Are cats like people?

Cats are not like people, sings the group Bravo. But are these furry beauties really that different from us? Australian researchers are exploring whether cats are like people.

They identified the key traits of feline personality. In doing so, the scientists relied on human personality traits, which include extroversion, friendliness, willingness to learn new things, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

Content

1 About the experiment
- 1.1 Personality schema
2 Results of the study

About the experiment

Scientists tested two thousand cats in Australia and New Zealand. Owners rated their pets on a seven-point scale. Ultimately, the researchers compiled a Big Five list of cat personalities.

Personality schema

Cat personality chart

Anxiety

The cats that scored high were nervous, anxious, and fearful. These conditions are also common in humans. Those that scored low were calm.

Extroversion

It's similar to human social activity. Cats are very energetic, inquisitive, and sociable.

Dominance

Aggressive cats scored high. Harmless cats, on the other hand, scored low.

Spontaneity

These fluffy creatures are impulsive and score high. Quiet cats receive low ratings.

Affection

Corresponds to human friendliness. Murkas with high scores are friendly, while low scores indicate unsociable and irritable pets.

Results of the study

Scientists analyzed the tests of a large number of cats. "In many, the aforementioned traits are less pronounced," explains project director Philippe Roetman. Older cats tend to be more dominant than younger ones. The results for domestic and feral cats don't differ significantly. Some people think that a stray cat won't thrive in a home. This isn't true. They simply require more care.

A stray cat needs more care