Better off with a dog: research

You are more likely to say you are extremely successful if you own a dog, the report says. Photo / AP

Dog owners are happier, more sociable and earn bigger salaries than cat owners, according to a new study.

Researchers in Britain who carried out a detailed analysis also found those who choose a feline friend rather than a canine companion are more likely to enjoy their own company.

The data also suggests that dog owners are more likely to have paid off their mortgage - and they will be inclined to describe their job as "stressful".

By contrast, cat owners are happier living alone and admit they relish a simpler pace of life, the survey found.

The study found the average cat owner takes home £24,000 ($50,260) a year, while the typical dog lover can expect to earn £27,000.

Measuring success at work also revealed dog owners are enjoying life slightly higher up the career ladder.

Eleven per cent of dog owners claim to be "extremely successful", compared to just eight per cent of people who chose a cat for their pet.

It also emerged that more cat owners live with their parents than dog owners. And that coincides with the fact feline fans are less likely to be married - 55 per cent compared to 60 per cent.

Marked differences appeared in sociability too. Cat owners have an average of 50 online friends, while dog owners have 60.

A spokesman for VetPlus, which carried out the research among 1500 adults who have cats or dogs as pets, said: "The goal of the research was to understand the differences between dog and cat owners and what drives them to visit a vet.

"Looking at this research, this may well be because of the difference in lifestyle and relationships between the pet and the owner."