Which pet is more popular in Europe?
Like this map and want to support Landgeist? The best way to support Landgeist, is by sharing this map. When you share this map, make sure that you credit Landgeist and link to the source article. If you share it on Instagram, just tag @Land_geist. On Twitter tag @Landgeist.
Pet ownership is a beloved practice in Europe, with cats and dogs being two of the most popular choices. While both cats and dogs can provide love and companionship to their owners, there are some key differences between the two that may affect which pet is the best fit for each individual.
One of the most apparent differences between cats and dogs is their level of independence. Cats are known for their independent nature, and they require less attention and care than dogs. They are usually content to spend time alone, and they do not need to be walked outside as dogs do. On the other hand, dogs are highly social animals and require frequent interaction with their owners. They need to be walked, played with, and given plenty of attention to be happy and healthy.
Another significant difference between cats and dogs is their level of train-ability. Dogs are typically easier to train and respond better to commands than cats. This is because dogs are pack animals, and they instinctively look to their owners as their leader. Cats, on the other hand, are solitary animals and are less inclined to follow commands or engage in training.
According to data from the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), an estimated 113.6 million cats were kept as pets in European households in 2021, while approximately 92.9 million dogs were kept as pets during the same period. This indicates that both cats and dogs are widely appreciated and have a significant presence in households across Europe. In terms of the share of households that own a cat or dog, cats are slightly more popular. 26% of European households own at least one cat, while 25% of European households own at least one dog.
When we look at the map, we can see that the number of countries where dogs are more popular and the number of countries where cats are more popular, are fairly even. Hungary is the only country where the share of households that own a cat and the share of households that own a dog are the same (34%).
The country with the highest share of households that own a cat, is Romania (48%). Romania is also number one in Europe when it comes to the share of households that own a dog (45%).
Landgeist 