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ESTP · ISTP cat types The Drop-In Player and The Solo Player

They differ on 1 of 4 dimensions.

ESTPThe Drop-In Player

Joins in · Likes the familiar · Keeps some space · Goes with the moment

Any commotion at home brings it over to look. Wiggle its familiar old toy and it is playing at once; when it has had enough, it turns and leaves, flopping down somewhere nearby. It does not care much for being held, and its hours are hard to predict.

Read the type guide · ESTP

ISTPThe Solo Player

Prefers quiet · Likes the familiar · Keeps some space · Goes with the moment

It spends most of its time on its own and can bat an old toy around the familiar rug for ages. When you are in the room, it watches from a stool and rarely comes over. There is no set time for play or sleep.

Read the type guide · ISTP

Four dimensions, side by side

  • Social style

    Different
    ESTP
    Joins in
    ISTP
    Prefers quiet
  • New experiences

    Same
    ESTP
    Likes the familiar
    ISTP
    Likes the familiar
  • Closeness

    Same
    ESTP
    Keeps some space
    ISTP
    Keeps some space
  • Daily rhythm

    Same
    ESTP
    Goes with the moment
    ISTP
    Goes with the moment

Where their days may overlap

On these dimensions the two type descriptions lean the same way. Similar habits can mean easy company, and also wanting the same spot at the same time.

New experiences

The Drop-In Player · The old toy, a sudden game
ESTP · Likes the familiar The old toy, a sudden game

The old ball rolls and it pounces from a standing start, as if seeing it for the first time.

The Solo Player · A solo game on the rug
ISTP · Likes the familiar A solo game on the rug

It crouches on the rug and bats the same old ball back and forth, with nobody watching.

A new cat, new furniture or a new smell is a big change for either of them. Change one thing at a time, and keep each cat’s own bed, blanket and favorite toy where they have always been.

Closeness

The Drop-In Player · Front row, at a slight distance
ESTP · Keeps some space Front row, at a slight distance

It sits in a low box at your feet: in the front row for whatever is going on, but not on your lap.

The Solo Player · Watching from the stool
ISTP · Keeps some space Watching from the stool

It sits on the stool by the sofa while you rest, looking out over the room, a comfortable gap in between.

Each may want a seat of its own instead of a shared one. Separate perches within sight of each other let them be in the same room without touching.

Daily rhythm

The Drop-In Player · Resting where the game ended
ESTP · Goes with the moment Resting where the game ended

When the game ends it lies down right there on the rug, one paw still on the ball.

The Solo Player · A nap between games
ISTP · Goes with the moment A nap between games

Between games it stretches out on the floor cushion and sleeps, the tunnel still set up behind it.

Play may start at any hour, and one cat’s burst of energy may land in the middle of the other’s nap. Keep food, water, litter and resting places steady even when the day is not, and set up a nap spot away from where they play.

Where each may want its own space

On these dimensions the descriptions lean in opposite directions. A difference is not a problem; it shows where each cat may need a choice of its own.

Social style

The Drop-In Player · Coming to see what’s going on
ESTP · Joins in Coming to see what’s going on

You open the toy basket and it is beside you before the lid is off, to see what comes out.

The Solo Player · A quiet lap of the room
ISTP · Prefers quiet A quiet lap of the room

It makes a quiet lap of the empty living room and stops to inspect a patch of sun on the floor.

Their days may cross only now and then, and that is fine. Keep a resting place the quieter cat can reach without passing through the busy part of the home, and let the more social one come to you for company.

Introducing two cats

These steps are the same for any two cats, whatever their types. Go at the pace of the less comfortable cat.

  1. Give the newcomer a separate room with its own food, water, litter, hiding place and bed.
  2. When both cats are relaxed, swap bedding or other items that carry their scent.
  3. Let them see each other briefly through a secure barrier, then move on to short, supervised meetings.
  4. If either cat tenses up, go back a step and give them time apart.
Read the step-by-step introduction guide

More pairings

This compares type descriptions for fun. How two cats actually get along depends on each cat and their home. How it works