Another Way to Look at Cat Personality, Part 2… Which One is Your Cat?

If you read last week’s blog, we reviewed the latest science put forth by a group of cat researchers who divided house cats into the following personality types: the Neurotic Cat, the Extroverted Cat, the Dominant Cat, the Impulsive Cat, and the Agreeable Cat.

While I am sure some of you could easily see your felines fitting into one or more of those categories above, there are different distinctions researchers use to determine what they consider to be more cat-centric traits instead of those previously mentioned, which take into consideration mostly characteristics that are basically descriptions of people and their various personality types.

After studying roughly 200 cats and their pet parents, Dr. Lauren Finka, with the University of Lincoln, discusses five major feline personality types Her findings indicate both nature and nurture as personality determinants, i.e., upbringing and genetics. Let’s look at these more cat-centric cat personality categories.

The Human Cat: Here is the social butterfly of felines who craves your attention and companionship. This is the cat who thinks she is a person. This is the cat who follows you around the house like a dog and won’t be happy unless you devote lots of time to playing, socializing, and snuggling with her.

The Cat’s Cat: These are the cats most at home with other cats. They are caretakers to the other felines in the home. Their time is spent helping younger cats’ develop and grow. Best activities are those where all can participate.

The Hunter Cat: The ability—and necessity—to hunt has been part of every cat’s DNA since their ancient days of living in the wild where they survived on what they could catch and kill for their food. If you let your cats outside, they will often return with smaller animals or birds that they have stalked and killed. Their predatory instincts have taken over, and they are bringing you their gift of prey. Since your housecat will be safer and healthier as an indoor pet, their hunting needs will be best satisfied by toys that let them practice their stalking and pouncing. What makes the hunter cat most happy is an outdoor cat enclosure, or catio, where they can roam and explore nature up close.

The Cantankerous Cat: Here is the cat who tends to be Grumpy Cat. Not particularly in a bad mood, these cats are just extremely dependent on routine for a sense of security. Every day and in every way, all things must be done in the same manner and at the same time. They are a bit neurotic, but this is how they feel content. They are fiercely loyal as long as you provide the consistency they want. Security needs met, they will give you all their attention and affection.

The Inquisitive Cat: These are detective cats, the ones who are constantly curious. They are eager to explore everything and everywhere. Their “need to know” makes them quite sociable, with new people being fascinating to them. These cats will be found checking out boxes and bags. Toys like puzzles will help them to figure out how things work and keep their attention piqued.

These five descriptions of cat traits have similarities and differences to those discussed last week. The most important thing to take away is that the more familiar we become with cats’ temperaments, the easier it is to identify problems and risk factors. In this way, we can begin to deal with any behavioral issues and work to improve their overall comfort, happiness and welfare.

For more information, please go to:

https://iheartcats.com/research-shows-cats-5-major-personality-types/?iid=BottomRelatedPosts