Dog people vs cat folks: Research reveals surprising differences

Dog people versus cat folks is a debate as old as time when it comes to who’s a better human. Now research has revealed the surprising differences.

Are you on Team Dog People (arf!) or Team Cat People (purr!)?

Pet lovers often find themselves debating the merits of dogs versus cats, with those who love dogs finding it, well, ruff to argue against those who find felines purrfect (sorry, not sorry).

But thanks to those scientists who never stop finding new topics to research, a study has uncovered the surprising differences.

Are you smarter than dog people?

Who is more intelligent, dog people or cat people?

A study showed that those who love cats had higher intelligence scores than dog lovers, reported Live Science.

That was just one of the personality differences found in the research, according to study researcher Denise Guastello, an associate professor of psychology at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

She feels that all those distinctions, including intelligence, could reflect the environments preferred by cat versus dog people.

For example, dog lovers know that their pet responsibilities include spending a lot of time outside walking their pups, while cat lovers tend to be more content curled up at home with a good book (and a cat in their lap).

Although judging by celebrity cat lover Taylor Swift, cat people are also happy posing with other celebrities, as long as they’re holding tightly onto a kitty.

Dog people follow the rules…and are more like the typical puppy

The researchers also noted that dog lovers are careful about following the rules.

In contrast, the study showed that cat folks don’t fuss about conforming, tending to focus on what’s expedient instead of what the rule book says (this may also solve the mystery of why there are so many dog obedience classes and no cat obedience courses!).

In addition, dog people are more like puppies: They’re lively, energized, and outgoing, while cat people tend to be more sensitive, according to the study.

“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,” pointed out Guastello. “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.”

The survey also uncovered more dog people than cat folks. Only 11 percent identified as cat people, with 60 as dog people and the rest liking both or neither pet.

Do you agree with the study? Share your views below and tell us if you think we’re barking up the right tree or should spend more time sharpening our claws on the nearest scratching post.