Which cat is right for you?
If you've decided to get a cat, then congratulations! Owning a cat is a fantastic, rewarding experience that the whole family can enjoy. But there are many more decisions to make, not least about which cat to get in the first place.
When making this decision, there are many criteria to bear in mind: pedigree, crossbreed or mixed-breed? Kitten or adult? Male or female? Active cat or laid-back cat? Long-haired or short-haired? Indoor or outdoor?
Don't worry if it sounds a little daunting: you don't have to specify very many of these things if you don't want to, but the more thought you put into it up front, the more likely your and your new pet will fit each other's lifestyles.
What breed?
One of the first decisions you need to make is whether to get a pedigree, crossbreed or mixed-breed cat.
Pedigree cats have two pedigree parents of the same breed, and have a number of advantages and disadvantages:
- Predictability: With a pedigree cat, you know what you're going to get. A Siamese kitten will grow up to look like other Siamese and be chatty, attention-seeking and affectionate.
- Cost: Pedigree cats cost a lot more to purchase
- Health: Pedigree cats are far more susceptible to congenital and hereditary diseases and are more prone to behavioural issues.
Crossbreed cats have two pedigree parents of different breeds. Sometimes this is deliberate, sometimes accidental. Their looks and personalities aren't entirely predictable, but will usually be a combination of their parents'. With their slightly larger gene-pool there are generally less liable to congenital and hereditary disorders.
Mixed-breed cats' parentage is anyone's guess! They, too, have a number of advantages and disadvantages:
- Unpredictability: You can never be sure how big a mixed-breed cat will end up, nor what personality he will have. Some people like this random chance, preferring to have a cat that is as unique as his genes.
- Cost: Mixed-breed cats cost a lot less than pedigree cats and are more widely available.
- Health: With their extensive gene-pool, mixed-breed cats are generally much healthier than their pedigree cousins. They rarely inherit any problems and are generally much healthier throughout their lives. They are also likely to live longer and be, on average, slightly more intelligent.
90% of cats in the UK are mixed breed and there are over 100 officially recognised pedigree breeds. For more information and a list of the breeds available, visit the website of The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy at www.gccfcats.org.
Cat or Kitten?
Kittens are cute, loveable bundles of fun. It's hard to resist the opportunity to get a kitten, but they can be a lot of hard work. A kitten will require constant supervision, training, four separate meals a day, playtime and an investment (of both time and money) in vet fees, vaccinations, micro-chipping and other sundries. For many people, the advantage of a kitten is that it is very much their cat from the start and no-one else's.
Getting an adult cat from a rescue home or previous owner can still be immensely rewarding and a lot less demanding. Adult cats will be toilet-trained already, used to two meals a day and more likely to be independent and capable of amusing themselves. It is a myth that it's harder to form an emotional bond with an already-grown up cat. Given a warm, loving home any cat can form a strong emotional attachment with its owner.
In addition, an adult cat will already have developed a personality. You should be able to choose a cat that suits you, be that lazy, active, vocal, quiet, loving or independent.
Long-haired or short-haired?
This decision is an easy one. Do you prefer the look of a) long-haired cats; or b) short-haired cats? If you answered a), then do you have the free time and dedication to groom your cat every day? If not, you'll need to change your answer to b).
All cats groom themselves, but long-haired cats need help from people to prevent the build-up of hairballs (which can cause vomiting) and matted fur. The upside is that grooming is a great way to build bonds. Cats love pampering and grooming falls solidly into that category. Gently grooming your cat every day can be very rewarding if you have the time to spare, regardless of how long his coat is.
Male or Female?
Contrary to popular belief, there aren't many significant differences between male and female neutered cats, so this criterion is only important if you are intending to breed from your cat or if you have multiple cats.
If you are getting two cats from the same litter, it's generally advisable to get two of the same sex. Conversely, if you already have a cat at home, it's often better to bring home a new cat of the opposite sex so that it is not seen as a rival. This applies more when it is a new adult cat you are introducing to your household.
Indoor cats and outdoor cats
If you live somewhere near a main-road or in a home with no outside space, you should consider getting a cat that will be happy to stay indoors. As this is largely an issue of personality, there are only a few ways of ensuring this:
- Get a pedigree cat of a breed known to be less active
- Get an adult cat that has already developed stay-at-home tendencies
- Visit your potential new kitten a number of times whilst he is still at the breeder's and ask the breeder's opinion on what kind of personality he has.
A cat that's right for you
In summary, choosing the right cat for you should be more about compatible lifestyles than anything else. If you work long-hours, don't have much free time and live in an apartment in the city with no children, for example, you're more likely to build a happy relationship with a short-haired, independent, adult cat, happy to spend a lot of time sleeping and playing with toys indoors.
All cats need love, proper care and attention, and it's up to you to make sure you can provide as much as they need.
Further reading
To find out more about buying and owning a cat, consider the following resources: