While puppies are the most common pet in US households, one-third (35%) of Americans own a cat. Men (37 percent) are more likely than women (33 percent) to possess a feline buddy, as is the case with dogs, with ownership increasing among Millennials (46 percent ). The gender gap is evident for both older and younger adults. For example, while young people age 18-34 are nearly even split between those who have a dog and those who don't, there's a clear trend toward dog ownership among young men - they make up half of all dog owners in this demographic group. By contrast, fewer than one in four young women has a dog at their feet. In general, men are more likely than women to own pets of all types, including cats. This pattern has held true for many years: according to statistics from the American Pet Products Association, men owned 77% of all pets in 2010. There are several possible explanations for this disparity. One factor may be that women are less likely to want animals as pets in general and specifically felines. Another possibility is that men are simply better able to take care of their pets: they're more likely to get their pets vaccinated and give them medical attention when needed.