Scientists identify the 7 personality traits of cats, which vary by breed (and beyond)

The personality of cats is defined by seven character traits, which make them for example more aggressive or more fearful. I study

The personality of cats is defined by seven character traits, which make them for example more aggressive or more fearful. This was revealed by researchers from the University of Helsinki who have completed the most comprehensive study on the behavior of these fascinating felines. 





What cats really think will probably always remain a mystery to us humans. But, finally, scientists have discovered more about their behaviors. In fact, the most extensive research on the personalities of these fascinating felines has been published in these days. To conduct the study the researchers of'University of Helsinki who analyzed the behavior of 4.300 cats belonging to 26 different breeds. From the survey, the results of which were published in the magazine Animals, it emerged that the personality of cats is defined by seven character traits, all of which vary between the different breeds.

Compared to dogs, less is known about the behavior and personality of cats and there is an urgency to identify related problems and risk factors - researcher Salla Mikkola of the University of Helsinki, who took part in the study - We need to more understanding and tools to eliminate problem behaviors and improve the well-being of cats. 

Sometimes, in fact, domestic cats tend to show rather aggressive behaviors towards humans and other animals or do not make their needs in the litter box. Science can therefore help cat owners gain new insights into the character of these felines. 

Read also: In order not to make your cat hate you, you absolutely must avoid doing these 6 things

Index

The 7 personality traits of cats 

Scientists identify the 7 personality traits of cats, which vary by breed (and beyond)

@Heikki Siltala / University of Helsinki

To analyze the behavior of the cats, the researchers developed an ad hoc questionnaire with 138 questions, which they asked owners of 4.300 cats. The questions asked related to the attitudes shown by cats towards other felines or people, to favorite daily activities, as well as - of course - to sex, breed, age and coat color. Once all the completed questionnaires were obtained, the scholars proceeded with the factor analysis to process the data and identified 7 personality traits of the cats:



  • vivacity / playfulness
  • fear
  • aggression towards humans
  • sociability towards humans
  • sociability towards cats
  • problems with the litter box
  • excessive cleaning (tendency to lick too much)

"Problems with litter boxes and excessive grooming are not personality traits as such, but they may indicate something about a cat's sensitivity to stress," said researcher Mikkola.

Behavior differences based on races

In addition to the differences between the behaviors of the individual specimens, clear differentiations between the various breeds can also be noted, which were highlighted in the study.  

The most fearful breed turned out to be the Russian Blue cat, while the Abyssinian is the least easily frightened. - comments Professor Hannes Lohi of the University of Helsinki and the Folkhälsan Research Center - The breed Bengal was the most active, while the Persian and the Exotic they are the most passive races. The breeds that have shown excessive grooming are the Siamese and Balinese, while the breed turkish van she scored higher in aggression towards humans and was less sociable towards cats. We had already observed the same phenomenon in a previous study. 

Scientists identify the 7 personality traits of cats, which vary by breed (and beyond)

@University of Helsinki

The most comprehensive survey of cats' personalities to date 

The new study conducted by the Helsinki researchers offers interesting insights into cats and their mysterious universe. 

Internationally, our study is the largest and most significant survey to date and offers excellent opportunities for further research. - explains Professor Lohi - The reliability of the previous feline behavioral questionnaires has not been measured in such a complex way, nor are they as complete as this one. Establishing reliability is critical to making further analysis useful and enabling reliable identification of various risk factors.



This important research, which will be followed by further studies, will make it possible to identify the genetic, environmental and personality factors related to what is defined as “problematic behavior”. 

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Fonts: University of Helsinki / Animals

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