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Anyone who owns a cat knows that their character can be just as complex as humans. However, it was only until relatively recently that animal scientists have begun to understand that animals can have a wider range characteristics than simply ‘bold’ or ’shy’. Indeed, it wasn’t until the 1970’s that scientists began to contemplate the individual differences in animals. At the time, it was thought that individual personality traits were unlikely to be found in domestic cats, partially because they were inclined to be solitary animals, personality being something that could only evolve in social animals. Since then, it has been found that cats, on occasion, can be social, especially when there is a single abundance of food or shelter where they will choose to live together in larger groups. This being the case, it was suggested that it might also be possible for individual personalities to develop within such a group.

During the 1980s, researchers saught evidence of personality traits in cats by using behavioural tests, noting the individual reactions to different situations over a period of time. In early tests, only two personality traits were found in cats, though this was mainly due to the fact that these particular traits were easy to spot whereas the more subtle variations were much more difficult to define. However, as time went on and the researchers became more sophisticated with their tests, more interesting information was discovered.

They found out that as well as behavioural differences between breeds, there was also differences showing up between cats with different coat colours. Scientists found that cats without the agouti colouring gene, like black cats, tend to be more social and tolerant of other cats and humans. Reddish, cream or tortoiseshell cats tended to be more aggressive and less happy to be handled. The reasoning behind these findings is that the chemicals that go to make up these colourings have a role in producing certain neurotransmitters, which is the basis of emotion and brain activity. It’s possible there is a link between the amount of chemicals available to the skin for colouring and the brain effecting personality.

Lately there have been more findings regarding the individual differences in friendliness, curiosity, fearfulness, alertness, sociability, docility and activity. Scientists have also tried to find out whether these traits are something that is inherited or learned.

How can we use this information?

The American equivalent of the RSPCA, the ASPCA, uses this information to group cats together depending on their personality, so that any potential owners can decide on the type of cat that would best suit them. By employing this they improved the success rate of the adoptions. It would likewise be possible to adopt this further and match the cats to the most appropriate type of family, for example, homes with many cats, or families in the country or city. So what do the cats think?. I’ve also noticed interesting behaviour in my own cats, two black domestic short-hairs, is that in an area where we have quite a few cats, they seem to be very tolerant of cats of a similar colour, whereas others get seen off very promptly? An intriguing observation I have made in my own cats, two black domestic short-hairs, is that in an area where we have quite a few cats, they seem to be very tolerant of cats of a similar colour, whereas others get seen off very promptly.

So, as I have always thought, cats certainly have their own individual personalities. So what better way to create a reminder of your furry friend than commissioning a pet portrait, it’s a great way of capturing their character!