Rio de Janerio: Pets have outnumbered children in Brazilian households, according to an official report released on Tuesday by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), a media report said on Wednesday.

There are 52.2 million pet dogs in Brazil, while the number of children aged 0 to 14 is 44.9 million, which indicates a margin of over 7 million numerically, reported Brazil's G1 news website.

Some 44.3 percent of Brazilian households have at least one dog, with each household having 1.8 dogs on average, Xinhua news agency reported.

Cats, though less favoured by Brazilian households, are still numerous. IBGE estimated that 28.9 million households — or 17.7 percent of the total — own at least one cat, averaging out to 1.9 cats per household with cats.

The Federal District, where Brazil's capital Brasilia is located, appears to be the least pet-friendly city with only 32.3 percent of households reporting having a dog, and 6.9 percent, a cat.

In contrast, Parana state in southern Brazil is the most dog-friendly, where 60.1 percent of households own a dog. Also, the highest share of households in Piaui state — some 34.2 percent — have at least one cat.

Unlike their apparent affection for furry creatures, Brazilians are somewhat derelict in performing duty as a pet owner.

According to the IBGE, only 75.4 percent of owners had vaccinated their pets against rabies during the 12 months before the survey that was taken in 2013.

Yearly rabies vaccines are mandatory in Brazil, with annual awareness campaigns for shots against the disease.

-IANS