“Dog People” vs. “Cat People”

What pet best represents your personality? Are there really such things as “Dog people” and “Cat people”? Well, this topic kinda caught my attention so I decided to do a bit of research about it.

Are there personality traits similar to cat owners compared to dog owners or other pets? Many people have done a lot of research over the time trying to delve into the differences between cat owners and dog owners.

Sam Gosling, a psychologist at the University of Texas conducted a web-based study involving several thousand participants (people who owned dogs or cats, as well as those who did not have a pet at all) in which they were asked whether they were dog people, cat people, neither or both. They were algo given an assessment that psychologists often use to study personalities. According to this study, 46% of participants were considered dog lovers, while 12% said the same about cats. 28% claimed they liked both dogs and cats and a 15% said they do not like these pets at all. Gosling summarized his results saying, “There is a widely held cultural belief that the pet species (dog or cat) with which a person has the strongest affinity says something about the individual’s personality, and this research suggests there are significant differences on major personality traits between dog people and cat people.”

Cats and dogs represent two totally different characters. Cats are independent creatures while dogs are essentially social, gregarious creatures and are most content in a pack situation. Cats might seem indifferent but that doesn’t mean they are cold at heart as they express their love in a different way. They just show their affection whenever they feel like doing so. Quite contrary to the common belief, cats do not like solitude. Cats are territorial creatures. They adapt to the surroundings as well as the people around them. Dogs are just into people. They get attached only to their owners. If you take a dog to a new place they will be happy as long as you stay with them; while cats might get scared and anxious if you take them away from their home. Cats will share their territory with others as long as they are kept satisfied and their basic needs are met. Dogs are definitely more friendly. Are these behavior traits similar to their owners? Well, the answer is a complete YES. These are the results:

This research has indicated that an individual’s preference for dogs or cats may have something to do with that person’s own unique personality. For instance, it was revealed that those who expressed a clear preference for dogs were more outgoing, sociable and agreeable than those who enjoyed the company of cats more. Dog people, also tended to be more conscientious when it came to self-discipline and completing tasks. It is thought that this preference for planned and sociable behavior mirrors the cooperative, organization found in many wild dog societies. On the other hand, those with a deep fondness for cats were found to be slightly more neurotic, yet also more open to new and unusual experiences and better able to appreciate a wider range of ideas and beliefs, had a greater appreciation for the arts, and displayed a higher degree of curiosity and imagination. Experts discovered that cat lovers, who tended to have a higher degree of openness, were also more likely to hold or explore unconventional beliefs. Those who had a lesser degree of openness were generally those who liked dogs better, and also were more likely to follow traditional beliefs and interests. Dog lovers tend to be very social and interactive, accepting, and better able to follow through on things. Additional findings revealed that exclusive cat owners tended to be less assertive and forceful, and more likely to speak honestly and trust more easily.

This study made it clear that the emotional bond we have with our pets is so strong that we share personality traits. Are you a “Dog Person” or a “Cat Person”?