Choosing A Cat
How do I choose between a kitten and an adult cat?
You're deciding whether to get a kitten and have that wonderful, frisky fur being bouncing all around your house or to get an older cat. You have to ask yourself, what is your lifestyle really all about, you have to do a little self-assessment. Are you a type of person that has the time and energy and willingness to handle a kitten, that crazy first year of a cat's life where they're zooming at night, where they're nipping at your toes, where everything is a toy, including your fingers. The benefit of a kitten though, kittens make you laugh, kittens have lots of energy, you can start from day one developing a wonderful bond with that cat and you can help shape that cat's personality. On the other hand, if you're a calmer person or really don't have the patience to deal with a kitten's antics, then maybe an older cat is for you, and the advantage of an older cat is that you're able to be able to know that older cat's personality right from the start if you get it from a shelter or a foster home or a rescue group, so you already know what that older cat's all about. Secondly though, you also need to know what that older cat's health is like too. Older cats will probably require more medical attention. So those are some of the factors to consider if you're thinking kitten or cat.
What is the best age to get a kitten?
The best age for you to get a kitten is at least 10 weeks of age. You get all excited, let's say you picked the cat and the kitten you like from a litter and you want to take her home at six weeks of age or eight weeks. Really, you can do more of a good service for that kitten by letting her stay with her littermates and her momma. This is because between the ages of actually six and 10 weeks is a very, very important part of a cat's learning. This is where the cat learns a little bit about socialization, they learn about bite inhibition. They learn good kitty manners from their littermates and their momma cat. I always advise people: practice patience. It's much better to wait an extra week or two and get a cat that really has good savvy cat skills, than to be impatient and find yourself having to cope with a lot of kitty misdeeds.
What are the differences between male and female cats?
Speaking in general terms, the difference between male and female cats is that male cats tend to want to roam and tend to get in fights a bit more. That's why I would always encourage you to please neuter your cat. That makes them less apt to fight. Female cats tend to be a bit more independent and can be a little aloof, but they're less apt to roam. But that all said, if you're getting a kitten, no matter if it's a male or a female, you have a perfect opportunity to really shape that cat's personality and temperament with positive reinforcement and many environment enrichments. By that I mean playing with your cat in a purposeful way. You can play a big part in shaping your cat's personality no matter if they're male or female or how they differ to a cat of the opposite sex.
What are the pros and cons of a purebred cat?
If you're considering a purebred cat, you're in luck; there are lots to choose from. The nice thing about choosing a purebred cat is that you know a lot about that cat's breed history. There are major cat registries out there that give you all kinds of information about the personality, the health concerns, their temperaments and things like that. The other thing is that you tend to work with a reputable breeder who's your go-to person when you have any kind of question. Reputable breeders will guarantee that if you're not happy with this cat or kitten, they take the cat or kitten back. This is very important; it gives you peace of mind. If it's not a good match, that's OK, but at least you know that the cat is not going to just be discarded. You can also find a cat that really matches your lifestyle, based on whether you want a wild, interactive cat like a Siamese, or a mellow, love to give you a soft kiss Persian.
What are the pros and cons of a domestic or non-purebred cat?
There are many pros and cons if you are thinking about getting what we commonly call a mixed breed cat, the mutt cats of the world. They are actually technically called random bred cats if you want to impress your friends and family with that new term. There are many benefits of having a random bred cat if you will. Because they aren't a purebred, they are less prone to certain genetically predisposed health conditions. For example, Persians have a tendency of kidney problems and if you get a Persian mix, you might have less of a problem with that issue. The other things with a domesticated cat is that often they come from the street or from shelters. Here is your chance to really be a hero and save a life and they will be very grateful for that too. So you can do a good thing by getting a domestic cat. Some of the downside is, their past is a mystery. You don't know where they are at risk for any kind of health conditions and things like that. You don't know what they acted like as a kitten. So, if you are willing to take that chance and be able to just focus on the here and now and shape a good future, then maybe a domesticated, random bred, mixed cat, whatever you want to call it, is for you.
How many different breeds of cats are there?
When you compare cats to dogs, there are far fewer cat breeds than dogs. But, that said, pinpointing the exact number is one of big debate. Let me give you an example. The world's largest cat registry called Cat Fancier Association. They recognize 41 cat breeds. By contrast, the International Cat Association, also known as TICA, actually recognizes over 70. So if you're a bengal cat, you are embraced and welcomed at shows at TICA, but if you show up at a they're going to tell you, "sorry bengal, no bengals allowed."
How do I know which breed of cat is right for me?
If you're thinking about getting a purebred cat, and you're wondering "Which one is right for me?" here's what I advise. Go to some cat shows in your area. They have all the different cat breeds there. And talk to those that are doing the shows. Talk to the judges, talk to the cat owners. Ask them "Please, be candid with me. Give me the top three good and bad tips, if you will, about this certain breed." And let them know the reason you are doing your homework is because you plan to have this cat in a loving home for its entire life. And when you say it that way, they're going to be more open to help you out. Secondly, I would advise you to talk to some cat behaviorists. They can give you the lowdown on certain temperaments. And just as we say that, there's always a super active maine coon, and a very mellow siamese: exceptions to the rule with these breeds. So you need to factor that in. Go to legitimate, reputable websites: The American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Winn Feline Foundation. They have experts that really, really study the different cat breeds, and you can get accurate information from them.
What were different cat breed groups bred to do?
Just like dogs, some cat breeds were created to have different jobs or different duties, if you will, for their feline lives. To give you an example, Siamese cats, years and centuries ago were bred to sort of be protectors. They stood on high, watched what was coming in and out of the castles and they could leap. The Turkish Van will put most Labradors to shame when it comes to swimming. They're a kind of a cat that takes to water so well that you might want to shut your shower door if you're going to take a shower and you have a Turkish Van. On the other hand, there were some cats, like the Persians, that were bred for little cuddles and lap cats, with their job just to sit there, warm your lap, purr and be sweet and demure. So it's fun to investigate the histories of all the different cat breeds and find out just how different they really are.
How do I choose a cat that will get along with my old cat?
You've got a cat and you want to have a companion in your own house, and you're thinking how do I get these two cats to not have a feline feud. The first advice I give you is to be patient. Sometimes, just like people, the first impressions an existing cat gets of a new cat aren't always the greatest. And you need to make sure that both cats have safety areas to go to when they're being introduced. I always tell you to make sure, when you're bringing a new cat in for the first time, that you bring them into a nice comfortable safe room with all the possible kitty amenities. And don't even let your existing cat know that you have the cat in there. The goal of this is to be able have that cat feel safe in their little room and let the two cats maybe get to know each other by sniffing each other under the doorway, get to know their scent. The second thing to do is then to switch the cats' rooms. And have the resident cat spend a day or so in that room and your new cat kind of get to explore the house safely and on their own. The third thing which is very important is that you share cooties. I mean take a slightly damp cloth, rub it over your resident cat's back, then rub it over the new cat's back, then back on your resident cat's back. What you're doing, because cats have very superior senses of smell, they think, "you smell a little familiar...you smell like me a little bit". That goes a long way in introducing one cat to another.
How do I choose a cat that will be good with my kids?
If you are wanting to get a cat for your kids and they are old enough to be responsible and they all pledge and promise they will help you take care of the cat then there is this interesting theory created by an animal behaviorist called the cat face geometry invented by Kit Jenkins. If you are getting a mixed breed or a random breed of cat and you look at the face of the cat, the majority of cats tend to have a triangle face like a Siamese cat; these are the kind of cats that are up for anything and are full of energy, they can be leash walked, and you know your kids can teach them cool tricks. The second kind of cat face geometry is the square face. They tend to be more like the maine coon cats. These cats are mellow; therefore everything's cool, lots of kids running around, TV on, and I don't care do whatever you want. Then the third kind of cat face geometry are the round face. And they tend to be more like Persians in personalities. They're the ones that you can turn the volume down a little bit on your stereo if it is really too loud. They tend to be more in quiet homes. So when you are making that call take a look at the cat's face it may help you in picking the right personality for your kids.
