Lifestyle Considerations – PLAY

By Shawn M. on August 13, 2022

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The world may say otherwise, but trust us: cats have emotions. They may seem distant, but they obtain attched.

They have personalities!

It might seem a little unbelievable if you’ve only seen cats from a distance. But it’s the truth.

Once you adopt a cat, you’ll start noticing what he likes and dislikes. You will notice that they have certain ways of handling things and that one cat’s behavioral traits and characteristics differ from another.

In this article, we are going to explore cat personalities in detail. Plus, we’ll see how you can pick a cat personality that fits your lifestyle. Let’s go!

Common Cat Personalities

Recently, the the University of Australia studied 2800 different domestic cats and their behaviors to understand cat personalities. The owners of these cats were asked to complete a conclusive investigation form on the behavior of the cat. According to the results of this study, five major cat personalities or traits were identified. These include:

• Spontaneity
• Go out
• Nervousness
• Dominance
• Friendliness

Any cat will have one of five traits that will lead to their personality. Another surprising fact revealed by this study is that a cat’s personality is largely influenced by its owner and its environment. The company and the environment it cultivates shape its personality.

How to get one that suits your lifestyle?

Now let’s see how you can use these results to your advantage.

You can get a cat that suits your lifestyle as follows:

#1. Opt for a kitten

A cat develops its personality at the age of two. That’s why people with busy schedules should adopt an adult cat.

However, if you wish to have a cat that matches your lifestyle or grows up to have a personality you prefer, you should adopt a kitten.

You will have a good chance of healing his personality, especially between 2 and 12 weeks. If a kitten receives healthy and abundant socialization during this time, it will grow up to be happier and friendlier. However, any strict behavior during these times can instill fear and anxiety in the kitten, making it fearful and aggressive.

Experts have also found that the owner’s behavior and mood shape their cat’s personality the same way parents shape their children’s personalities. For this reason, it is essential to maintain a calm and healthy atmosphere.

#2. Know the breed you get

The young age can give you some advantages and you can shape your cat’s personality as you wish. But there are some genetic traits that you cannot change and transform. And these are determined by the breed of a cat.

For example, a Siamese Point Lynx the cat is super curious. You cannot eliminate this factor from his personality. You can teach him to behave and stay out of a few areas in your home. But you cannot completely remove the attribute. Likewise, the Abyssinians are bursting with energy and you can’t stop them from playing most of their time. But you can set up a playtime program and channel their energy in a systematic way.

Therefore, we recommend that you research the breed you are purchasing beforehand. Know the traits you can’t change later.

#3. Consider your family’s makeup

Your work routine is 30% of your lifestyle, while your family is 70%. For this reason, it’s also essential to consider your family composition to get a cat that’s right for you.

If you have young children, we advise you to avoid the following kittens and breeds unless you can constantly supervise them:

• Sphynx Cat
• Scottish Fold
• Bombay Cat
• Pixie-Bob
• Egyptian Mau
• bengal cat

All of these cat breeds are quite aggressive and not very kid-friendly. Likewise, you will also need to consider if you have other pets, especially a large dog. Sometimes the predatory instincts of large dogs can be triggered, which can be harmful to the kitten or cat you bring. If you already have a cat, we recommend that you consider its behavior towards the new cat before fully adopting it.

Alternatively, if you want a certain breed and it doesn’t fit your current lifestyle, make the necessary changes before bringing that cat into your home. Otherwise, you and the cat will have a hard time adjusting to the new routine and place. Things can go wrong!

Last words

Adopting a cat is all fun and games until you finally bring the cat home and realize there are a lot of responsibilities that come with it. So, before fostering a kitten or an adult cat, do the necessary research and determine if your current lifestyle is suitable for the cat you are about to adopt.