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Choosing A Cat Breed
There are so many cat breeds. How
can you decide which breed is right for you and your family?
Follow this handy guide to select the perfect cat breed.
The first thing you should consider is whether you will be able to
handle having a vocal cat. Some cat breeds can actually be quite
noisy. While many cat owners do not have a problem with these vocal
breeds, as they realize their cats are just communicating with them, a
loud cat can be a problem in an apartment situation. Breeds that are
very vocal are the Siamese Cat, the Korat, and the Burmese. The Scottish
Fold, Somali, and the American Curl are considered to be very quiet cat
breeds.
Next, you will want to think about whether you want a cat who is
cuddly or if a more aloof breed is right for you. If you do not
have a lot of free time, a cuddly cat who loves attention may be the
wrong choice. However, affectionate cats are usually better with
children than more reserved breeds. Some of the friendliest cat breeds
are the Snowshoe, Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Tonkinese, and the
Himalayan Persian. Less sociable breeds are the Norwegian Forest Cat,
the Nebelung, and the Russian Shorthair.
If you are looking for a cat who can amuse himself and will not
get into constant mischief, then the Sphynx, Siamese, Rex, Balinese, and
British Angora breeds may be a bad choice. These cats are very
inquisitive and energetic. However, for someone who is homebound or has
a lot of free time, these cats are a wonderful source of entertainment.
In fact, the Rex is downright silly in his attempts to amuse those
around him.
Of course, while you are looking at what cat breed to shop for,
don't get so caught up in selecting the right temperament that you
overlook other important features. One of the most important things to
consider when you are looking for the right cat is whether you
want a long haired or short haired breed. People who don't have a
lot of time to devote to a pet may want to opt for a short haired
breed. Although that fuzzy ball of fluff may look adorable right
now, grooming adult long haired cats can take up quite a lot of time. If
you neglect your cat's coat, it can tangle and matt up at an alarmingly
fast rate, right down to his skin. Once this happens, your only option
is to have him shaved completely, which can be quite traumatic. Also,
your cat will probably have to be sedated before he can be shaved down,
which poses a health risk.
Once you consider all of the different features and traits for the cat
breeds you are interested in, you will finally be ready to start
searching for your new pet. Now, you will need to decide whether you
want a kitten or if you would prefer to give an abandoned older cat
a second chance. If you are looking for a certain breed of kitten, check
out your local cat show, since most exhibitors have a few kittens
for sale. If an older cat is right for you, give your local
humane society or animal rescue a call.
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