Breaking Research: Thousands of Cats … 7 Common Cat Traits: Part One

According to new research,
the feline personality has just 7 common cat traits!

4,316 Cat Parents ~ 138 Questions ~ 26 Feline Breeds = 7 Feline Traits

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7 Common Cat Traits

Earlier this year, researchers at the University of Helsinki defined 7 common cat traits in the most extensive and significant research done to date.

FIVE Personality Traits

• Activity and playfulness.
• Fearfulness.
• Aggression towards humans.
• Sociability towards humans.
• Sociability towards cats.

TWO Behavioral Traits

• Litter box issues including inappropriate elimination; and
• Excessive grooming.

Keep reading to learn what else they found out about your cat’s traits!

Cat Traits: Why are They Important?

The most critical reason behind understanding feline traits is their direct connection to problematic cat behaviors.

By clearly understanding these common cat traits, potential cat parents can fully understand what they are getting into when adopting a specific cat breed.

In addition, knowledge about these cat traits will:

1. Improve a cat’s overall welfare.
2. Provide answers to unwanted feline behaviors; and
3. Help identify potential genetic and environmental issues.

There were also “significant differences observed between cat breeds.”

Traits Define Cat’s Needs

Like all living beings, felines possess fully-formed personality traits which also define the cat’s needs.

It’s important to realize when a cat’s specific needs (i.e., personality traits) go unfulfilled, negative behaviors may begin to develop, emerge and worsen.

Next, let’s take a deeper look into the two common behavioral cat traits.

(Note: The other 5 personality cat traits will be covered in future blogs, so subscribe to our blog (in the lower right-hand column) to receive notifications when these blogs (and others) are published!)

Two Common Behavioral Traits

These common traits include:

• Litter box issues; and
• Excessive grooming.

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When choosing a new kitty to add to your home,
it’s critical to take into consideration their breed and associated traits
“influenced by breed-related genetics.”

Ask yourself, will I be able to live with these cat traits?
Keep in mind, inherited traits may be resistant to behavioral modification.

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Litter Box Issues

While all cats can exhibit occasional issues with the litterbox, there are specific breeds who are more prone to bathroom issues including the:

• Persian.
• Bengal.
• Manx.

Inappropriate urine spraying (aka marking) is also more common with the:

• Bengal.
• Sphynx.
• Cornish Rex.
• Ragdoll.
• Burmese.

To encourage these breeds to use their litter boxes:

• Keep all litter boxes and the surrounding area clean with daily cleaning.
• Experiment with different types and textures of litter to find one your cat likes.
• Make sure your cat can easily and comfortably get in and out of the litter box.
• Ensure you have enough litter boxes for the number of cats in your home. PetMD recommends “the same number of litter boxes as the number of cats, plus one extra box.” Also, if you have a multi-level home, experts also recommend at least one litter box on each level in a private area (even if you have one cat!).

If the behavior continues, rule out any medical issues (including stress and anxiety) with your veterinarian and/or a local certified behaviorist.

VetStreet: Most Common Cat Potty Problems Solved!

Excessive Grooming

Excessive grooming is commonly found in certain breeds “due to their sensitive and attention-demanding dispositions.”

• Siamese.
• Abyssinian.
• Burmese.
• Himalayan.

If you own one of the above breeds, try to stop their overgrooming with these tips:

• Rule out any medical issues including infections or allergies.
• Maintain a predictable schedule to reduce any feline stress.
• Add more mental and physical stimulation and quality one-on-one time.
• Try cat calming products and/or medications or nutraceuticals.

(Note: The other 5 personality cat traits will be covered in future blogs,
so subscribe to our blog (in the lower right-hand column) to receive notifications when these blogs (and others) are published!)

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No matter what feline breed shares
your life, your cat will love being
brushed with the pain-free
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