Some cats fear strangers but still seek contact, study finds

Some cats experience fear and curiosity at the same time when meeting strangers, a study by Japanese researchers suggests. ERR reported that the cats’ behaviour can resemble the conflicting feelings seen in young children.

Researchers from Kyoto and Sophia universities asked hundreds of cat owners to assess their pets’ everyday behaviour. Instead of using standard animal tests, they adapted psychological questionnaires normally used to assess toddlers’ temperaments.

The findings showed that shyness in cats usually went hand in hand with fear. However, the researchers identified four distinct personality types. One group, made up largely of male cats born on the street, showed what the researchers called “infant-like shyness”: despite scoring highly for fear, these cats also showed a strong desire to interact with new people.

A cat in this group might initially retreat from a stranger but continue watching and gradually approach because of its curiosity. The researchers said this conflict between fear and the desire to explore supports the idea that pets’ inner lives are as complex as humans’.

The researchers hope a better understanding of cats’ personalities will help shelters and owners adapt living environments to each animal’s needs. Their findings were published in the journal PLOS One.