Are our pets’ personalities programmed at birth?

Are animal personalities programmed at birth? Or does the environment they’re brought up in dictate how they behave? In reality, both nature and nurture have a large part to play in how our pets behave.

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Are all Labradors obsessed with food? Or do all British Shorthairs love to play? Find out everything you need to know about whether nature or nurture has a greater influence on animal behaviour.

Dogs

Over centuries, specific dog breeds have been bred to have certain traits. For example, Border Collies were bred to herd sheep, Labradors were bred to help fishermen bring in their catch and Rottweilers were bred to herd and guard cattle. These traits also impact their personality to a degree.

Petplan expert and dog behaviourist, Nick Jones, says: ‘While many of these breeds have been taken away from their intended purpose and owned more as ‘pet dogs’ rather than ‘working dogs’, the breed traits for many dogs remain in place. These traits or drives either need to be managed or directed in a constructive way, so that the dog can still enjoy the various skills that they inherently have and have an outlet for them so as to avoid frustration.’

Sometimes, owners choose a dog based on how they look, rather than what they were bred to do. But each breed’s instinct remains strong, so we shouldn't be surprised when a Labrador leaps into a puddle, or a Collie that’s never seen sheep starts to try and herd them up.

Training from a young age has a big impact on your dog’s behaviour. But when choosing a dog, it’s unfair to expect them to curb their instincts entirely. That’s why it’s so important to choose a breed that’s suitable for your particular lifestyle. ‘Matching the chosen breed to your level of experience, activity levels and ability to manage the expected traits are key considerations when choosing a new dog,’ explains Nick. ‘While we can often manage a dog’s inherent traits, you can still expect to see the dog’s character and breed type to shine through. For example, imagine the evident difference experienced between a terrier and a herding breed.’

Cats

Cat owners know that most cats are extremely sensitive to their environment. Nicky Trevorrow, cat behaviourist at Cats Protection, mentions that cat owners need to be mindful of this, and adapt accordingly. ‘It’s important to recognise when your cat is feeling anxious or unhappy, and know how to react,’ she says.

For example, if your cat isn’t drinking enough water, it might be because you’ve put their water next to their food bowl. ‘They’ve inherited this trait from their African wildcat ancestors,’ explains Nicky. ‘In the wild, cats don’t want to contaminate their water supply with their prey.’

While some behaviours are purely instinctual, cats can also be trained to change their behaviour. From teaching them not to jump on counters, to learning tricks like high-five, cats often enjoy the mental stimulation of training sessions.

Rabbits

There hasn’t been much research into rabbit personalities – but most rabbit owners would say that their bunnies definitely have plenty of character! Rabbits are intelligent, sociable and curious, but the fact they’re a prey species also impacts their behaviour.

Rabbits often don’t like being picked up, so it’s important to interact with them at ground level, before training them to be handled. 

Your rabbit’s breed can also affect how they behave. Rabbit breeds like the Lop varieties, can have poor hearing due to their long, floppy ears. This can mean they startle more easily than other breeds, so it’s important to let them know you’re approaching.

The connection between people and pets

When choosing a pet, were you drawn to dogs? Or convinced cats were the right choice? Research shows that self-confessed ‘dog people’ tend to be extroverted and agreeable, while ‘cat people’ say they’re curious, creative and anxious.

Do pets take on the personality of their owners? There’s some evidence to suggest this does happen, with the effects increasing the longer you’ve had your pet. 

The impact of neutering

Neutering can also affect your pet’s behaviour, in addition to offering health benefits. ‘Castrating a male cat can reduce roaming tendencies and inter-cat aggression,’ explains Nicky. ‘It can also prevent the spread of some infectious diseases. Although it may not be a natural thing to do, it’s a delicate balance between promoting natural behaviour and helping an animal adapt in a human world,’ she adds.

When considering dog behaviour, Nick says: ‘Neutering is one of the many things we can do to keep our pets safe and comfortable in a busy human world. Managing your pet’s hormonal status and reproductive ability is a key part to maintaining a healthy pet and avoiding unwanted breeding.’

Nature vs nurture: the verdict

The big question is: does nature or nurture have a greater influence on behaviour? The truth is, you can’t have one without the other.

But for all pets – socialisation and training also have a huge role to play. So while it makes sense to choose a breed of dog, cat, or rabbit depending on your personality and lifestyle, it’s also crucial to spend the time making sure they’re well socialised and trained.

Because genetics and the environment combine to impact your pet’s personality, it’s best to focus on the emotions driving your pet's behaviour to discover what’s causing them. If you need expert help, it’s best to speak to a qualified behaviourist for tailored advice. If your pet develops a behavioural illness and your vet refers them to see a behaviourist, Petplan can cover the costs under the vet bills benefit (terms and conditions apply).