Q: What roles do pets play when I’m trying to date someone?
A: They may play a pretty strong role. Women tend to like pet owners, especially dogs. However, there are big differences between “cat people” and “dog people.”
INTRODUCTION
- This study was published in the journal Anthrozoos in 2015. It examines the effect of pets in the dating and courtship arena.
- Previous research suggests that pets are increasingly viewed as “kin” or family.
- Since immediate family does have an influence on dating, these researchers felt that maybe pets had the same kind of influence.
- The researchers also noted that cats and dogs have different social effects.
- Cats are seen as less social, more independent, and requiring less care.
- Dogs are seen as more social and requiring more attention and care.
- Therefore, they hypothesized that taking care of a dog is a stronger indicator that a person is nurturing, responsible, and caring.
- These are traits in men that are seen as attractive to women.
EXPERIMENT
- The first experiment involved sending out a survey to 1210 people on Match.com.
- The survey involved 21 questions aimed at determining a person’s dating preferences and pet ownership.
- These included questions like:
- Whether they have a dog or a cat (or another pet)
- Sex
- Age
- Whether they find pets attractive in a mate
- Which pets they considered to be the “hottest”
- Bringing pets on a date
RESULTS:
- The respondents ranged in age from their 20s all the way up to their 50s and beyond.
- Women were more likely to be attracted to
- Pet owners.
- “Dog people.”
- People with pets in their dating profile.
- Women were less likely to date a man who:
- Says they’re a “cat person.”
- Says they’re “not a pet person.”
- Women were also more likely to say that a man’s pet says a lot about their personality.
Second hypothesis: are “cat people” and “dog people” different?
- It’s already shown that women were more likely to say they can’t date a “cat person.”
- How important is the difference between cats and dogs in dating?
RESULTS:
- Cat owners are less likely to:
- See pets as relevant in dating.
- Use their pet to obtain a date.
- Judge a date on how they treated the cat.
- Judge a person for having a pet in their dating profile.
- Judge a person for what kind of animal they have (or don’t have).
- Dog owners are more likely to:
- Say they can’t date “cat people.”
-
- Judge a person’s personality on their pets.
- Judge a person for having a pet in their dating profile.
- Judge a person for how they treat their pets.
CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION
- What can we learn from this survey?
- Women are more attracted to pet owners, especially dogs.
-
- Women are more likely to say they won’t date someone if they’re not a pet person.
- Also, it matters whether a person is a “cat person” or a “dog person.”
- The old saying is that cats and dogs fight – but maybe it should be “cat people” and “dog people!”
- “Cat people” are less influenced by pets. Women who are cat people are less likely to use pets in their dating judgments.
- “Dog people” are a different case. Women who are dog people are less likely to be attracted to “cat people,” and judge potential dates on their personality based on their pet.
- Thus, having a dog seems to have a positive effect on women. It makes you seem nurturing, responsible, and attractive.
- Having a cat is less of a benefit – it won’t really matter to cat people, and women who call themselves “dog people” will be less likely to find you attractive.
Reference
Gray, P. B., Volsche, S. L., Garcia, J. R., & Fisher, H. E. (2015). The roles of pet dogs and cats in human courtship and dating. Anthrozoos, 28(4), 673-683. Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08927936.2015.1064216
