Kitty Personality Quiz: Confidence

1. When visitors come over, your kitty...
a) rushes to check them out.
b) hangs back, watching every move.
c) hides under the bed.

2. If another animal is present, your kitty...
a) stands her ground, growling.
b) takes her time getting acquainted, but with obvious interest.
c) stands down, usually running away.

3. When you approach your kitty, he generally...
a) actively greets you, or stays put and let's you pet him.
b) tolerates interaction, but on his own timetable.
c) appears frightened and shies away.

As with humans, there are infinite compenents of feline personality. One of the most readily obvious traits is how confident kitty is. Cats vary from swaggeringly self-assured to extremely timid and unable to tolerate interaction. Of course, any one cat can display both ends of the spectrum in different moods and situations, but think about your cat's overall personality as you consider the above questions. How your cat behaves in relationship to you, other animals and strangers (or people she rarely sees) is a good indicator of her overall confidence level.

Your kitty's degree of self-assurance may delight or frustrate you. You might have expected a inquisitive and friendly little friend, and wound up with a timid, shy recluse. Or, you may have wanted some unobtrusive background company at home, and ended up with an assertive, demanding little personality! It's important to recognize and respect your cat's unique temperment. Within the context of such respect, there are techniques you may use for making your secure cat less cocky (see Tips for Managing "Bossy" ), or your withdrawn cat more interactive (see Tips For Drawing Out Bashful).