Aries cats: personality, quirks and how to love them

An Aries cat is born between 21 March and 19 April, under the fire sign ruled by Mars, and they live in bursts. An Aries cat goes from a peaceful doze to a full-speed sprint across the house in a heartbeat, pounces on the toy before it lands and greets anything new by walking straight up to it.

Then, just as suddenly, it's over. That's the Aries cat's twist: all the courage and speed of the sign, packed into ten-minute explosions with a long, contented nap on either side.

Aries cat personality

Every Aries cat habit comes with a starting gun.

• The hallway sprint. Out of nowhere, an Aries cat tears from one end of the house to the other, skids round the corner and is gone. Nobody chased them; they just had to go.
• The pounce first. A shadow on the wall, a shoelace, a leaf blowing past the window: an Aries cat attacks it, then works out what it was.
• The front-row inspection. A delivery box arrives and an Aries is inside it before the tape is off, while a more careful cat would still be watching from across the room.
• The cool-down. After every burst, a long, deliberate wash right where everyone can see, as if to say the sprint was entirely planned.

Aries is a cardinal sign, the first of the zodiac. An Aries cat likes to be the one who starts things: the game, the morning, the chase.

Aries cat quirks and habits

Why does my Aries cat attack my feet under the duvet?

Something moved, and an Aries cat doesn't wait for a second look. To a Mars-ruled hunter, a foot shifting under the covers is the most exciting prey of the night, and the pounce is instant.

Why does my Aries cat lose interest in new toys so quickly?

The thrill for an Aries is the first chase. A new toy gets one spectacular attack, a victory lap and then a look of complete indifference. Bring it back out next week and it's new again.

Why does my Aries cat walk straight up to visitors?

Courage is Aries' gift. While other cats watch from under the bed, an Aries marches up to the stranger's shoes, gives them a thorough sniff and decides on the spot whether the visit is approved.

Why does my Aries cat dash through every door I open?

Because the other side of a door is unexplored territory, and an Aries has to be first in. Open a cupboard or the bedroom door and an Aries cat shoots through the gap, takes a quick look round and often shoots straight back out again. Being first was the point.

The tricky bit: zero to sixty

An Aries cat doesn't do gradual. A peaceful lap session ends with a sudden leap off your knees, using them as a launch pad. The game you thought was winding down turns into one last wild ambush. And a shut door is met with a run-up and a determined rattle, because to an Aries, a shut door is just a challenge with a handle. None of it is bad temper: an Aries simply moves from one moment to the next faster than anyone else in the house.

How to make an Aries cat happy

Aries cats need short, exciting games and a chance to win them.

• Play little and often. Three five-minute games a day suit an Aries better than one long one. Stop while they're still keen.
• Give them something to chase. A wand toy that darts round corners, a ball that skitters on a hard floor or a crumpled paper ball tossed down the hall is perfect Aries prey.
• Rotate the toys. Put toys away after a game and bring different ones out next time. To an Aries cat, a toy they haven't seen for a week is brand new.
• Make a racetrack. A clear run down a hallway, or a route from sofa to cat tree to windowsill, gives an Aries somewhere to sprint.
• Let them win. End every game with a proper catch. An Aries cat who finishes on a victory goes off to wash, very pleased with themselves.

Best matches for an Aries cat

Aries cats get on best with the other fire signs, Leo and Sagittarius, who enjoy a lively home and a bit of drama. The air signs Gemini and Aquarius suit them as well, with a steady supply of new games and new things to investigate.

The wild card is a Cancer owner. You'd like a cosy evening with a cat on your lap; an Aries cat would like to ambush the blanket. It takes some give and take, but once an Aries learns that your lap is also a base camp between sprints, it's a lovely pairing. See how Aries pets pair with every owner sign on the Aries compatibility page.

Already have a pet, or thinking about one? An Aries cat gets on best with a housemate who enjoys a chase but doesn't take it personally when the chase ends abruptly.

Aries cats and Aries dogs: two ways to be first

An Aries dog wants to race with you and loves that you're on the same team. An Aries cat races on their own and expects you to watch. One runs to the door to get the walk started; the other runs past the door, round the sofa and up the curtains, then sits down and washes a paw as though none of it happened.