Pet owners are being warned that one wrong move from their furry friend could land them in serious trouble, but the rules are not what many expect.
Speaking at the Ideal Home Show, money expert Martin Lewis revealed that the law treats cats and dogs very differently, and the consequences can be costly.
If a dog damages a neighbour’s property, whether that is a garden, furniture or anything else, the owner is legally responsible.
Lewis said: “There is in law a difference between dogs and cats.”
He made it clear where responsibility lies, adding: “You are responsible for your dog’s behaviour.”
That could mean paying for repairs or even facing legal claims if things escalate. He also urged owners to check their cover, saying: “It’s just worth understanding, if you have a dog, if you have third party liability in your insurance.”
Cats are treated very differently under UK law. They are considered “free spirits” with a legal right to roam.
He was speaking at the Ideal Home Show, which runs at Olympia, London from 10–19 April 2026 for its 118th year.
Lewis explained: “Cats are legally free spirits, and that means they have a right to roam.”
This means that if a cat wanders onto someone else’s property and causes damage, the owner is usually not held responsible.
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He added: “Unless you have been negligent and there was a foreseeability that your cat would damage somebody else’s property or another person, you are not responsible for your cat’s behaviour.”
And reinforcing the contrast, he said: “There is in law a difference between dogs and cats.”
But there are exceptions. If it can be shown that the owner was negligent or that it was foreseeable the cat would cause damage, liability could still apply.
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