choosing a cat breed

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Choosing a cat breed

Choosing a cat breed is about a cat chosing a human

In other words suitability of a cat depends mainly on the behavior of the people keeping the cat

When we choose a cat we should ask, "what is right for the cat?"

Do you genuinely accept that keeping a cat is for the life of the cat? No Yes

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If I am honest, you're not suitable to keep a cat. Unsuitability is evident all around us. - {homepage} {go top of page}

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Is there someone at home who can be with your cat for a reasonable part of the day? No Yes

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Choosing a cat breed - I don't think that it right to adopt a cat knowing that you are unable to care for him/her properly due to other commitments. OK, if you already have a cat and are forced by circumstances beyond your control to be apart from your cat for long periods, that is the way it has to be. But at the outset there is a choice. When responsible people consider having a child they ask numerous questions about finance, bedroom space, location etc and make long term plans. I do not see any difference when thinking about choosing a cat breed. Cats have relationships with people that are in every way as meaningful and fulfilling as living with a child - perhaps in fact even more so sometimes. The same rules apply. So, if you got to this point in the questions, I'd wait and plan and see before keeping a cat. If you disagree go the the illustrated list of cat breeds and decide. {top of page}

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Choosing a cat breed - Cats can look after themselves to a degree and sleep alot because in the wild they are very efficient hunters so they have plenty of time between kills to relax. But when domesticated and kept by people they adapt to a different way of live that requires input from the person(s), which in turn requires the presence of that person. You have that. The next question is whether your home has outdoor space and whether you think it is OK for your cat to use the space. In the USA it is common to keep cats indoors, much less so in other parts of the world including the UK. Do you have outdoor space and are your prepared to let your cat use it? No Yes

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Choosing a cat breed - You have to time to care for cat and want the cat to be an indoor cat. When choosing a cat breed it is worth noting that some cats are more suitable than others for indoor living although all cats can adapt. But I think that we owe it to ourselves and our cats to do the best we can. I personally wouldn't keep a cat indoors full-time, whatever the breed or mixed-breed. Cats love to explore outdoors and it provides some exercise, which manages weight. Overweight cats are a growing concern. If you're stuck on an indoor cat and have enough space in your home, the classic indoor cat is the Persian. A close relative is the Himalayan (pointed Persian). Another fairly close relative is the Exotic Shorthair. Breeders say the Persian should be kept indoors to keep the coat clean.

There are purebreed Persians and not so purebred Persians. The classic starting point is a rescue center (USA California- UK). Half Persians are not so glamorous perhaps but they are just as good and remember beautiful purebred cats got that way through careful and rigorous breeding, which can sometimes mean sacrifices in health. Between the traditional Doll Face Persian or the Ultra (Modern), people prefer (including me) the Doll face as they are more attractive and healthier (no tear duct overflow and facial staining requiring more maintenance). Persians require regular grooming.

Another docile cat is the Ragdoll and a very close relative to the Ragdoll is the RagaMuffin, both of which are more suited to indoor living if needs must.

Another cat destined perhaps for an indoor life (or at least a well controlled life) is the Sphynx, Don Shpynx or Peterbald - all nearly hairless. The Sphynx is meant to be one of the most intelligent of breeds so will need entertainment, challenge and company; something to bear in mind when choosing a cat breed.

I honestly think that the active, inquisitive and more intelligent (if you believe that) breeds are not suited to the confinements of indoor life. They'll accept it and adapt but never be as happy as they would be if living a more natural life. If you think that you will be able to have an indoor and outdoor cat click here. {go to top of page}

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Choosing a cat breed - You are the perfect cat keeper! That statement should probably be qualified, though. If you smoke cigarettes you can't be the ideal cat keeper because of passive smoking. A lot of younger people's lives are too mobile and unsettled so once again a young couple may not be the ideal. Some young people also indulge in smoking things like cannabis - this would make you a very poor cat keeper. Finally, if you take frequent holidays and insist on putting your cat in a cattery for the duration of the holiday that is not in my opinion and ideal situation. In all these qualified cases I would seriously consider not adopting any cat. If you agree {return to home page}.

Having skipped through those obstacles, the question is how to use the available space that you have? The modern world is generally hostile to the domestic cat. That is why feral cats (cats that were domestic cats with 18 year lives) die within 2-3 years. Letting cats out into the garden is great for the cat and worrying for the person. It depends on the cat (and the person:). My cat is defensive, she asks me to go out with her and never goes more than 30 yards, great for safety and peace of mind. I have come to consider the idea of enclosures as a really good way of dealing with a difficult situation. A cat flap leading to a suitably sited cat enclosure of reasonable size is the best way to give your cat outdoor activity and entertainment; plus peace of mind for you. And they are not that expensive. Another ideal is an enclosed garden but the walls or fencing have to be high with hangover tops as young cats particularly can jump up to 7 feet vertically (depending on breed). Norwegian Forest cats are good jumpers and Bengals are athletic. Moggies vary but some are very athletic. Bottom line - enclosure is best. You can add to your cat's outdoor activity by leash training and a walk around the garden or further afield. This takes time and effort and few (humans) achieve this.

Of course an enclosure of say 8 feet square (min, I'd say at least 10 feet sq.) is not pretty for humans (very pretty for cats). But I am back to the original argument. When you plan to keep a cat you plan to change your life and make sacrifices to reap the wonderful rewards of the relationship. Believe me the rewards of a warm relationship with a fine cat far outway the negative impact on the appearance of your back garden beacaude there is an enclosure in it.

It is all about priorities and knowing what is better and more important in life. Relationships and experiences are far more important than possessions and appearance. And what is right for your cat is the right choice and it is also what is right for you. It is very good for ones self esteem to do the right thing unconditionally.

So what kind of cat is suitable for this arrangement? Choosing a cat breed is easy - almost any breed is the answer. If you simply want to look at all the cat breeds, go to this page and work your way down the breeds. The three pages contain all the breeds and some more. I have always taken in stray cats. There is a particular joy in forming a loving long term relationship with a stray cat. But a fancy pretty purebred is fine too (if your pockets are deep enough).

----- Click on the links if you have a preference for large, small, fury, hairless, skinny, chunky, smart, alpha cat, balanced, natural -------

As any cat breed is suitable for this kind of arrangement, it can be fine tuned at bit. Choices can be made. Preferences can be exercised. First and foremost is to make sure (if you have the choice) to select a cat that is well socialized.

I also think it is possible in a very general sense to categorize cats and I have done this on this page. To summarise, some "modern cat" breeds are rather special. I am first thinking of the exotic cats and particularly the wildcat hybrids. The great cat photographer Helmi Fick and her husband, Ken, provide some very useful advise based on first hand experience of living with a Chausie, a Jungle cat-Abyssinian cat wildcat hybrid. Read it before considering going down this route. I believe that special conditions need to be in place for the wildcat hybrid exotic cats. More garden space and more enclosure space would be appropriate, for example.

If you want a less demanding cat at the other end of the spectrum consider the Persians. These are docile charming cats. You can look at the indoor cats (but of course cats that accept indoor living are also suitable for outdoor activities too). I mention the indoor cats here. If you're interested in the alleged intelligence level of cat breeds click here and come back. If you're interested in the size of the cat breed and like large cats or small cats click here. Some cat breeds have genetically linked health problems. It is wise to know a bit about cat health before buying a cat from a breeder as you can question better. I'd always take in a stray or a shelter cat, however. Does rarity float your boat? Click here if it does.

If you've got children or plan on having children and a cat go here. {go to top of page} {go to indoor cats}

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Choosing a cat breed - Children pose particular problems and provided you have selected a well balanced and socialized cat the problems belong to the people and not the cat. It goes without saying that proper behavior towards cats applies to adults too.

However, children in particular will not know how to handle a cat; although they will usually love being in contact with a cat. On the subject of well socialized cats, you only have to go to a cat show to see cats that are amzingly tolerant of being handled. If you're buying a purebred, a good cat breeder will make it her duty to ensure that her cats are well socialized and ready for a new home. The breeder should be questioned on this and check yourself. A good cat breeder will accept the return of the cat if problems arise, but assess human behavior first. When choosing a cat breed, evidence of good socialization is very important.

There are in fact hidden benefits for a child if there is a cat in house. Cats and more particularly dogs can prepare your child better for the world in helping to build up immunization to disorders such as asthma (and allergies generally). Surveys have established that when a dog (and it is thought a cat) is in the home there is a lower incidence of asthma¹

Children need to be taught to handle cats gently. Rough play may result in rough play in response, from the cat. And that equates to scratches and bites. You may feel it is the cat's fault and punish the cat. It is very rarely the cat's fault. Check you own behavior.

A new baby to the houselhold may be resented by your cat or the crying of a baby may frighten your cat. Try to minimize the impact on the cat and she will gradually become habituated to the noise. {go to top of page} {go to where you came from}

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Choosing a cat breed - All around me in the past and now there has been and there is evidence of the unsuitability of people to keep cats (it is very rarely if ever the other way around; the unsuitability of a cat to live with a person). When I was living in the middle of London, I took in my cat (some 15 years ago). She was abandoned by the neighbor. Clearly the neighbor was not suited to keeping cats. My other cat, Missie, was killed on the road (my fault ultimately as I bought a house near a road). Missie was the offspring of a cat I had known and fed. She was kept permanently pregnant by her keepers, also neighbors. They were also unsuited it seems.

Then, where I am living now, I feed a stray cat that comes to the flat. He either left his home or was abandoned. If he left he did so for a good reason, possibly to do with the person keeping him. He flinched when an arm was inadvertently raised and was nervous - bad indications of maltreatment earlier.

Nearby in another block of flats a very nice person (no criticism meant here) keeps a Bengal (see a video of the cat, here) on the third floor. He takes him to the garden once on a while and the Bengal tends to be a bit of a handful and jumps over the wall - difficult situation. Perhaps too difficult and unsuitable. I think Bengals need space and stimulus and an enclosure is perfect. That means they are not suitable for apartment living.

I could go on..........point made. When we chose a cat we do it from the cat's point of view. We should ask, "what is right for this cat"? And, "can I do what is right"? {go to top of page}

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Choosing a cat breed - Large breeds: Maine Coon, Chausie, Ragdoll, Pixiebob, Serval (tamed wild - the largest), Safari - go to this page for a list of average weights of the cat breeds. {got to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Small cats: Sinagapura, Miniature Cats, Teacup Cats {go to top of page} {go back to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Fury cats (long hair): Persian, Somali, Napoleon, Nebelung, Himalayan. There are other medium long haired such as Maine Coon & Siberian. Explore the visual list for more. {go to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Hairless or not much hair, cats: Sphynx, Don Sphynx, Peterbald, Elf {go to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Skinny Cats: Modern Siamese, Oriental Shorthair, Havana Brown, Cornish Rex {go to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Chunky/Stocky cats (subjective assessment): British Shorthair, Selkirk Rex, Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, Manx, Cymric {go to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Smart Cats; ***Sphynx***, Siamese, Oriental Shorthair, Javanese, Bengal, Havana Brown {go to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Alpha cats (meaning leaders - these are all wildcat hybrids, bar one, the Serval, which is a tamed wild cat. This sort of cat is bred as a first generation to 4th generation offspring. The higher the generation the more wild and more demanding): Chausie, Bengal, Serval, Savannah, Safari {go to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Balanced cats (combination of good characteritics): ***Abyssinian***, Maine Coon, Moggie, British Shorthair
{go to top of page} {return to where you were}

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Choosing a cat breed - Natural Cats (= evolved without interference of humankind, not a hyrid, not man made - the concept of "natural cat breed" is shifting sand so these are subjective judgements): ***Abyssinian***, Moggie, British Shorthair, **Chartreux, Kurilian Bobtail, Japanese Bobtail, Norwegian Forest Cat, Traditional Siamese {go to top of page} {return to where you were}

1. European Respiratory Journal, Professor Heinrich and colleagues say test indicate that children raised with dogs (pets) are less likely to suffer from allergies. {go to top of page} {go back to where you came from}

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