those with a pet dog, a study by Bristol University suggests. | People who own a cat are more likely to have a university degree than those with a pet dog, a study by Bristol University suggests. |
A poll of 2,524 households found that 47.2% of those with a cat had at least one person educated to degree level, compared with 38.4% of homes with dogs. | A poll of 2,524 households found that 47.2% of those with a cat had at least one person educated to degree level, compared with 38.4% of homes with dogs. |
The study said longer hours, possibly associated with better qualified jobs, may make owning a dog impractical. | The study said longer hours, possibly associated with better qualified jobs, may make owning a dog impractical. |
It also found that UK pet ownership was much higher than previously thought. | It also found that UK pet ownership was much higher than previously thought. |
Cat and dog numbers were last estimated in a scientific peer-reviewed journal in 1989, which said there were 6.2 million and 6.4 million respectively in the UK. | Cat and dog numbers were last estimated in a scientific peer-reviewed journal in 1989, which said there were 6.2 million and 6.4 million respectively in the UK. |
Our best guess is that it's to do with working hours and perhaps commuting to work, meaning people have a less suitable lifestyle for a dog Dr Jane MurrayUniversity of Bristol | Our best guess is that it's to do with working hours and perhaps commuting to work, meaning people have a less suitable lifestyle for a dog Dr Jane MurrayUniversity of Bristol |
But according to Bristol's Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, the populations today are likely to be about 10.3 million and 10.5 million. | But according to Bristol's Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, the populations today are likely to be about 10.3 million and 10.5 million. |
Overall, it estimated that 26% of UK households owned cats and 31% owned dogs. | Overall, it estimated that 26% of UK households owned cats and 31% owned dogs. |
The study, published in Veterinary Record, suggested a number of other characteristics, aside from education level, were associated with either cat or dog ownership. | |
Of those surveyed, dog-lovers were more likely to be male, living in rural areas and under the age of 55. | Of those surveyed, dog-lovers were more likely to be male, living in rural areas and under the age of 55. |
Age of children | Age of children |
But cat owners were more likely to be female and living in smaller or single-person households. | But cat owners were more likely to be female and living in smaller or single-person households. |
The age of children in a family also appeared to make a difference, with cats being more common than dogs in homes with children under the age of 10. | The age of children in a family also appeared to make a difference, with cats being more common than dogs in homes with children under the age of 10. |
However Dr Jane Murray, a lecturer in feline epidemiology at Bristol University, said the variation in education level between owners was the most striking difference. | However Dr Jane Murray, a lecturer in feline epidemiology at Bristol University, said the variation in education level between owners was the most striking difference. |
"We don't know why there is this discrepancy," she told the BBC News website. | "We don't know why there is this discrepancy," she told the BBC News website. |
"We did look at average household income but that wasn't significant. | "We did look at average household income but that wasn't significant. |
"Our best guess is that it's to do with working hours and perhaps commuting to work, meaning people have a less suitable lifestyle for a dog. | "Our best guess is that it's to do with working hours and perhaps commuting to work, meaning people have a less suitable lifestyle for a dog. |
"It's really just a hunch though." | "It's really just a hunch though." |
Dr Murray, whose post is funded by the Cats Protection charity, said researchers hoped to repeat the study using the results of the 2011 census to get a clearer idea of trends in UK pet ownership. | Dr Murray, whose post is funded by the Cats Protection charity, said researchers hoped to repeat the study using the results of the 2011 census to get a clearer idea of trends in UK pet ownership. |