Dog Owners are Happier than Cat Owners

The Washington Post reports that in 2018, the General Social Survey for the first time included questions on pet ownership. The findings show that dog owners are happier than cat owners.

Dog owners are about twice as likely as cat owners to say they’re very happy, with people owning both falling somewhere in between.

Dog people are slightly happier than those without any pets. Those with cats are significantly less happy than the pet-less.

The happiness divide between dog and cat owners is bigger than the one between people who identify as middle and upper class, and nearly as large as the gap between those who say they’re in “fair” versus “good or excellent” health.

Research also has shown that dog owners are more likely than other folks to form friendships with people in their neighborhoods on the basis of the random encounters that happen when they’re out walking their pets. Those social connections likely contribute to greater well-being among dog owners.

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Wayne Creed

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