• Cat ownership reaches five year high, with a fifth of Brits having a feline family member
• Wales, the South West and the South East are the most moggy mad regions in the UK
• Scale of pampered pets revealed: almost half (46%) of UK cat owners buy their pets gifts, while a fifth treat their cat to a present monthly

Cat crazy Brits spend a whopping £7.9bn each year on their feline friends, according to new research from IAMS UK.

The survey, released to mark International Cat Day, reveals the true scale of the UK’s pampered pets, as half (46%) of cat owners admit to treating their pets to a gift on special occasions and a fifth (20%) to purchasing a present for their furry friend monthly.

In addition, a quarter of cat lovers in the West Midlands even confess to buying their beloved pet a gift on a weekly basis!
 
With cat ownership at its highest level in five years1, the UK’s love for the four-legged feline should perhaps come as no surprise. There are over 8 million pet cats across the nation2, with one in five (18%) Brits owning a pet cat.

However, when it comes to identifying the most moggy mad regions, it seems there is a North / South divide, as Wales, the South West and the South East take the top spot3. In fact, an astounding 5% of cat owners in the South East live with a family of 5 or more cats.

10 Most Popular Cat Breeds

1. British Shorthair
2. Bengal
3. Siamese
4. Maine Coon
5. Persian
6. Ragdoll
7. Russian Blue
8. Scottish Fold
9. Savannah Cat
10. Sphynx Cat

While the humble moggy remains the most popular choice of cat for over half of cat owners in the UK (55%), the research from IAMS also reveals the top 10 cat breeds in Britain. In top spot is the British Shorthair (50%), followed by the Bengal (9%) and Siamese (8%), while at the bottom of the table is the Scottish Fold (3%), Sphynx Cat (3%) and Savannah Cat (1%).
 
Dispelling any misconceptions that cats are aloof or distant, when asked what they loved most about their furry friend, the top reasons cited by owners include the fact that cats make great company (52%) and love to cuddle (33%), combined with their playful nature (30%), intelligence (22%) and independence (28%). What’s more, when describing their beloved pets, the top adjectives used are happy (57%), loving (33%) and mischievous (24%).
 
To showcase that just like humans, each cat has a unique personality, IAMS has revealed further insight into the individual traits of cats across the nation, with some surprising results:

• The happiest cats in the UK are from East Anglia (81%) and the friendliest from Scotland (44%)
• The most mischievous felines are from Yorkshire (33%) and the sleepiest from Wales (25%)
• The North West is home to the most pampered (35%) cats, while the North East is home to the most loving (63%)
• A fifth (20%) of Londoners describe their cat as a ‘foodie’ while fussy felines in the South East are more often considered ‘nibblers’ (20%)
• Cats from the South West are energetic (25%) and athletic (20%), while in Northern Ireland, two fifths (40%) of cat owners consider their pets to be adventurous (40%), followed closely by nosy (20%) and greedy (20%) 

No matter what our pet’s personality, with recent reports showing that 76% of pet owners see their pet as their own child4, it’s clear we Brits are moggy mad.
 
To help pet owners find out more about how to keep their beloved cat as happy and healthy as possible, IAMS Nutrition Expert and Veterinary Training Manager Kellie Ceccarelli has some advice:
 
“The secret to perfect pet parenting is understanding what your cat needs to be happy and healthy. As well as plenty of activity, play and of course, cuddle time, providing them with a 100% complete and balanced diet, rich in high quality animal protein is key. That’s why IAMS contains high quality chicken and turkey as the number one ingredient to support strong muscles and a healthy skin and coat, while offering a great taste that cats naturally love.”

For more information go to www.iams.co.uk or visit IAMS UK on Facebook.