AncestryDNA Traits
For most pet owners, their furred, scaled, or feathered friend is a beloved companion. Others, however, seem to shy away from keeping animals. What’s the connection between genetics and pet ownership?
An AncestryDNA + Traits test looks at how your genetics influence your traits, including personality traits such as the likelihood of pet ownership.
Characteristics of a Pet Lover
Whether your preferred pet is in the ever-popular dog-and-cat category, or a more exotic option like a tarantula, bearded dragon, hedgehog, sugar glider, or ferret, pet owners overall are typically social and empathetic. It takes a certain degree of selflessness to take on the responsibility of caring for a pet, as well as a dependable, patient, and committed personality.
One study based on over 4,500 online survey participants revealed that an individual's self-reported personality traits and their pet of choice shared some interesting correlations. Additional studies came to similar conclusions.
- Dog owners tend to be more thoughtful, empathetic, extroverted, and cooperative.
- Cat owners typically have more adventurous and unconventional personalities, as well as being more emotionally sensitive and dependable.
- Fish owners tend to be the happiest; they report themselves as emotionally stable and calm.
- Reptile owners often show more independence than those who have other types of pets. Snake owners report themselves as being tidy.
- Horse owners describe themselves as self-disciplined.
- Guinea pig owners tend to describe themselves as introverted.
Is Being Good With Animals Genetic?
Being a pet lover is genetic, to a degree. Pet ownership, as with many personality traits, is influenced by genetics and environmental factors.
A genetic study of over 85,000 Swedish twins found that if you grow up with a pet, you’re more likely to have one in adulthood. But it also concluded that this was less about that environmental factor and more likely influenced by genes inherited from pet-loving parents. In fact, they estimated that the genetic contribution to this trait (heritability) was around 50% for men and women!
When Ancestry scientists considered the genetic connection to pet ownership, they used a genome-wide association study to look at the DNA of over 690,000 people who answered the survey question, "Do you have any pets?" The results show that more than 5,490 DNA markers relate to the likelihood of pet ownership.
Using a statistical tool called a polygenic risk score (PRS), the AncestryDNA team can predict from your DNA whether you are more or less likely to own a pet. In general, though, other factors like your living situation, culture, and resources play more of a role in determining if you own a pet. As the interactions between the thousands of genes that influence this trait are further studied, we may be able to make new predictions and your results may update.
What Else Does Science Say About Pet Ownership?
Having a pet can bring health benefits far beyond the joy of companionship. Multiple scientific studies concluded that positive interactions with animals can impact a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. For example, it may reduce cortisol and blood pressure, lower levels of anxiety, and boost the immune system.
Research also shows that the human-animal bond, through pet ownership, can help to alleviate social isolation and decrease loneliness.
In addition, owners of pets that need regular exercise, like dogs or horses, are also likely to get more exercise.
Interesting Facts About Pet Ownership
People around the world value the human-animal bond that comes with pet ownership. Here's a glance at countries that have especially high rates of animal companions:
- Pet ownership rates are highest in the United States (approximately 66% of households), followed by in Australia (61% of households); Canada (58% of the population); and the UK (57% of households).
- Brazil has the second highest number of domestic canine companions.
- China has the second highest number of feline companions.
- Brazilian residents own the highest number of birds by far—more than 191 million avian companions.
- Italy ranks in a distant second place for feathered companions—almost 13 million.
Here’s a closer look at pet ownership in the United States.
- 75.1% of pet owners live in single-family, detached houses.
- Having children in the home increases the odds of owning a pet, and more specifically, owning a dog.
- Over half of pet owners are married, while just under a quarter have never married.
- 54.3% of women own a pet, compared to 45.7% of men. But men make up a slightly higher percentage of cat owners (47.2%) than dog owners (45%).
- Women are more likely than men to see their pets as much of a part of the family as a human member—57% of women versus 43% of men.
Whereever you live, generational categories also influence pet ownership. Of those who currently own pets:
- 33% are Millennials (born 1981-1996)
- 25% are Gen X (born 1965-1980)
- 24% are Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)
- 16% are Gen Z (born 1997-early 2010s)
- 2% are from the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945)
So are you a dog-owner who enjoys walks through the British countryside? Do you treasure the songs of your canaries? Or maybe you're a Gen X parent who likes to watch the mesmirizing movements of your Angelfish or Guppies. An AncestryDNA + Traits test can say what your genes suggest about your preference for pet ownership as well as more than 90 different traits, such as sun sneezing, bitter taste sensitivity, dancing. If you've already taken an AncestryDNA test, you can also see your traits with an Ancestry subscription.
