Cat Lovers are Smarter Than Dog Lovers, Claims New Study

Pet owners, prepare to debate: dog lovers may be more energetic and outgoing, but cat lovers score higher in intelligence, a recent study has found.

As if it wasn’t obvious before, dog people and cat people have different personalities, and owners choose their pets based on the traits they love most about them.

The study, which was conducted by Denise Guastello, an associate professor of psychology at Carroll University in Wisconsin, surveyed 600 college students about the qualities they found most attractive in their pets. Participants also answered questions about their personality. Guastello’s findings were presented at the annual Association for Psychological Science meeting, according to Live Science.

About 60% of people said they were dog lovers; only 11% of people said they were cat lovers. Everyone else surveyed said they liked both animals or neither.

Dog Lovers

Dog lovers are more lively, outgoing, and they tend to follow rules more closely. Dog people also find companionship to be the most attractive quality in their pets. A 2010 study of 4,500 people support Guastello’s conclusion — dog lovers tend to be more extroverted and conscientious.

Cat Lovers

Cat lovers are more introverted, open-minded and tend to be more sensitive than dog lovers. Cat people also tend to be non-conformist and would rather be expedient than respect rules. Affection was the most attractive feline quality for cat lovers.

Guastello explained that people may also select their pets based on their own personality traits.

“It makes sense that a dog person is going to be more lively, because they’re going to want to be out there, outside, talking to people, bringing their dog. Whereas, if you’re more introverted, and sensitive, maybe you’re more at home reading a book, and your cat doesn’t need to go outside for a walk.”

For now, we can only assume that people who love both animals equally take the best from both worlds.

So which one are you? The dog lover with a great personality? Or the intelligent and sensitive cat lover who doesn’t care to play by the rules?

Share this Article