Purr-sonalities: A New Way to Love Your Cat

Part of my career involved organizational development, training, and helping teams work more effectively together. Along the way, I became certified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) (1) and used it as one of several tools to help people better understand personality differences.

At the same time, cats were a constant presence in my life. For years, those two interests had nothing to do with one another. Then I began noticing familiar patterns in the cats who shared my home.

One cat seemed energized by every visitor who came through the door. Another preferred to observe from a safe distance before deciding whether the interaction was worthwhile. Some focused on details; others appeared more interested in exploration and possibilities.

Casey Greets an Old Acquaintance at the RV Repair Facility - Edited by ChatGPT

That's when I began wondering whether the same personality preferences I observed in people might help explain some of the differences I saw in cats.

Now, before the MBTI experts start sharpening their claws, no, cats don't take personality assessments. And no, I can't prove that your tabby prefers flexibility (Perceiving) or your Persian prefers structure (Judging). But it adds another aspect to understanding your cat, and besides, it's fun.

Take Tasha, for example. She was particular. Her litter box had to be perfect, her bed had to be perfect, and she regularly patrolled the house to make sure everything met her standards (MBTI Judging). Patsy, on the other hand, bounces from one possibility to the next (MBTI Perceiving) —which is why we call her "Fidget."

Then there was Casey. Casey never met a stranger. If a repairman, delivery person, or visitor entered the house, Casey assumed they had come specifically to admire him. He thrived on interaction and often placed himself squarely in the center of any activity. That sounds suspiciously like Extraversion.

Mandy, on the other hand, thought guests were an interruption to her peaceful home. She'd dash under the bed, never showing herself until she was certain everyone had left. Yet when the house was quiet, her favorite activity was helping me meditate. More like an Introvert.

And Patsy? Well, she's still keeping me guessing. She's energetic, curious, and occasionally appears to believe that gravity and household rules are merely suggestions.

Of course, personality isn't shaped by just one thing. Genetics, early experiences, environment, and age all play a role. A confident kitten raised in a busy household may grow up very differently from a shy rescue cat learning to trust people for the first time.

Website Purpose

The real purpose of this website is simply to celebrate the wonder of our cats. By adding a little understanding of their unique purr-sonalities, we can deepen our bond with them and help them live their happiest, most comfortable lives.

While personality differences inspired Purr-sonalities, MBTI won't be my only focus. I'll also share stories about life with cats—the funny moments, the challenges, the lessons they teach us, and the adventures that make living with cats so rewarding.

About the Author

I've shared my life with cats for most of my life and spent part of my professional career working in training, organizational development, and team effectiveness. I became certified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and used it as one of many tools to understand personality differences. Years later, those experiences came together and inspired Purr-sonalities, my exploration of feline purr-sonalities through an MBTI lens.

Rather than keep you guessing, I'm an ENFP. I prefer Extraversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving. Perhaps that partly explains my Purr-sonality journey. I enjoy observing the world around me, connecting ideas and concepts, relying as much on values as logic, and keeping my options open to new possibilities.

Disclaimer

While I am a certified MBTI administrator, I don't claim to be an absolute academic expert. While I am playfully anthropomorphizing my cats, I recognize that feline behavior is influenced by genetics, environment, experiences, and individual temperament. My goal isn't to prove that cats have MBTI types. It's simply to use a familiar personality framework to better appreciate the unique purr-sonalities that make every cat special.

1.      MBTI Explanation

The MBTI is a personality framework based on four pairs of preferences:

• Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I) – Where we direct our energy: Internally or externally

• Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N) –  How we gather information: Through direct observation of what is, or by linking concepts and exploring what could be.

• Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F) – How we make decisions - objective logic or subjective values

• Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P) – How we approach life and structure our activities: Do we prefer control and closure or flexibility and staying open to possibilities?