Feline Behavior Assessment
(Cat Temperament Test)
The reason for this test is to insure that a cat finds a forever home instead of a temporary one or worse; is abandoned due to lack of compatability.
Depending on where you do this test, stress can be a factor in the responses. The only way to insure a clean test is to do it where the cat is relaxed and comfortable. Unfortunately, this is not always possible and you will have to take the environment into consideration.
Older cats will be more affected by a strange environment than kittens, who find a game around every corner regardless of where they are.
Aggression is very apparent – hiss, bat, bite, scratch. As a general rule, never choose a cat who displays these behaviors unless you are willing to put a lot of time and patience into the animal. The source of the aggression can be anything from feral originations to a medical condition (which should be ruled out first). Regardless of reason for the behavior the cat should not be adopted by someone who has children, an elderly resident, or other pets in the home.
Code Key:
1 Ideal reaction
2 Good reaction
3 Independent cat
4 Should not adopt to a family with children or elderly
5 Should not adopt to owner who will be away from home for long hours
6 Should not adopt to someone who isn’t willing to offer lots of time and commitment to the cat.
7 Should not adopt to someone with other pets
General Information
Breed (as close as you can assess):___________________________________________________
Gender:_______________________________________
Age:__________________________________________
Neutered/Spayed?:___________________________
Location where you are doing your test (shelter, home, veterinarian, barn/outbuilding, outdoors):____________________________________________________________________________
Previous History (where found, why surrendered, where born, anything about a previous home/territory):_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Observations Results
1. Litter box use
a. Uses box 1
b. Doesn’t use box 5, 6
2. Social interaction with other cats
a. Sleeps with and plays with other cats 1
b. Will be near but not interact 3, 4
c. No interaction 6, 7
d. Stalk and hiss at but no engagement 4, 7
e. Aggressive behavior to other cats – stalk, hiss, bat, bite 3, 4, 6, 7
3. Cleanliness (Veterinary treatment and a good diet will likely make all of these good candidates, provided they pass the behavior assessment.)
a. Soft, shiny fur. No fecal debris. Pink ears. 1
b. Oily fur, dry fur
c. Dirty ears – ear mites
d. Fecal debris around anal area/rump
e. Dandruff f on fur
f. Odor
4. Healthy appearance (Highly likely veterinary treatment will turn all of these into a good choice, provided they pass the behavior assessment. However, they should not be allowed to mix with other animals until free of contagion)
a. External parasites?
b. Distended belly?
c. Discharge from eyes, nose, mouth?
d. Bad breath?
5. Activity level
a. Plays with toys or other cats 1
b. Moves around room without abnormal gait 1
c. Moves around room but does not engage interaction 3
d. Sits and hides, but does move a bit on own initiative 3
e. Slow, doesn’t engage much, abnormal gait needs veterinary attention
f. Lethargic needs veterinary attention
Interaction
1. Pick up and hold
a. Relaxes 1
b. Tries to escape 3
c. Bites/scratches/hisses as tries to escape 4, 6, 7
2. If the cat relaxes in your arms, flip him (gently) onto his back and cradle him/her
a. Relaxes 1, 5
b. Wiggles and tries to escape 2, 3
c. Bites/scratches/hisses as tries to escape 4, 6, 7
3. Touch the cats’ paws, tail, head – use stroking motions, touch feet very gently
a. Cat relaxes and enjoys touch (moves into your stroke, purrs) 1, 5
b. Cat relaxes but does not show enjoyment 2
c. Cat becomes stiff but allows your touch 2
d. Cat tries to escape 3, 4
e. Cat becomes aggressive 4, 6
4. Toy interaction – wiggle a toy, drag it behind you as you move away, pop it in the air
a. Moves away 3, 6
b. Watches 3
c. Stalks then pounces 1
d. Chases after full speed 2, 4
5. Move away from the cat and then crouch down
a. The cat moves away from you 3
b. The cat watches you then moves away 3
c. The cat watches then comes to you 2
d. The cat follows you 1
e. The cat follows you and is verbal while doing so 2, 5
f. The cat follows and rubs against you 1, 5
6. Sit on the floor
a. The cat comes to you and climbs on you/sits in your lap 1, 5
b. The cat comes to you and rubs against you 2
c. The cat comes near and watches you but does not engage 2 – can be stress related
d. The cat ignores you and plays with another cat 3
e. The cat ignores you and goes to hide 3 – can be stress related
7. Offer some treats (pieces of cooked chicken or butter on a spoon – the safest situation for one’s fingers)
a. The cat comes immediately 1
b. The cat comes near slowly, stretching and sniffing, then comes for the treat 2
c. The cat sniffs but does not come near 3 –can be stress related
d. The cat has no interest in the treat 3, 6
Older cats will be more affected by a strange environment than kittens, who find a game around every corner regardless of where they are.
Aggression is very apparent – hiss, bat, bite, scratch. As a general rule, never choose a cat who displays these behaviors unless you are willing to put a lot of time and patience into the animal. The source of the aggression can be anything from feral originations to a medical condition (which should be ruled out first). Regardless of reason for the behavior the cat should not be adopted by someone who has children, an elderly resident, or other pets in the home.
Code Key:
1 Ideal reaction
2 Good reaction
3 Independent cat
4 Should not adopt to a family with children or elderly
5 Should not adopt to owner who will be away from home for long hours
6 Should not adopt to someone who isn’t willing to offer lots of time and commitment to the cat.
7 Should not adopt to someone with other pets
General Information
Breed (as close as you can assess):___________________________________________________
Gender:_______________________________________
Age:__________________________________________
Neutered/Spayed?:___________________________
Location where you are doing your test (shelter, home, veterinarian, barn/outbuilding, outdoors):____________________________________________________________________________
Previous History (where found, why surrendered, where born, anything about a previous home/territory):_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Observations Results
1. Litter box use
a. Uses box 1
b. Doesn’t use box 5, 6
2. Social interaction with other cats
a. Sleeps with and plays with other cats 1
b. Will be near but not interact 3, 4
c. No interaction 6, 7
d. Stalk and hiss at but no engagement 4, 7
e. Aggressive behavior to other cats – stalk, hiss, bat, bite 3, 4, 6, 7
3. Cleanliness (Veterinary treatment and a good diet will likely make all of these good candidates, provided they pass the behavior assessment.)
a. Soft, shiny fur. No fecal debris. Pink ears. 1
b. Oily fur, dry fur
c. Dirty ears – ear mites
d. Fecal debris around anal area/rump
e. Dandruff f on fur
f. Odor
4. Healthy appearance (Highly likely veterinary treatment will turn all of these into a good choice, provided they pass the behavior assessment. However, they should not be allowed to mix with other animals until free of contagion)
a. External parasites?
b. Distended belly?
c. Discharge from eyes, nose, mouth?
d. Bad breath?
5. Activity level
a. Plays with toys or other cats 1
b. Moves around room without abnormal gait 1
c. Moves around room but does not engage interaction 3
d. Sits and hides, but does move a bit on own initiative 3
e. Slow, doesn’t engage much, abnormal gait needs veterinary attention
f. Lethargic needs veterinary attention
Interaction
1. Pick up and hold
a. Relaxes 1
b. Tries to escape 3
c. Bites/scratches/hisses as tries to escape 4, 6, 7
2. If the cat relaxes in your arms, flip him (gently) onto his back and cradle him/her
a. Relaxes 1, 5
b. Wiggles and tries to escape 2, 3
c. Bites/scratches/hisses as tries to escape 4, 6, 7
3. Touch the cats’ paws, tail, head – use stroking motions, touch feet very gently
a. Cat relaxes and enjoys touch (moves into your stroke, purrs) 1, 5
b. Cat relaxes but does not show enjoyment 2
c. Cat becomes stiff but allows your touch 2
d. Cat tries to escape 3, 4
e. Cat becomes aggressive 4, 6
4. Toy interaction – wiggle a toy, drag it behind you as you move away, pop it in the air
a. Moves away 3, 6
b. Watches 3
c. Stalks then pounces 1
d. Chases after full speed 2, 4
5. Move away from the cat and then crouch down
a. The cat moves away from you 3
b. The cat watches you then moves away 3
c. The cat watches then comes to you 2
d. The cat follows you 1
e. The cat follows you and is verbal while doing so 2, 5
f. The cat follows and rubs against you 1, 5
6. Sit on the floor
a. The cat comes to you and climbs on you/sits in your lap 1, 5
b. The cat comes to you and rubs against you 2
c. The cat comes near and watches you but does not engage 2 – can be stress related
d. The cat ignores you and plays with another cat 3
e. The cat ignores you and goes to hide 3 – can be stress related
7. Offer some treats (pieces of cooked chicken or butter on a spoon – the safest situation for one’s fingers)
a. The cat comes immediately 1
b. The cat comes near slowly, stretching and sniffing, then comes for the treat 2
c. The cat sniffs but does not come near 3 –can be stress related
d. The cat has no interest in the treat 3, 6
