The highly regarded survey, which has served as a gauge of American politics, culture, and behavior for more than four decades, has finally addressed the issue that has perplexed many families.
In 2018, a series of inquiries on pet ownership were added to the General Social Survey for the first time. The results not only quantified the number of pets in the country (nearly 6 in 10 households have at least one), but also allowed social scientists to see how pet ownership overlaps with a variety of factors.
First off, the survey reveals that there is little difference in happiness between pet owners and non-owners. On the likelihood of identifying as “very happy” (a little over 30 percent) or “not too happy” (in the mid-teens), the two groups are statistically indistinguishable.
Dog owners are about twice as likely as cat owners to say they’re very happy, with people who own both pets falling somewhere in the middle. However, when the data is broken down by pet type — cats, dogs, or both — a startling disparity becomes apparent.
In other words, people who own dogs tend to be a little happier than people who don’t. On the other hand, those who own cats are significantly less content than those who don’t. And having both appears to cancel each other out happiness-wise. Since there aren’t enough owners of, say, rabbits, lizards, or fish in the survey to create a statistically valid sample, it isn’t possible to conduct the same type of analysis for those groups of people. (Since someone will inevitably ask.)
The happiness gap between dog and cat owners is greater than the gap between middle-class and upper-class people, and it is almost as large as the gap between people who say their health is “fair” versus “good or excellent.”
However, correlation does not imply causation, and many other distinctions between dog and cat owners are likely to contribute to some of the differences. Dog owners, for example, are more likely to be married and to own their own homes than cat owners, two characteristics that are known to affect happiness and life satisfaction.
Previous research on this topic yielded mixed results. Pet owners and non-owners, as well as cat and dog owners, did not significantly differ in terms of happiness in 2006, according to the Pew Research Center. That survey, however, did not differentiate between those who owned “only” a dog or a cat and those who owned “either” a dog or a cat, potentially obscuring the lines between owners of dogs and cats.
On the other hand, a 2016 study of dog and cat owners found that dog owners reported being happier than cat owners. Dog owners tended to be more agreeable, more extroverted, and less neurotic than cat owners, according to the study, which blamed the contrast, at least in part, on personality differences. And a 2015 study found that having a cat at home was associated with fewer negative emotions, but not necessarily more positive ones.
Other studies argue that the pet-happiness relationship is causal to some extent, at least when it comes to canines. For instance, a 2013 study discovered that dog owners are more likely to exercise outside than non-dog owners, with clear advantages for their health and happiness.
Additionally, studies have shown that dog owners are more likely than non-owners to develop friendships with residents of their neighborhoods as a result of the chance encounters they have while walking their dogs. These social ties most likely result in dog owners being happier.
The General Social Survey included several inquiries about pet interaction, and the results may help to explain some of the happiness gap. Dog owners, for example, are more likely to play with their pet, to seek comfort from their pet during stressful times, and to view their pet as a member of their family. These variations imply a stronger social connection between people and their pets, which may lead to a better sense of wellbeing.
A cat, in the words of Ernest Hemingway, “has absolute emotional honesty.” Humans may conceal their emotions for various reasons, but cats do not. ”.
However, the GSS isn’t the first study to examine the advantages of owning a dog as opposed to a cat.
For example, the surveys findings, as reported in The Washington Post, also revealed that dog owners are more likely to be married and own homes than cat owners, both of which are factors known to contribute towards life satisfaction.
The General Social Survey (GSS), which is run by social research organisation NORC at the University of Chicago, found that 36% of dog owners report being “very happy” compared to just 18% of cat owners.
Every year, sample sizes change, but they typically fall between 1,500 and 3,000 adults. This data was obtained from the most recent survey, which was carried out between April and November of last year.
Meanwhile, another study from 2016 found that dog owners scored higher on all aspects of wellbeing when compared to those with cats.
Another is that dog owners are more likely to make friends with locals, especially when they take their dogs for walks. Thanks for reading CBS NEWS. Create your free account or log in for more features. If you would like to proceed, please enter a working email address.
According to the study, one factor is that dog owners are more likely than cat owners to be married and have homes of their own. Both of these elements have been shown to improve a person’s level of satisfaction with their life.
According to this survey, only 18% of cat owners and 36% of dog owners described themselves as being “very happy.” “.
You probably know two different kinds of animal lovers: those who adore dogs and those who adore cats. A General Social Survey at the University of Chicago found that dog owners are significantly happier than cat owners.
The highly regarded survey, which has served as a gauge of American politics, culture, and behavior for more than four decades, has finally addressed the issue that has perplexed many families.
However, correlation does not imply causation, and many other distinctions between dog and cat owners are likely to contribute to some of the differences. Dog owners, for example, are more likely to be married and to own their own homes than cat owners, two characteristics that are known to affect happiness and life satisfaction.
Additionally, studies have shown that dog owners are more likely than non-owners to develop friendships with residents of their neighborhoods as a result of the chance encounters they have while walking their dogs. These social ties most likely result in dog owners being happier.
On the other hand, a 2016 study of dog and cat owners found that dog owners reported being happier than cat owners. Dog owners tended to be more agreeable, more extroverted, and less neurotic than cat owners, according to the study, which blamed the contrast, at least in part, on personality differences. And a 2015 study found that having a cat at home was associated with fewer negative emotions, but not necessarily more positive ones.
Dog owners are about twice as likely as cat owners to say they’re very happy, with people who own both pets falling somewhere in the middle. However, when the data is broken down by pet type — cats, dogs, or both — a startling disparity becomes apparent.
FAQ
Do dogs make people happier than cats do?
One 2016 study of 263 American adults found that while dog owners outperformed cat owners in all areas of well-being, pet owners in general were more satisfied with their lives than nonowners. Researchers discovered in a 2012 study that dog owners had stronger bonds with their pets.
Which pet owners are the happiest?
Overall, we found that New Zealand has the happiest pet owners, with an average happiness score of 88 across our sample of pet owner photos. 4 out of 100. Brazilian pet owners rank second, with an average happiness score of 83. 8 out of 100.
Why are dog owners happier than cat owners?
Dog owners, for example, are more likely to play with their pet, to seek comfort from their pet during stressful times, and to view their pet as a member of their family. These variations imply a stronger social connection between people and their pets, which may lead to a better sense of wellbeing.
Do dogs make owners happier?
Happiness Guide Having a dog nearby can reduce stress in both adults and children. They have been shown to lower the risk of childhood asthma as well as blood pressure.