Study Reveals Pet Owners Generally Show More Affection Towards Dogs Than Cats, Differences Noted Across Countries

University of Copenhagen study assesses attachment levels of pet owners across Denmark, Austria, and the UK, finding Danes most prefer dogs, while UK has the smallest preference gap between pets.

The study, conducted by the University of Copenhagen, found that pet owners generally show more affection towards dogs than cats across Denmark, Austria, and the UK. This was measured by how much money owners were willing to spend on care and how emotionally attached they felt to their pets.
In all three countries, dogs were favored over cats. However, the degree of preference varied. The UK showed the smallest difference, Austria had a greater difference, and Denmark showed the most significant difference in favoring dogs over cats.
Additionally, Danish pet owners were found less likely to have bought pet insurance for their cats compared to their dogs, and were less willing than in other countries to pay for medical treatment for their pet.
The research hypothesizes the stronger affection for dogs may be tied to the amount of time spent with owners and historical roles in society. For instance, in countries with a more agricultural past, dogs could have been kept closer due to their direct work with humans.
Despite the general preference for dogs, the researchers suggest there may be no natural limit to how much people care for their cats. Cultural factors and societies' evolving attitudes towards pets could shift affections.