The research team looked at fifty-five adult cats to investigate if their personality at home would align with their reaction to stress when temporarily housed somewhere unfamiliar.

Using questionnaires, the researchers first collected information on cat personality traits from the cats’ guardians. This information helped them to categorize the cats into two different personality clusters. Cats in the ‘proactive’ personality cluster were rated as active, independent, curious, and social. Cats that were classed as ‘reactive’ on the other hand were calmer and shyer.