By Adeline Ee.
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US dog owner vs. cat owner statistics and facts according to Gallup
Gallup’s annual Lifestyle Poll highlights exciting statistics and facts about Americans and their pets.
- 40% of Americans own a dog, while 29% own a cat.
- 27% of Americans only own a dog, 12% only own a cat, and 17% own both a cat and a dog.
- Most American dog owners have only one dog, while cat owners tend to have more than one cat.
- Married couples are more likely to own cats and dogs than single people.
- Couples with young children are more likely to own both cats and dogs than people without young children.
What are the differences between dog people and cat people?
A recent study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that cat people and dog people do have different personalities.
Researchers surveyed 600 college students. Approximately 60% of participants said they were dog lovers, compared to the 11% who claimed they were cat people.
Dog lovers were attracted to the companionship that their pets offered, while cat owners enjoyed the affection of their cats.
Dog people are energetic; cat people are less active.
The survey finds that dog people are more vibrant and lively than cat people. This could be due to the fact that having a dog keeps you active. You need to take them out for their walks and help them burn off their excess energy.
On the other hand, cat owners prefer activities that do not require much energy. This includes reading and cooking because they don’t need to take their cat out for a walk.
Cat lovers are more independent than dog owners.
Cats are known to be independent little creatures that prefer to mind their own business, and their owners are very much the same. Cat people tend to keep to themselves, whereas dog people are the opposite.
Dogs are dependent on their owners and their owners on them. They need each other and are very much involved in doing things together.
Dog owners obey rules carefully; cat owners are non-conformists.
A 2015 study on how dog and cat people differ based on dominance-related traits show that dog owners tend to have dominating characteristics. They prefer having a submissive pet whose temperament will complement their need for dominance.
Cat owners tend to be easy-going, free-spirited people who don’t live by rules. This is similar to a cat’s traits. Cats do as they please. It isn’t easy to train a cat.
Cat owners are more open-minded than dog lovers.
A 2010 study conducted by the University of Texas found that dog owners prefer to plan and schedule things in advance.
They enjoy following a strict daily routine and are unhappy when things don’t go as planned.
Cat owners, however, can leave their pets at home for longer periods of time.
So cat owners are more relaxed and laid-back when it comes to planning things.
The study also shows that cat owners are also more open to unconventional beliefs and new experiences.
Dogs are preferred in Republican states, while cats are preferred in Democratic states.
The 2014 American Veterinary Medical Association data shows that the United States is divided between cat and dog lovers.
The data reveals that people in Democratic states are more inclined to keep a cat as a pet than a dog. Residents in Republican states, on the other hand, have a higher rate of dog ownership.
Cat people are more prone to anxiety than dog people.
According to the 2010 study carried out by the University of Texas, cat people tend to worry more than dog people.
Cat lovers are 12% more likely to suffer from anxiety and neurotic disorders than dog owners. Dog people tend to be more extroverted and agreeable than cat people, who usually stress themselves out.
Cat owners are more artistic than dog owners.
While cat people can be introverted and keep to themselves, alone time can result in productive things. Cat lovers are 11% more likely to be creative and think outside of the box than dog owners.
Cat people tend to tap more into the right side of their brains, while dog people are more left-brain thinkers.
Cat owners are less likely to develop allergies than dog owners.
When your cat rubs itself against your legs, they are not just doing it for food or because they crave your attention. C
ats are highly intelligent, and they do this to help boost your immune system. They are also great for triggering allergic immunity in infants.
On the other hand, dog owners do not have an advantage when it comes to a lower risk of developing allergies.
Dog people tend to be extroverts, and cat owners are introverts.
According to the study, dog people are 15% more extroverted because they want to be out there interacting with people and taking their dogs places. They are also louder and more confident than cat owners.
Cat owners are more introverted, reserved, and sensitive. They prefer to stay home and watch TV or read a book. There’s no need for them to go out and socialize because their cat does not need to be walked every few hours or every day.
Conclusion
According to research and several studies, people choose their pets based on their own personalities.
All pets and their owners are exceptional and unique in their own ways, but there are apparent differences between the personalities of dog and cat owners.