Scientists find cats develop personalities that mirror their owners

If your cat seems a bit grumpy or aggressive, you may have only yourself to blame. Scientists have found felines really are copycats — and develop personalities that mirror their owners.

If your cat seems a bit grumpy or aggressive, you may have only yourself to blame.

Scientists have found felines really are copycats — and develop personalities that mirror their owners.

Pets that were neurotic, overweight or cheerful had owners who had similar traits, researchers found. While dogs are often said to be like their owners, cats have long been considered to be more independent creatures.

Animal behaviour experts at Lincoln University said owners who were neurotic were less likely to allow their cats outside.

Scientists have found felines really are copycats. Picture: Mark Stewart

As a result their pets had a higher chance of being overweight and ‘anxious or fearful’ and show behavioural problems such as scratching the furniture.

MORE NEWS:

Family blood feud behind ‘Romeo and Juliet’ shooting

Sydney Power 80-61: Who will be the most powerful

MAFS intruder Billy explains nude calendar shoot

The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, involved personality tests on 3300 cat owners and also found that pedigree cats were more likely to be overweight.

The research builds on studies that show how parenting style can affect a child’s personality. Other cat experts backed the findings. Danielle Gunn-Moore, professor of feline medicine at Edinburgh University, said: “Cats are a mini-me. They are sentient creatures strongly affected by people around them.”

Originally published as Scientists find cats develop personalities that mirror their owners