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Are you prepared to include a family pet to your family, however aren’t sure which one is the best suitable for you? We get it—it’s a huge choice. Just as you have your own distinct personality type, so too do animals. From social dogs to cuddly cats, specific animals are understood for working with particular way of lives. While the idea of bringing any animal into your home most likely thrills you, discovering one that works with your qualities will make the experience even more satisfying.
While there are a great deal of character categories out there, there are 5 significant character types that have actually been commonly studied by psychologists. Known as the Big Five or OCEAN, they consist of, openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Understanding which group you fall under might provide you a much better understanding of the animal that’s the very best suitable for you.
Of course, the animal you pick boils down to a number of elements—and each tip listed below, made by vets with the Big Five in mind, is simply one piece of the puzzle. Whether you’re a cat, dog, or fish individual, the most essential thing is to treat your four-legged (or finned) friend like they belong to the family—something we understand you’ll focus on no matter what.
Related: The Big 5 Personality Types: Find Out Which Group You Fall Into—and How It Affects Your Life
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Openness
If you fall under the openness classification, you’re most likely extremely creative and take pleasure in brand-new experiences. Someone who is open might work with a dog—particularly a golden retriever—as their animal. “A golden retriever is as open as you can get,” says Carly Fox, DVM, senior vet at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. “The ultimate social butterfly, these dogs are the sweetest, friendliest, and many mild dogs around.”
As the mayor of the dog park, golden retrievers likewise typically take pleasure in the experience of making brand-new furry good friends—much like people high in this quality do.
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Conscientiousness
Someone who is diligent generally has exceptional impulse control, is goal-oriented, and takes note of information. If you rank high in this personality type, a reptile might be the animal for you. Bearded dragons are a popular option for brand-new reptile owners due to the fact that they get along and simple to deal with.
“In order to flourish, nevertheless, they should have owners who are really information oriented and diligent,” says Dr. Fox. “Maintaining their particular ecological requirements is crucial to their durability and income.” Neglecting their temperature level, light, feeding, and hydration requirements might cause health problems. An individual who is diligent might likewise take pleasure in offering the comprehensive care requirements reptiles require to flourish.
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Extraversion
People who are extraverted typically feel stimulated after hanging out with others and take pleasure in being front and center. Does this sound like you? Then you, like those aligned with the openness personality type, may also want to consider getting a dog.
“Dogs love being the center of attention,” says Nicole Savageau, DVM, veterinarian for The Vets. “Often, if you are petting one and there is another dog present, the other dog gets jealous and tries to push itself in for love and affection.”
Extraversion is also associated with emotional expression—a trait dogs know well. “They are great at expressing their emotions, so it is not difficult to tell how they are feeling at any given moment,” says Dr. Savageau.
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Agreeableness
High scorers under the agreeableness category are trustworthy, affectionate, and empathetic towards others. People that fall under this umbrella would likely be compatible with a cat.
“Cats are excellent companions and offer comfort to their owners in the form of purrs and long petting sessions,” says Dr. Fox. “Although some think of cats as aloof, most cat owners would disagree. Cats can be extremely affectionate, loyal, and loving pets.”
Cats have relatively long lifespans and during that time, they become true partners to their owners. As empathetic creatures, cats help relieve stress, loneliness, and even can boost self-esteem, studies have found.
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Neuroticism
Neuroticism can typically lead to feelings of stress. People who fall into this group are typically over-thinkers who have a hard time relaxing. To offset these negative feelings, think about keeping a fish as your pet. “Owning fish and maintaining their environment can positively impact people who tend to be more neurotic and higher strung,” says Dr. Fox. “Fish have been shown to bring stress levels down, lower blood pressure, and even improve sleep quality.” This is often why fish tanks are commonly found in many medical professional’s workplaces.
