Making the decision to add a cat to your family was the easy part. Now, you must decide which breed is the best fit for you and your family and with so many varieties to choose from, it will take a little time and research.
The first thing you must consider is where you live. Apartment buildings, condos and town homes tend to have paper thin walls, so you must decide if you want a quiet cat or if you wouldn’t mind a chatterbox to keep you company. There are a few cat breeds that are known for being quite boisterous vocally. These breeds include the Siamese, Korat and the Burmese. If a quiet cat is more to your liking, you may want to consider the Scottish Fold, Somali, and the American Curl
The second important issue to consider is whether you want a warm, friendly cuddle cat or a more unassuming, reserved personality. Anyone having a lot of free time is sure to enjoy the affection and companionship of a warm hearted smuggler. Friendly cats also work well with homes that have children, where a reserved cat will tend to be temperamental. Breeds that are known for being quite friendly include the Snowshoe, Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Tonkinese, and the Himalayan Persian. Breeds that fall into the category of less sociable include the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Nebelung, and the Russian Shorthair.
If your preference is for a cat breed that can spend time amusing himself without getting into trouble, there are several breeds known for being extremely curious and active which would definitely not be the right choice. The most mischievous breeds of cat are the Sphynx, Siamese, Rex, Balinese, and British Angora. While these particular breeds are constantly on the move looking for new exciting adventures, they would make a great pet for someone who is home on a constant basis. The Rex, in fact is well known for its need to entertain its owner with its comical antics.
It is very important to remember that when shopping for a cat breed, that you don’t concentrate only on the temperament, but also whether you want a longhair or a shorthair. For people who don’t have much time to spend grooming, the shorthair is the perfect choice. These breeds require a brushing maybe once or twice a week to keep their coats smooth and shiny.
Longhaired breeds on the other hand, require a dedicated owner that can devote quite a lot of time to grooming. If not groomed properly, the hair of a longhaired breed can become gnarled and matted. Sometimes, it can even reach as far as the skin. The only answer when the hair has become this bad is to have your cat completely shaved. The problem with this solution is that your cat can be traumatized by the experience as well as the fact that anesthesia must be used and this can create certain severe health risks.
After considering all the options and traits each breed offers, you must then decide if you wish to have a kitten or an older cat. The best place to look for a kitten of a particular breed is to attend cat shows. Breeders most often will bring along a few kittens for sale. If you can not find the breed or specifics you are looking for, often time’s breeders will be able to offer further information or add you to their waiting list. If you wish to add an older cat to your family, your local humane society or animal rescue is a great place to search.
Whether you want a pure breed or are just looking for a furry companion, a little time and research will help you get the pet of your dreams.
The first thing you must consider is where you live. Apartment buildings, condos and town homes tend to have paper thin walls, so you must decide if you want a quiet cat or if you wouldn’t mind a chatterbox to keep you company. There are a few cat breeds that are known for being quite boisterous vocally. These breeds include the Siamese, Korat and the Burmese. If a quiet cat is more to your liking, you may want to consider the Scottish Fold, Somali, and the American Curl
The second important issue to consider is whether you want a warm, friendly cuddle cat or a more unassuming, reserved personality. Anyone having a lot of free time is sure to enjoy the affection and companionship of a warm hearted smuggler. Friendly cats also work well with homes that have children, where a reserved cat will tend to be temperamental. Breeds that are known for being quite friendly include the Snowshoe, Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Tonkinese, and the Himalayan Persian. Breeds that fall into the category of less sociable include the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Nebelung, and the Russian Shorthair.
If your preference is for a cat breed that can spend time amusing himself without getting into trouble, there are several breeds known for being extremely curious and active which would definitely not be the right choice. The most mischievous breeds of cat are the Sphynx, Siamese, Rex, Balinese, and British Angora. While these particular breeds are constantly on the move looking for new exciting adventures, they would make a great pet for someone who is home on a constant basis. The Rex, in fact is well known for its need to entertain its owner with its comical antics.
It is very important to remember that when shopping for a cat breed, that you don’t concentrate only on the temperament, but also whether you want a longhair or a shorthair. For people who don’t have much time to spend grooming, the shorthair is the perfect choice. These breeds require a brushing maybe once or twice a week to keep their coats smooth and shiny.
Longhaired breeds on the other hand, require a dedicated owner that can devote quite a lot of time to grooming. If not groomed properly, the hair of a longhaired breed can become gnarled and matted. Sometimes, it can even reach as far as the skin. The only answer when the hair has become this bad is to have your cat completely shaved. The problem with this solution is that your cat can be traumatized by the experience as well as the fact that anesthesia must be used and this can create certain severe health risks.
After considering all the options and traits each breed offers, you must then decide if you wish to have a kitten or an older cat. The best place to look for a kitten of a particular breed is to attend cat shows. Breeders most often will bring along a few kittens for sale. If you can not find the breed or specifics you are looking for, often time’s breeders will be able to offer further information or add you to their waiting list. If you wish to add an older cat to your family, your local humane society or animal rescue is a great place to search.
Whether you want a pure breed or are just looking for a furry companion, a little time and research will help you get the pet of your dreams.
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