Highly Sensitive Person Test: HSP Dog Owner Quiz
Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or empath? Take this HSP dog owner quiz to find out if you are an ardent animal lover more than most. Then, keep reading for results and recommendations.
TIPS FOR EMPATHIC & HSP DOG OWNERS
Highly Sensitive Person Test: HSP Dog Owner Quiz
Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or empath? Take this HSP dog owner quiz to find out if you are an ardent animal lover more than most. Then, keep reading for results and recommendations.
What is a highly sensitive person (HSP)?
Dr. Elaine Aron is popularized this concept in the field of psychology. You can check out her website here.
An HSP is a normal, innate trait found in up to 20% of the population. HSPs are highly attuned to the environment and emotions of others, called sensory processing sensitivity. Things like bright lights, being rushed, violence on TV, or chaotic can be overwhelming. We are emotionally reactive to small things.
HSPs have positive aspects, such as:
Highly empathetic
Appreciative of delicate smells or art
Attuned to nature and animals
Imaginative
Many labeled “gifted” in childhood
Process information deeply
A Highly Sensitive Person is NOT the same as:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Asperger’s
Introversion
Shyness
Sensory processing disorder
Are you an HSP dog owner?
Focusing on animal related questions in this HSP dog owner quiz helps you know if you are an HSP pet parent.
There is nothing pathological or clinically wrong with being an HSP, empath, or HSP dog owner. However, understanding your tendencies can help you understand your own connection to animals and explain it to others.
Recently, I am focusing Dailydogvibes.com content on HSP dog owners. By exploring the special connection between HSPs and dogs as described here, I hope to support you as a sensitive animal lover.
HSP Dog Owner Quiz (Count 1 point for every “yes” answer; 0 for “no”):
Do you have strong emotional or physical reactions to commercials or videos that depict animals suffering?
Do you personify animals (think of them as having human traits and thoughts)?
Do you cry more easily than others or longer than others when an animal dies in a story?
Do you feel it hard to stop thinking about stories of animal abuse or suffering once you hear them?
Have you experienced pet grief that seems much deeper or more profound than those around you?
Do you feel physical stress symptoms when leaving your pet for an extended time (like going on a trip)?
Do you feel like you can see into an animal’s soul when you gaze into their eyes?
Do you feel a strong connection to both wildlife and domestic pets?
Do animals seem to naturally calm down around your presence?
If you are visiting a friend, does their dog seek you out?
Do you have a strong response to pets dying or being hurt, even if they don’t belong to you?
Do you have strong empathy for other people’s pet parenting experiences?
Are you a gentle person, who finds animals easier to deal with than people?
Are you so compassionate for animals it crosses boundaries, like adopting more dogs than you can handle or dog sitting for free over extended amounts of time?
Has your compassion for animals caused conflict with your partner or spouse?
Does being around dogs help you decompress from overstimulation?
Scoring
Give yourself 1 point for every “yes” answer you marked in the HSP Dog Owner Quiz. Add your total score.
Score 12-15: You are probably a highly sensitive dog owner. It may be helpful to learn more about highly sensitive people (HSP) or empath personality traits to empower yourself and set reasonable boundaries. I highly recommend reading The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine N. Aron, who developed the term. It was so eye-opening for me!
Score 7-14: Meet in the middle. Although you have a healthy compassion for pets, you probably don’t cross into the HSP/empath zone with all animals. You may form deep connections with a “soulmate pet,” who brings you great joy and companionship.
Score 0-6: You are probably not in the highly sensitive person (HSP) domain in terms of dog ownership. You may feel more objective about pets and be able to maintain emotional distance from them as an owner.
Disclaimers: This quiz is for entertainment purposes only. It is not a scientific tool or diagnostic measure.
If you feel like you are an HSP, check out this video from Psych2Go to better understand this personality characteristic. I watched this and felt so seen!
Products to Support HSP Dog Owners
The Highly Sensitive Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You (Aron, 2020). This book is SO helpful. If you don’t have time to read, listen to the audiobook with a FREE trial to Audible here.
This human pet bed is hilarious but the best way to decompress and cuddle with a large or older dog if they can’t get on your furniture.
Weighted blanket. I wouldn’t get through a week without a weighted blanket for me and my pup to snuggle. This is an inexpensive option with a wonderful soft texture.
I may earn commission from qualifying purchases in affiliate links. 10% of all 2024 proceeds go to The Trevor Project.
Conclusion
I truly hope this information is helpful and offers you insight into your own personality. If you are already looking to adopt a dog, and know you are an HSP, check out the 5 best and 5 worst breeds for HSP dog owners.
Understanding yourself as an HSP dog owner can help you explain your reactions to other people, and develop positive coping strategies when grieving a pet.