Cats share dominance, impulsiveness and neurotic behaviour

NEW research indicates that domestic cats might be scarier than you think.

TasWeekend cover story on cats.

NEW research indicates that domestic cats might be scarier than you think.

A study carried out between the University of Edinburgh and Bronx Zoo compared our beloved domestic cat with its wilder relatives, reports 4WWL.

Compared with the snow leopard, the Scottish wildcat and the African lion, researchers found these larger predators shared similar characteristics of aggression and neurotic behaviour to domestic cats.

Dominance, impulsiveness and neurotic behaviour are the most common trait shared between the domestic cat and the wild cat.

The researchers used a testing method known as the ‘Big Five’ personality test: Openness to Experience, Extraversion/Introversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism.

A total of 100 cats, from two different shelters in Scotland were used in the experiment, while the other animals were examined from zoos and animal sanctuaries in the UK and USA.

“They’re cute and furry and cuddly, but we need to remember when we have cats as pets, we are inviting little predators into our house,” psychologist Dr. Max Wachtel told 9 NEWS.

“For a lot of people, it is worth it. Cats can be fantastic, sweet companions. Until they turn on you.”