Can a Pet Predict Your Personality?
WebMD says that a survey done by the University of Texas at Austin found that some common ideas about cat lovers vs. dog lovers may be true. We may be a lot more like our furry companions than we ever realized.
The online survey asked people to rate themselves as “cat people” or “dog people.” Then people answered questions designed to reveal their true personality.
Dog People’s Personality Traits
If dogs tend to be energetic, faithful, and easy to get along with, well, so do the people who love them.
1. Conscientious
Dog people were 11% more conscientious than cat people. This means they are:
- Self-disciplined
- Strong sense of duty
- Tend to be “planners”
2. Extroverted
Dog people were 15% more extroverted than cat people in the survey. What it means:
- Outgoing
- Enthusiastic
- Positive
- Energetic
3. AGREEABLE
According to the survey, if you’re a dog person, you’re 13% more likely to be agreeable than a cat person. Agreeable people tend to be:
- Trusting
- Altruistic
- Kind
- Affectionate
- Sociable
Cat people’s personality traits
Do you prefer to spend time on your own? Always game to try new things? Then you could be a cat person. The survey found that cat owners were more likely to be curious, unconventional in thinking and actions, and more prone to worry than dog people.
1. Open
Cat people were 11% more likely to be open to new experiences, according to the survey. Open people tend to be:
- Curious
- Creative
- Artistic
- Nontraditional thinkers
2. Neurotic
If you get stressed out easily, you may be a cat person. Cat people were 12% more neurotic than dog people. Neurotic people are:
- Easily stressed
- Anxious
- Worriers
But survey author and psychologist Sam Gosling, PhD, admits that the differences between cat and dog people aren’t huge and that “There are certainly many, many cat people who are extroverts and many, many dog people who aren’t.”
Nearly half of those who took the survey call themselves dog people. Just 12% say they are cat people. How many people love both cats and dogs? A little more than a quarter of the group. Overall, pet lovers rule the nation. Just 15% of people said they don’t like cats or dogs.
What Is Your Dog Saying?
If you know dog body language, you can tell how he’s feeling and what he’s trying to say. Dogs may:
- Widen their eyes if they feel threatened
- “Grin” as a sign of submission
- Pull ears back when they’re feeling friendly
- Make themselves look smaller when they’re scared
What Is Your Cat Saying?
Watch your cat’s behavior to figure out her state of mind. Cats may:
- Let the tail droop when sick or unhappy
- Twitch their ears when agitated
- Flutter their eyelids to show trust
- Knead their paws to show contentment
~Eowyn
