Do you have a timid tabby or a playful puss? Find out what type of cat you have with our #InternationalCatDay guide.

Like humans, cats very much have their own personalities! On #InternationalCatDay (8 August) we want to celebrate all the different traits cats can have and what they might like based on their individual wants and needs.

Shy kitty

Do you have a timid tabby? Shy cats may benefit from places to hide in the home, where they can retreat to when they want some alone time. Why not try a Hide & Sleep®? Did you know providing a private place to hide is scientifically proven to help cats and kittens feel safe and secure in their surroundings? The Hide & Sleep® features a sleeping area, a hiding place, as well as somewhere for your cat to get up high. Having multiple places to hide around the home is a great idea as this gives your cat options and will help them to de-stress more quickly. Cats also like to get up high so adding a hiding place with height like on top of a wardrobe or chest of draws can be really beneficial. It is always best not to disturb your shy kitty when they are hiding and let them come out in their own time. Remember it’s not just shy kitties that need hiding places, all cats should have a place to hide that is just their space. Find out more about why cats hide.

Serial snoozer

If your cat is the king or queen of naps, they might enjoy having different sleeping areas around the house. Cats like to regularly switch between different sleeping locations to protect themselves from parasites, so it’s best to provide them with a few different beds situated around the house. If you have more than one moggy, make sure they each have a bed of their own, even better if they have multiple each. Find out how to choose the perfect cat bed. 

Playful puss

All cats need to play but those extra playful cats may benefit from added enrichment. Like their ancestors, the African wildcat, domestic cats are programmed to hunt. Each part of the hunting activity (the stalk, pounce, play and kill) releases feel-good hormones. Cats need to have frequent successful kills to avoid frustration, that’s why it can be a good idea to use enrichment feeders to create interest at mealtimes. Cats also have their own play styles so if you have a cat that is quite the opposite of a playful puss, try playing in different ways. Think prey; some cats like to chase birds so we can mimic this with a feather fishing-rod style toy; others prefer mice so making toys run along skirting boards and hide and reappear may be their preferred way to play. Rotating toys to keep them interesting, rather than having them all out all the time, is a great idea to keep play exciting. Find out how to play with your cat. 

Purring friend

Is your moggy a purr machine who loves attention? Your cat might enjoy a grooming brush or arch. Cats usually need very little help from us in the way of fur maintenance but some cats really enjoy being brushed. Some cats may not enjoy grooming brushes and find them stressful. You can still build up a great bond with your cat in a hands-off way, such as with play and enrichment feeding. Find out how to groom your cat.

Fiercely independent

Not all cats love being the centre of attention and some may prefer a more hands-off relationship. If your cat likes to prowl the town and occasionally visit home, you can help them by setting up an area outside where they can retreat to. This could be a shelter in your garden where you can feed them away from the home to make them feel more secure.

Anyone who has had multiple cats will tell you that every cat is an individual and it’s tricky to put them into one box. You might find that your cat has traits from multiple or all of these common personality types, and you might see that over time your cat’s personality changes as they get older or change environments. As a cat ages or their personality alters, you may need to change how you approach them or how you interact with them. If there are any sudden changes in behaviour, please seek veterinary advice as this can be a sign that there is something wrong that needs to be investigated.