Cats can be particular creatures, and pet parents know that their unique purr-sonalities can be very different.
Analysing internal data from over 3,700 cat parents, the experts from eco-cat litter firm Natusan, together with leading British animal behaviourist Professor Peter Neville, have uncovered five common personality personas in cats – Nervous Nala, Outgoing Oliver, Bossy Bella, Spontaneous Simba and Agreeable Alfie – together with their characteristics.
Profession Neville said: “Understanding your cat’s personality traits and recognising their idiosyncrasies are essential ingredients in maintaining their health and wellbeing. Even in the same household, and from the same litter, our furry friends can be like chalk and cheese when it comes to their individual behaviours and preferences.
“Like humans, the more we appreciate what makes them tick, the more we can fine tune our interactions, and create environments that encourage them to thrive by accommodating their social and emotional needs. Reducing and removing sources of stress plays a big part here. And something as unassuming as a litter tray can be a notable source.
“Cats are fastidiously clean souls, so the quality, hygiene and even position of their toilet can make a huge impact on their happiness. It’s also worth noting that things we humans see as “undesirable” feline behaviours are in fact normal and natural responses for a cat – but can just occur at times or in places that we pet parents find inconvenient.”
With one in four saying they live with an Agreeable Alfie and 22 per cent recognising they live with a Bossy Bella. Which cat do you live with?
OUTGOING OLIVER
Cats with this type of personality are much more extroverted and often noisier than most. Internal data from Natusan found that 36% of cat parents said their four-legged friend verbally welcomes them when they get home.
They learn quickly that we humans respond most to vocal communication, and that we pay them more attention when they ‘talk’ to us.
Outgoing Oliver’s become far louder with us than their own kind and simply up the volume and frequency until we respond to their needs. They can also get into the most trouble due to that extrovert exploratory nature. Their lower boredom threshold can lead to attention seeking and sometimes destructive behaviour, in their efforts to reach and maintain a happy mood state.
NERVOUS NALA
Nervous Nala’s have a more delicate disposition and can be more highly-strung than others. They can also be the shyest of cats – and according to Natusan’s research, one in four respondents revealed the character their cat would most likely play in a film would be ‘The Shy Kid’ (25%). Over time, and with the right support, these cats can become just as confident and cuddly as any feline, albeit only to those they truly love.
BOSSY BELLA
Bossy Bella’s always tend to be very assertive personalities and easy to spot as the ‘controlling influence’ in many multi-cat households, using their forceful presence and sometimes intimidating behaviour to get what they want when they want it. These cats are masters in the art of manipulation and can effortlessly wrap you around their little paws.
SPONTANEOUS SIMBA
According to Natusan’s research, 22% of British cat parents live with a Spontaneous Simba. These cats are the most impulsive, and tend to have a lot of energy, which sometimes is released all at once. Whilst all cats go through a “scatty” phase as kittens, some cats stay “young-at-heart” and keep their youthful exuberance. Particularly, it seems, in the middle of the night…
AGREEABLE ALFIE
This persona is the very definition of a “cool cat”. Super chilled, sociable and with plenty of the laissez-faire attitude that cats are known for. This agreeable personality is usually the result of proper socialisation as a kitten.
Want to learn more about your four-legged friend’s personality? Visit Natusan and take the cat personality test at Natusan.co.uk
