by: Ashleigh Papp

You’re ready to take your obsession with furry creatures to the next level. Between their ability to go from playful to chill in a second and that oh-so-comforting purr they produce when content, you know a cat is just what you’re looking for. Instead of heading to your local shelter and choosing blindly, you pull out your phone, open an app and start swiping.

For now, the idea of using a cat’s personality to fuel an app-based match with a new owner may seem far-fetched. But scientists have started asking questions about the personality of cats — do they even have one? For anyone who knows a cat, the obvious answer to this is an overwhelming “yes.” As scientists begin to quantify cats’ personalities using behavioral science, this information could be used to increase the likelihood of positive matches between cats at animal shelters/rescue organizations and prospective owners and to improve overall feline health and well-being at home. If apps can be used to match two potentially compatible people based off a series of behavioral questions and images, why not use similar technology to find a pet?

Based on recent research conducted at the University of South Australia, it may not be too far off. Scientists have begun to explore in an organized, deliberate way, the categories of a house cat’s behavior in a scalable approach. According to the Australian researchers, the idea that a pet could possess a defined personality was once dismissed by the scientific community. (In this context, personality refers to “consistent individual differences in behavioral patterns.”) Scientists were inspired by the idea that if we can better understand the personality of a pet, or potential pet, we might be able to better care for the kitty. With emerging behavioral studies on feline behavior, new pet owners may begin to more easily decode the quirky and sometimes mystifying antics of their furry family member.

How did they do it?

In a study published by the PLoS Journal, a group of scientists “interviewed” nearly 3,000 domesticated cats that were given a clean bill of health, and mapped the results against predetermined personality traits. They asked cat owners to complete a set of survey questions based on their pet’s normal behavior. The study allowed the cats to remain in the safety and comfort of their own homes and it didn’t involve the interference of any humans other than the owners.

Previous studies tended to focus more on the behavioral problems of stressed cats rather than on the state of healthy ones. Many things can cause stress in a pet’s life, so it is easy to understand why this information is helpful, as well. To categorize the results, researchers adapted a model used from human personality research to examine things from a new perspective. The result? An unprecedented grouping of cat behaviors aptly named the “Feline Five Factors.” Here’s a quick breakdown of each category:

Neuroticism

These pussies may be seen as shy or stressed. In this study, neuroticism was described as “insecure, anxious, fearful of people, suspicious and shy.” A highly scoring neurotic cat could benefit from additional hiding places around the house or limited time outdoors.

Dominance

Dominant cats are often seen bullying or being aggressive to other cats. A high scoring cat in this category is likely to not fare well in forced social settings or groups of other animals.

Note: researchers chose to exclude dominance from the overall results due to extraneous data. In the future, it would be interesting to see how this trait plays into the overall behavior of a cat.

Extraversion

Smart and curious, extroverted cats are active, vigilant, inquisitive, and inventive. They can benefit from additional social interactions, sensory toys and more complex enrichment activities around the house.

Impulsiveness

Erratic and reckless, there may be a new source of stress that’s causing negative effects on your cat. A cat with low scores in this area can be seen as well-adjusted and routinized.

Agreeableness

Well-adjusted and happy overall, these cats are affectionate, gentle, and friendly to people. Lots of human interaction is appreciated by agreeable cats, and often the introduction of other pets is welcomed.

Although we do not yet have enough research to confidently say that better understanding a cat’s behavior can result in a completely perfect match with an adopted pet, animal behaviorists and zoologists are already applying these findings to their work. Researchers involved in the management of captive endangered species of “big cats” are quantifying their personalities to decrease stress, increase health and encourage cub survival.

You and Your Cat – Connecting the Dots

In the grand scheme of things, science still knows little about feline behavior. Based on the results of this study, it’s safe to say that each cat comes with distinct, identifiable personality traits. Therefore, the way in which we interact with our pet matters — and because we don’t speak the same language, behavior may offer clues to help us better understand our beloved pets. By better understanding the spectrum of a cat’s behavior and the associated characteristics, we may be able to make a more fitting selection during the adoption process and offer a healthier life once home.

According to Dr. Mikel Delgado, postdoctoral fellow in Animal Behavior at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, it is encouraging that feline personality traits are being studied. But, Dr. Delgado also notes that pet parents don’t have to wait to until more research has been completed. “There are lots of ways that people can better understand their own cats, even without a personality test, and the main way is to carefully observe them and note how they respond — for example, to different people, different types of toys, and different types of activities! Give them choices of toys and see what they like best. See where they like to be petted and respect their wishes.”

Dr. Delgado emphasizes that the best way to help your cat is to interact and pay attention to his or her likes and dislikes. Cats require both playtime and space where they can retreat when they want to. “All cats benefit from enrichment, but each cat will have unique preferences that you can learn with some time and patience. All cats like to feel safe and secure, regardless of personality type and to feel like they have some control over their environment. We can help them feel that way by providing them with things like cat furniture, scratching posts, and some places they can unwind in peace if they feel the need.”

Hope for shelter cats

In animal shelters, scientists are beginning to observe and correlate cat socialization behaviors when they are first introduced to the shelter environment to determine their likeliness of being adopted. According to the ASPCA, about 3.2 million cats live in shelters and about 27% are euthanized annually in the United States alone. While we don’t yet know enough to say that these euthanizations can be ended entirely, knowing more about a cat’s personality by studying it’s behavior will more than likely help. By better understanding the inner workings of a cat, we may one day be able to discern their needs with even greater accuracy. And the more we can do this, the more likely we, as their owners, can provide a safe and fun habitat suited to the individual needs of our beloved fur balls. (Hint: swipe right!)

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Ashleigh Papp is a science writer based in San Francisco, CA. When not reading or writing, she spends her time playing outside with friends or inside with her cat, Sandy.