The truth about cats and dogs

ROVER IS A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND

Goodbye diamond ring, hello rhinestone collar. Sixty-three percent of U.S. households have at least one pet, and they spent $38.5 billion for pet products and services in 2006—that's more than Americans spent on hardware, jewelry, or candy in 2004. Of the $38.5 billion, $15.4 billion was spent on food, $9.2 billion was spent on veterinary care, and $9.3 billion was spent on supplies and over-the-counter medicine—enough money for a whole lotta bling!

FORGIVE AND ...

Ever wondered why cats seem to hold grudges, while canines forgive so quickly? It probably has a lot to do with forgetting. According to a University of Michigan study, dogs' memories last no longer than five minutes, while cats' last up to 16 hours. This might explain the protest poop kitty left in the parlor after you scolded her for jumping on the kitchen cabinet.

A DOG BY ANY OTHER NAME ...

The most popular pet names in 2005 were Max, Buddy, Molly, Maggie, Bailey, Tigger, Smokey, Lucy, and Chloe.

THE CULT OF PUPPY PERSONALITY

94% of pet owners say pets have human personality traits. Of those who report human traits, 30% say their pet is emotional or sensitive, 28% describe their pet as outgoing, 26% say their pet is inquisitive, and 20% own a stubborn pet.

PETS: THE BEST LISTENERS

Forty-five percent of pet owners say that their pets are better listeners than spouses, friends, and family members. Perhaps this is because dogs hear sounds up to 45 kHz and cats hear noises up to 64 kHz, while people only pick up sounds as high as 23 kHz. Or maybe it's because they don't read the paper while you talk.

WHERE DOES YOUR CAT NAP?

Survey says: the bed.

47% of pet owners say their furry friends most often snooze on their beds, while another 26% say their pets catch their zzz's on a pet bed. Only 14% report that Rover and Fluffy saw logs on the floor.

THESE CATS MAKE THEIR MARK

The world's smallest cat is a 3-pound central Illinois resident named Mr. Peebles. But Mingo, a Maine coon from Turku, Finland, wins the longest whisker category by—well, by a whisker that measured 6.8 inches.

TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

Cat lovers are called ailurophiles, while cat haters are ailurophobes. A group of kittens is called a kindle, while a group of cats is a clowder.

THEY CALL IT PUPPY LOVE

56% of pet owners say it's very likely that they would risk their own lives for their pets, while 64 percent say they would expect their pets to come to their rescue if they were in distress.

Sources: 2003 and 2004 AAHA Pet Owner Surveys, 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 APPMA National Pet Owners Surveys, iPets.com, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co., GuinnessWorldRecords.com.