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Feline Temperament Profile
From Lee et al., 1983. California Veterinarian 3(supplement):23a-24a
Adapted for Use by Siegford, Walshaw, Bruner & Zanella (2003) Anthrozöos
Feline History Interview
Name of Owner:
Name of Pet:
General Information
Sex: Age:
Breed: Neutered: Yes No
Medical History (Illnesses, injuries, reproduction, etc.):
Barn cat: Yes No
Veterinarian:
Other animals in family:
Number of people in home:
Any special care requirements:
Behavioral Information
Access to outside: Never On leash or chain Free
Trained behaviors: Litter trained Leash trained Tricks
Toilet trained Stay off furniture
Counter
Beds
Other
Feeding: Scheduled Free access
Behavioral problems (please check):
Spraying Scratching Fighting Other
Biting Wool sucking Aggressive/unpleasant to visitors
Clawing furniture House soiling
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Feline Temperament Profile
From Lee et al., 1983. California Veterinarian 3(supplement):23a-24a
Adapted for Use by Siegford, Walshaw, Bruner & Zanella (2003) Anthrozöos
Feline Temperament Profile
The cat should be taken from its carrier (if caged) and placed in an average-sized room for
several minutes. The tester should wear ordinary clothes (not a lab coat or scrubs) and enter
the room in a calm manner.
Indicate if the following behaviors occur (1 = occurs; 0 = does not occur)
1. The tester should squat down about 5-6 feet away from the cat and call the cat several
times. One hand should be extended. The cat:
Makes eye contact (A)
Avoids eye contact (Q)
Vocalizes: Meow/purr/chirrup (A)
Hiss/growl (Q)
Approaches (A)
Rolls (A)
Comes & sniffs hand (A)
Retreats/defensive position (Q)
Watches with no approach (Q)
Other observations
2. If the cat does not approach, move closer to the cat (about 3 feet away) and call again. The
cat:
Makes eye contact (A)
Avoids eye contact (Q)
Vocalizes: Meow/purr/chirrup (A)
Hiss/growl (Q)
Approaches (A)
Rolls (A)
Comes & sniffs hand (A)
Retreats/defensive position (Q)
Watches with no approach (Q)
Other observations
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Feline Temperament Profile
From Lee et al., 1983. California Veterinarian 3(supplement):23a-24a
Adapted for Use by Siegford, Walshaw, Bruner & Zanella (2003) Anthrozöos
3. After approaching or getting the cat to come, extend hand to cat while squatting. Hand
should be lower than cat’s head. The cat:
Sniffs hand (A)
Licks or rubs body on hand (A)
Rubs head on hand (A)
Rolls (A)
Vocalizes Meow/purr/chirrup (A)
Hiss/growl (Q)
Retreats/defensive position (Q)
Strikes/attempts to strike hand (Q)
Bites/attempts to bite hand (Q)
Other observations
If the cat has been approached and shown no aggressive or defensive postures, proceed.
Otherwise, try approach procedure patiently and slowly again. It may be necessary to stay in
the room and wait until the cat initiates interaction. In any case, if interaction cannot be initiated
within 10 to 15 minutes, the cat is probably to shy or fearful to be a successful placement.
4. While talking to the cat, begin to stroke the cat along the head, back, and sides. The cat:
Rubs against legs or hand (A)
Vocalizes Meow/purr/chirrup (A)
Hiss/growl (Q)
Head bumps (A)
Circles you attentively (A)
Initial fear then relaxes (A)
Retreats/defensive position (Q)
Strikes/attempts to strike hand (Q)
Bites/attempts to bite hand (Q)
Other observations
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Feline Temperament Profile
From Lee et al., 1983. California Veterinarian 3(supplement):23a-24a
Adapted for Use by Siegford, Walshaw, Bruner & Zanella (2003) Anthrozöos
5. Move away from the cat and move a piece of string along the floor slowly to initiate play (or
use other toy as needed). The cat:
Comes back for stroking (A)
Watches toy intently (A)
Chases toy (A)
Ignores toy (Q)
Attends to something else (Q)
Avoids eye contact (Q)
Other observations
6. Call the cat again until it approaches or approach it slowly yourself. Begin to stroke the cat
again and if the cat is calm, pick up the cat gently and cradle it against your chest. The cat:
Relaxes (A)
Extends paw affectionately to neck/shoulder
(A)
Vocalizes Meow/purr/chirrup (A)
Hiss/growl (Q)
Struggles to escape (Q)
Strikes/attempts to strike (Q)
Bites/attempts to bite (Q)
Other observations
4
Feline Temperament Profile
From Lee et al., 1983. California Veterinarian 3(supplement):23a-24a
Adapted for Use by Siegford, Walshaw, Bruner & Zanella (2003) Anthrozöos
7. Sit down and place cat on lap, facing you. Stroke the cat. The cat:
Purrs or rubs against hand (A)
Makes eye contact (A)
Rolls submissively (A)
Stands to sniff face/place paw on neck (A)
Sits on lap tensely (Q)
Jumps off (Q)
Threatens or becomes aggressive (Q)
Other observations
8. Place cat on floor next to chair. Call cat and motion with hands. The cat:
Jumps up (A)
Makes eye contact/stays on floor (A)
Gets up on hind legs/makes contact (A)
Ignores calls and you (Q)
Moves away fearfully (Q)
Other observations
9. Place cat on floor. Grab tail firmly at the base and pull up with a steady pressure. The cat:
Rolls submissively (A)
Shows no reaction (A)
Struggles/tries to escape (Q)
Strikes/attempts to strike (Q)
Bites/attempts to bite (Q)
Vocalizes Meow/purr/chirrup (A)
Hiss/growl (Q)
Other observations
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Feline Temperament Profile
From Lee et al., 1983. California Veterinarian 3(supplement):23a-24a
Adapted for Use by Siegford, Walshaw, Bruner & Zanella (2003) Anthrozöos
10. Place cat on floor (not in a carpeted room). Drop a metal box or other object on the floor
behind the cat when the cat is not looking. If in a carpeted room, make a loud noise by
vocalizing, banging together two objects, or using some other object in the environment. The
cat:
Startles but quickly relaxes (A)
Ignores the noise (A)
Does not appear to hear the noise (A)
Startles, then runs to hide (Q)
Startles, then defensive/aggressive (Q)
Other observations
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