Quiz of the Day
Pets & Animals
Saturday, 11 April 2026
National Pet Day — pet trivia, animal records, famous pets in history
1. What is the most popular pet in the world by number of households?
- Fish
- Cats
- Birds
- Dogs
There are an estimated 500 million pet dogs worldwide. However, cats outnumber dogs in total population — there are roughly 600 million domestic cats globally.
2. What is the average lifespan of a goldfish when properly cared for?
- 20-25 years
- 2-3 years
- 5-10 years
- 10-15 years
The oldest recorded goldfish, Tish, lived to be 43 years old in the UK. Most goldfish die young due to poor tank conditions, not natural causes.
3. Which breed of dog is known as the 'sausage dog'?
- Beagle
- Dachshund
- Basset Hound
- Corgi
Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers — their name literally means 'badger dog' and their elongated shape helped them follow prey into burrows.
4. How many lives is a cat traditionally said to have?
- 12
- 9
- 5
- 7
The 'nine lives' myth varies by culture — in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, cats are said to have 7 lives, while in Turkish and Arabic traditions it's 6.
5. Which US president kept an alligator in the White House?
- Andrew Jackson
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Calvin Coolidge
- John Quincy Adams
The alligator was a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette. Adams reportedly kept it in a bathtub in the East Room and enjoyed startling guests with it.
6. What is a group of cats called?
- A pack
- A colony
- A clowder
- A pride
A group of kittens is called a 'kindle', while a male cat is a 'tom' and a female is a 'queen' — which most cat owners would agree is entirely accurate.
7. Which animal is the most popular pet in UK households?
- Rabbits
- Cats
- Hamsters
- Dogs
Approximately 13 million households in the UK own a pet, with dogs topping the list at around 12 million dogs, followed by cats at roughly 12 million.
8. What is unique about a dalmatian puppy when it's born?
- It's completely white
- It can't bark
- It has extra toes
- It has blue eyes
Dalmatian puppies are born pure white and develop their iconic spots over the first few weeks of life. Each dalmatian's spot pattern is completely unique.
9. Which famous dog was the first animal to orbit Earth?
- Rex
- Buddy
- Balto
- Laika
Laika was a stray dog from the streets of Moscow. She was launched aboard Sputnik 2 in November 1957, sadly dying within hours from overheating.
10. How do rabbits show they are happy?
- They purr
- They wag their tail
- They roll over
- They do a 'binky' (jump and twist)
A 'binky' is when a rabbit leaps into the air and twists its body — it's a sign of pure joy and excitement that experienced rabbit owners instantly recognise.
11. What type of animal is a 'budgerigar'?
- A fish
- A rodent
- A bird
- A lizard
Budgerigars (budgies) are native to Australia and are the third most popular pet in the world. A budgie named Puck held the Guinness record for largest vocabulary — 1,728 words.
12. Which ancient civilisation worshipped cats as sacred animals?
- Persians
- Egyptians
- Romans
- Greeks
Ancient Egyptians revered cats so much that killing one — even accidentally — could be punishable by death. When a family cat died, household members would shave their eyebrows in mourning.
13. What is the smallest breed of dog in the world?
- Maltese
- Chihuahua
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Pomeranian
The smallest dog ever recorded was a Chihuahua named Miracle Milly, measuring just 9.65 cm (3.8 inches) tall — small enough to fit in a teaspoon as a puppy.
14. How many hours a day does the average cat sleep?
- 8-10 hours
- 18-20 hours
- 12-16 hours
- 10-12 hours
Cats spend roughly 70% of their lives sleeping. The word 'catnap' exists because cats are masters of short, light sleep — they can go from dozing to fully alert in seconds.
15. Which internet-famous cat was known for her permanently grumpy facial expression?
- Maru
- Lil Bub
- Keyboard Cat
- Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat's real name was Tardar Sauce. Her grumpy look was caused by feline dwarfism. She became one of the most famous internet memes and earned millions in merchandise deals.