Dog owners more resilient, less neurotic than cat owners, says JCU study

Dog owners, rejoice! A new psychology study from James Cook University has revealed that people with canine companions are generally more resilient and less neurotic than their cat-loving counterparts.

A new JCU study has delved into how personality can predict pet ownership

Researchers from James Cook University have revealed that dog owners are generally more resilient and less neurotic compared to their feline-fancying counterparts.

A new study, led by JCU psychology lecturer Jessica Oliva, dives into the personality differences between ‘dog people’ and ‘cat people,’ shedding light on the inherent contrasts that might explain these findings.

“Dog ownership has been linked to reduced loneliness in people living alone during prolonged isolation, such as the COVID-19 lockdowns, suggesting higher resilience levels in dog owners,” Dr Oliva explained.

The research aimed to explore the predictive power of pet ownership on personality traits and resilience.

Jessica Oliva with her Maltese Terrier Bonnie.

The team surveyed and interviewed 321 individuals, including dog owners, cat owners, and those without pets.

As anticipated, the results showed that dog owners exhibited higher resilience levels, while cat owners demonstrated higher levels of neuroticism, even after accounting for age and gender.

“Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that genes may influence the preference for owning a particular species,” Dr Oliva said.

“This implies that genetically derived personality traits might drive both the choice of pet and the personality trait itself.

“In simpler terms, people naturally inclined to be resilient might prefer dogs more, rather than dogs directly causing resilience.

“However, the responsibilities and potential challenges of owning a dog could also build resilience over time, or it could be a combination of both factors.”

Despite the rise in pet ownership during the lockdown period — from 61 per cent in 2019 to an estimated 69 per cent in 2021 — there is no strong evidence supporting the idea of acquiring a pet to combat social isolation or loneliness.

“It seems that the owner’s personality, particularly their resilience, is more crucial,” Dr Oliva advised.

Originally published as Dog owners more resilient, less neurotic than cat owners, says JCU study