The Differences (And Similarities) Between Dog People and Cat People

Are dog people and cat people really all that different? A report from Rover.com® reveals fascinating differences (and surprising similarities) between families of Fido or Fluffy.

Rover’s report, “The Secret Lives of Cat People and Dog People,” investigates how having a cat, a dog, or both affects humans and the relationships we cultivate with our pets.

So, what does this all mean? Read on to find out more differences (and similarities) between dog people and cat people!

The Secret Lives of Cat People and Dog People: Report Findings

In the U.S., 60% of households have a dog and 47% have a cat. While these numbers have remained relatively constant in recent years, especially through the Covid pandemic, the pet economy has exploded.

Do you consider yourself a dog person or a cat person? Regardless of which species you identify with most, there are some interesting findings in The Secret Lives of Cat People and Dog People report.

The report, which includes responses from more than 1,000 pet owners across the country, found that human-dog and human-cat relationships are different but equally devoted.

• Dog people are more likely to say hello to their pets when they get home (but not by much 69% of dog owners vs 67% of cat owners)
• Cat people are more introverted than their extroverted dog-owning counterparts. 52% of them would rather hang with their cats than humans, compared to just 43% of dog people who would choose their dogs over human companionship.
• Dog people are more likely to talk to their dogs — so often in a day that they can’t even count, whereas cat people talk to their feline friends 1-5 times each day.
• But, 70% of cat people admit to making up songs for their furry friends, while pups only get serenaded by 63% of their owners.

Pet Parenting Secrets Revealed

• Cat people are more likely to get jelly — 16% more likely in fact — than dog people to admit they are bothered when their kitty cuddles with other people.
• Dog people are more likely to talk to their dogs — so often in a day that they can’t even count, whereas cat people talk to their feline friends 1-5 times each day.
• Cat and dog people are about the same when it comes to taking pics of their pets, with about 84% admitting that half the photos on their phones are of their furry friends.

Furry Family Members

• The majority of cat and dog people (61%) aren’t afraid to admit that their pets always steal their spot on the couch or the bed.
• Everybody is cuddly: both dog and cat people claim to spend 1-2 hours a day cuddling their pet.

Living with Cats & Dogs

• The vast majority of pet owners (70%) have between one and five nicknames for their pets.
• If you’re a cat person, you’re more likely to own a lint roller (66%) than if you’re a dog person (55%).
• Cat people overwhelmingly speak “cat” — 91% of them claim to know the meaning of their cat’s various meows.

Final Thoughts

Though there are some key differences between dog people and cat people, both groups of pet owners share similar characteristics and behaviors. For example, both groups spend around the same amount of time cuddling with their pets and talking to them. Additionally, the majority of cat and dog people don’t mind when their furry friends steal their spot on the couch or bed.

Though there are some key differences, at the end of the day, both dog people and cat people share a lot of commonalities. So, whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, you can rest assured that you’re not alone in your love for your furry friend!

To view the comprehensive report findings and infographic, visit www.rover.com/blog/cat-people-vs-dog-people. 

For “The Secret Lives of Cat People and Dog People”, Rover.com conducted a survey via PollFish in March 2019 among 1,261 U.S. adult dog and cat owners.