Dog owners are much happier than cat owners, survey finds
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The well-respected survey that’s been a barometer of American politics, culture and behavior for more than four decades finally got around to the question that has bedeviled many a household.
Dog or cat?
In 2018, the General Social Survey for the first time included a battery of questions on pet ownership. The findings not only quantified the nation’s pet population — nearly 6 in 10 households have at least one —they made it possible to see how pet ownership overlaps with all sorts of factors of interest to social scientists.
Like happiness.
For starters, there is little difference between pet owners and non-owners when it comes to happiness, the survey shows. The two groups are statistically indistinguishable on the likelihood of identifying as “very happy” (a little over 30 percent) or “not too happy” (in the mid-teens).
But when you break the data down by pet type — cats, dogs or both — a stunning divide emerges: Dog owners are about twice as likely as cat owners to say they’re very happy, with people owning both falling somewhere in between.
Dog people, in other words, are slightly happier than those without any pets. Those in the cat camp, on the other hand, are significantly less happy than the pet-less. And having both appears to cancel each other out happiness-wise. (Since someone’s bound to ask, it isn’t possible to do this same type of analysis for say, rabbit owners or lizard owners or fish owners, since there aren’t enough of those folks in the survey to make a statistically valid sample).
These differences are quite large: The happiness divide between dog and cat owners is bigger than the one between people who identify as middle and upper class , and nearly as large as the gap between those who say they’re in “fair” versus “good or excellent” health.
However, correlation doesn’t equal causation, and there are probably a number of other differences between dog and cat owners that account for some of the differences. The General Social Survey data show that dog owners, for instance, are more likely to be married and own their own homes than cat owners, both factors known to affect happiness and life satisfaction.
Previous research on this topic yielded mixed results. In 2006, the Pew Research Center found no significant differences in happiness between pet owners and non-pet owners, or cat and dog owners. However, that survey did not distinguish between people who owned “only” a dog or a cat, and those who owned “either” a dog or a cat, potentially muddying the distinctions between exclusive dog and cat owners.
A 2016 study of dog and cat owners , on the other hand, yielded greater happiness ratings for dog owners relative to cat people. It attributed the contrast, at least in part, to differences in personality: Dog owners tended to be more agreeable, more extroverted and less neurotic than cat owners. And a 2015 study linked the presence of a cat in the home to fewer negative emotions, but not necessarily an increase in positive ones.
Research also has shown that dog owners are more likely than other folks to form friendships with people in their neighborhoods on the basis of the random encounters that happen when they’re out walking their pets. Those social connections likely contribute to greater well-being among dog owners.
The General Social Survey also asked a number of questions about how people interact with their pets, and the answers may also explain some of the happiness gap. Dog owners, for instance, are more likely to seek comfort from their pet in times of stress, more likely to play with their pet, and more likely to consider their pet a member of their family. Those differences suggest a stronger social bond with their pets, which could create a greater sense of well-being.
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My Puppy Boy is 9, diabetic and blind but he still makes me smile all of the time...
That's sweet.
My Wally makes me happy.
LOL!
My Yoda Girl makes me very happy. She is my Companion Cat and does her job very well. I am hearing impaired, and while I am fine when wearing a hearing aid, when I take it off my hearing is very low. She lets me know when there is something she thinks I need to check out. She is very loving and talks to me all the time. While she is independent, and only wants to be petted when she wants it, she is a great companion.
Here's a picture of my Yoda Girl
You Yoda Girl is very pretty. I love her mits
Thanks Perrie.
I have never owned a cat and have always owned a dog. But just by observation it seems to me that dogs are seen as being more consciously interactive with their humans. That is the difference I think.
I have had dogs that were friendly and dogs that were not. I can say the same with cats. I really think it just depends on the animal.
I'z a dog and a really good dog. We don't have any badgers in our yard (I'z a badger hunter) we have some donuts but I eat them as soon as Iz find one.
Also I'm short but I'm long.
Who could not love Wiki?
You don't have any elephants in your yard either. That Wiki can take on anything.
It's pretty amazing TTGA. She isn't called Wiki Warrior Wonder Wiener for nothing.
I almost forgot, this is my buddy Zeus...He lives next door or any where he want's to.
This is me, Wiki Warrior Wonder Wiener chasing a rhino out of our yard...I put the fear of Zeus into him.
This is my cuz, Luther Scares the Cow, (Indian Dog ya know)....
Zeus is well named and looks a bit scary.
Actually other than the one time that he ate a mailman he's pretty laid back.
I think Zeus has been hitting the steroids.
Wait, what!!! How did I get into this. Well since I am may I suggest that, ''Suave'' is quite fitting for me.
Are you aware that I was the 19 something ''Intercollegiate Ballroom Dancing Champion''....Talk about some moves.
A absolutely true story.
This is me doing some practice moves...I was a bit younger than.
Hey those guys are pretty good MUVA...
Some competition .
Thems some very mean steps there Bro. Had me beating my drum in time with his steps on this end.
A cease fire between my fur babies. Casey is recovering from a deserved swat to the nose.
LOL, too funny sandy.
Ain't that the truth!
It was the can opener for mine.....
Same here Fly. The brat could sleep through a tornado, but, start opening a can and they were instantly teleported to my side, salivating and ready to eat.
We had five cats - Wolfie, Xyna, Poupon, Jaguar and Griselda. A year ago, we had to put Poupon down due to cancer throughout the skull. Didn't think I'd get over it, but Kavika as going through basically the same thing with Annie - so his conversations helped a lot. My decision was not to get another for myself.
So, in August, after a fabulous game of flog (think I made 1 par and 17 bogies), came home and Audra and Vicky (wife & daughter) told me I had to go into my office 'cause a box arrived and they couldn't open it.
Well, I did - and there was Dark Vader - 8 weeks old and already climbing to get to my chest to sleep. Unfortunately, the only pic I have is a 24 sec video that won't down load.
Next day, 'nuther fabulous game of flog (5 pars, 1 birdie and 12 bogies), 'nuther box they couldn't open - which I did - and there was Sky, my seal point who refuses to leave me alone.
Best I can offer is a pic from yesterday of the two "Guard" cats at my desk and computer.
LOL, two ''guard cats''.....Too funny.
Two beauties, 1st.
BF, if 1st wants to be a Member of the cat Group he is most welcome. All he, or anyone else needs to do is request to join. They will be most welcome to share their kitty(s with us there too.
I call discrimination. No pigs or ferrets in the list.
This is Amos our resident armadillo when we lived in Missouri. He was pretty cool and didn't bother anyone or anything. Very happy to live on the far side of the house in his little garden where I built him a ''Amos House''....
I told the people that purchased our house that Amos came with the house and was no trouble. Here he is rummaging for grubs.
Having known Kavika for some time, Wiki, Annie, Amos and Tex became part of my own family. (grin)
Don't forget Rocky our resident groundhog...He was a hoot, and loved grapes.
Thank you for the reminder about Rocky.He did a lot of underground excavating as well. (grin)
LOL, he truly did a bit of excavation and Tex would get pissed at him because of the holes in Tex pasture that Rocky dug.
LOLOL!!! Ohhh Lawd have Mercy!! Good thing Rocky could hide underground. No one in their right mind would want to piss of Tex. Especially, with them horns!
When I was living in Mississippi and had been there so long the locals started calling me a Damn Yankee I had a Armadillo rooting around my camper, They run fast.
Yes hey do and they hop as well. It's funny as heck to see them hop....
I was under the impression I could run it down. I just wanted to meet him.
I've been known to grab a wild coon by the nape of the neck to remove them out of attics.
LOL, the visual of you trying to run down a armadillo is funny. They are fast little guys and great hoppers.
You miss your grab at a raccoon and they sink those teeth into you, you damn sure remember that for a long time. Hopefully no rabies.
Lol did that once, it got me deep and I bled like a stuck pig. Given it was almost 40 years ago now I'd say I'm safe from the rabies
I had to quit reading these stories - brought back how much I miss my Fidget.
Here's my handsome boy...
And he's a rock hound (or cat)
How he could rest his head and neck crystal points, I'll never know...
Pat - we got twins
Lol, yes but yours is sleek, mine is muppet-like.
1st,
Your guys are so cute!
My daughter just got sibs too!
Is your cat a young Maine Coon ?
Asking 1st
No darn it - BUT - Momma sez when the population dwindles, a Maine Coon is top priority.
We'll see.
Oh my....he is indeed a handsome boy. Love the luscious fur.
Thank you RW, I love his fur but it can get gnarly with knots at times.
This is a photo of a very rare breed. The American Indian Dog...there are around 900 in the US and were thought to be extinct but some survived and are now bred in Oregon by Kim LaFlame of Song Dog kennels.
These dogs are powerful, fast and incredible endurance. The need room to run and require a strong leader. They will usually weight between 45 and 75 lbs and come in a multitude of colors. They life expectancy is 15 to 18 years and are extremely healthy dogs.
They ARE NOT PART WOLF OR COYOTE.
They eyes can be from brown to amber to blue or any combination. That is the most striking feature they have.
A few others.
Yes they were BF. They were used a guard dogs, baby sitters, pulling travios, hunting and as war dogs.
That is true BF... There is still one pack of wild dogs called the Carolina dog...
There is a link to more information and studies on them.
Actually there were still American Indian dog into the early 1940's. I have a photo of one taken with my grandfather in the around 1910.
I wonder why they evolved with pale eyes.
LOL.. good one!
But, but.
Good question pat, I have no idea at all.
Casey, top...Sammy, the big orange one (well over 30 lbs. now!) and Zoey, in front, of course!
This was Sammy 9 years ago...about 2 1/2 lbs. then. He grew up!
She's so pretty! And a calico. They are pretty rare.
Zoey is beautiful. I've had 4 Calicos over the years, each one a variation of color patterns. Calicos are said to bring good luck. One of my Calicos had six toes on her front paws. I called her Twinkle Toes.
I think that you forgot to post the photo Uppy. Time for more coffee...LOL
Your turn to supply the coffee...that's my problem! Hop to it!
Your first pic isn't showing up for me. The one of Sammy 9 years ago does, though, and he was beautiful!
Thanks Sandy! I think I fixed it!
Great brood you have there. What a variety of colors. One of every flavor.
Thanks Perrie! My multi-cultural fur-babies! They are quite the motley crew! Three very different personalities.
Smile everyone, it's Monday.....
Now there is a pair to draw to....
Don't feel special, she doesn't like anybody. She only loves me
Awwww
How sweet is that! They are real cuddle buddies.
Stubby looks a bit...evil.
lol
he can be. He didn't want to take care of that big damned spider on the front porch this morning. I think that's evil
Ohhh.....my....someone's in deep doggie doodoo.
