Why Cats Are the Perfect Pet for Introverts
Have you ever wondered why it seems like all the people you know who love cats seem to be introverts? Although introverts tend to love pets of all kinds, they also have a tendency to prefer cats over dogs.
In fact, significant research has been done on the personalities of pet owners and what traits are more common in cat lovers (when compared to their dog-loving counterparts).
In the article below, we’ll walk through those studies and explain the connection between introversion and cat ownership. After that, we’ll provide seven reasons why we think cats are the perfect pets for introverts.
The Science Connecting Cats and Introverts
One study, led by Dr. Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia, studied the correlation between pet ownership and personality type. The study looked at over 6000 pet owners who had only dogs, only cats, or both dogs and cats.
The study found that people who only owned cats had significantly different personality traits when compared to their dog-owning counterparts. People who owned both dogs and cats had more in common with people who only owned dogs than with people who only owned cats.
They discovered that cat owners were about one-third more likely to be the only person in their household compared to dog owners. Cat owners were also two times as likely to live in a flat or an apartment. Unmarried women were the most likely to own only cats, compared to married people with children who were more likely to own a dog.
Most relevant to this article, though, was the fact that people who only owned cats were more likely to be introverted than people who had only dogs or both dogs and cats.
A second study, led by Dr. Sam Gosling of the University of Texas in Austin, studied the connection between personality traits and their self-identification as “cat people” or “dog people.” The 4500 participants were also able to identify as “neither” or “both” to balance out the study.
His study found that “dog people” are usually about 15% more extroverted (on average) than “cat people.” This solidifies the evidence that there is a correlation between loving cats and being an introvert.
7 Reasons Why Cats Are the Perfect Pets for Introverts
Although studies concluded that there’s a connection between cats and introverts, there’s a lot of speculation about why cats and introverts go together so well. The following are seven reasons why we think cats are the perfect pets for introverts.
1. They’re usually quieter.
A study about how introverts and extroverts process stimulation found that introverts are more sensitive to stimulation.
Their need for quiet isn’t just a preference, but a chemical necessity. In most cases, cats are quieter pets that provide less stimulation. This allows introverts to continue experiencing their homes as safe-havens.
In most cases, cats are quieter than dogs. While dog’s bark, a cat’s meow is significantly softer. Although there are hundreds of articles about how to make your dog bark less, the noise caused by cats is significantly less.
However, some cats can be loud. When they’re running around in the middle of the night, they can be more disruptive than dogs. Despite this, they are still less noisy than dogs in most cases.
2. They don’t need to go outside.
While cats can go outside, it’s usually safer for them to stay indoors. That means that by extension, their owners can stay indoors as well.
An introvert’s home life is often a good fit for cats, since both enjoy lounging at home and restoring their energy.
Since they use a litter box instead of needing trips outside to do their business, there’s less of a need to go outdoors. Best of all, cat owners don’t need to pick up fresh poop to care for their cat’s needs. Some cats can even be taught to use the human toilet!
3. They make good companions for people who work from home.
If you do most of your work from home, you probably spend a significant amount of time at your desk.
Even though they can invade your space, they are often content to sit nearby and get occasional pets. Petting a cat can increase dopamine levels and help reduce stress, making them the best companion to help you manage the daily stressors brought on by work.
4. Cats don’t overwhelm you when you arrive home.
Most dogs run to the door to greet their owners, often jumping on them and demanding attention. If they’ve been home alone, they need immediate attention so they can go out to do their business.
Cats, on the other hand, are significantly different. It may be hours before you see your cat after you arrive home.
While some people are turned off by how standoffish they are, introverts appreciate that they aren’t being overwhelmed after spending so much energy in the outside world.
Since cats respect personal space (at least when you’re standing), introverts can get in the door and settle down before worrying about tending to their pet’s needs.
5. They don’t demand constant attention.
In many ways, dogs are like extroverts. They thrive on attention and often feel frustrated without it. Some dog breeds even require a significant time commitment, between going on walks and tending to their hygiene needs.
Since cats groom themselves and don’t need to go on walks, introverts don’t have to spend as much time on their care.
Many cats will wander off and entertain themselves for hours on end. Even though they can get into mischief, they usually demand a lot less attention. This gives introverts the feeling of being alone in the house, even if their feline friend is present.
6. They’re cuddly.
Cats are great for cuddling, especially since they never get too big to cuddle comfortably.
Whether they curl up on your lap while you’re reading a book or climb into bed to snooze through the midnight hours, their cuddles are the best.
Their warm bodies also provide heat, which is an added comfort during winter months or when you’re fighting off a cold. Although they can definitely startle you when they suddenly jump onto your lap, they’re rarely big enough to do any real damage.
7. Cats don’t require as much care when you go out of town.
Although many introverts are homebodies, others love to get out and travel. Whether they’re traveling for work or pleasure, introverts like to be able to spend time away without worrying about everything that’s waiting for them at home.
Dogs require a lot of care if you’re out of town. They need to be boarded or have someone regularly come by the house to take them for walks and make sure they’re doing okay. In most cases, dogs need constant care, making them incompatible with people who want to travel.
Cats can be left for enough food and water for a day or two without needing any additional attention.
For longer trips, you can even have someone stop by once every two days to make sure your cat has plenty of supplies and a clean litter box, making them significantly lower maintenance than dogs.