While domestic cats are widely regarded as cuddly household members, a team from the University of Edinburgh conducted a new research, which claims that this variety of cats still shares the same personality attributes as their bigger, wilder relatives. According to the study, pet cats share the same killer instincts that predators have.

The study suggests that if the domestic variety cats were larger in physical size they would be as harmful, as dangerous and inflict as fatal a damage as the bigger cats of the wild. 

Comparing the character traits and behaviours of domestic pet cats with the felines of the wild such as lions, the researchers found that similar characteristics related to dominance, impulsiveness and neurosis are present among all the different breeds.  Observation of the snow leopard, the Scottish wildcat and the African lion side by side household cats yielded apparent similarity in aggression and neurotic tendencies.

The study utilised a scale of one to five on the Big Five personality traits among humans to rate the cats. The Big Five traits are openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion/introversion, agreeableness and neurosis.

The researchers, with the help of the Bronx Zoo, also tested the cats on other personality traits such as those related to playfulness.  In this regard the cats displayed a high rating on both playfulness and excitability, a welcome reminder on why cats are among the top favourite household companions among humans.

Psychologist Dr Max Watchel ties the study with this takeaway, "It is good to understand the personality characteristics of our pets. Different cats have different personalities. But as a species, there are a lot of commonalities.

"They're cute and furry and cuddly, but we need to remember when we have cats as pets, we are inviting little predators into our house.

"For a lot of people, it is worth it. Cats can be fantastic, sweet companions. Until they turn on you."