Do you see the same cat that I see? Inter- and intra-observer reliability for Qualitative Behaviour Assessment as temperament indicator in domestic cats

Abstract Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) is used to assess animals’ emotional expressions and its potential for serving as an indicator of temperament has been explored. This method open assessors’ interpretation it therefore necessary evaluate the observers’ reliability different species contexts. We aimed intra- inter-observer QBA cat ( Felis catus ) temperament. The was applied by 19 observers with divergent profiles contact cats (cat owners vs non-owners) experience in behavioural assessment (experienced inexperienced). Forty-two, 12-min videos were assessed, composed footage four tests: unfamiliar person, novel object, conspecific reaction, food offering tests. By using Principal Component Analysis, we found three principal components (PC) that considered main dimensions According Kendall's coefficient concordance, intra-observer high very PC1 (0.80-0.90) moderate PC2 PC3 (0.50-0.82). Inter-observer (0.71) low (0.21-0.29). individual concordances gold observer (defined based on greater QBA) ranged from high. concluded could be a reliable tool temperament, given values reliabilities PC1, which dimension most explains variations cats’ same did not occur PC3, showing varied among observers.