The St. Louis Pets Guide: Where to Train, Groom, Board, and Support Local Pets

Your furry friend's guide to the city

June 22, 2012

12:24 PM

More of us live with cats and dogs than ever before: The American Pet Products Association’s 2011–12 survey counts more than 86 million cats and 78 million dogs in U.S. households. In 2004, when the American Animal Hospital Association asked people “Who listens to you best?” 45 percent of people chose their pet, and only 30 percent chose their spouse or partner. The regard’s mutual: 82 percent of respondents said they think of their pet more than once while they’re away at work. A full 93 percent said they were likely to risk their life for their pet; 64 percent expected their pet to come to their rescue. And more than half of the respondents said if they were marooned on a desert island and had to choose one companion, they’d choose their dog over their spouse or romantic partner. So with apologies to all the goldfish, French lop rabbits, parakeets, gerbils, and urban hipster chickens (not to mention all those spouses), we’re focusing on cats and dogs here: how to teach them etiquette, what to feed them, how to play with them, how to travel with them, how to take care of them when they’re sick—and how they can help to heal us.

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