Feline Five: the science of cat personality
What the Feline Five research model measures, and how it differs from PurrJung
What is the Feline Five?
The Feline Five comes from a peer-reviewed study of caregiver ratings for 2,802 pet cats in South Australia and New Zealand. Caregivers rated 52 traits; researchers retained 48 in the final analysis and identified five factors describing patterns in feline behavior.
Published in PLOS ONE, the study reports internal consistency and cross-validation using separate regional samples. It also notes the limits of caregiver reports and its sample; cats under one year old were excluded.
The five personality dimensions
-
Neuroticism
- High
- Anxious, fearful, shy, insecure, suspicious
- Low
- Calm, confident, stable, trusting, self-assured
-
Extraversion
- High
- Curious, playful, active, smart, inventive
- Low
- Reserved, passive, aimless, less engaged
-
Dominance
- High
- Assertive, territorial, competitive with other cats
- Low
- Submissive, peaceful, friendly with other cats
-
Impulsiveness
- High
- Erratic, unpredictable, reactive, reckless
- Low
- Predictable, calm, methodical, constrained
-
Agreeableness
- High
- Affectionate, friendly, gentle, cooperative
- Low
- Solitary, aloof, irritable, independent
Feline Five and PurrJung’s 16 types
| Aspect | Feline Five | PurrJung’s 16 types |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Scientific research | Fun personality discovery |
| Dimensions | 5 continuous scales | 4 dichotomies → 16 types |
| Output | Scores on each dimension | A memorable type code, such as ENFP |
| Best for | Research and behavior observation | Understanding and sharing |
| Questions | 52 items | 16 questions |
How the models relate
There is no validated mapping or conversion between the Feline Five factors and PurrJung’s four dimensions or 16 types. PurrJung is a playful observation tool—not the Feline Five questionnaire, an official MBTI test, or a veterinary assessment.
Treat a change in behavior as a reason to consider health, environment, and context—not as proof of a fixed type. Sudden or concerning changes warrant advice from a veterinarian or qualified behavior specialist.
Why both approaches matter
- Scientific foundation
- The study found five reliable factors in these owner ratings and discusses possible uses for welfare and behavior observation, while acknowledging report and sample limitations.
- Accessible and fun
- PurrJung makes personality discovery enjoyable and shareable, encouraging you to notice patterns in your cat’s behavior.
- Better understanding
- Observe repeated behavior in context. Changes may reflect health or surroundings and should not be explained away by a personality label.
Scientific reference
The Feline Five model is based on peer-reviewed research:
Litchfield, C. A., Quinton, G., Tindle, H., Chiera, B., Kikillus, K. H., & Roetman, P. (2017). The ‘Feline Five’: An exploration of personality in pet cats (Felis catus). PLOS ONE, 12(8), e0183455.
PLOS ONE · English source
Read the full research paperJust for fun. The questions draw on cat behavior research, but the quiz itself has not been scientifically validated and cannot diagnose anything.