Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Donna Brown on November 26, 2010, 00:37:32 AM

Title: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Donna Brown on November 26, 2010, 00:37:32 AM
Hi all

I hope I've posted this in the right place!  :-:

I'm an Animal Management student and I'm doing several modules this year, including behaviour and animal interaction.  I'd like to do a study on perceptions of cat behaviour, as I'm regularly seeing articles or papers suggesting cats are aloof or not as caring as dogs.  As I have four very loving cats, I don't believe that's true.  Can you help me in my research??  I'd like to use it to compile a paper or perhaps an information booklet on some 'cat myths' to try and help people see them in a new light.

I have put together a survey at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/420425/Cats-character-traits.  It's very quick (only about 5 minutes) and all responses will be treated with confidence.

Thanks for your help!
Donna
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Ellen2010 on November 26, 2010, 04:49:14 AM
Done but never put one bit in the survey as it did not allow for medical reasons such as nerve damage of the sphincter muscle.  Also you assumed that just because someone had cats they did not have dogs as well.
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: blackcat on November 26, 2010, 05:22:12 AM
Hi Donna, I have completed the survey - I do think, however that you should note (for future reference) that saying what result you hope to obtain from the survey can skew the results significantly. Even if people are consciously making an effort not to trend in the direction you want them to go in, they will subconsciously do just that. And yes, acknowledging the relationship between cats and other animals in the household is an important part of understanding their empathy ratings.
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on November 26, 2010, 08:36:20 AM
Done  ;D
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Janeyk on November 26, 2010, 08:57:42 AM
 ;D Completed
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: AllShookUp on November 26, 2010, 09:38:55 AM
done :)  :hug:
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Donna Brown on November 26, 2010, 10:39:09 AM
Hi everyone - thanks for doing the survey.  They are very valid points about the survey make up - this is my first research project involving a questionnaire but I will definitely take those points on board in future!
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Lindsey (thefunkyinuit) on November 26, 2010, 12:24:29 PM
Done!  :Luv: It was hard to think of a negative trait for my kitty as she is the most loving, affectionate cuddlebum in the world!
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Becksies on November 26, 2010, 12:33:59 PM
Done :)
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Jiji on November 26, 2010, 12:56:21 PM
done
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on November 26, 2010, 12:59:03 PM
Done  ;D
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Kucinta on November 26, 2010, 15:43:26 PM
Done!

Couldn't answer negative traits which meant page wouldn't move on, so used 'other' to say none applied.
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: mervyn7451 on November 26, 2010, 18:23:27 PM
Done!!

Merv &  :D: :A: :I: :S: :Y:   :F: :U: :Z: :Z: :L: :E: :B: :U: :G:
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 26, 2010, 18:54:59 PM
done  ;D
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Fire Fox on November 26, 2010, 19:23:04 PM
Done!  :) I noticed you addressed many of the reasons cats might amend their behaviour such as a multicat household, but you might add indoor/ outdoor as an option in future. I've already forgotten but I don't think you asked how many people were in the household? My relationship with Noah (indoor) is far more 'intense' than my relationship with the two (outdoor) cats I adopted during my marriage, so I witness and influence a lot more of Noah's natural behaviour.

Having said all that it's clear Liz knows the entire Clan intimately! :-[
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Donna Brown on November 26, 2010, 19:40:25 PM
Done!  :) I noticed you addressed many of the reasons cats might amend their behaviour such as a multicat household, but you might add indoor/ outdoor as an option in future. I've already forgotten but I don't think you asked how many people were in the household? My relationship with Noah (indoor) is far more 'intense' than my relationship with the two (outdoor) cats I adopted during my marriage, so I witness and influence a lot more of Noah's natural behaviour.

Having said all that it's clear Liz knows the entire Clan intimately! :-[

That is a really good point regarding indoor/outdoor and I think it's quite a vital question.  It's certainly something I'll raise when I look at the results and comment that it should have been included.  There will be a more detailed project next year so hopefully I can build on all the things I'm learning here.  Thanks to you (and everyone!) for doing the survey but also providing really really useful feedback.
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Donna Brown on November 26, 2010, 19:42:00 PM
Done!

Couldn't answer negative traits which meant page wouldn't move on, so used 'other' to say none applied.

Aah thank you for this - I'll see if a 'not applicable' can be added for future survey takers.
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Liz on November 26, 2010, 20:40:10 PM
Can you send me a link to the survey my answers should confuse you as I have indoor/outdoor cats, indoor only and outdoor only and have ones who have mopre negative traits than good points - My feral darling housecats, Ace, Blue and Riley to name but 3

I also have a very large multi household made up of domestic, feral and pedigree cats and their pets our dogs Sky and Sunny :rofl:
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Tiggerman on November 26, 2010, 20:49:23 PM
Done
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Donna Brown on November 26, 2010, 22:24:36 PM
Can you send me a link to the survey my answers should confuse you as I have indoor/outdoor cats, indoor only and outdoor only and have ones who have mopre negative traits than good points - My feral darling housecats, Ace, Blue and Riley to name but 3

I also have a very large multi household made up of domestic, feral and pedigree cats and their pets our dogs Sky and Sunny :rofl:

Hi Liz - it's at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/420425/Cats-character-traits.  At the moment it is quite a basic survey, just trying to identify which cat traits and behaviours people have seen.  On the back of this I'd certainly be looking to do something more detailed to try and examine how it changes for indoor and outdoor cats.  Probably next year with some help from my tutor!

Thanks
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Fire Fox on November 27, 2010, 01:17:37 AM
That is a really good point regarding indoor/outdoor and I think it's quite a vital question.  It's certainly something I'll raise when I look at the results and comment that it should have been included.  There will be a more detailed project next year so hopefully I can build on all the things I'm learning here.  Thanks to you (and everyone!) for doing the survey but also providing really really useful feedback.

Do you mean for your dissertation? If so do raise the issue with your tutor of those who have large numbers of cats (you know who you are, Liz  :hug:) and also those who run rescues or foster regularly or are involved in professional breeding, as you will get some great results if you can find a way to cater to their responses.  ;D  It could form a really interesting part of your discussion; some of these guys have hundreds of years experience crammed into a few decades. You may end up having to combine quantitative with qualitative research which is a headache to analyse!  :doh:
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Ellen2010 on November 27, 2010, 09:22:17 AM
Firefox it is called a Project not a dissertation on Animal Management I did about how to handle feral and badly abused animals eg emacicated and how to care for them.
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Liz on November 27, 2010, 14:55:13 PM
Also just to add we have indoor/outdoor kids, indoor only kids and outdoor only kids something to think of as some of my ferals live outside and never come in
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 28, 2010, 12:41:36 PM
Done, including Busters naughty habits
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Elanor3 on November 28, 2010, 13:18:11 PM
done  ;D
Title: Re: Cat behaviour survey
Post by: Donna Brown on December 03, 2010, 22:00:21 PM
Thanks - sorry not been on sooner - 'snow' busy, as I'm sure everyone is!  Cats are using it as an excuse to sleep (and be naughty)