Image: Google Images/Flickr

Krisha McCoy, MS wrote this article on Every Day Heath and I thought is was so good I wanted to share.  Did you know the pet cat population in the United States of 93.6 million is larger than the pet dog population of 77.5 million?  I find this very interesting.  Whether you claim to be a dog or cat person I think you will be surprised as to what that says about you.  I know I sure was.  I wonder what happens to those people who like both dogs and cats, where to they fit in to this scenario?  Just some food for thought!  Please be sure to let us know if you are a dog or cat person and did the survey get it right with your personality?  We want to know so please comment below!

Dog People vs. Cat People: What’s the Difference? Find out here!

<a target=”_blank” href=”http://ad.doubleclick.net/N4213/jump/everydayhealth/generalwellness/pethealth;p=37;ugc=0;ct=cc;cat=Pet Health;page=0264ae4b582841358905f9db23c5e5d5;bn=;content=;;pos=bottomsticky;sz=[[300,250],[300,600]];tile=7;ord=20151123133710?”> <img border=”0″ alt=”” src=”http://ad.doubleclick.net/N4213/ad/everydayhealth/generalwellness/pethealth;37;ugc=0;ct=cc;cat=Pet Health;page=0264ae4b582841358905f9db23c5e5d5;bn=;content=;;pos=bottomsticky;sz=[[300,250],[300,600]];tile=7;ord=20151123133710?” /> </a>

The Austin study also surveyed volunteers to find out what types of personality traits were more common in self-proclaimed dog people and cat people. The results found that people who say that they are dog people tend to have more extroverted, agreeable, and conscientious personalities than those who consider themselves cat people. The analysis also revealed that while respondents who described themselves as cat people tended to be more neurotic than dog people, they also tended to be more open to experiencing new things.

<a target=”_blank” href=”http://ad.doubleclick.net/N4213/jump/everydayhealth/generalwellness/pethealth;p=37;ugc=0;ct=cc;cat=Pet Health;page=0264ae4b582841358905f9db23c5e5d5;bn=;content=;;pos=extrasticky;sz=[[300,250]];tile=9;ord=20151123133710?”> <img border=”0″ alt=”” src=”http://ad.doubleclick.net/N4213/ad/everydayhealth/generalwellness/pethealth;37;ugc=0;ct=cc;cat=Pet Health;page=0264ae4b582841358905f9db23c5e5d5;bn=;content=;;pos=extrasticky;sz=[[300,250]];tile=9;ord=20151123133710?” /> </a>

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom polled households to find out more about cat and dog owners. The researchers found that people who have more education are more likely to own cats and less likely to own dogs. They also found that older people and people who ever lived in a household with a dog were significantly less likely to own a cat. Households with young children were more likely to include cats, while larger households tended to include dogs.

What Your Pet Preference Does Or Doesn't Say About You!

As this new evidence emerges, it seems that a person's answer to the question “Are you a dog person or a cat person?” may say a lot about his or her background and personality. Researchers believe it may be that some people naturally mesh better with the characteristics of a dog, and others mesh better with a cat.

If you are a dog person, you may share or be drawn to characteristics common in dogs. Dogs tend to be:

  • Outgoing
  • Loving
  • Loyal
  • Structured
  • Personable

If you are a cat person, you may share or prefer some of the following characteristics that are common in cats:

  • Independence
  • Adaptability
  • Silly antics
  • Poise
  • Beauty
I doesn't matter whether you are a cat person or dog person, what matters is your an animal person and you love them dearly.  We all like both cats and dogs for different reasons!  One question for you is this- Was the survey correct in pegging you as a dog or cat person?  Think about it!  Let us know!

Content: Every Day Health