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How to Choose the Right Cat
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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 Koret, the Maine Coon 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 or the American 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 the British Shorthair, other British and 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.
The American Bobtail is one of only three breeds in the Cat Fancier's Association's Provisional Class, which is where cat breeds are placed until they show that they are able to stay true to their standards.
If you are thinking of buying an American Wirehair cat, this article looks at the pros and cons of owning one of these wonderful cats...
Thinking of buying a Manx cat? Here's everything you need to know about this wonderful breed...
If you've ever seen a cat breed that looks like it is having a bad hair day, you may have been looking at the La Perm, a breed that is probably closely related to the Rex cat breed.
The grumpy looking face and long coat of the beautiful Persian cat are familiar characteristics to most cat lovers.
If you are a fan of the beautiful longhair Persian cat, but are concerned about being able to keep your cat's coat from matting, you may want to consider the Exotic.
If you've always wanted to own a wild cat, you may want to take a close look at the Egyptian Mau.
Although the Japanese Bobtail is a breed that goes back several centuries, this breed is still incredibly rare. If you are fortunate enough to find one of these beautiful cats, you will have a wonderful pet.
If you've always wanted a monkey, then you may just want to take a look at the charming Devon Rex cat breed.
If you love the temperament of the American Burmese, but don't care for the breed's exaggeratedly round head, then you may want to take a close look at the European Burmese
If you ever felt the need to take a second look to be sure the animal in front of you was actually a cat, then you've probably already seen a Cornish Rex
Thinking of buying a Colorpoint Shorthair cat? Do you normally suffer from allergies when you are near cats and this has kept you from owning one? This might just be the perfect cat breed for you...
Do you want a cat that is considered to be a sacred animal? Many people think that the beautiful Birman breed originated from cats that guarded the Burman temples.
If you are looking for a cat breed that is as wonderful as a good French wine, you may want to consider the Chartreux
When a cat breed has a name like Havana Brown, it can only come in one color, right? Well, actually, the active Havana Brown comes in a rich Chocolate color or an attractive Lilac color.
If you love the beautiful, graceful Balinese, but you would prefer to own this cat in different colors, then the Javanese may be the ideal cat for you.
If you've always wanted to own one of the dangerous and powerful big cats, but don't want to risk endangering your life, you may want to consider a domestic cat that looks like the deadly black panther, the Bombay.
Have you always been an admirer of the beautiful and dangerous leopards and ocelots? While these spotted big cats can be lethal pets, there is a domesticated cat with the same exotic appearance, the Ocicat.
Do you love the temperament of the Siamese cat breed, but wish you could find a cat with a very different coat color? If so, the exuberantly affectionate Oriental is the perfect breed for you.
If you are looking for a cat breed that won't mind if your children decide they want to play dress up, you may want to take a look at the Ragamuffin cat breed.
If you are concerned that a cat could ruin your furniture or make too many messes in your home, then you may want to consider the cat breed that many cat fanciers consider to be the most house friendly, the Russian Blue.
For people who like cats with a unique appearance, the Selkirk Rex is definitely a good choice.
It is no surprise that any cat that was created in the bitter cold temperatures of Siberia has a thick, long coat that helps protect it from the weather. The Siberian cat breed is a large cat, weighing up to twenty pounds, with an insulating coat of slightly oily hair.
Out of the many cat breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association, the Singapura is probably the breed with the strongest will to survive.
If you are looking for a rare, distinctive looking longhair cat, then you may want to take a close look at the Turkish Van.
Other
Considerations For Choosing
The Right Cat Breed...
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 (for both of you).
Also, your cat will probably have to be sedated before he can be shaved down, which poses a health risk because he may not wake up from the operation.
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.
To read more about owning cats and kittens, click here to return to the Cat Ownership Tips home page.