The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland
2011

Distribution of Pet Dogs and Cats in Ireland

Sample size: 1250 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Downes Martin J, Clegg Tracy A, Collins Daniel M, McGrath Guy, More Simon J

Primary Institution: Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, University College Dublin

Hypothesis

How are pet dogs and cats spatially distributed across households in Ireland?

Conclusion

The study found that pet dog ownership is more concentrated in urban areas, while pet cat ownership is more prevalent in rural areas.

Supporting Evidence

  • In 2006, there were an estimated 640,620 pet dog owning households and 215,542 pet cat owning households in Ireland.
  • Pet dog ownership was significantly higher in lone adult households with children.
  • Pet cat ownership was significantly lower in people living in apartments compared to those in houses.

Takeaway

This study looked at where people in Ireland keep their pet dogs and cats, finding that more dogs live in cities while more cats are found in the countryside.

Methodology

The study used logistic regression modeling based on household composition and house type to estimate pet ownership.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to reliance on projected census data for Northern Ireland instead of actual census figures.

Limitations

The study was limited by restricted access to detailed census data due to data protection concerns.

Participant Demographics

Households in Ireland, including both urban and rural settings.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 1.86, 5.73

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1746-6148-7-28

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