Dog People vs. Cat People: Discover the Real Life Differences Revealed in Studies

They say that pets often resemble their owners. Does that include their personalities, too? Apparently so. Researchers say there are identifiable differences between the personality characteristics of self-professed “ dog people” and “ cat people.” So what are these differences, and are they accurate for you and the people you know?

Pet Personality Research

Sam Gosling, a psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin , is a leading authority in interspecies research related to personality and social psychology. Based on survey responses to 44 questions from 4,565 participants, Gosling found measurable personality differences between those who preferred cats and those who preferred dogs as pets. The research was part of a broader study called the Gosling-Potter Internet Personality Project.

How Many Dog and Cat People Are There?

In the United States, most households own pets. 62 million households (44.6%) own dogs, and 37 million (26%) have one or more cats. Gosling’s research represented dog owners at a similar percentage (46% of respondents) but underrepresented cat owners (12%). 28% of the survey participants owned both cats and dogs, and 15% owned neither.

The Big 5 Personality Traits

Gosling compared ownership of pets with 5 personality traits that psychological researchers say remain stable across a person’s lifetime. These appear to be 50% heritable but are also influenced by environmental factors like health and education. You can remember these with the acronym OCEAN:

• Openness to experience : prefers routine or spontaneity? Practical or imaginative?
• Conscientiousness : Impulsive or disciplined? Disorganized or careful and meticulous?
• Extroversion: Reserved and thoughtful, or sociable and playful?
• Agreeableness : Suspicious or trusting? Uncooperative or helpful?
• Neuroticism : Calm and confident or anxious and pessimistic?

The Big 5 For Dog People

The research results showed that, compared to cat people, dog people were:

• 15% more extroverted. In other words, outgoing, positive, energetic, and generally enthusiastic about life.
• 13% more agreeable. Their personalities are trusting, kind, affectionate, and sociable.
• 11% more conscientious. They tend to be better planners, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are self-disciplined.

The Big 5 for Cat People

The research indicated in contrast to dog people, cat people were:

• 12% more neurotic. They can get stressed out, anxious, and worry about things a lot.
• 11% more open. They’re curious, artistic, creative, and like to think outside the box.

Possible Reasons for the Differences

The personality differences between dog and cat people are not huge, but they are significant enough to be measurable. The research showed that these differences were not gender-related but characterized pet owners regardless of whether they were male or female. Gosling’s and other studies suggest various reasons people might gravitate toward cats or dogs. The animal’s characteristic behaviors might suit the owner’s personality and lifestyle. Allergies can determine what kind of pet the family will select, even if they might prefer a different pet. People’s families tend to keep the same type of animal for 3 or more generations, so there are “dog families” and “cat families.”

Do people start to look more like their pets over time? Not so much. Instead, we unconsciously pick animals that physically resemble ourselves in features like hair color. One study showed that women with long hair liked dogs with long ears, like cocker spaniels, while women with short hair owned dogs with short, perky ears, like huskies. In one study, participants could match photos of pets and their owners with 67% accuracy!

What Pet People Have in Common

Whether you own a cat, dog, or other type of pet, studies show that pet owners have a lower risk of depression and anxiety and, in many ways, have a better quality of life. People are deeply social creatures, but the modern lifestyle keeps us isolated from one another behind electronic screens. Animals fill a gap for us; many people think of their pets as members of their family, even as their children. So, regardless of your pet choice, owning a pet says that even if you don’t have a lot of time and money, you’ve decided to invest some of what you have in caring for another living creature. And that means, cat- or dog-person, you’re a pretty decent human being.

Up Next:

• Understanding Your Cat: 5 Types of Cats Personalities
• 24 Reasons Cats Are Better Than Dogs (From a Dog Lover)
• 10 Dogs That Look Like Cats (Will Make You Look Twice)

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