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

Aries pets match most easily with fire and air owners: Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini and Aquarius. An Aries cat or dog wants action, courage and a quick start, and those four signs supply all three without a second thought. Every other sign can make a great Aries home too, as long as someone is ready to move when the Aries does.

Aries pets are born between 21 March and 19 April, ruled by Mars. They're the starters of the zodiac: an Aries dog is first through every door, an Aries cat is first into every new box, and both like to get going before anyone else has finished getting ready.

Want to know if your pet has an Aries streak? Pick up the lead, or a wand toy, and count. An Aries pet is beside you before you reach three.

Fire owners: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Aries owner (twins): you both like to be first, so the race to the front door is a daily event. An Aries dog beats you to it by a nose; an Aries cat gets there first too, then sits down in the doorway, just to make the point.

Leo owner (easy): you love a bit of theatre, and an Aries pet gives you a show. An Aries dog fetches the ball at full speed and skids to a stop in front of you, waiting for applause; an Aries cat leaps for the wand toy and lands with a flourish worthy of a Leo stage.

Sagittarius owner (easy): you're always up for an adventure, and an Aries pet is already at the door. An Aries dog leads the way up every new hill on the walk; an Aries cat climbs to the top of the cat tree as soon as you've built it, then looks round for something higher.

Air owners: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Gemini owner (balancing): you change plans on a whim, and an Aries pet loves it. Suggest an extra walk out of nowhere and an Aries dog is already wagging by the door; change the game halfway through and an Aries cat simply attacks the new toy instead.

Libra owner (opposites): you weigh up the options, and an Aries pet has already chosen. You're still deciding which park to go to; an Aries dog has pulled you halfway to the nearest one. It's a lovely double act, with you as the calm half.

Aquarius owner (balancing): you like to try new things, and an Aries pet is first to test them. Build a cardboard tunnel and an Aries cat charges through it before you've finished taping; take a different route home and an Aries dog sprints ahead to see what's round the bend.

Earth owners: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Taurus owner (odd couple): you like to take things slowly; an Aries pet doesn't know how. You'll settle on the sofa for an evening in, and an Aries cat will sprint across the back of it, twice, before curling up next to you as if nothing happened.

Virgo owner (odd couple): you like a tidy house; an Aries pet likes to rearrange it at speed. A neatly stacked pile of post becomes a launching pad for an Aries cat, and a carefully folded blanket becomes a tug toy for an Aries dog.

Capricorn owner (tricky): you plan the walk; an Aries pet wants to start it now. An Aries dog sits by the door, quivering, while you check the weather, then pulls you out the moment the latch clicks. You'll both get there; you just disagree about when.

Water owners: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Cancer owner (tricky): you want a cosy evening in, and an Aries pet wants one more game. An Aries cat ambushes the blanket you've just tucked round your knees, and only settles once the ambush has been properly appreciated.

Scorpio owner (odd couple): you watch quietly; an Aries pet charges in. An Aries dog bounds up to every visitor, while you're still studying them from the kitchen doorway. In traditional astrology Mars rules you both, and the respect runs both ways.

Pisces owner (odd couple): you drift, and an Aries pet gives you a nudge. You'll be lost in a daydream on a walk, and an Aries dog will tug you towards the next field; you'll be half asleep on the sofa, and an Aries cat will pounce on your toes to check you're still awake.

Aries pets with other pets

An Aries pet usually welcomes a housemate as a new playmate, preferably one who likes a chase. Calm, good-natured animals who don't mind being second through the door make the easiest company. Give the Aries plenty of games of their own, and the household runs smoothly.

Aries dogs and Aries cats as partners

An Aries dog wants to race alongside you: first to the door, first to the ball, delighted you're on the same team. An Aries cat prefers solo sprints and sudden ambushes, then a calm wash as if none of it happened. Both are brave, bold and very glad to be getting on with it.