Personality Differences Between Dog and Cat Owners

[BlueJazz]

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201002/personality-differences-between-dog-and-cat-owners


Snip: Recently, Sam Gosling, a psychologist at the University of Texas in Austin and his graduate student Carson Sandy conducted a web-based study in which 4,565 individuals were asked whether they were dog people, cat people, neither or both. The same group was given a 44-item assessment that measured them on the so-called Big Five personality dimensions psychologists often use to study personalities.

The results showed that dog people were generally about 15 percent more extroverted and 13 percent more agreeable, both of which dimensions are associated with social orientation. In addition dog people were 11 percent more conscientious than cat people.

In comparison cat people were generally about 12 percent more neurotic, however they were also 11 percent more open than dog people. The openness trait involves a general appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination, curiosity, and variety of experience.

More at link

[Arugula Latte]

1. Interesting. Recently someone on another thread took issue with my

contention that cat people were more likely to be liberal than dog people (yes, many exceptions to be found, and a lot here on DU of course.). In my experience many dog people like being able to "control" their animals and resent that they can't make cats obey them, which would fit in with a conservative/rightwing bent. (Again, yes, many exceptions to this.) I've also told my daughter that when she is old enough to date she should run - RUN - from a man who hates cats. That is a terrible trait, in my experience. Those men often have control issues that extend way beyond cats. Also, men who love cats, again, in my experience, tend to be smarter, funnier and more secure in their masculinity.

But I think this paragraph about cat people is getting at something:

"The openness trait involves a general appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination, curiosity, and variety of experience. People high on openness are more likely to hold unconventional beliefs while people with low scores on openness (dog people) tend to have more conventional, traditional interests."

[BlueJazz]

2. What you say is true. My experience is: People who like all animals are (usually) the nicest people.

That does not mean that they OWN a certain type. My friend would love to have a Golden retriever..like mine..but he lives in a one bedroom apartment so he has a Cat and a Turtle.

[Scuba]

21. +1

[mythology]

4. I think that how one treats their animals in general is a very telling thing

But I don't know that I believe that dog or cat people are any more or less likely to be liberal based on that trait alone. But then again, I more or less treat my dogs and cats the same. I don't try to train either of them other than basic safety things for the dogs since they go out while the cats stay indoors or on the deck.

[Arugula Latte]

6. I guess when I think about it

my impression is that the people who say they hate cats are much more likely to be conservative/rightwing, because of cats' associations with femininity and their lack of ability to control them, which is different than differentiating between people who like cats more than dogs and people who like dogs more than cats. (I realize there are lots of liberal dog people.)

[Raven]

3. I have 2 dogs and a cat. What

does that make me?

[mythology]

5. In my experience

that would make you, and everything you own, covered in pet fur.

[nadine_mn]

16. loving, accepting and very patient! We have 2 dogs and a cat too

although for a long time we had 3 dogs + cat, then 4 dogs +cat, then the older 2 dogs passed away.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. This is just a personal observation that I noticed when I was dating.

Men who don't like cats don't like independent women. I learned to watch a guys reaction when he met my cats. It's could be quite telling.

[BlueJazz]

8. Strange enough, I noticed years ago that men who hated cats seemed to have...

...a trait (and I'm not even sure of what), that I don't like.
I mean, I don't believe I've ever had a male friend that hated cats.
Maybe I sensed something..

[Major Nikon]

11. Cats are evil

[Arkansas Granny]

13. lol! Purr evil.

[Locut0s]

9. I must be one of those exceptions Arugula Latte was talking about...

Not a cat person. Very much a dog person. I don't even like small dogs, labs, goldens and Vizsla types for me. I consider myself very open minded, liberal, caring and compassionate though. I think I'm quite imaginative and artistic too. I suppose I am more of a computer and science nerd but the above are very strong in my personality.

Oh and I'm HORRIBLY allergic to cats, so maybe that has something to do with it

[Major Nikon]

10. ...

[In_The_Wind]

12. We Rule!

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[MrScorpio]

14. Well, lt's see…

I'm introverted, agreeable, not neurotic and open… I'm also a dog person rather than a cat person.

How does that relate to any of this data?

[olddots]

15. I never had crabs

no matter what people may say .

[Arugula Latte]

17. Look at this. Some of the most liberal states are "cat states" and some of the most conservative

are "dog states."

I live in a cat state.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kjh2110/do-you-live-in-a-dog-or-cat-state

[RebelOne]

18. I am in Georgia, a dog state.

And it may be a red state, but I prefer dogs rather than cats.

[pink-o]

19. I was always a dog person

And I too only loved big dogs, Springer spaniel size or larger. But 11 years ago, I lived in a duplex with filthy upstairs neighbors, so my house because rodent central. In San Francisco, the rats almost qualify as large dogs, and I loathe them far more than any other critter! Sonar didn't work, and I refused to use traps, so I trundled down to the shelter and adopted a kitty--going with the philosophy that the Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend. I figured I'd just feed the cat and change her box and she wouldn't bother me, right...?

OMG, I was so wrong! From the first hour I brought her back, that cat made her home on my lap, my bed when we were sleeping, my stomach when I tried to do crunches! She had to be close all the time, and was just as affectionate as any dog I've ever cared for. It took no time to fall in love with her, and open my mind up to cats in general.

But the biggest diff is this: dogs will follow you wherever and whenever, but cats always call the shots. One must understand that we are the minions, and the cat will let us know what they need from us--and we better hop to it immediately. I never minded, my kitty was worth it!

[Curmudgeoness]

20. Well, I guess I found out why there are so many crazy cat ladies.

I often wondered if it was a personality trait, or if it was that our society has given that "old maid with cats" stereotype enough that people believe it.

I am that old maid with cats. (Well, just one cat now, but that has to do with finances and his vet bills.)