All About Pets National pet survey
Monday, September 01 2008
The British are considered a nation of pet lovers, but how much do they really know about their pets? All About Pets commissied a piece of research looking into this. What is the extent of knowledge that the British people have about pets and pet ownership? Try the questions below and see how you matched up with the results.
Survey questions
1. Do you think ‘alternative’ therapies like physiotherapy can be used on animals?
2. Do you think cats and dogs are born enemies?
3. Do you think horses can sleep standing up?
4. Do you think you should give cheese to mice?
5. Do you think you can teach an old dog new tricks?
6. Do you think rabbits and guinea pigs make good mates?
7. Do you think cats always land on their feet?
8. Do you think is it normal for dogs to have smelly breath?
9. Do you think you can tell the age of a horse by looking at its teeth?
10. Do you think goldfish have 3-second memories?
Read on and find out how you did...
Answers and research findings
1. Do you think ‘alternative’ therapies like physiotherapy can be used on animals?
Yes. There are an increasing number of complementary therapies for animals, including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture. These can be used to complement veterinary treatment, but should not used in its place. Some practices are better established than others, so it is best to seek advice from a qualified veterinary surgeon.
37% of pet owners were unaware that alternative therapies could be used on animals.
2. Do you think cats and dogs are born enemies?
No. Cats and dogs do not have an innate dislike for each other; they are more likely to develop an opinion based on their early socialisation and later experiences. As a result, some cats and dogs will not get on with each other or other animals, but others may be the best of friends.
18% of pet owners were unaware that cats and dogs are not born enemies.
3. Do you think horses can sleep standing up?
Yes. Horses and ponies do most of their sleeping standing up - an ability that protects them from predators in the wild. Their legs can lock in place, which enables them to fall asleep without falling over but still make a quick getaway if threatened.
Four in ten pet owners were unaware that horse slept standing up.
4. Do you think you should give cheese to mice?
No. Contrary to popular myth, mice do not need cheese or dairy food, and some also react
badly to peanuts. Pet mice should be fed small quantities of commercial rodent mix and may also
enjoy tiny amounts of suitable vegetables and fruit, such as carrots, apples and broccoli.
Four in ten pet owners didn’t know that you shouldn’t give cheese to mice.
5. Do you think you can teach an old dog new tricks?
Yes. Despite the old adage "you can't teach a old dog new tricks", it is definitely possible to teach a dog of any age new behaviours and tricks. A well-trained dog is generally a happy dog, welcomed in different environments and able to play a full part in family life.
1 in 10 pet owners didn’t think or didn’t know that you could.
6 Do you think rabbits and guinea pigs make good mates?
No. You should never keep guinea pigs with rabbits; they do not ‘speak the same language’, they have different dietary needs, and there is a risk that a guinea pig could be bullied and seriously injured by a rabbit. Both species need company of their own kind, preferably in same sex or neutered pairs or groups.
More than three-quarters of pet owners (77%) didn’t know that rabbits and guinea pigs shouldn’t be kept together.
7. Do you think cats always land on their feet?
No. Cats have an incredible ability to right themselves as they fall, but they do not always land on their feet and can often sustain serious injuries from a fall. Cats that fall from a great height could possibly be killed.
Just under three in five pet owners (59%) didn’t know that cats don’t always land on their feet.
8. Do you think is it normal for dogs to have smelly breath?
No. Bad breath can be a sign of tarter build-up and bacteria, or even a more serious problem like gum disease. Regular check ups at the vet are recommended, as well as regular brushing with canine toothpaste and brushes. Chews and strong toys can also help prevent dental problems.
52% of pet owners didn’t know that it is not normal for dogs to have smelly breath.
9. Do you think you can tell the age of a horse by looking at its teeth?
No. While horses’ teeth have been used to estimate their age for centuries, there are inevitable inaccuracies in trying to age a horse this way. As horses get older this becomes even harder as many different factors affect their teeth over time.
Only 14% of pet owners knew that you couldn’t tell the age of a horse by looking at its teeth.
10. Do you think goldfish have 3-second memories?
No, research suggests that goldfish have a memory span of up to three months and can even tell the time. Scientists at Plymouth University successfully trained goldfish to collect food at a particular time, demonstrating their ability to learn a routine and distinguish between different times of day.
Three out of five pet owners didn’t know that goldfish do not have 3-second memories.
Other findings
• Women knew more about pets than men; they were more likely than men to answer correctly in seven out of the ten questions, whereas men were more likely to answer correctly in only two out of the ten questions
• Pet owners in the North West of England knew the most about pets with more correct answers on average than any other part of the UK, followed by Wales. The worst performing region was Scotland, followed by Greater London.
Online survey of 1,253 UK pet owners by BMRB on behalf of All About Pets in February 2008