Cat people love cats, dog people love dogs.  Some people love both but are limited for space, time or resources and have to choose one over the other.  Now there is research that brings another factor to the great pet debate: which animal is the best choice for the environment?

"Both cats and dogs can have a detrimental effect on the environment," says Rodney van der Ree, senior ecologist at the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology. "But I would have to say that in terms of predation at least, cats are the worst offenders."

The primary reason that cats lose ecologically can be summed up in one world: hunting.  Outdoor cats eat 8 birds, 16 mammals and 8 birds a year on average.  Domestic cats consume about 29 million animals in Victoria, Australia each year and feral cats consume an additional 182 million animals.

Is this study conclusive?  Hardly!  This research only covered the wild animals these pets were eating.  They didn't delve into pet waste or the contents or quantity of pet food they eat.  Besides, if cats are running around at night catching birds and mice isn't that a good thing?  Our wasteful urban and suburban lifestyles attract all sorts of pests that these cats take care fo for us.  Dogs?  Well, they can catch frisbees.

Where do you stand?  Cats or dogs, who is worse for the environment?

» The Sydney Morning Herald