Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.
Cats are not small dogs, we are often told in veterinary medicine. And we use this statement to discuss why cat medicine is inherently different from its canine counterpart.
Today, however, let’s take a diversion from science, and medicine, and delve into the more abstract world of human pet ownership. And pet personality theory. Ok, maybe we’re not completely moving away from science, but it’s quite an exploration, to be sure. In the process, we will try to answer the question of the mysterious cat and dog.
Why Do We Have Pets?
So, pets. Why us them? Is it for the potential health benefits, as I discussed in a previous article? Or is there something else?
Pets certainly offer comfort, and possible health benefits such as improved mental health, and lower blood pressure. Conversely, pets also offer potential zoonotic diseases, and bites and scratches. When deciding on a pet, you’ll also be deciding whether you’re a glass-full or half-empty kind of person, based on these factors. In fact, if you’re a glass-half-empty kind of person, you might wisely decide to avoid the dangers of a pet altogether.
Cat vs. Dog
But for those of us who try, how do we choose the pets we make? And are cats really different from dogs? If so, why? Interestingly, people who own dogs tend to score higher in personality traits such as warmth, and conscientiousness management, among others. Cats, on the other hand, tend to score higher on traits like general intelligence and self-reliance.
This may reflect general Western social attitudes that dogs are sociable and best friends with humans, while cats are aloof, aloof, and hypocritical.
Even Rudyard Kipling himself expressed in the story how cats became domesticated, but only after dogs, and only to an extent of their choice. Cats, therefore the literature tells us, are detached, distant, judgmental. And sadly, our society has generally accepted it.
In a similarly unhelpful way, most behavioral research in veterinary medicine has tended to focus on the behavioral problems of our pets, until recently, So, we know a fair amount about problematic personality issues like anxiety, and aggression, but very little about cat and dog personalities themselves. In fact, for a long time, it was argued that pets and animals do not have personality, and the concept was dismissed.
Personality
Personality is defined as consistent individual behavior patterns, and more recently, has focused on domestic cats. The implications of such research may have direct positive benefits, as management and welfare strategies may be better placed to target these specific personality traits based on such data. Therefore, a better understanding of our pets can lead to better lives, health care, and well-being for all.
And research is now emerging, which speaks to cat personalities and measurable inner traits. Dubbed the “feline five”, five personalities were investigated from a group of nearly 3,000 domestic cats in Australia and New Zealand. These factors include neuroticism, extraversion, dominance, impulsiveness, and agreeableness. Meanwhile, while our study of cat personality remains in its infancy, we still tend to judge books, ahem cats, by their covers. One study found that people are more likely to attribute orange cats to being friendly, and three-colored cats to having a carefree personality; white cats are rated as less bold and calmer than other coat colors. And it can be harmful to some cats. Especially those cats that research has yet to catch, and may never: the wild cat.
The Cat Dog
A cat dog is a cat, that is more dog than cat. They take They are playing. They love attention. They are intertwined in all family affairs, and love every minute. Call your cat and dog, and they run. Go to sleep, and your cat and dog are already locked in waiting for you. Get sick or sad, and your cat and dog are there to comfort you. These are not myths, but comments I hear over and over again from some of the wonderful cats and cat owners I’ve met in practice throughout the years: cats are the cats that need of people who say they don’t like cats. to meet
They defy all cat expectations. They are helpful, friendly, funny, even. They chase the dogs around, while still spending their afternoon waiting at the bus stop for the kids at 3pm. You might think I’m joking, but I’m not. These cats defy expectations. More famous examples might include Casper or the mayor of the Alaskan city Mayor Stubbs (great cat, met him back in the day!).
As a vet, I’ve worked with many dogs that gave me the side eye, an eagle I wouldn’t have trusted in a dark room, and a really wiley Chihuahua who hated post-it notes with a passion and 99.9% of people. I would say, definitely, that personality has more to do with anything than the particular species. Just as all humans dislike the same movies, foods, or methods of relaxation, so do individual animals.
In practice, stray cats are easy to spot. This is the confident, relaxed patient who comes to my clinic, is happy to be anywhere, and rolls with the punches. They are adored by their owners, and fellow vets. They are wonderful cats — easy to get along with, happy to do what is needed, and always a blessing to the family they live with. If you’ve been lucky enough to experience a cat dog, you’ll know what I mean.
Final Thoughts
So, while, the science may still be out, the jury is out. Dogs cats and feline personalities are the next stop on our cat knowledge journey, as we move forward into the 21st century, and experience new ways to view and interact with our feline companions. Let’s celebrate these special cats, the hearts they capture, and the joy they bring to our homes. In fact, cats are not small dogs, and felines are a law unto themselves.
