Cats ARE Probably Trying to Work Out How to Kill You

Cats ARE neurotic - and they're probably also trying to work out how to kill you, say researchers 

A study carried out between the University of Edinburgh and Bronx Zoo compared our beloved domestic cat with its wilder relatives.

Compared with the snow leopard, the Scottish wildcat and the African lion, researchers found these larger predators shared similar characteristics of aggression and neurotic behaviour to domestic cats.


Dominance, impulsiveness and neurotic behaviour are the most common trait shared between the domestic cat and the wild cat.

Not to mention serial killers.

The researchers used a testing method known as the 'Big Five' personality test: Openness to Experience, Extraversion/Introversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism.

A total of 100 cats, from two different shelters in Scotland were used in the experiment, whilst the other animals were examined from zoos and animal sanctuaries in the UK and USA.

Shelter cats are neurotic and act like wild animals? Knock me over with a feather!

'They're cute and furry and cuddly, but we need to remember when we have cats as pets, we are inviting little predators into our house,' psychologist Dr. Max Wachtel told 9NEWS.

'For a lot of people, it is worth it. Cats can be fantastic, sweet companions. Until they turn on you.'

Only their size prevents the cat from being able to unleash its full predatory qualities.

I like cats; but they make me sneeze.

Linked above the line at Pirate's Cove in the weekly "Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup" and links. Wombat-socho has "Rule 5 Sunday: The Hearts of Space" up at The Other McCain.