Cats and dogs are European households' favorite animals to keep, although more unconventional choices such as reptiles and small mammals are chosen as pets in high numbers too. In 2021, the population of pet cats in Europe was over 113 million.
And the Worldwide Winner Goes To…
Our tried and true best friend, the dog! Pet dogs don't beat out cats, fish, or birds in sheer numbers, but more households have at least one dog in them than any other pet, making dogs the most popular pet in the world.
16.7 million cats lived in German households as of 2021, making it the most represented animal among pet owners in the country. Dogs followed.
1. Dogs. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the UK's favourite pet is the dog.
According to a survey on pet ownership conducted by Rakuten Insight in January 2022, most people who had a pet in Thailand were dog owners, with around 62.3 percent of respondents answering to own one. Meanwhile, cats were also popular among Thais, with around 56 percent of respondents owning them.
Cats have become the most favored pets in urban China, outnumbering dogs in 2021, according to a study on the nation's pet industry. The market value of the pet economy in China is expected to reach nearly 500 billion yuan (US$74 billion) in 2022 as more single young people and the elderly decide to be pet owners.
Hence least favourite pet animal = Parrots. Download the app to view unlimited solutions on app.
While the demographic disparity between the two pet types has narrowed over the years, JPFA figures show the country takes a greater interest in dogs, with 23% of Japanese saying they would like to have one compared to 16% for cats. Motives for ownership, on the other hand, tend to be similar.
Why the obsession? In Japanese folklore, cats have protective powers and symbolize good fortune. A bobtail supposedly lured a feudal lord with a "come hither" gesture, which saved him from being struck by lightning.
World Animal Protection's Animal Protection Index (API) focuses on legislation that has been passed to recognize animal sentience and to prohibit animal suffering, as well as other legal safeguards. At the top of their list are the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.
Well, on average, puppies and kittens scored higher on this scale than humans. (Congratulations to all dog lovers: puppies were generally found to be marginally cuter than kittens, with adult dogs also still slightly cuter than babies).
According to a survey on pet ownership conducted by Rakuten Insight in January 2022, around 45 percent of surveyed pet owners in Hong Kong stated that they had dogs.
Known as one of the most pet-friendly countries in the world, Germany takes a lot of pride in its animals and is a global example of how to treat pets with care and respect. In fact, Berlin is home to the largest animal sanctuary in Europe.