‘Feline Five’ Study Reveals Cats Have Personality Types

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: February 22nd, 2018

feline five study reveals cats have personality types

Is your pet the cat’s meow? A recent feline study can help you determine- by telling you your cat’s personality type.

Every pet parent will tell you the same thing: their pet has a unique personality and quirks- and if you have a furry someone in your life, you’ll definitely agree. But, if you’re a cat owner, you can feel free to brag that your claims are now backed by science.

A team of researchers from Australia conducted a study on feline behavior, which included 2,800 cats, or, to be more precise, their owners. The proud feline pawrents filled in a detailed questionnaire (it had 52 items) which helped scientists identify relevant kitty personality factors. This way, they could ensure that the scientist’s presence didn’t cause any changes in their behavior and that the feline facts they’ve gathered are as close to the objective as possible. I mean, it’s not like cats would want to tell them themselves. They do like the air of mystery that surrounds them!

The extensive research yielded exceptional results as the team was able to determine five different personality types for cats, similar to the way psychologists define human personalities by using 5-factor model (also known as the “big five”). Here’s how scientists describe cat personas:

Neuroticism: insecure, anxious, fearful of people, suspicious and shy
Extraversion: active, vigilant, curious, inquisitive, inventive, and smart
Dominance: bullying, dominant and aggressive to other cats
Impulsiveness: erratic and reckless
Agreeableness: affectionate, friendly to people and gentle

To find out which personality type your cat has, all you had to do is try and decide which are his or her most prominent traits and see which category they fall into- simple!

Apart from providing us with a better understanding of our four-legged overlords, this feline personality study can have useful applications, too. Pawrents whose kitties score extremely low or high on any of the personality scales could get an early warning for underlying health or behavioral problem that caused the anomalous results. For example, cats with high Extraversion score would benefit from environmental enrichment, to prevent any destructive behaviors stemming from boredom.

What about your cats? Can you determine which of the “feline five” is a match for their personality?

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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An analysis of over 17,000 dogs and their personalities by breed shows that there are ‘personality’ traits that seem unique to each dog based on his breed DNA. Can we really read a dog by reading his DNA? Researchers from the University of Arizona think so, after an in-depth analysis of over 17,000 dogs shows that a dog’s ‘personality’ may be unique to their breed–right down to their DNA. Related: Doggy See, Doggy Do? Study Looks At Dogs Adopting Owners’ Personality Dr. Evan MacLean is a comparative psychologist at the University of Arizona in Tucson and the director of the Arizona Canine Cognition Center. He is also the lead author of the analysis. He has two dogs himself, and he compared the personalities of 17,000 different breed dogs with genomes of 5,700 looking for a relationship between a dog’s traits and their DNA. He was successful, finding 131 sections of doggy DNA that correlated consistently with 14 different personality traits and this spanned breeds. Dr. MacLean said that their analysis found that consistently, specific genetic influences did have an impact on dog behavior, and dog owners can use that information as a base for knowing and loving their favorite furry friend. MacLean looked at how dog DNA and behavior/personality traits varied across different breeds, not just within specific breeds, and he says this gave a better idea of the ‘heritability’ of that trait. This is a measure of how the differences in the dog’s genes are responsible for differences in their behaviors and traits. Studying cross breeds allowed the researchers to see more broad and defined roles of genes in specific behaviors. Dr. MacLean used the C-BARQ (Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire) personality traits. The C-BARQ used data from about 50,000 dogs from almost 300 different full and mixed breeds, as reported by their own owners. No, they’re not the American Kennel Club’s behavior descriptions; instead, they are broken-down traits that dogs share. Of the 14 studied traits, it seemed the most heritable were trainability, aggression and chasing. Those were the ones that were most deeply embedded across the breeds of dog genomes. They also looked at traits that dealt with the fear of other dogs, fear of strangers, setting changes, dog rivalry, seeking attention, sensitivity to touch, attachment and energy level. Related: ‘Feline Five’ Study Reveals Cats Have Personality Types Dr. MacLean said that it’s not that there are specific genes for these traits (as of yet)–just genes that are related to those behaviors. He believes this is because that in the evolution process of dogs, they were required to learn how to protect themselves, take care of themselves and solve problems–well before humans tried to mold any of those behavior traits themselves. The already predisposed genetic behaviors in different dog breeds may be what made it easier for breeders to work with in the first place as they continued to breed for specific traits. Dr. MacLean says that though some dog breeds are more prone to behave in certain ways, to overlook the amount of possible variation in a dog’s behavior would be a mistake. We can make educated guesses about a dog’s most-likely behaviors, but it can be frustrating to pet owners when their pets don’t ‘live up’ to the ‘breed expectation.’ (Which is pretty much every retriever I’ve ever called mine!) Dr. MacLean also says that dogs being prone to certain behaviors over others doesn’t make some better or worse; different dogs will still behave differently, DNA aside. That, he says, is actually one of his favorite things about dogs, though–predictable as they are, they are still always interesting and diverse. And oh, how we love them!

Global Pet Expo: Canine Colors Helps You Discover Your Dog’s Persona

2018 Global Pet Expo gave us an opportunity to meet with Letitia Fox, the creator of Canine Colors and a certified Canine Compatibility Coach. In 1978, the True Colors personality assessment was established and has since been translated into 16 languages. It’s a fun and easy temperament/personality assessment that gives people insight into themselves using four colors to represent four different personality/temperament types. Related: ‘Feline Five’ Study Reveals Cats Have Personality Types Letitia Fox has been the Executive Producer of the Live Show Division of True Colors, Int., for fifteen years, and always a pet lover. Fox is a passionate animal lover her heart hurt thinking of how dogs are so often returned after being adopted because people believe they may have adopted the wrong dog. Fox believes there are no wrong matches, and that if we knew our personality types more, and those of our dogs, we’d be able to work better together to have the strongest bond with our pets. Using the theory behind True Colors, Fox created The Canine Colors booklet that helps people discover their strengths, and learn more about canine color personalities. Fox wants to help potential dog owners in getting dogs that match their families based on the personality types of the family members and the dog. She says so often a person with a personality type that is different than that of their dog believes that maybe they’ve gotten the wrong dog and she believes that doesn’t have to be the case. Helping to take the mystery out of picking a dog out, or to work in the personality type of the dog you already have is what Fox believes will help reduce returns to shelters. I had the opportunity to have Letitia show me her book, and guide me through discovering my personality type (I’m a True Blue! I care!) and then my dog Lilly’s personality type. I adopted Lilly last year at the 2107 Global Pet Expo and she’s such a good puppy. I wanted to find out how we could make her life even happier with us, and Letitia’s book helped me confirm that Lilly is a total orange type–active, engaging and playful. While I knew that because she is a puppy, the other things her book talks of when it comes to personality types were Lilly (and me!) right down to our toes. Letitia also types AKC breeds with a canine color, and last year we did a DNA test on Lilly to see what her background was. Lilly was a mix of Labrador Retriever (orange), Boxer (orange) and German Shepherd (Gold, and that was a close second for her scoring). This guide alone could make such a difference for families when looking at what pet they’d like to bring into their family in ensuring the right match. Related: Doggy See, Doggy Do? Study Looks At Dogs Adopting Owners’ Personality Which is why Letitia works with shelters and organizations to certify them as Canine Colors coaches. She hopes that she can make a difference in surrenders of dogs, and bring enhanced relationships to pets and their families everywhere. I had so much fun going through the experience and learning about myself and my dog, and I think it’s a great tool for anyone who wants to learn more about themselves and their furry family members! Check it out–your dog wants you to!

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Do You Know Your Pet's Love Language?

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BARK Air Introduces a New Flight Tailored for Dogs

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How Can I Prevent My Dog From Barking When They’re Home Alone?

Dogs are very affectionate beings, and can form incredible bonds with their owners – but this also means that they would love to be by their side at all times. Sometimes, however, this is just not possible. Their owners have to  work, go to the store, or finish chores out of home and they can’t always take their pets with them. And when you leave your pooch all by their lonesome, they often think it’s the end of the world – you’ve abandoned them for good, even when you’re away for like 25 minutes. This can result in anxiety, restlessness, and a lot of barking. Some dogs – in fact – just won’t stop barking or howling until you come back. How can you bring an end to this behavior, and prevent all the excess barking? And how can you let your pet know that leaving for a little bit is no big deal? Let’s find out. Battles with Barks: Why Dogs Bark When Alone and How to Stop ItExcessive barking when a dog is home alone can be a common issue for a lot of owners, and addressing it requires a combination of training, environmental management, and sometimes, the help of professionals. Above all, it requires patience. However, there are a number of factors that come into play when such situations occur. To make your dog calmer, quieter, and ready to accept your absence, you should take a closer look at the daily routine the two of you share.First, consider if you're providing enough physical and mental stimulation. Physical exercise is crucial for a dog's well-being. Keep in mind that a tired dog is generally a content and quieter dog. So, before you leave, make sure that they have ample exercise, fun, and outside time. If they “emptied their batteries”, they are more likely to remain calm and just snooze while you are out. Of course, to make sure you always fulfill these exercise requirements, you will have to establish a consistent daily routine. Just like humans, doggos too depend on the routine they can follow. This routine helps them feel secure and understand when to expect certain events like meals and walks. If they get used to a daily chain of events, they will expect you to leave and be okay with it.  Interactive toys that provide mental stimulation or dispense treats are also a great thing to utilize when battling anxiety or boredom-induced barking. They can help your dog stay occupied during your absence. As they get involved in playing with the toy, dogs will tire out, keep themselves busy, and not make such a big deal about your absence. With a toy, alone time can actually be enjoyable for a dog.

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What to Know When Traveling Across the US/Canada Border with Your Pet

International travel with your best friend by your side can be an exciting adventure, but navigating the rules and regulations for crossing the border can feel daunting.Whether you’re heading to Canada for a pet-friendly weekend getaway or attending a Canadian pet show or expo, ensuring that you meet all the needs for crossing the border with your furry friend will set you up for a smooth journey.Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about traveling with your pet across the US/Canada border.In this guide, we’ll cover essential documentation, tips to set yourself up for a stress-free crossing and answer some of the most common questions about pet-friendly international travel.Can You Drive Across the Canadian Border with a Dog (or Cat)?If your next pet-friendly road trip will take you across the border into Canada, you’re in luck. Pet parents can drive from the United States to Canada with the whole family, including their furry family members, if they have the necessary paperwork.Entering Canada may be more complicated if your dog is coming from any country other than the United States. This is due to the concern of rabies, which causes some countries to face restrictions. If your dog has recently been to another country, it is recommended that you look further into the requirements for traveling from that area or ask your veterinarian.What Do I Need to Cross the US Border into Canada with My Dog?When traveling to Canada with your dog, the documentation required will depend on their age.If your dog is 3 months old or older, you must provide a rabies vaccination certificate to cross the border. This document must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and show that your dog received a rabies vaccine within 3 years of the date you are crossing.The rabies vaccination certificate must include the following: Your name and address A description of your dog (breed, sex, age, color, markings, etc.)Date of rabies vaccination Vaccine product informationVaccination expiry date Name, address, license number, and signature of the veterinarian who administered the vaccinePuppies under 3 months of age are not required to provide proof of a rabies vaccine. However, border security may ask for proof of your dog’s age.Are the Rules Different for Cats or Other Pets?All cats over the age of 3 months must be accompanied by a rabies vaccination certificate showing that the vaccine was administered within 3 years of the date of travel. Kittens under 3 months old are exempt from this requirement.The requirements for ferrets to cross the border are similar. However, the rabies vaccination certificate must show that the vaccine was administered within 12 months of the travel date.Any pet parents traveling with a bird must complete a “ Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Pet Birds from the United States of America to Canada.” This form details important information for your upcoming travel, including the number of birds you can travel with, depending on their species.Do you have a pet that we haven’t addressed? More information can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

How Often Should I Clean My Bird's Cage?

Parrots and small birds are exceptionally vulnerable when their cage is left unkempt and dirty – proper hygiene and a clean space to rest and eat in are a must for the good health of all avians. What is more, a bird cage that is left unclean can become a threat to your health as well, with airborne bacteria and pathogens flying all over the place. All in all, it’s clear that regular cleaning of your bird's cage shouldn’t be seen as just a dull chore but as a necessary task to protect everyone’s health and wellbeing. However, while it’s obvious that you need to do it regularly, just how often should you clean your bird’s cage? Is it on a check-and-see basis or is there a recommended frequency of cleaning? Let’s find out.How Often Should I Clean My Bird's Cage?The frequency at which you should clean the cage depends on several factors, including the size of the cage, the number of birds you have, and the species of bird in question. For example, a smaller cage will get dirty in no time, while a large one that houses a single, bigger bird will remain cleaner for longer. While these are good starting guidelines, things are not that simple.The best approach to take is to clean the cage daily, weekly, and monthly. Of course, the amount of cleaning you do each day will differ from the one you do on a monthly basis – here’s how it should look like:Daily Cleaning:Change the  food and water dishes daily to ensure fresh food and clean water. This is imperative and a major part of caring for your bird. Don’t allow water to remain unchanged and food to go stale.

What is a Hydrolyzed Protein Diet for Dogs?

Protein is a very important part of a dog’s diet. However, some doggos might have a sensitive digestive system or even allergies. In such cases, a hydrolyzed protein diet becomes essential as it provides important nutrients without being heavy on their tummy. But what is hydrolyzed protein exactly? A hydrolyzed protein diet for dogs is a type of food that is formulated specifically for dogs that have allergies or certain food sensitivities. The protein sources in this diet are all broken down into smaller molecules, thanks to a complex process called hydrolysis. What this process does is reduce the size of the protein molecules, making them less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. So, if your doggo is a bit sensitive, this could be what’s needed!Veterinarians often recommend hydrolyzed protein for dogs that are diagnosed with intolerances or  food allergies. Thanks to this, your pet can receive all the essential nutrients without any adverse reactions being triggered. The most common sources of hydrolyzed protein in these diets are beef, chicken, salmon, or soy. So it’s just like most of the common dog foods - but in a different, better form. 

After 11 Long Years, a Cat That Was Presumed Dead Returns Home

Sometimes, miracles can truly happen when you least expect it! And if a pet story can be considered a real life miracle, it’s the one about Toby, a family cat that - it would seem - lived a life of great adventure. In 2012, Toby, the now 14-year-old cat of the Allan family from Warwickshire, suddenly disappeared after the family moved to a new house. It was a heartbreaking event for the entire family, but their pet was nowhere to be found. After many attempts to locate their cat, they simply had to come to terms with the fact that old Toby was lost, and presumably dead. But this week, after 11 long years, Toby was returned to the Allan family by a local woman. The lady checked the cat’s microchip and was quick to get in touch with Coventry Cats Protection."I never thought in a million years I’d see him again," said owner Justine Allan. "Toby was collected and will no longer have to scavenge for food and sleep in a cold bin store," added the Coventry charity co-ordinator Wendy Harris.Toby suddenly went missing in a chilly December in 2012, after the Allan family moved from Galley Common in Nuneaton, to their new residence at Long Shoot."[My son Charlie] was about 12 when Toby went missing, and he was heartbroken when we realized he probably wasn’t coming back," said Mrs Allan for  Yahoo "The Long Shoot is a notoriously busy road, we just assumed the worst had happened and thought he had been run over.”But almost a decade later, just 5 miles away a local Bedworth lady got in touch with Cats Protection, believing that a stray cat she was feeding was pregnant. A volunteer with the charity went out to investigate, a microchip scanner in tow. "It turned out, not only did it have a chip, but that he was a neutered male named Toby, rather than female as originally believed," said Ms. Harris.Blazingly fast, the charity managed to trace the details of the Allan family on their database, and got in touch to share the splendid news – their missing feline friend was re-discovered!Initially in complete shock, after 11 years, the Allan family rejoiced and celebrated and quickly went out to pick up their long-lost pet. During those 11 years, the family welcomed another pet into their home, a King Charles Cavalier named Bernie. But even so, Toby fits right back into the family dynamic. As if he wasn’t missing for more than a decade!

What Size of Cage Does My Hamster Need?

Final Thoughts: The Best Hamster Cage SetupWhen setting up your hamster’s habitat, consider the floor space available. They are active and energetic creatures that need to be able to run, demanding more freedom to move than is often available in the overly hyped commercial cages. Instead, ensure the cage offers at least 24” by 12” of floor space on the main floor. Several cage styles are available, including wire cages, glass aquariums, and plastic pens. If you want to extend their habitat with a second floor, be cautious about the risk of injury. A long fall can be catastrophic. Include all necessities on the main floor of your hamster’s cage. This includes plenty of bedding to burrow into, clean hay, chew toys/enrichment opportunities, an appropriately sized exercise wheel, and access to fresh food and water. A proper habitat is the foundation for a happy, healthy life for your furry friend! Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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