What's the noun for an animal's personality?

Question

When you describe a cat or dog's personality, what's the noun for it? "My cat has this personality of ..." just sounds wrong.

This will likely depend on what the ellipsis represents. Can you provide one or two specific examples of what you want to communicate?
@ChrisSchiffhauer, I won't be able to provide an example. Out of nowhere I had this thought today.

JLG · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-14 20:09:17Z

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Veterinary behaviorists would call this temperament.

Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 2nd edition, defines it as:

the peculiar behavioral character and mental cast of an animal.

answered Dec 14 '12 at 20:09

JLG
14.8k11242

This is the correct answer. – Mechanical snail Dec 15 '12 at 8:26

David Smith · Answer 2 · 2012-12-14 19:33:59Z

up vote 3 down vote

answered Dec 14 '12 at 19:33

David Smith
3184

Charles · Answer 3 · 2012-12-14 19:32:08Z

up vote 2 down vote

"Personality" is the right word. Also, they can be personable, and you can impersonate animals too.

answered Dec 14 '12 at 19:32

Charles
1,414415

3 Answers