Adapted from an article originally published on natusan.co.uk
Cats can be quite particular creatures, and pet parents know that their unique personalities can be very different.
Even in the same household, and from the same litter, our furry friends can vary quite a lot when it comes to their individual habits and quirks.
Researchers have found five cat personality types, and find most cats fall into one of the following categories – Neurotic, Extraverted, Dominant, Impulsive or Agreeable.
In this blog: the dominant, or bossy, cat.
Cats who fall into this category tend to be the most dominant, and are especially easy to spot in multi-cat households – they are the ones at the top of the pecking order (including you).
These cats know just how to manipulate their owners, and can wrap you around their little toe-beans.
Top tips for bossy cats
First impressions matter – when introducing new members of your pet family, use the “two-door method” to gradually let them get to know each other, slowly removing the barriers until they can get acquainted.
Share the love – For households with more than one cat, be sure to show equal attention and affection for each member of your clique, you may have a favourite, but they don’t need to know that.
Food, the great motivator – You’d be surprised how quickly your cat can straighten up and fly right when dinnertime comes into question, if you have more than one cat, provide separate feeding areas and bowls to avoid the dominant cat taking the lion’s share.
Tough love – As much as we’d like to let them think our lives revolve around them, sometimes a cat needs to know that it isn’t the boss. Whether it’s by feeding yourself first before them, or simply not jumping to attention whenever they call, just don’t expect a pleasant reaction when you try to take back your favourite spot on the sofa…
Consider a permanent “fix” – Neutering or spaying your cat can help to control the hormones responsible for some undesirable behaviours. If needed, a specialist veterinary behaviourist can help you live in harmony with your cat.
Live with it – Cats, while fairly resilient and adaptable, can be set in their ways. If they’ve been “top cat” for too long, you may just have to deal with the fact that you’re seen more as a servant than a parent, in which case you should just be grateful to have such a merciful ruler.
It is worth noting that most “undesirable” behaviours are just cats expressing their natural behaviours, but perhaps in a place or at a time which isn’t appealing to us as humans!
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