The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [6]
Kit Jenkins, program manager for PetSmart Charities, has spent more than 20 years studying the behavior of cats and dogs in animal shelters. She has developed a theory of cat face geometry, which is based on the fact that feline faces usually fall into one of three physical shapes: square, round, or triangle. While noting that genetics and life experiences play major roles in how cats think and act, Jenkins contends that personality is also influenced by a cat’s physical shape. Here’s how she describes the various types.
SQUARE. These cats are big and solid with square faces and rectangular bodies. Think Maine Coon. Jenkins dubs them the “retrievers of the cat world.” Eager to please, square cats tend to be affectionate and love to snuggle and give head-butts.
ROUND. These cats sport flat faces, large eyes, circular heads, and rounded bodies. Think Persian or Burmese. These types might be called the “lap dogs” of the feline world. They tend to be low-energy, easily frightened, submissive cats who gently display their affection to trusted family members.
Triangular. These are sleek, long, lanky cats with big ears and faces that narrow at the nose. Think Siamese or Cornish Rex. Jenkins calls them “the herding dogs of the cat world.” Triangle cats are curious, smart, athletic, and chatty, and they thrive in active households.
Jenkins has shared her personality theory with shelter workers, animal trainers, and behaviorists all over North America. Animal behaviorists and veterinarians say her observations serve as another tool in helping people find a cat who meets their lifestyle and personality. Although just a theory, Jenkins’s observations have been supported by her peers; to date, though, nothing has been published in a scientific journal.
When I applied Jenkins’s cat geometry theory to my own feline trio, I gained some insight into their individual ways. I own one of each personality shape — the only thing these three have in common is that all were strays who charmed their way into my heart and my house.
Little Guy is my square-faced feline. At age 19, this brown-striped tabby is Mr. Mellow. He spends his afternoons sleeping on my office desk while I work. He always answers to my whistle and loves to give me a head-to-head greeting.
Callie is my round-faced calico. This 12-year-old craves a quiet, consistent routine. She shyly shows affection by lightly brushing against my leg but darts away from sudden noises and avoids visitors with booming voices.
Murphy is my triangle-faced cat. I can count on this high energy, sable-colored 8-year-old to greet all visitors and supervise all workmen in the house. She chases airborne paper wads, paws at the bubbles in my bath, and loves her daily stroll on her harness and leash.
Math wasn’t my favorite subject in school, but thanks to this body-shape theory, I’ve finally found a way to put geometry to a practical use.
Glow in the Dark Eyes
Q When I walk around my house at night in dimly lit rooms, sometimes I am a bit spooked when I see my cat. Precious is a sweet Siamese, but at night her eyes seem to glow red in the dark, giving off a devilish look. I seem to notice this most after I’ve watched a scary movie on TV. What causes her eyes to glow like this?
A Timing is everything. You are more apt to be a little jumpy after watching a horror movie, but don’t worry about Precious. She is not possessed by the devil. Her large, round pupils are designed to operate far better in low light conditions and in the dark than our eyes are. As hunters who are active at dawn and dusk — the best times to stalk prey — cats can actually see as well in pitch black as we can see in full moonlight.
Holding your cat in your lap, take a look at her eyes some evening under a bright lamp. Notice that