What Your Pet Reveals about You
Most of us think our pets say a lot about who we are. Why else would we proudly proclaim our loyalty on T-shirts and in online profile pictures? Yet few scientists have rigorously investigated whether our choice of pet reveals anything about our personality, beliefs or lifestyle. We rounded up the smattering of available research and highlighted some of the more interesting findings in the infographic that starts below and continues on the next pages. Some information comes from peer-reviewed studies, but the bulk of our data derives from huge market surveys undertaken by interested parties in the pet industry, such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, which tracks pet populations, owner demographics and expenditures to follow how pet ownership in the U.S. changes over time. As you will see, these surveys reveal interesting things about people and the pets they love.
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The pets we have (I don't believe we own pets but rather that they are part of our family) tell a lot about us (according to experts)
Check out the personality traits associated with cats, dogs, birds, horses and combinations
I have had dogs and cats over the years - a couple of guppies when I was a kid and see some of all the traits present and past of pet ownership
jwc
We have had cats tat ere in and out cats, but our favorite (over 14 years with us) was a rescue from a shelter in Germany that had been declawed by a previous owner and Toby never went outside and she was truly one of the family until the dayshe passed.
Thanks for the feedback
Cat person here! Five in the house...3 of mine and 2 of my son's. The chart says if you have "a" cat you're more likely to be neurotic...wonder what they'd make of me!
Dog, armadillo, turtle, groundhog and Texas Longhorn here.
I've had dogs my whole life, don't know what I'd do without them.
Uptownchick
They would, of course, say that you are the exception to the rule
Thanks for the feedback
Kavika
Ok Now, I lived in west Texas for a spell (near San Angelo) so I understand the dog, armadillo, turtle and the longhorn but a "groundhog"? What's up with that? In my experience they are not the most friendly animals in the forest.
How interesting!
Life without cats and dogs would be very grim, indeed!
Oh! We have 3 of each...
Dowser
The unconditional love of a treasured pet is the wealth we accumulate when we care for them.
Thanks for that perspective
I don't honestly think I could survive without them... They are our family, too!
I have had cats, dogs and children......lol
Nona
We always had dogs when I was a kid, but dad was not much of a cat person, except for barn cats
Dowser
A lot of folks feel the same way, it is interesting sometimes when I go to the park to just sit and watch the way different people interact with the pets and the children they bring to the park.
Often there are startling similarities to the tone of voice used with children and pets and the attention paid to each