Do you prefer shy or more outgoing cats?

We have 2 litters of kittens at the moment - one is very well socialised and super friendly and outgoing, and the other was from a semi-feral mum, and we have been socialising them.

Initially I loved the more outgoing litter - they would come and sit in your lap, purr so loudly and they are so fun to play with!

But now I prefer the more shy kittens. The outgoing litter are getting into everything and love to cause mischief. I have to completely kitten proof everything so they don't destroy things.

The other litter is quiet, and "polite". They don't destroy things, I don't have to worry about them bolting out the door every time I open it, they still love to play, and are slowly turning into little lovebugs.

Of my girls, Stumpy is a handful and always in trouble, and my shy Lily is a lovely sweet girl who never does anything naughty (she likes to chew the double sided tape that protects the furniture, but that's minor!).

So for me - I think I prefer the sweet, quiet, shy cats. Receiving their love is more rewarding, and they cause less trouble!

Outgoing...UNLESS they were the kind who'd go and say hi to anybody. Mitzi doesn't do that thankfully, she's nice with us but scared of other peeps!

I like both!

The shy ones make you feel special because you know you have a great bond with them and more so than they have with any one else.

I also love outgoing, getting into trouble all the time cats. Quite obvious really from my chosen breed

I voted outgoing!

I have a female Bengal who is into everything. She demands her playtime and follows me everywhere with her feather toy in mouth with the pole dragging behind her. I am surprised she is letting me have computer time right now. She must be tired from her exploits this morning. I woke up to things that were tossed off the bakers rack in the kitchen. I spoke to soon cause here she is....

I have 2 abyssinians one is timid(very loving too) and the other one is really outgoing. Frankie is the outgoing one and he lives for his rides in the truck. The truck has a dead battery right now and man has he been really vocal about not getting his rides.....We took him last night in our old blazer but it isn't the same as the dodge ram. It's been awfully hot and the Dodge has air conditioning. He is so spoiled....

I voted "shy," but I actually like a blend, like Murray is. He is normally pretty laid-back (though he has his moments when he runs around the apt.), and loves to cuddle quietly, and just silently keep me company. But, on the other hand, he's very sociable. He warmly greets any stranger who enters my home. He'd probably even rub up on a burglar!

Simba is a blend, too, but in opposite ways. He loves running around and active play, but he isn't at all social around strangers.

Both have engaging personalities in their own way, but I think I prefer Murray's blend. Simba's mix is better suited to my mom, who has custody of him now anyway, and who has the time and energy to play with him the way he likes.

I like a mixture of both, however, I prefer the outgoing type. Sunny is always all up in my business. If I'm unloading/loading the dishwasher - he wants to be in the dishwasher too. He's in the fridge when I've got it open. On the printer when I'm trying to print somthing. Sitting on the mousepad and mouse when I'm trying to use the computer (he's there now ) I don't even get to go to the bathroom alone. He's like that for the majority of the day and night but he also has his snuggly time (usually between 2:30pm - 5:00pm). Then his dad gets home from work and the REAL action begins. We love him dearly the way he is. Since we don't have any children, we don't mind that he's all over the place. Also, he's not afraid of anyone so he'll let anyone pick him up and cuddle him.

gee, that's a tough one. I have to say that I don't really prefer either, I have a really good mix of both kinds in my crew. I will say that I would never want all outgoing or all shy ones. I would go nuts with all outgoing ones and with all shy ones I wouldn't get enough attention

I've only had outgoing cats and I can't imagine wanting anything else, so that's what I voted. They do make a nuisance of themselves when we have visitors though, especially Radar, he's a bit of a menace.

We seem to seek out the outgoing, cuddly, bratty, into everything cats. I can't imagine anything different.

I actually like both. RIP Brownie was very shy and I think he was a good cat for me to start. Butzie is more outgoing, but still shy around strangers. But she is very vocal when it comes to getting her way with the family members. Also, when we brought her home from the shelter, she made herself right at home.

Well all three of ours are outgoing and LOVE to greet anyone who comes over. They never hide and we almost always have 3 cats and 1 dog in the same room we are.

I don't know what I would do with a shy kitty!

Of my three, Moose, will jump into stranger's arms (sometimes on their head). Rocky and Lucy will bolt for the closet and hide. I prefer the outgoing personality, but certainly love them all!

Since I've been showing cats (mixed and pedigree) a LONG time, I tend to look for cats with outgoing personalities that would do better in the show ring. Whether or not they like showing in the end is immaterial - they will not be forced to show and will still be a friendly cat that stays at home and is loved no matter what.

Let's get specific! Outgoing but not hyper. Outgoing, sweet, friendly but not crazy & super active always on the go More mellow and calm outgoing.

Originally Posted by cococat

Let's get specific! Outgoing but not hyper. Outgoing, sweet, friendly but not crazy & super active always on the go

More mellow and calm outgoing.

Click to expand...

Yep, that's probably more what I mean A nice, sweet cat who doesn't destroy things!

I love my outgoing super friendly kitty. He loves everyone and everyone loves him (unless you're allergic to kitty fur...)

At the same time he's not a ball of energy, which suits me fine.

I have an outgoing boy, and a shy one. They are both very loving in their own ways and to be honest, I love both of their personalities even though there are ups and downs with both personalities I can't say I prefer one over the other

Both of my current cats are both shy and outgoing. And they are very different. One is "shy" in the sense that she sleeps in a cabinet, hides under bedsheets, and high-tails it to anywhere small and hidden when anything unexpected happens. However, she's very willing to become friends with strangers (after they've been over for at least 2 hours); you just have to be willing to pet her. So she's outgoing in that she jumps on laps and shoulders and buts her head against people in order to get pet, but she's shy in that she hides from anything new.

My other cat is "shy" in the sense that she doesn't let anyone but me pet her, and is very suspicious that anything will hurt her. However, she's outgoing in the sense that she doesn't hide from anyone or anything (she struts out in the open while preventing anyone from touching her) and she can be EXTREMELY insistent on getting me to pet her.

So I'm really not sure that I can image a cat that's "shy" or "outgoing" and both in different ways. I said I liked "shy" more because I think of "outgoing" as demanding, and demanding can be bad.

Where's the "both" option? I love both. Scratch is pretty shy although sometimes she will rub up against a guest. Squee is very, very outgoing.. except when strange dogs are around.