Perfil comportamental do gato doméstico (Felis silvestris catus, Linnaeus, 1758) sem raça definida criado em abrigo : estudo da relação do temperamento com a cor da pelagem

Abstract

Cats have always had an important part to play in human civilization ¾ they were religious, power and magic symbols, and saved humanity from pests. Its adaptability, independence and versatility have placed the cat as the most popular pet in actuality. The study of individuality in animals has raised interest for several reasons ¾ the animal’s well being, the application of its behavioral traits for the benefit of humans, the prediction of behavioral problems in the future, its reproductive success and as a model for the study of the evolution of personality in humans, among others. In aiming to contribute to the welfare of mixed breed domestic cats that live in shelters ¾ by enhancing adoption, reducing abandonment, and minimizing stressful factors and consequent illness ¾, this research work had as its objective to study the relation of coat colour and temperament in mixed breed domestic cats defining its “Temperamental Profile”; as well as to define the “Behavioral Profile” of sheltered mixed breed domestic cats in the context of social relationships with familiar and unfamiliar cats and humans. For this purpose were used, in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco State, 263 cats from 24 shelters, healthy males and females of differing weight, aged 12 months and over, and with coat colour dense black solid (100), bi-colour black and white (130) and dense white solid (33). The temperamental profile of cats regarding the colour of their coat identified the dense black solid colour type of cat as adaptable (96.0%) and obedient (57.1%); the bi-colour blackand white as possessive (11.9%) and more inactive (18.5%) and the dense white as solitaire (56.3%), peacefulless (12.1%), hard adaptable (24.2%) and non possessive (93.1%), when compared among them. The behavioral profile of sheltered cats in social relations with familiar (fp) and unfamiliar (up) humans showed animals that are socials (81.75% fp and 72.62% up), curious (81.15% fp and 81.54% up), that like gaining attention (81.75% fp and 69.20% up) and rubbing themselves against people (81,0%), playful (60.84% fp and 56.87% up), talkative (53.61% fp and 62.85% up), seldom aggressive (97.72% fp and 96.54% up) and secure (85.17% fp and 69.58% up); and in its social relations with familiar (fc) and unfamiliar (uc) cats referred to animals that are socials (92.78% fc and 80.92% uc), curious (84.23% fc and 83.85% uc), that appreciate lying together with other cats (80.61%) and being caressed by them (82.76%), playful (53.99% fc and 42.0% uc), “talkative” (69.11% fc and 72.76% uc), non aggressive 95.44% fc and 88.58% uc) and secure (93.54% fc and 87.64% uc). The results allowed to conclude that the coat colour is related to the temperamental profile of mixed breed domestic cats, with dense black solid coat colour animals more adaptable and obedient, thebi-colour black and white as less active and more possessive, while the dense white solid cats as animals that appreciate being alone, are less peaceful and adaptable and much less possessive, when compared among them; however do not significantly interfere in the social relation of the cat with people and other cats. The behavioural profile of sheltered cats in the social relation with familiar and unfamiliar people refers to animals that are very social, docile and curious, that very much appreciate being caressed, rubbing on people and gaining their attention, like being held on lap and arms, playful, talkative, andseldom insecure; being influenced by the number of people which they keep contact. The behavioural profile of sheltered cats in the social relation with familiar and unfamiliar cats refers to animals that are very social, tame, curious and self-confident, that very much appreciate lying together and being caressed by other cats, playful and little talkative; being influenced by the local where the animals are kept and the number of people which they keep contact.