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Slideshow: The Truth About Cat People and Dog People

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Can a Pet Predict Your Personality?

Are you a cat person or a dog person? The answer may say a lot about your personality. A survey developed at the University of Texas at Austin found that some stereotypes about cat and dog lovers may be true, and you may be a lot more like your furry friend than you ever realized. Browse our gallery to see where you stand - and how other Americans divide into cat people vs. dog people.

Personality Trait: Conscientious

The online questionnaire asked participants to identify themselves as "cat people" or "dog people" and included more than 40 questions designed to reveal an individual's true personality. Scoring showed dog people to be 11% more conscientious than cat people. What it means:

Self-disciplined
Strong sense of duty
Tend to be "planners"

Personality Trait: Extroverted

Are you an extrovert? If you're a dog person, it's likely that you are. People who identified themselves as dog people were, as a group, 15% more extroverted than cat people. What it means:

Outgoing
Enthusiastic
Positive
Energetic

Personality Trait: Open

Are you open to trying new things? Cat people were 11% more likely to be open, according to the survey. Open people tend to be:

Curious
Creative
Artistic
Nontraditional thinkers

Personality Trait: Agreeable

According to the survey, if you're a dog person, you're 13% more likely to be agreeable than a cat person. Agreeable people tend to be:

Trusting
Altruistic
Kind
Affectionate
Sociable

Personality Trait: Neurotic

If you get stressed out easily, you may be a cat person. Cat people were, as a group, 12% more neurotic than dog people. Neurotic people are:

Easily stressed
Anxious
Worriers

The Typical Dog Person

If dogs tend to be energetic, faithful, and easy to get along with, well, so do the people who love them. But survey author and psychologist Sam Gosling, PhD admits that the differences between cat and dog people aren't huge. "There are certainly many, many cat people who are extroverts and many, many dog people who aren't," Gosling says.

The Typical Cat Person

Do you prefer to spend time on your own? Always game to try new things? Then you're probably a cat person. The survey found that self-proclaimed cat people were more likely to be curious, unconventional in thinking and behavior, and more prone to worrying than dog people.

Dog People Outnumber Cat People

Of the 4,500 people surveyed by Gosling and his colleague, Carson J. Sandy, 46% identified themselves as dog people. Just 12% said they were cat people. Of the rest, 28% said they were both, and 15% said they were neither dog nor cat people.

Doggie Upside: Loving and Loyal

Dogs have rightfully earned their reputation as man's best friend. Regardless of size or breed, your dog will provide a lifetime of love and loyalty. Dogs are social animals, and they thrive on human companionship. Certain breeds, such as Rottweilers, also make excellent protectors.

Doggie Downside: Must Be Trained

Even the best dog can have some not-so-cute behaviors. Dogs are known to bark, jump up, dig, tug at the leash, or even growl and bite. To curb undesirable behaviors, it's necessary to teach your dog what's acceptable and what's not. Some dogs are easy to train, while others take more time and practice. Either way, it requires an investment of time and money to bring out the best in your dog.

Kitty Upside: Independent

Cats are famously low-maintenance. They don't need to be bathed or taken for walks. They can be left on their own for hours at a time. Even though cats like to do their own thing, they still need plenty of love and attention. Make sure you devote some time each day to playing with your cat, grooming her, or just giving her some TLC.

Kitty Downside: Can Be Standoffish

Some cats love to socialize, but others prefer to stay hidden, especially when people they don't know come around. In fact, your friends may not even realize you have a cat! Cats who weren't around people enough as kittens may be skittish. And even the friendliest cat will jump off your lap and sashay off when he's had enough of your attention.

Doggie Upside: Boundless Energy

If you're looking for a playmate, it doesn't get much better than a dog. Although some breeds have higher energy levels than others, most are playful and love to be outdoors. A dog can be a great companion for joggers and hikers or people who simply like to take leisurely strolls in the park. If you're trying to get in shape, Fido is a fantastic exercise companion. Exercise is as important for dogs as it is for people.

Doggie Downside: Hair Everywhere

All dogs shed, even the so-called "hypoallergenic" ones. And the longer and thicker the coat, the more dog hair you can expect to find on your clothes, rugs, and furniture. Dogs also get dirty and matted if not groomed frequently, so expect to be bathing and brushing your dog yourself or paying someone to do it for you.

Kitty Upside: Cozy Companion

When it comes to cuddling, cats take the prize. And most cat owners will tell you that there's nothing more relaxing than the sound of a cat's purr. Cozying up to a warm, purring kitty is more than just a pleasant way to pass the time - studies have shown it can actually reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.

Kitty Downside: The Litter Box

Nobody likes cleaning the litter box. But having one is essential if you have a cat. Your cat's litter box will need to be cleaned at least once a day and the litter replaced weekly if you want to avoid unpleasant odors. And if you have more than one cat, you may need multiple litter boxes to accommodate them.

What Is Your Dog Saying?

If you know how to read a dog's body language, you can tell how he's feeling and what he's trying to say. Dogs may:

Widen their eyes if they feel threatened
"Grin" as a sign of submission
Pull ears back when they're feeling friendly
Make themselves look smaller when they're scared

What Is Your Cat Saying?

You can learn a lot about your cat's state of mind simply by watching her behavior. Cats may:

Let the tail droop when sick or unhappy
Twitch their ears when agitated
Flutter their eyelids to show trust
Knead their paws to show contentment

Other Pets to Consider: Rabbits

Rabbits can make great house pets. Besides being soft and adorable, they are quite social and affectionate and can be trained to use a litter box. However, they generally don't like to be picked up, which means they may not be ideal for young children. Rabbits also love to chew, and if they're allowed to roam freely in your house they may damage furniture or electrical cords.

Other Pets to Consider: Reptiles

If you've ever considered getting a lizard, turtle, or snake, make sure you do your research first. Reptiles are not low-maintenance pets. Many can live 15 years or longer, and snakes and lizards can grow to be quite large. Reptiles also need special habitats, and this can be expensive. If you're considering a carnivore, keep in mind that you'll need to feed it live food (anything from worms and crickets to mice).

Other Pets to Consider: Fish

An aquarium full of fish can be fun to watch and a great stress reliever. However, fish do require an investment of time, energy, and money. Obviously, two goldfish and a fishbowl will require a much smaller investment than a saltwater tank full of tropical fish! If you do your research and select the right equipment, your aquarium will provide years of enjoyment.

Other Pets to Consider: Birds

If you want a pet you can talk to, a bird is the only way to go. It's now understood that parrots don't just mimic our speech - some can actually put together meaningful phrases and may have a vocabulary of 100 words or more. Even birds that can't talk are highly intelligent and entertaining - with a long lifespan that offers you companionship for 10 to 40 years, depending on the species.

Should You Keep an Exotic Animal?

Exotic animals such as monkeys and sugar gliders have become popular as pets in recent years. Unfortunately, most people don't realize what they're getting into when they bring an exotic pet home. Animals may become malnourished or obese because they aren't being fed the proper diet. They may be destructive or dangerous. Bottom line - bringing an exotic animal into your home takes extraordinary research and commitment.