Every month we provide cat lovers with a magazine packed with useful and practical information, entertaining features, lots of reader interaction, and masses of gorgeous cat photographs.

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JUNE 2001

Here’s a taste of what’s in the June issue, on sale until June 14th. Ask your book store to order your copy, or better still, take out a subscription to make sure you never miss an issue.

FEATURES:

Pussy personalities
Cat's have personalities too. ANDREA McHUGH finds out that matching owner and cat is like a dating game. Try our quiz and see if you are right for your cat.

Big cat competition
Part two of our exclusive competition to win a fabulous big cat safari in Africa

Help - my love of cats is coming between us!
An allergy to cats can seriously threaten a relationship. ELIZABETH PERRY meets a couple who can't live with or without each other.

Summertime blues
Cats love the summer sun but are oblivious to its effects. ISABEL GEORGE explains what first aid skills are needed at this time of year.

Getting a good deal
Lawyer, CHRIS FAIRFAX looks at how the law views the buying and selling of kittens.

Home and safe
The plight of the Jersey British Shorthairs brought to the UK touched the hearts of many. CLAIRE LELEUX updates the story.

Frequently asked kitten questions
Are you prepared for a new kitten? We answer the most frequently asked questions.

Let us prey
Mice beware - those feline fangs are out to get you. BRADLEY VINER gives the low-down on the workings and problems of cats' mouths.

Natural Health
Holistic vet TIM COUSINS explains how natural remedies can help older cats overcome those muscle and joint aches and pains.

Breeds: Best of both worlds
ANDREA McHUGH reveals how the modern Tonkinese is a reproduction of an ancient breed once thought lost forever.

Pussy personalities: What sort is yours?

If you want to be the best of friends with your cat you need to take account of his character. It's a bit like a dating game, says ANDREA McHUGH. Get it right and it could be a match made in heaven but if you don't there could be conflict ahead...

It could be a real bone of contention to try to describe your cat's personality. Even the word is liable to cause deep offence, especially to the sensitive feline soul. The problem is, 'personality' is constituted mainly of the word 'person', 'persona' or 'personal' - nothing remotely to do with a cat. Describing your cat's 'purrsonality' might be more diplomatic, especially if he's a neurotic type.

On a more serious note, it is useful to recognise your cat's personality as it offers an insight into how he may react. The dictionary definition of personality is 'character and temperament of an individual', while behaviour is defined as 'conducting oneself in a specific way'. So it would seem one limits the other. If you've got the personality of an 'It' girl you will be ecstatic thinking about a forthcoming party, whereas if you are an introverted, inhibited type you are likely to go into hiding until it's all over. It's just the same for cats.

Matching your expectations

Determining how cats might behave is particularly useful for pet sitters, cattery owners and charity organisations such as the Blue Cross who rehome thousands of rescue cats each year. The Blue Cross has a high success rate, with few cats being returned. This is largely due to the employment of animal behaviourists, who help match the personality of a cat to that of its prospective owners.

Julie Sellors, animal behaviourist for the charity, says: "We devised a questionnaire for previous owners to complete so we know the cat's personality before he comes into the cattery. Cats change in a cattery situation and it's difficult to get an accurate picture of their personality. The questionnaire reveals what kind of home he came from, if there were other animals, children, likes, dislikes and much more. Then we ask potential new owners to fill in a similar questionnaire. This enables us to find a cat that matches their expectations."

If this sounds like a unique kind of dating game you could be right. Just read the familiar, hopeful pleas appearing in every personal column of any newspaper. 'Young, single, female, good sense of humour, seeks older, quiet gentleman with large house and plenty of money, so she no longer has to lift a finger for the rest of her days.' Substitute the word 'finger' for 'paw', and it could have been written by plenty of cats I know...

"We don't classify cats into specific personality types but look at each one individually," says Julie. "When they go to a new home we give new owners information leaflets and advice on how to handle them." This includes learning to cope with a timid or potentially aggressive cat. "We tell people to put the cat in a room with plenty of places he can hide under or climb on to feel safe. We also ask people to let the cat come out in his own time. Forcing an animal to be handled puts it under too much pressure. When the cat comes out we advise people to let the cat approach them, and not to start stroking it. A few tasty titbits may help the cat to get pleasant associations and become less nervous."

With potentially aggressive cats Julie advises people to slow down their movements. "Try to stay calm and don't make rapid movements that might trigger aggression." In these situations it is important to match the cat with someone willing to take on a challenge. "People's expectations always surprise me," says Julie. "We had a lovely cat called Earl Grey who was about 17 but really poorly and unhappy about being in the cattery. We didn't think he would survive long. Then a man came in and announced he wanted to home the oldest most difficult cat that we had, even if it was only likely to live a short time. We thought Earl Grey deserved this opportunity. I saw him three years later and couldn't believe how happy and well he looked. It was a good match because the owner had clear expectations and Earl Grey fulfilled them."

Introvert or extrovert?

Behaviourist Sarah Heath says the most important factor for a successful relationship is the cat's level of requirement for social contact. Most people think that cats are independent creatures but some crave human attention. "Cats with a low requirement for social contact cannot change," Sarah explains. "Trying to make it into a people lover or get on with other cats in the house won't work. You need a cat with a high requirement for social contact." Behavioural scientists have long denied that animals have personalities but recent studies are beginning to challenge this opinion. Generally speaking, cats fall into three categories. There is the shy, timid, unfriendly group; the friendly, trusting group and the reactive, aggressive group. However, as most cat lovers know, it is not unusual for a cat to exhibit all the characteristics of each group within the space of half an hour!

Personality appears to be inherited but there is a learned component as well. Breed-specific behaviour has not been studied in any depth but some breeds, such as Persians, are renowned for their placid natures, while Siamese are known for their vocal, extrovert personalities. In any case, all cats are individual, reacting differently to what is happening around them. Littermates can have very different personalities even when their genetic, social and environmental influences are similar.

Friendly from kittenhood

Personality can also change over time. Some cats mellow over the years while others get grumpier. Can this be attributed to old age or to years living with us? Do cats take on some of the personality traits of their owners? Research shows that the most crucial age for socialising cats is between two and eight weeks. Kittens of this age exposed to different people, animals, children, household equipment etc. go on to readily accept environmental changes in their new home. Researchers studying feral cats discovered that this period could sometimes be extended but only with a lot of patience from the handler. Because studies of personality change after the crucial early period are scarce, it's uncertain whether we can influence a cat's personality. Neither is it certain if we are influenced by living with our cats. So, if you are a Moaning Minnie and your cat bears a striking similarity to Victor Meldrew it could just be coincidence and you could just be stuck with it. Still, forewarned is forearmed; complete our special Your Cat quiz and find out what kind of personality your cat has. At least then you will know if you are a match made in heaven or a total cat-astrophe!

1. When you call your cat does he:
a) Ignore you completely.
b) Launch himself at you and cover you with kisses.
c) Head-butt you accusingly and sit expectantly next to the fridge.
d) Shout pathetically from the latest place he has got himself stuck in.

2. You are off work with flu. Does your cat:
a) Move next door.
b) Snuggle up under the duvet and think he is in cat heaven.
c) Stare aimlessly out of the window.
d) Attempt to cheer you up by tickling your toes and biting your ankles.

3. Visitors come for dinner. Does your cat:
a) Disappear completely.
b) Take on the role of 'perfect host' and mingle with all the guests.
c) Bite anyone that dares to come within three feet of his space.
d) Drape himself around your neck throughout the main course, much to the disapproval of your partner.

4. Visitors stay overnight. Does your cat:
a) Wait until they leave the room and urinate in their overnight bag.
b) Start packing.
c) Become a complete show off.
d) Become totally disloyal, telling everyone he never ever gets fed and is very badly done by.

5. A strange cat appears in the garden. Does your cat:
a) Puff up to twice his normal size and prepare to do battle.
b) Thoroughly spray the entire contents of your house.
c) Go to sleep.
d) Leap into your arms and beg to be saved.

6. Your local shop runs out of your cat's favourite food. Do you:
a) Become afraid. Very afraid.
b) Stay cool, your cat will eat anything.
c) Frantically dig around in the freezer for a leftover frozen prawn cocktail.
d) Bung down some biscuits and book into a hotel for the night.

7. Which of the following statements is most important to you:
a) I love my cat welcoming me home after a hard day's work.
b) I enjoy caring for my cat because he is so appreciative.
c) The best thing about my cat is that he is so beautiful.
d) I enjoy the challenge of trying to make friends with him.

8. You suspect your cat may be visiting another house in the neighbourhood. Do you:
a) Think: "Thank Goodness. Maybe they'll adopt him."
b) Feel hurt and betrayed.
c) Be glad he is so friendly and popular.
d) Block up the cat flap and keep him in.

Mostly a's: Unless you like a challenge you will find this a difficult relationship. Get help now, by calling the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors on 01386 75115 for details of your nearest qualified counsellor.

Mostly b's: Lucky you. You have a good relationship with your cat. He shows you affection but does not smother or take advantage. You respect each other's space.

Mostly c's: Your cat likes to rule the roost. Your life totally revolves around him. That's OK as long as you are happy but if you feel a bit like his servant it may be necessary to reassert yourself as boss in your own home!