Aquarius pets and their owners: who's a cosmic match?

Aquarius pets match most easily with air and fire owners: Gemini, Libra, Aries and Sagittarius. An Aquarius cat or dog wants company, a change of scene and the freedom to try their own ideas, and those four signs offer all three without being asked. Every other sign can be a great match too, as long as there's room for a little eccentricity.

Aquarius pets are born between 20 January and 18 February, ruled by Uranus (Saturn in traditional astrology). They're the inventors of the zodiac: an Aquarius dog makes up a new game with a pine cone while the other dogs chase the ball, an Aquarius cat plays with the price tag instead of the toy, and both like to find their own way to do things.

Wondering whether your pet has the Aquarius streak? Put a new toy and an empty cardboard box on the floor side by side and watch which one gets investigated first. An Aquarius pet goes for the box, and usually finds a use for it you hadn't thought of.

Air owners: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Gemini owner (easy): you start a new idea every hour, and an Aquarius pet joins in with every one. An Aquarius dog drops a different toy at your feet each time you change task; an Aquarius cat follows you from room to room, inspecting each new project with a tilt of the head.

Libra owner (easy): you love company and a lively house, and an Aquarius pet is a natural host. An Aquarius dog greets each of your visitors in turn, then wanders off with the one who threw a ball; an Aquarius cat sits on the edge of the conversation and joins it with a well-timed remark.

Aquarius owner (twins): you both do things your own way, and you respect each other for it. Expect an owner rearranging the bookshelves at midnight with a cat sitting in the gap, testing the new layout.

Fire owners: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Aries owner (balancing): you act on an idea the moment you have it, and an Aquarius pet loves that. Pick up the lead for an unplanned evening walk and an Aquarius dog is already at the door; start a game of chase round the sofa and an Aquarius cat adds a new rule halfway round.

Leo owner (opposites): you like to be the centre of the room, and an Aquarius pet is happy to let you. You'll be telling the story of your week while an Aquarius cat quietly pushes your keys off the table, one at a time, to see who notices.

Sagittarius owner (balancing): you want a new path every weekend, and an Aquarius pet wants one every day. An Aquarius dog is first to the stile on a footpath you've never tried; an Aquarius cat inspects the suitcase from inside as soon as it's unpacked, then claims the shopping bag beside it.

Earth owners: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Taurus owner (tricky): you like the same chair, the same supper and the same evening, and an Aquarius pet likes to shake things up. An Aquarius dog drags their bed a foot to the left every night; you drag it back every morning, and neither of you mentions it.

Virgo owner (odd couple): you like a tidy system, and an Aquarius pet likes to test it. You file the post in a neat pile; an Aquarius cat sits on it, then knocks the top letter onto the floor and watches where it lands.

Capricorn owner (odd couple): you run to a timetable, and an Aquarius pet runs to their own. An Aquarius dog sits patiently at walk time, then insists on the route you've never taken; an Aquarius cat turns up for dinner exactly on time, then eats it from the other side of the bowl.

Water owners: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Cancer owner (odd couple): you make the house cosy, and an Aquarius pet makes it interesting. You fluff the cushions just so; an Aquarius dog builds a nest out of three of them in the hallway, for reasons they keep to themselves.

Scorpio owner (tricky): two fixed signs who both like their privacy. You don't ask an Aquarius cat where they've been all afternoon, and they don't ask why you're up at dawn. It's a quiet, respectful arrangement.

Pisces owner (odd couple): you dream, and an Aquarius pet invents. You'll drift off on the sofa and wake to find an Aquarius dog has arranged every one of their toys in a line beside you, like an exhibition.

Aquarius pets with other pets

An Aquarius pet usually welcomes a housemate with curiosity: the newcomer is someone to study, then someone to play with. Friendly, easygoing animals suit them best, especially ones who don't mind when the rules of the game change. Give an Aquarius their own corner to retreat to and they'll do the rest.

Aquarius dogs and Aquarius cats as partners

An Aquarius dog shows love by sharing every new idea: a fresh game, a new friend in the park, a route nobody's tried. An Aquarius cat shows it by choosing your company on their own schedule, a headbutt at dawn, a long hour at the end of the bed. Both are loyal, in their own original way.