One of the most common questions I get asked is, “How did you know your cats would enjoy adventuring?” The quick answer is that I just know my cats really well. I know their personalities inside and out, and I am able to assess who is most likely going to enjoy outdoor adventures. Despite what some people may think, there are a wide range of cat personalities. You have your playful and rambunctious, your timid and shy, your affectionate and snuggly, your curious and inquisitive… I could go on and on.
Just like with people, certain cats are more suited than others for hitting the great outdoors for an exciting adventure. While there is no sure-fire test to determine if your cat will enjoy outdoor adventures, there are some general personality traits that most adventure kitties seem to possess. Of course there are always exceptions, but here are what I would consider to be the “5 Adventure Cat Personality Traits”:
Calm & Confident
A cool and calm personality is a must for any adventure cat. If your cat remains calm despite loud noises, lots of people, and sudden movement going on, he will have an easier time getting acclimated to the outdoor, adventure lifestyle. When you’re outside, especially around other people and animals, there is no way to predict what will happen around you. People may shout, dogs may bark, a plane may fly overhead, you name it. If your cat can’t deal with these things without getting scared and trying to bolt, it will be a stressful experience for both him and you. An easily-spooked cat out on an adventure is a recipe for disaster!
The lack of these two traits is what keeps Delilah, Sampson, and Raddy from joining the KCC Adventure Team. While they are calm and confident at home, they are too easily spooked by loud noises or new situations. While they might could eventually learn to get over their skittishness, I’ve decided that it’s not worth stressing them (or myself) over.
Social
No matter what kind of outings you plan on taking your cat on, you will inevitably run into other people and other animals (mostly dogs). If your cat likes making new friends and goes right up to new people or animals without fear, he will likely do well while out and about. At the very least, adventuring will be a lot easier if your kitty doesn’t get completely spooked when encountering new people or animals.
Sophie is a social butterfly. She LOVES meeting new people and making new animal friends. Kylo Ren, on the other hand, does not get excited about new friends. In fact, he prefers to avoid them all together. As a result, we just take him to quieter places where there won’t be a lot of people or dogs.
Inquisitive
Is your cat into everything? Is he curious and interested in new things? If so, your kitty will enjoy a good adventure! There are so many new sights, smells, and sounds, so if your cat has a curious and inquisitive personality, he will enjoy exploring and getting into everything while out on adventures.
Easily Handled
When you’re out on an adventure with you cat, you can expect that you will need to pick him up at some point – either because you need to avoid a dangerous situation, because he is tired and needs a rest, because you are wanting or needing to travel at a quicker pace or in a different direction, or because he becomes restless or uncooperative for some reason. For this reason, cats that don’t mind being handled, picked up, or even carried are a lot easier to work with when it comes to adventuring.
This has been the biggest obstacle with Caster. He is not easily handled. He doesn’t like to be held, picked up, or petted. It is something we deal with though and do our best to work around. He is still able to enjoy fun adventures despite this!
If your cat doesn’t naturally possess the above mentioned traits, that’s not to say he can’t learn to love traveling and adventuring. (The only member of the KCC Adventure Team who possesses all of these traits is Sophie!) It just means your kitty may not take to adventuring as quickly as a cat who does possess these personality traits. You will just need to work a little bit slower and harder and be more patient. It is my belief that ANY cat can learn to enjoy getting out and about for adventures, even if they’re just small ones.
So… do you think your cat is ready for adventure? Take our quiz to find out! Be sure to let us know your results too! 🙂
I love this! So much great advice. BTW, I passed the quiz with flying colors (as you probably would guess!).
Excellent post, Emily. I suspect that Cooper Murphy might be a good adventure cat, except for the fact that he is too heavy for me to pick up. He took the quiz, and it said he’d be good at it. Astrid sends Sampy her never ending love and bazillions of kisses. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
Me and Crockett would probably be good adventure cats. Angelique is confident at home, but has stress seizures about getting in the car, so we know adventuring are out for her.
Joanie might be ready for adventure. I bet Phoebe would have loved it as she enjoyed walks with her harness.
guyz…mackerull heer two day N eye gotta possible score…..eye guess comin in frum livin on de streetz
waz enuff adventure may bee ?? 🙂 ♥♥
Great advice ! We don’t think we would be great adventure cats like you. Angel Hercule would have been a great adventure cat ! Purrs
I don’t know how you do it. Laid back cats and good temperament. I think that’s a sign of the home your cats live in. Of course, they have to be pre-disposed – but I truly admire the safety and well-being you create in your home.
Pipo scored a possible:)
Minko would have been a failure cause he was always hiding from everything…though he was quit confident and forward when thisngs were quiet and ‘normal’…he even liked the dog.
Toki and Simba, two of the 6 kitties that have been in this family might have been good adventurers…they greeted strangers at the door, had to snoopervise any workers that came to the house, and tried to get outside at all costs, MOL!