IS YOUR CAT ALOOF? SCIENTISTS SAY SHY CATS ARE A LOT LIKE BASHFUL BABIES
Does your cat bolt under the bed the moment the doorbell rings, only to creep back out minutes later for a curious sniff?
If so, a new study suggests shy cats may be far more complex than the "scaredy-cat" label gives them credit for.
Researchers in Japan have found that some cats show a type of shyness that looks a lot like the bashfulness seen in some human babies.
The findings, published this week in the journal PLOS One, could change the way we think about our more reserved feline friends.
What the study on shy cats found
The research was led by Madoka Hattori, a cat researcher at Kyoto University.
The team surveyed owners of 310 domestic cats using an online questionnaire adapted from one used to assess personality in human infants.
Owners were asked about their cat's shyness, fearfulness and tendency to approach new people or toys.
As expected, shyness and fear were closely linked.
But when the researchers looked more closely, the cats fell into four distinct personality types.
These were highly sociable cats, sociable cats, fearful cats and shy cats.
According to a release about the study, the shy group stood out because these cats scored high on fear but also high on approaching new things.
In other words, they were wary, but still drawn to novelty, which the researchers say resembles shyness in some human infants.
Which cats are more likely to be shy
The study found this human-like shyness was more common in male cats.
It was also more common in cats that were born as strays.
The authors say their results suggest complex personality traits may exist in animals other than humans.
"Our findings suggest that shyness in cats is more complex than simply being afraid of humans," the authors wrote.
It is worth noting that the study relied on owners' reports rather than researchers watching the cats directly.
As Gizmodo reported, Hattori pointed out that a researcher visiting a home could change how a cat behaves, so owner observations may be especially useful in future studies.
Why it matters for cat lovers
Cats have long had a reputation for being aloof, but this research is a gentle reminder that every cat is an individual.
Hattori told Gizmodo she hoped the work would encourage people to rethink stereotypes such as dogs being friendly and cats being standoffish.
The researchers also suggest that understanding personality types could one day help with raising cats and improving outcomes for shelter cats, although they say more study is needed.
How to help a shy cat feel confident
If your cat is on the bashful side, there are plenty of kind, simple ways to help it feel safe at home.
Give your cat a few cosy hiding spots, such as a covered bed, a cardboard box or a high shelf where it can watch the world.
When visitors arrive, let your cat decide whether to come out rather than pulling it from its hiding place.
Ask guests to sit quietly and let the cat approach in its own time.
Play can be a great confidence builder, so try wand toys that let your cat chase and pounce from a comfortable distance.
Keep routines predictable, with regular meal times and quiet spaces away from noisy household traffic.
Introduce new things slowly, whether that is new furniture, a new pet or a new person.
And reward brave moments with a favourite treat or a gentle chin scratch.
If your cat's fearfulness seems sudden, extreme or is affecting its eating, toileting or grooming, it is a good idea to check in with your vet, as changes in behaviour can sometimes signal a health issue.
A new way of seeing your cat
Next time your cat hides from visitors but cannot resist a peek around the corner, you might see it a little differently.
Rather than being unfriendly, it may simply be a curious soul who needs a bit more time to warm up.
And as any devoted cat owner will tell you, the bond is all the sweeter when it is earned.
