A Study Found That Cats Mirror Their Owner's Personality
Some cats act like they own the place, and this story suggests there may be a reason for that. For years, people have joked that feline personalities are impossible to pin down, but a study has added a surprising twist to the conversation.
In this case, the idea is that cats may pick up traits from the people they live with, which makes the whole “cats are just like that” argument a little less convincing. If that sounds familiar, the rest of the story gets even more interesting.
So, are cats really mirroring their owners, or is this just another excuse for a grumpy pet? Read on.
The study from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Lincoln was titled "Owner personality and the well-being of their cats share parallels with the parent-child relationship".
Its results draw the same conclusions as other studies, which show that cats get their personalities from their owners!
The research involved asking over 3,000 cat owners questions that measured their personality traits (such as openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism).
The results show that traits that were more prominent in humans were also more frequently observed in their cats.
WHAAATTTT
This also lines up with how cats pick their favorite human, even when they act aloof.
For example, if a human owner is a permanently stressed or anxious person, their cat is likely to be the same.
The study also highlighted those of us who consider cats as our kids!
It compared the relationship between human children and their parents with that of cats and their human owners. It found that between 30% and 60% of personality traits are inherited, while the rest are a result of environmental factors.
Humans who scored higher on the "agreeableness" trait had cats that had better well-being outcomes and were more satisfied with their relationships.
Additionally, humans who were more conscientious and open had cats that were less aggressive, less fearful, and more outgoing.
Another study found that cats adopt the lifestyle of their owners.
The study looked at two groups of cats. The first group consisted of cats living in smaller homes and staying close to their owners. The other group of cats were kept outside at night on large properties.
The cats eventually began to mimic the lives of their owners. The second group of cats became more nocturnal.
It demonstrates that humans have a significant influence on the lifestyle of their cats, as noted by Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher, who states, "Pets often reflect the behaviors and routines of their owners, adapting to their lifestyle choices."
So there you have it!
Science proves that humans have a huge impact on how their cats behave!
For more “why is my life like this” cat moments, see the 15+ situations you only get if you have a feline friend.
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