5 Cat Personality Types and How To Make Them Happy * All Natural Pet Care

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September 30, 2026

On September 30, 2026

I’ve always found it interesting that each pet can have their own personality. It seems more likely they’d be dominated by instinct. In fact, until quite recently the scientific community didn’t believe it was important enough to even study. That was probably due to there being little scientific application for the results of any research, so it was never conducted. Now, personality conflicts with humans have piqued the interest of scientists as they explore its connection with surrendered animals.

“In Australia, almost 53,000 cats were received by RSPCA shelters in 2014-2015, with about a third of these cats eventually euthanized, and in the United States, an estimated 3.4 million cats enter animal shelters annually, with about 41% of these euthanized,” says The ‘Feline Five’ study. “Personality assessment may increase compatibility of cat-owner placements through shelter adoption, with the understanding that the personality of owners also influences cat behaviour and therefore, ideally, both personality of prospective owner and cat would be assessed for compatibility.”

Additionally, if pet parents and their veterinarians are able to use a standardized assessment, they can provide conditions in the home that nurture their cat’s wellbeing by addressing their specific needs.

The ‘Feline Five’: An exploration of personality in pet cats (Felis catus) study was conducted to investigate the personality of pet cats. They wanted to understand the practical implications for pet cats in the home, from the pet parent perspective. Each of the 2802 cats was assessed by their caregiver, based on a survey of 52 personality traits.

The Five Personalities of Cats

Cats can have a mix of behavioural patterns that come together to create an individual personality, just like humans. The five personality types defined below are more like categories than definitions, allowing us to assess and group cats with the ultimate goal of creating a healthier, happier home environment.

“A better understanding of cat personality by means of assessment could help owners improve conditions for their cats at home, thereby supporting the optimal wellbeing of their feline companions,” says the study.

The five personality traits identified in the study were:

Neuroticism
Extraversion
Dominance
Impulsiveness
Agreeableness

1. Neuroticism

“Cats that score high on Neuroticism (shyness) may be stressed and could benefit from an assessment of social stress by observing any interactions between the neurotic cat and others (human or non-human animals).”

What makes them happy?

These cats may benefit from hiding places around the home and quiet areas. You can make your shy cat happier with cat tunnels and caves. They’ll relax and enjoy playtime more in a tunnel. A cave, especially in a quiet part of the house, will please her too.

This tunnel is lined with plush material, so it doubles as a comfortable cave to hide in.

2. Extraversion

“Cats with high scores for Extraversion (smart, curious, inventive) may need additional stimulation and more complex environmental enrichment to avoid boredom, such as extra room to play, additional sensory items or toys, and social interactions with humans and/or other animals.”

What makes them happy?

This personality really appreciates a catio with plenty of new things to see every day. There are many catio kits available, or try your hand at one of these 9 Free DIY Catio Plans.

It might be difficult to find toys for these cats, since they often lose interest quickly. Cat nip sprays may help. Try toys that require a little strategy or thought for these smart, curious felines, such as treat puzzles.

They also enjoy having a companion animal like another cat or even a carefully-selected dog, but it isn’t absolutely necessary of course. They love toys for both of you, because it’s so much more fun for them. Try this Cat Wrestling Puppet which protects your hand while you fight your ferocious feline.

Warning: they may get into mischief if they get bored. Keep garbage and other tempting hazards locked up tight.

3. Dominance

“Dominance reflects bullying, dominant and aggressiveness to other cats.”

What makes them happy?

These cats may have a difficult time in households with other pets. It would be best to ask your vet for an assessment and suggestions for managing aggressive cats, because the wrong approach could make them worse. For example, it may be enough for them to have an outlet for the aggression, such as a little rough play. In other cats, however, any encouragement of aggressive behaviour may only increase it. Expert guidance is a must, so ask your vet or local animal shelter to recommend a behavioural analyst.

4. Impulsiveness

“Impulsiveness reflects impulsive, erratic and reckless behaviour. High scores on Impulsiveness (erratic, reckless) may also indicate a stressful environment, with negative effects on a cat’s health and welfare, and owners may need to seek advice from an animal behaviourist to locate the source of stress.”

What makes them happy?

Provide a quiet home and lots of places to hide. Caves in a calm area are often appreciated. There are numerous calming aids on the market that seem to help some cats. Rescue Remedy is a common recommendation. We’ve tried a Pheromone plugin, but it didn’t help our cat. They were rated highly by others who have had good luck with it though, so it might be worth a try.

5. Agreeableness

“Agreeableness reflects affectionate, friendly to people, and gentle. High scores for Agreeableness (friendly) are likely to represent cats that are well adjusted and ‘happy’, potentially serving as a source of enrichment for other cats.”

What makes them happy?

This personality is popular among most pet parents and they’re adopted more frequently. Your friendly cat needs one thing to be happy: YOU! Whether you’re playing or snuggling up to watch a cat video, these furry friends are happiest around people (and they usually love meeting new humans too).

Cat Personalities Matter

“Being able to accurately assess the personality of pet cats, and consider possible suggestions for improvements in pet cat management, may help owners manage individual cats in a way that optimizes their welfare,” concludes the study.

Furthermore, this knowledge can be used in animal shelters to better address individual needs. Once they’re identified, professionals and pet parents alike can find the most effective ways to manage their challenges and make them more adoptable overall.

Which personality does your cat fall under? How have you adjusted their home environment to make them happy? Please share your experience or questions in the comments below.

Citation:
Litchfield CA, Quinton G, Tindle H, Chiera B, Kikillus KH, Roetman P (2017) The ‘Feline Five’: An exploration of personality in pet cats (Felis catus). PLoS ONE 12(8): e0183455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183455

5 Cat Personality Types and How To Make Them Happy * All Natural Pet Care