Cat owners are more intelligent than dog owners, study shows

Obviously you knew this already - being so clever and all - but cat owners are officially more intelligent than dog owners, according to cold, hard science.

Cat people also tend to be more sensitive and better and standing up for their beliefs, according to research from The McKeown Clinic.

However, dog people also have their plus points - they tend to be more sociable and outgoing, which interestingly mirrors the respective personalities of each animal.

And if you love both? Well, that clearly makes you a supreme being. The dog vs. cat war is a bitter and never-ending one, and the only correct answer, really, is that both of them are 12/10 excellent.

Steve McKeown of The McKeown Clinic told Unilad: “A study of 600 college students that was conducted Denise Guastello found that dog people maybe more social and outgoing and that cat people are far more sensitive and open-minded. It also noted cat owners were no more neurotic than dog owners.

“Cat people tend be non-conformist, somebody who stands up for what they believe in despite what anyone thinks which in many ways and perhaps mirrors the independence for which cats are renowned. Cat people also score higher on intelligence tests and more educated!

“Cat people are more likely to possess university degrees than dog owners. Educated people tend to work longer hours and opt for pets that compliment their personal circumstances and lifestyle.”

Denise Guastello, an associate professor of psychology at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, who carried out the study, said: “It makes sense that a dog person is going to be more lively, because they’re going to want to be out there, outside, talking to people, bringing their dog.

“Whereas, if you’re more introverted, and sensitive, maybe you’re more at home reading a book, and your cat doesn’t need to go outside for a walk.”

Interestingly, the study also found that far more people identified themselves as dog people over cat people.

Of the 6oo respondents, 60% chalked themselves up to Team Dog, while just 11% were on the side of the cats. The rest either picked the correct option (both) or the deeply, deeply incorrect one (neither - honestly, how could you?).

(Images: iStock)