Cat Breed Personality Revealed (According to Research)

Researchers from the University of Helsinki surveyed the owners of more than 4,300 cats representing 26 breed groups and identified seven distinct behavior and personality traits in cats.

Image Credit: Simon kadula_Shutterstock

Written by: Annie Butler Shirreffs

Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Catster Editorial Team

Cat Breed Personality Revealed (According to Research)

/ Lifestyle / By Annie Butler Shirreffs

Researchers from the University of Helsinki surveyed the owners of more than 4,300 cats representing 26 breed groups and identified seven distinct behavior and personality traits in cats, including activity/playfulness, fearfulness, aggression toward humans, sociability toward humans, sociability toward other cats, litter box issues and excessive grooming.

The study, published in September in the journal Animals, observed varying personality and behavior traits among different breeds. Some of the findings include:

Most fearful: Russian Blue

Least fearful: Abyssinian

Most active: Bengal

Least active: Persian and Exotic

Most excessive grooming: Siamese and Balinese

Least social with cats: Turkish Van

Featured Image Credit: Simon kadula_Shutterstock

About the Author

Annie Butler Shirreffs

Annie Butler Shirreffs has worked in the pet industry for more than 20 years and is currently the executive editor of Catster magazine and contributing editor on Dogster magazine. A cat lover since she was a little girl, she has always had feline friends in her life. She and her husband share their Southern California home with their four cats, Agatha, Mathilda, Jack and Marty, and an ever-changing clowder of foster kittens, all of whom enjoy being testers for cool, new products.