Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Climbing up curtains, helping themselves to dinner on the side and knocking over ornaments are just some of the ways Britain’s cats are running rings round their owners.
A poll of 2,000 cat owners found they typically have to stop their pets getting up to no good 1,350 times a year.
Their pets also jump on kitchen counters, hide from their owners, raid the cat food supplies and sleep in their owner’s bed, despite it being a ‘"eline free zone".
One curious cat was said to have developed a penchant for drinking the water out of a false teeth mug.
One third of respondents said they had resorted to "cat proofing" their homes by buying furniture covers, putting locks on cupboard doors and more.
Despite this, four in 10 cat owners love their pets even more because of their antics and 91 per cent found it impossible to be cross with their cat.
“You can never be entirely sure what they’ll do next, but for many owners, this is what brings a smile to our faces and makes having a cat such a delight," said Toby Chelton, spokesman for Felix, which commissioned the research.
The research also found two thirds have come to accept telling their cat off for being naughty won’t make the slightest difference to its behaviour.
Amid this, 80 per cent consider their cats to be mischievous, with more owners from the South West calling their pet playful than any other region in the UK. Those based in the West Midlands have to stop their cat getting up to mischief nearly five times a day on average – the highest rate in Britain.
Seventy-two per cent admit their cat has a habit of poking its nose into places it does not belong – with the washing machine and the bath being prime examples among those polled. But despite this, nine in 10 said their lovable fur balls have made them laugh out loud.
The research also found 57 per cent of cat owners think their feline friends tend to be naughtier as dinner time draws nearer and almost half said their cats are such avid foodies they will help themselves to their owner’s dinner when they are not looking.
More than three quarters of owners said their pet has a tendency to wake up early and immediately demand food.
On average, the nation’s cats wake up at 6.32 in the morning, however cats in East Anglia are the earliest risers, getting up at 6.12am on average.
Most Mischievous Mogs by Region – According to Their Owners
1. South West
2. Wales
3. North East
4. East Anglia
5. Scotland
6. East Midlands
7. Yorkshire and the Humber
8. Northern Ireland
9. North West
10. South East
11. West Midlands
12. London
SWNS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments