The difference between "dog people" and "cat people"....survey for a research paper....?

theory:


People that prefer dogs to cats are more outgoing, friendly, and social (wanting and needing to meet new people and make new friends). Where as, people whom prefer cats stay in a tighter (closer) circle of friends, more introverted, and not as social.





please! let me know. i need as many opinions as i can get!!!! to write this paper!!!


*thanks for your opinion (in advance!)

The difference between "dog people" and "cat people"....survey for a research paper....?
I'm a cat person simply because I like the fact that they are low maintenance.





Dogs require walking, brushing, more expense for food and vet care, being taken outside to use the bathroom, cleaning the yard, etc.





Cats on the other hand are happy to play with anything, require less food, cost little to keep, and use a litter box. They can also be left alone for extended periods if an ample supply of food and water is provided. Dogs require someone to let them outside.





Simply stated, having cats is more convenient, much less hassle. When you have kids, that's important.
Reply:This is what your studying? Millions of people own both cats and dogs so how could anyone play god on this? Guess I wouldn't be much help to you because until my last cat died we always had both.





Why are they having people put other people in catagories.....what is the agenda?
Reply:I'm a cat and dog person. When I'm with my dog we like to go out and play. When I'm with my cat I like to sleep and watch tv. It's like I have different moods that fit in with thier behavior. Sometimes I want to just have loads of fun and meet new people. Other times I just don't feel like doing anything.





Cats, from what I've seen, like to play sometimes, but they often just want to be left alone to do thier own thing. If your watching tv they go lay with you but only if they want to. Dogs are always for strangers, where as cats tend to run and hide. Dogs like to run around and have way more energy than dogs.


*Exception kittens they are very similar to dogs in thier social behavior.
Reply:I was a cat person for a very long time, but about 5 years ago my brother had to give away his Chihuahua so i took him in and my roommates dog a Australian Shepard mated with my dog Pete. We ended up with the cutest puppies and we ended up keeping two. So now i am a dog and cat person. I love my dogs and love spending time with them, but like the earlier answer it depends on my mood. When i want to just watch TV and be lazy my cats hang out. if i hang in bed though i am surrounded by both dogs and cats. When we go for hikes and to parks we take the dogs. So i too hang out with all my animals it just depends on my mood at the time.
Reply:This theory may be somewhat true, Though I do like both cats and dogs, I probably lean more towards cats. as they dont have as many "needs" as dogs do. I have had both as pets throughout my life, but In my life now I just have a cat, cause hes quiet, and can be freindly, but would just as soon be on his own somewhere in the house. And as you said, I am kind of a homebody, and dont need a lot of freinds, or social activity. I mean, I do like to go out and do things, with freinds, or alone, but I am really happiest to go home after work, and kick it in my santuary, have a beer, or a glass of wine, and relax. Or go camping out away from everyone. I enjoy a dogs company when I'm doing outdoor things, they are fun to just watch, and they will bring cheer to my campsite. But I would rather a freind brought their dog, than to have to have my own. As I said, I like dogs, but they just require too much attention, and get themselves into trouble all the time, for my liking. I also like self sufficient people, over needy ones. I've got enough things to do already, without haveing to take extra time to take care of someone elses problems that they get themselves into. People who want to spend some quiet, peaceful times, and can entertain themselves, as well as animals like this, are better for me.
Reply:That rings true for me, for what that's worth. Solidly cat person, very introverted and not wanting to be super popular. Thanks for asking.
Reply:If your hypothesis is correct, it could certainly shed light on my own behavior. You see, I adore dogs AND cats; I don't prefer one over the other. (I have two cats and no dogs right now, primarily because I'd really be pushing my landlords' "No Pets Allowed" Policy if I had a dog, too. (The manager is cool with my feline friends, but I stand to be evicted if the owners find out.) However, I plan on adopting a dog very soon after I move later this year.) That said, I certainly have social needs and can be quite friendly and outgoing, but I also have a very active inner life, one of philosophical playfulness and serious introspection. I recognize the value of both aspects, inner and outer relationships, in terms of achieving balance in my life.





I hope that helps.





Good luck with your research!





P.S. I should add that one of my cats is very feline-like; she's on the aloof side and everything from feeding time to snuggle time is according to her agenda only. My other cat is very canine-like; she's loyal, playful, "talkative," and just plain goofy. Does that make a difference? If you have a cat that acts more like a dog and/or vice versa?
Reply:Hate to burst your theory bubble but I do not walk my dog to meet people and to make friends would be a lost cause! Even if I liked someone, if their dog is female they may not welcome my testosterone-fuelled dog's attentions, and if their dog is male and small, it will usually bark fiercely at my dog who will respond louder and more ferociously.





Owners of goody-goody dogs who look across road at "the noise" and carry on, snoot in air followed by po-faced owner, snoot in air, are not people I want to know as they have the same effect as people in supermarkets who look at you as if you were an alien (which incidentally I was in USA for 10 years!! but where people were more tolerant) when your toddler is making a big scene. Please please slip on a banana skin (couldn't resist) or cowpat depending where you are and land in the rotten egg section or cowpat section where, if there is a god after all, you all deserve to lie.





Point is - dog chases away people and visitors to house love our cat, but I know what you're trying to say.
Reply:I'm not fussy for dogs, but I love cats. I am also out going, friendly, and very social. However, I also have a very close-knit group of friends.





For every generality, there is always a group of people that blows the thesis out of the water! Maybe you should also include why someone would choose one pet over the other if they have no decided preference. Cats are a lot lower maintenance than dogs... you don't have to walk them, their vet bills are not as steep... they do not require as much social interaction as dogs do...





Best Wishes... hope that helped!
Reply:I'd agree with your theory. I am a cat person, and although I also own and love 2 dogs, I can relate much better to my 2 cats.


They are independent but loveable, affectionate, groom themselves and don't 'smell'. And they are QUIET. And loyal.





I also find you can't trust a person that dislikes cats! LOL Just seems that way, no idea why that is...