Are There "Cat People" and "Dog People"?
There are “cat people” and there are “dog people.” Right? Many of us identify strongly one way or the other. But is it just a personal preference or does being a cat person or a dog person reflect something deeper within us?
Sam Gosling, a psychologist at the University of Texas in Austin, conducted a study that assessed individuals on 44 different points relating to personality. His conclusion? There are “significant differences on major personality traits between dog people and cat people.” So, how do you know if, deep down, you’re a cat person?
You May be a Cat Person if You Want To Go Bungee Jumping
Cat people are more adventurous than dog people.
Cat people, according to the study, are about 11% more “open” than dog people. “Openness” means a cat person is more likely to hold unconventional beliefs, to be more open to new or unusual ideas, adventure, imagination, art, emotion, and variety of experience. So, next time you want to do something crazy, ask yourself, “Is this because I’m a cat person?”
You May Be a Cat Person if You Lent the Neighbor Your Car Keys
Cat people are more trusting than dog people.
Dr. Stanley Coren, a psychologist who also studied cat and dog owners, found the cat owners scored higher on personality tests that measured trust. He said that people who score high on trust measures are also often described as, “obliging, modest, straightforward, and ‘good sports.’”
Yes, cat people, that is definitely us.
You May be a Cat Person if You Don’t Own a Lawnmower
Cat owners are more likely than dog owners to live in an apartment. Thus, they may have little need for a lawnmower.
Cat owners are more likely to live alone in an apartment, compared to dog owners who are more likely to be married and live in a house.
Sometimes a good cat is all you really need.
You are Most Definitely A Cat Person if You Own a Cat
Seems obvious, but is it?
Coren asked dog and cat people the same basic question: if there were no constraints in your life and someone gave you a kitten or a puppy, would you keep it? Most dog people would keep the kitten; most cat people would not keep the puppy.
I guess a cat person is really a cat person through and through.
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Dawn LaFontaine is a lifelong animal lover who always seems to have a little pet hair in her keyboard. Her blog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians better understand and care for the special beings they share their lives and homes with. Her cat-products business, Cat in the Box, sells beautiful, well-made, and award-winning products that she designed to meet the biological needs of cats.