Most cat guardians will adopt a cat based on her personality, but some also have a distinct preference for a particular coat color or pattern. But is there a link between coat color and personality? After all, both are controlled by genetics, so it wouldn’t be much of a leap to believe that there is a connection.
In a recent study, researchers from California State University and the New College of Florida surveyed nearly 200 people. Study participants were asked to associate 10 personality terms (active, aloof, bold, calm, friendly, intolerant, shy, stubborn, tolerant and trainable) with five cat colors–orange, tri-colored (tortoiseshells and calico cats), white, black and bi-colored (white and anything else). While story respondents said they placed more emphasis on personality than coat color, there appears to be some evidence that the two are linked, at least in the cat guardian’s perception.Continue Reading