It might be hard to believe it but, who you are and what you do can have an influence on your cat. At least this is what a recent British study published in Plos One claims. So to what extent can your little pussy cat which attacks you in the morning be influenced by your personality?
What does the recent study say?
Lauren Finka, Joanna Ward, Mark Franworth and Danil Mills from the Universities of Nottingham Trent and Lincoln recently published the results of their study in the Plos One journal in February 2019. Their study highlighted surprising results showing similarities between the impact of a parent on a child and an owner on their cat.
The study involved 3,331 participants who were interviewed with polls and questionnaires. Researchers asked these participants to describe their animals, including their race, weight, health and behaviour. A questionnaire was then used to measure the behavioural traits of the owner so as to evaluate their:
According to the researchers’ results owners can have an influence on their cat’s personality. But why is this the case?
My cat is like my child
Laura Finka from the University of Nottingham Trent, and co-author of the study explains that “many owners consider their pet as a member of the family and develop clear social ties with them.” However it has been proven in many studies that the family atmosphere can have both a positive or negative impact on your cat.
This is particularly true for children. Children can use different identification processes to imitate adults whether it is their parents or teachers. Our personality influences our children and makes them turn out similar to us in the end.
You can also read: Pregnancy: The importance of choosing a baby name
A cat just like you…
As Mark Falworth, professor at the University of Nottingham Trent and author of the study recalls, “Increasingly, we are learning that the well-being of pets depends on the underlying nature of the owner, and not simply their decisions and conscious behaviour.” As a result our pets can be influenced by what we do, which can effect their personality.
Researchers showed that owners with high levels of stress often show that their cats have behavioural problems “showing more aggressive, anxious or fearful characteristics which are linked to stress.” These cats also tend to grow bigger than others and are considered over weight (like Garfield and his owner for example.)
Owners who have extroverted characters tend to leave their cats to go outside without being looked after. As for owners who are exceedingly fulfilled, their cats tend to be aggressive but a normal weight.
Owners that are conscientious, calm and organised tend to have pet cats that are “less anxious, fearful, aggressive, distant and are more out going.” What is you cat’s personality? Does it resemble your own?