Cat Types are crucial for training, compatibility, and understanding.
Once we understand the three different Cat Types, we know how we will get through to our cat in a training situation. We will be able to choose Next Cat to blend with Current Cats, with confidence. If we have challenges ranging from “no room for proper introductions” to “we live with a human who has special needs” we will be able to find a cat who will fit beautifully into our home.
What are cat types?
Last modified on 2011-08-27 13:29:49 GMT. 3 comments. Top.
What do I mean when I talk about cat types?
I have organized general cat tendencies into three main “types” called Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. This was inspired by the classic science fiction novel Brave New World, wherein humans are assigned societal categories at birth. Of course, I’m working with what Nature has laid down in these cats’ genetic pattern.
It has nothing to do with Alpha dogs or other hierarchical ranking schemas. It is a way of expressing how each cat interacts with their environment.
In turn, this will inform us of our best strategies for choosing, raising, and training them. Because we need very different approaches for the different types.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
When we got Tristan at the age of 3 weeks, he had the generic stubby legs, short neck, and ears on the side of his head that most kittens have at that age. But by 3 months, everything had elongated, and his behavior made it clear than he was an Alpha. When picking out RJ (4 1/2 months) and Olwyn (3 months) I easily figured out they were Betas.
So, except when cats are very young, or exhibiting uncharacteristic behaviors because of stress, we can figure out what kind of cat we are looking at; and what they will need.
It’s important to understand how each cat regards their environment:
Alpha: These are cats who feel confident about changing their own environment.
Training them consists mainly of outwitting them. These are the cats who have to have everything be “their own idea.”
With their boundless reservoirs of brains and energy, we need to keep an Alpha cat busy and amused.
Beta: These are cats who feel confident about getting us to change the environment.
Training them consists of fostering communication and negotiation. Beta cats are glad to cooperate, once they know what it is we want.
With their strong social skills and eagerness for companionship, we need to make sure our Betas are never lonely.
Gamma: These are cats who don’t know the environment can be changed.
Training them consists of anticipating their needs and letting them know how much we care. These cats hate to be a bother.
The Gamma’s retiring nature will bloom under dedicated fussing, and they must never be neglected.
Knowing the cat types are crucial for choosing and blending cats.
Explore the characteristics, observe our own cats for clues, and soon we can starting building our own Cat Civilization.
One defined block at a time.
Explore how to recognize, train, and combine the different types with all my posts about cat types.
See the different cat types with my Way of Cats video on YouTube.
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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.
Know the Types: the Alpha
Last modified on 2012-04-08 12:18:09 GMT. 10 comments. Top.
Alpha cats are the mad scientists of the cat world.
They want to manipulate their environment to suit them. Their lack of thumbs is the only factor keeping them from World Domination. That, and those naps.
Photo from the Pendotech site, Mad Scientist division.
Alphas are marvelous cats, but they are not for everyone. As kittens, they are the reason china cabinets have doors and kitchen cabinets have baby locks. If something can be opened, unfastened, switched, rearranged, or button pressed, it was an Alpha who did it. Their boundless curiosity and free running intelligence is fastened on their reason for being; experimentation. If a thing does interesting stuff when dumped in the water dish, it will be dumped in the water dish.
Alphas would prefer opening their own cans and getting their own water. Since their robot is not quite built yet, they will allow us to make arrangements, but expect an Alpha to add their own customization touches. If they are hungry and we are doing something interesting in another room, they will take a mouthful of food into the room where we are and eat it there. Alphas have been known to use their behind as a pushing tool to move the litter box to a better spot. Alphas know we are here to cater to their whims, or why did we sign up? When we do cater to their whims, they melt all over us with affection. You understand! You think they are great! Well, you are great too!
Like everything else in the environment, we are a promising subject for Alpha experimentation. Alphas are the most likely to train us in ways we didn’t expect. Suppose they are locked in the bedroom with us at night and they want to get out. If other attempts to rouse us are not developing as expected, they will, soon or later, walk on our head. Exasperated, we get up and evict them from the bedroom. Congratulations! Our Alpha has now trained us to open the door when they walk on our head. We need to be able to see these things coming.
The most likely ways Alphas will catch our attention will be doing something that got praise, or laughter, from us in the past. They love the spotlight. They not only like to be with us while we are doing things, they will do their best to do those things too. If we don’t want our Alpha playing with our art set or adding their own ideas to our embroidery, we will have to provide our Alpha with a reasonable facsimile of our own hobby, so the two of us can do the same things, side by side. Few things thrill an Alpha more.
Alphas can more than handle busy households, and most other animals. The biggest problems with Alphas and other living creatures are their tendency to take over any social hierarchies. Timid cats will be terrorized with attention, mild-mannered dogs will start saluting when they walk by, and soft-hearted humans will do their bidding. Anyone without the ability to give and take with an Alpha will need social support to hold their own.
When it comes to toys, the more complicated, the better. They love having cat-safe versions of your favorite toys, and are the challenging target for the makers of puzzle boxes, treat cubes, and remote controlled mice. Pick up busy boxes and other interactive toys for toddlers at garage sales to keep them occupied. Because if we don’t come up with something, they will.
More than any other cat type, Alphas need to be disciplined with persuasion. They want to please us, but when something interesting moves across their sensitive radar, they forget. Sometimes the only persuasion that works are cat traps; motion sensors that spritz water or make loud noises, putting open catalogs over bookcase edges, or leaving tippy boxes full of empty soda cans in forbidden areas are often the only persuaders Alphas understand. They have to make their own mistakes, and take their own consequences. Deciding to leave certain things alone must be their own idea.
Some breeds noted for their Alpha tendencies are Abyssinian, Siamese, Rex cats, and other “Oriental” breeds. Their mixes are easily spotted because of their long legs and lean bodies. Devoted acrobats, they retain their kitten playfulness and energy most of their lives.
But any cat can be an Alpha. In kittens, look for a laser like gaze that seems to be constantly computing angles and trajectories, and a stubborn insistence on reaching what they focus on. In shelters, Alphas can look droopy and depressed, because their need for stimulation is so thwarted in this situation. Make some faces at them. If they show interest, they are still open to overtures.
Ask the shelter folks for “really smart, kind of nutty, has to have toys” and soon you’ll be the Igor in your home laboratory.
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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.
Alpha: the monkey cat
Last modified on 2011-12-13 13:47:16 GMT. 4 comments. Top.
One easy way to convey a sense of “cat types” is by comparison with another animal. As someone who has had both as a pet, I can say that the Alpha is the monkey cat.
They combine ceaseless curiosity with an ease about manipulating our mutual environment.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
The key to happy Alphas is enough. If we can provide enough attention, play, and diversion for our Alphas, they will be amusing and delightful comrades.
There are considerable advantages to Alphas:
Forever kittens. If we worry about “not enough play” and “they grow up too soon” we must consider an Alpha.
Endless fun. The status won’t be quo for long with an Alpha investigating.
Friendly and approachable. Guests love the Alpha, and the Alpha loves them back. While not as available for stranger-petting as a Beta, they are the most likely cat type to appear and do interesting things for the guests to enjoy. This line started as “temple cats” and continue in many countries to this day.
Demanding. We never wonder where we stand when an Alpha loves us; and loves us some more. Alphas have deep roots in Determination and Confidence, but this can backfire on us if we don’t handle it correctly.
This is why I think of them as the “monkey cat,” since they are so bright and dextrous. Delightfully mischievous and deliberately stubborn, they require more managing than other cat types.
That’s why there are cautions regarding Alphas:
Demanding. Alphas want what they want very much and they’d like it now. This works better for some things than others.
Wearing them out. We absolutely must wear them out. Again. This driving energy is lively and amusing, but must be channelled properly for the health of all concerned.
Keeping them amused. They like to watch what we are doing very closely. They want to press buttons themselves; and do. They like to take things apart.
We have to keep them busy and interested and satisfied.
Look for these breeds & breed characteristics:
Alphas are long and lean, with long noses, large oval ears, and pointy paws. Verbal and intense about whatever interests them. They come from hotter climates and are the most active cat type. They are the “mad scientists” of the Cat world.
Siamese is the core Alpha heritage, and all Oriental types express these traits.
Read more about the Alpha cat type.
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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.
Know the Types: the Beta
Last modified on 2011-12-11 12:35:55 GMT. 11 comments. Top.
Having a Beta cat is like having a Dr. Watson to our Sherlock Holmes. They are boon companions, best buddies, and always interested and admiring of our efforts on their behalf.
Beta cats see us as the way to get their environment the way they want it. So they are great talkers, or if not, big on the “Lassie Move” where they catch our attention and try to get us to follow them to the object of interest.
They want to please us, so a few corrections is usually all it takes for them to leave things alone, but they have a lot of energy and playfulness, especially as kittens, so it’s best to put Grandma’s hand blown vase somewhere safe until they grow up.
Betas will come when called, sit on your lap when invited, and have been known to fetch. They are the cat type most likely to be praised as, “My cat is like a dog!” But of course, they are cats, and obedience still has the caveat of, “Is there a good reason for me to do this right now?” The Beta’s favorite toys tend to be prey facsimiles, such as fuzzy mice and small stuffed animals, but they are also fond of any toy that scuttles, bounces, or otherwise acts like something worth stalking.
Betas love companionship, whether it be respectful dogs or properly coached children. They are the most likely cat to meet strangers, especially if the guests are sensible enough to admire them. If our business needs a “greeter cat,” look for a Beta. This outgoing quality makes them especially easy to care for, because if the food dish is getting low or the litter box isn’t being kept up, we will know about it right away. Always be swift to correct problems, and Betas will shower us with love and attention in return.
Encourage our Beta’s communication skills by talking to them often, with a lot of dramatic body language. This will appeal to the ham in them, and even if they don’t understand the words, they will pick up so much of our body language that their comprehension will be the next best thing. So always make a point of telling our Beta if we will be gone overnight, that the store was out of their favorite flavor, or that the cat pillow needs to be washed, but it will be right back. In multiple cat households, Betas will be our translator, able to convey requests and news to the other cats.
Betas are known as “Supervisors.” They love watching us do things. They especially love watching us do things which concerns them, such as litter cleaning, planting kitty grass, or putting the windowsill shelf on the correct window. Betas are the best cat for newbies, because Betas love the chance to train us properly, and are forgiving when we mess up.
Some breeds known for their Beta qualities are the Tonkinese, Manx, Scottish Fold, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cat. The last two breeds are long haired, but “natural,” so need less grooming than other long haired breeds. Which is so Beta of them. Betas tend to have muscular, rectangular bodies and a calm, inquisitive expression.
Any cat can be a Beta. In kittens, look for the thoughtful ones who pause a millisecond before they attack a new toy. They make eye contact easily, and are usually the first in a litter to show interest in people. In the shelter, they are often the ones who rub their faces on the cages or make polite noises to draw your attention. Ask the shelter folk for a friendly, playful cat, and soon you will have your own “Dr. Watson.”
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Beta: the dog cat
Last modified on 2011-12-13 13:45:06 GMT. 10 comments. Top.
One easy way to convey a sense of “cat types” is by comparison with another animal. As someone who has had both as a pet, I can say that the Beta is the dog cat.
They combine great social skills with an ease about asking us to manipulate our mutual environment.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
The key to happy Betas is friendship. If we can provide enough companionship, interactivity, and social possibilities for our Betas, they will be compassionate, highly-invested, community contributors.
There are great advantages to Betas:
Easy going. They are the hardest to unruffle or tip over. But they are the best to notice where improvements can be made, and so do not have their tolerances tested as much as other cat types.
Easily amused. They have the driest sense of humor, and find it more often, than other cat types. Their forgiving nature smooths out grievances, even ones they were not involved in.
Social, social, social. Maybe not the life of the party, but definitely the soul of the house, Betas will work at everyone getting along. Their delight in any other friendly creature is infectious.
This is why I think of them as the “dog cat,” since it is so easy to be friends with them and make them happy. Betas are born with the most innate trust of humans.
Still, there are cautions regarding Betas:
Loneliness. The worst thing you can do is leave them alone; some suffer with more grace than others, but it’s an unnecessary stress on this kind of cat. Since they get along with other cats so well, starting off with two Betas is the best way of covering their needs for interaction.
Right toys. Betas must have the prey cycle in their play. It’s not wearing them out so much as satisfying their need for a daily hunt.
Target for distress. We are so important to our Beta that their efforts to get needs met will target their people. They will need our attention to focus on them at such times until the difficulty is worked out.
They want to be our best buddy.
Look for these breeds & breed characteristics:
Betas tend towards round heads and body type known as “medium,” with neither the long slenderness of Alphas or the stocky big-boned builds of a Gamma. They have prominent facial structures, adaptable personalities, and a high interest in prey behavior.
These are the great mousers and ship cats and sailor companions who spread all over the world because people loved to have them around. And it was mutual.
Shorthair is the core Beta heritage, and can appear in the most unlikely of places.
Read more about the Beta cat type.
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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.
Know the Types: The Gamma
Last modified on 2010-12-02 14:25:01 GMT. 2 comments. Top.
Gamma cats are sweet and mellow. They are somewhat shy, but once their trust is won, they love affection and have winning little ways.
They always have time for you. The challenge of the Gamma is not immediately apparent. You must make time for them.
They are so deferential and unassuming that they will not assert themselves except in an emergency. It’s up to you, as a responsible Gamma owner, to keep tabs on them, making sure the water bowl is fresh, and the food keeps coming.
Gammas hate to make a fuss. When they do, it’s likely to be in very nonverbal ways; leaving the not tasty food untouched or trying to catch your eye with their pleading face.
People who love Gamma types treasure their mint Hummel collection, tend to leave for work and come home at the same times each day, and cherish the good book, the cup of tea, and their cat, somewhere in the vicinity. Gammas can be lap cats, but they will study you for a bit, figuring out the times and places where they know you will plant yourself for a while, before hopping up on your chair or finding a handy hassock. When they want to be out of the way, they find hiding places, and when they want affection, they will appear.
Gammas don’t mind being only cats. You are their companion. When you are away, they will drowse in windowsills, play only with their own toys, and prowl the apartment like little ghosts. They are the most geographically oriented type of cat, feeling secure when they know where everything is, and when those things stay there. A Gamma can be disconcerted momentarily when the couch pillows form a new configuration or their old food bowl breaks and they are presented with a new one. They like to know what to expect at all times, and bond with people who feel the same way. Their favorite toys tend to be the small crinkly balls or fluffy feathered things, but will chase a wand toy gladly when it is offered. They have less need than other cats for new toys, becoming fond of their old ones.
Gammas must be protected in households with dogs or children, and then they can get along. Without proper support, even with other cats, they can feel constantly under siege in these situations, and will misbehave only because of the stress, which they have difficulty communicating. Make sure they have places to unwind and times when they know they can get our attention, and they will be able to cope.
The only times a Gamma will get in trouble is when they find an unsuitable spot for sleeping or they are chasing a toy into a forbidden zone. At such times, a gentle correction and moving themselves or their toy into the right spot is all that is needed. They hate to be a bother.
Gamma kittens can be as playful as any kittens, but will show a tendency to be quiet and relaxed at other times. Even when they do misbehave, a gasp of shock is all that is needed to make them take notice of your distress. Many Gammas are long haired, and need to be groomed often. Acclimating the kitten to a grooming schedule, and following it with treats, is an important part of their raising.
Some breeds known for their Gamma qualities are the Persian, Chantilly-Tiffany, Chartreux, Himalayan, British Shorthair, Ragdoll, and Birman. Mixes with these qualities tend to be long haired and broadheaded, with stocky legs and a compact body. But any cat can have a Gamma personality. Look for them as kittens; they hang back from new toys at first, tend to have a wide-eyed stare at new things, and will usually be found in the corners of cages at the shelter. Ask the shelter folk for quiet, gentle cats, and soon you can have one of these “teddy bear types” for your very own.
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Gamma: the rabbit cat
Last modified on 2011-12-12 13:30:42 GMT. 8 comments. Top.
One easy way to convey a sense of “cat types” is by comparison with another animal. As someone who has had both as a pet, I can say that the Gamma is the rabbit cat.
They combine a sweet and trusting nature with an uncertainty about how to manipulate our mutual environment.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!
The key to happy Gammas is support. If we can provide enough understanding, attention, and adoration for our Gammas, they will be devoted, and delightful, “children.”
There are great advantages to Gammas:
Leaving our stuff alone. They are the best cat for not messing with our things.
They stay kittens longer. Gammas are the most dependent cat types. They also stay mentally dependent for longer. It can seem that Gammas are slow to grasp something, when that’s not true. They have a slower thinking style. They “get it” but don’t want to commit right away.
Very focused on relationship. This is wonderful for us if we can match that level of interest. Gammas need that coming back, too.
This is why I think of them as the “rabbit cat,” since they are so low-key and cuddly. Gentle Gammas are easily provided for, yet require our small attentions more, than other cat types.
Because there are cautions regarding Gammas:
Need maintenance. We cannot rely on them to let us know they are hungry or thirsty or have an upset; not quickly. Gammas prefer to suffer in silence. We can’t let that happen.
Must have routine. Least flexible with environmental stress, especially since they will leave things alone and don’t even have the stress relief of trying to fix it.
Least of the greeters. They will meet friends; not strangers. Getting from one to the other takes some hanging around and being open, but not pushy. Still, anyone who comes by often can be friends with our cat.
If we want a “living doll” these lovely and loving cats are a wonderful experience.
Look for these breeds & breed characteristics:
Look for the short nose, broadset ears, thicker paws, and stocky bone structure that indicates Gamma traits. A wide-eyed expression, a quiet acceptance of the situation, and a close interest in details of their environment can point to Gamma mental traits in any cat. They come from colder climates and are the least active cat type.
Persians, and their combinations, are the core Gamma heritage.
Read more about the Gamma cat type.
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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.
What cat type will best match our personality?
Take my SelectSmart quiz, What Cat Personality Will Be a Good Match?, and find out!
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I like a lot of your articles. This particular one was illuminating. My fiance calls our cat ‘monkey cat’ and I tell people she is like a ‘dog cat’, so after reading your descriptions I think she is somewhere in between an Alpha and Beta personality. I’m going to make my fiance read this!
Thanks for this! I realized from reading it that my cat is a gamma. He’s so quiet, unassuming, gentle, reasonable and shyly affectionate. My husband and I both adore him.
I’ve always called the dog/cat a Dat!
This explains alot! I have a alpha/beta turkish van who is lord and master, loves meeting guests and a beta/gamma norwegian forest cat who loves dogs but doesnt like to cuddle except when im watching tv. both of which follow me around the house (led by turkish van)