Genetic predisposition

[adymarie]

Do cats have a predisposition to do things like play fetch, be anti-social or afraid of being touched?


Thanks

 

[elizabeth a.]

Yes, genes do influence behavior, although there's a LOT we still don't know in this area. Lab studies with mice (don't laugh, genetics works much the same way in both species, and no-one has huge cat colony studies for behavior!) have even shown that some color genes also influence behavior traits.
We're just in the early days of understanding the genetics of behavior. For one thing, environment (learning, etc.) has such a huge influence it can really cloud the picture.

 

[jenluckenbach]

. Lab studies .... have even shown that some color genes also influence behavior traits

I believe this!! working with cats and having many cats has shown this to be true. Certain colors are far more likely to display certain traits. (now I know that it is not my imagination) Thank you.