2023-10-16
We usually refer to people, when thinking about “personality”. Some people are naturally friendly and easy-going, while others are more anxious, fearful or have dominant tendencies. But what about our pets? Have you ever thought if they also have a specific type of personality and temperament? Yes, they have. Our pets are also individuals and should be treated as such.
Today we will make an exception from discussing dog-related topics and will pay attention to our feline friends and what types of personalities they have.
Knowing the personality type of your cat, can be perceived as a fun fact only that animal lovers will enjoy adding to their knowledge of animals. On the other hand, it can be of great help to cat owners, who want to know their cats better and ensure that they lead a high-quality and stressless life. Knowing your cat’s personality will help you recognize any triggers in the environment, properly evaluate how well he/she will get along with other pets in the household and what adjustments you may need to make, to ensure his/her comfort. How you will use this knowledge, depends on you.
We bet that this type will be your favorite one. As the name implies, the “human cats” enjoy being around people and share their personal space with them. These kitties are loving and gentle and are not known for being aggressive. If you would like to have a paw friend different from a dog, but who will follow you everywhere at home and will seek your attention, this type is the right one for you. However, in situations where you are on a trip or otherwise are absent, your kitty may suffer from a separation anxiety. Also, he/she may not want to share your attention with other pets in the household or family members.
Another type of cat’s personality is the so-called:
What could this possible mean? Yes, you are right! Cat’s cats prefer the company of other fellow cats. You may notice your feline friend constantly seeking attention of other cats and playing or cuddling with them. If you are a 100% cat lover and want to share your home with many kitties, this type of cat might be the right one for you! He/she will get along with the other cats in the household and is not likely to show signs of aggression towards them.
Maybe “curious” refers to all cats in general… However, some cats are far more inquisitive than others. If you notice that your paw friend regularly sniffs around, exploring every inch of the environment, he/she may belong to this type. These cats tend to enjoy playing with toys and any objects that keep their interest awake- whether boxes or other items, that they can investigate. This type of cats is known for its confidence. If your feline friend belongs to it, he/she is likely to interact with other cats and animals in general without fear. Also, his/her curiosity is likely to reach out to humans well, i.e. if you have guests, your kitty will probably be among the first ones to come to greet them (and explore them of course). You may need to be careful if you give your cat some time to walk outdoor, as his/her inquisitive personality may get him/her intro trouble.
Although the “curious cats” are not fearful in their nature, they may not tolerate physical contact. They are driven by the exploring instinct and not by the willingness to be petted and hold. If you are looking for this type of cat or if you already have it at home, you should keep that in mind.
Unlike most domesticated cats who enjoy delicious meal served by their owners, the hunter cats prefer to spend time hunting their prey. Mice, other small animals, feather toys...this type of cat will find pure joy in hunting and catching his/her prey. Those of you, who imagine cuddling with their paw friend on the coach, should be prepared for their affection to get rejected. This is not always the case, but we would say that this type of cats is usually not driven by the physical contact and love their owners provide. The hunter cats have preserved their strong hunting instincts typical for feral cats, so you may need to say “goodbye” to the idea of spending calm cuddling nights with your feline friend.
As the name clearly shows, you are not likely to be able to cuddle, pick up, hold or otherwise interact with your feline friend in terms of physical contact. Unlike the cats who will suffer from your absence, this type of kitties, may not even notice that you are not at home. They are independent and not very tolerant towards sharing their living space with other animals or people. If you have a highly independent, self-sufficient and stubborn cat, who occasionally shows his/her love for you, these moments of affection should be much appreciated. They are not likely to occur very often.
According to a survey, that took place at the University of South Australia a few years ago, there are 5 main traits in cats. Cat owners who participated in that survey, received individual reports that referred to their cat’s personality.
Let’s begin with the most pleasant one.
The higher the cat’s score for this trait is, the friendlier, more open and more easy-going he/she is likely to be and vise versa- cats with a lower score, are more likely to behave unfriendly and be intolerant towards other animals and people. Possible reasons for the low score might be genetic predisposition, lack of socialization, triggers in the environment or an underlying health condition.
Cats who rapidly change their behavior may be in pain, deal with an illness or with a trigger in their environment. That is why it is important for you to know your cat well, and also be aware of any changes in the environment that may have occurred.
Cats with a high score for this trait are usually curious and eager to welcome guests and investigate them (similarly to the curious type of personality). They will enjoy playing with puzzles and toys that will keep them engaged during the day. Placing a cat tree / condo / tower / stand near the window or even putting a catio (a patio for cats) will make your paw friend happy.
If you notice any behavioral changes in your little fellow, and he/she has become more introverted, these changes may be caused by the process of aging or by an underlying health condition (especially valid for abrupt changes).
The higher the score is, the more spontaneous the cat is deemed. Cats known as “impulsive”, may be genetically predisposed to this type of behavior or just react to stimuli in their environment. If your cat is usually calm and has already adapted to the environment, you should think about possible triggers that provoke him/her.
If your cat has a high score for this trait, he/ she is likely to search for areas at home to hide or spend time undisturbed. It could also be possible for the environment to include triggers, that negatively affect the emotional state of your feline friend. If your cat does not show signs of skittishness, he/she probably feels comfortable in his/her environment and has already adapted to it pretty well.
As you may already have correctly guessed, the high score in this category, means that your cat is prone to dominant behavior. The useful information you can gather from this knowledge is that your paw friend is not likely to tolerate sharing his/her living area with other animals. You will need to be careful and supervise your cat while outdoor as well (in case he/she spends some time outside), as he/she may get into trouble with both people and animals.
