What kind of cat will fit your lifestyle?
Ask yourself the four following questions to give you a starting point, in your search for a new cat. See below for the questions:
- Are you looking to choose a high energy cat that loves to play, or a more laid-back feline that enjoys lounging around?
- Do you have children or other pets the cat will need to get along with
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This article on family friendly cat breeds will be very helpful you have children. - Do you have the time and resources to provide for a cat’s needs, including food, litter, attending to fleas and veterinary care?
- Do you want a rescue cat or are you looking at searching for breeders and a purebred cat?
By answering these questions, you can narrow down your search to find a cat that will be a good fit for your home and family.
The answers to the questions, are what was initially at the forefront of your mind, when thinking about getting a cat.
With that in mind, jot down your answers, as it is pretty much guaranteed you will forget something, just like those times, you go to the doctor and come away remembering something that you forgot to ask the doctor?
Once you have a general idea of what type of cat you want, it’s time to start researching different cat breeds and breeders in your area and visiting cat shelters.
Remember, every cat is unique, even though the breed might offer insights into their personality and traits.
Before adopting a cat, don’t be afraid to spend time with the cat before making a decision.
Also have you thought about adopting an adult cat that already has a well established personality? This can be an excellent suggestion, especially for older people who may not want to raise a kitten.
In this section, we will go into more detail about the things you need to consider when selecting a cat.
1.Personality and Lifestyle When Choosing A Cat
When choosing a cat, one of the most important things to consider is the cat’s personality. How will the cat’s personality fit with your lifestyle?
Some cats demand less attention due to their independence, while others seek human contact by being social.
Keep in mind that if your cat seems aloof, it might not match your lap sitting desires and could lead to disappointment.
Spend time with the cat before adopting to determine if their personality is a good match for yours.
If you have other cats or pets, consider their personalities and whether a new cat would fit in well with them.
Your schedule matters too, some cats adapt well to being alone during workdays, while others need more consistent human interaction.
How much grooming will the cat need? Be realistic.
If the cat needs daily brushing or regular brushing, it needs to happen every day. If no one is prepared to make that commitment, go for an easier to care for breed.
2.Indoor vs. Outdoors When Choosing A Cat
Deciding whether you want an indoor cat or outdoor cat is another important consideration.
Cats that live indoors are generally safer and live longer, but they require more stimulation and enrichment to keep them happy and healthy.
Give some thought to getting two cats if you want indoor cats, as they keep each other company.
Outdoor cats have more freedom to roam and explore, but they are also exposed to risks such as cars, predators, and diseases.
If you decide to have an outdoor cat, make sure they are microchipped, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered for their safety.
There is of course another option and that is having a cat that is predominantly an indoor cat but you provide access to the outdoor world via various types of cat runs.
A cat run or a catio, gives a cat access to the outdoors but in a safe way.
A cat patio, is essentially like a very large cat playpen and a great idea for indoor cats to safely enjoy being outdoors.
Would you be prepared to have a catio of some description?
Having indoor cats means that you need to make sure that the cat or cats remain indoors. Are you able to do this?
There’s lots of information about different cat patios and outdoor enclosures for cats in this article.
3. Age and Breed When Choosing A Cat
Age and breed are also important factors to consider when choosing a cat.
Do you want a kitten or an adult cat to share your world?
Kittens are adorable and playful, but they require more attention and training than adult cats.
An adult cat is often litter box trained, making them easier to care for. Adult cats have established personalities and often need less supervision.
Senior cats can make wonderful companions with their calm demeanor, though senior cats may require additional health monitoring.
As for breeds, consider that some breeds like Maine Coons and Ragdolls tend to be gentle and sociable, while Siamese and Bengals are typically more vocal and active.
Certain breeds come with specific health predispositions. Persians may need extra grooming and may face respiratory issues, while Sphynx cats require special skin care.
Mixed breed cats often benefit from genetic diversity that can reduce hereditary health problems
4. Health Concerns When Choosing A Cat
Consider any health concerns when choosing a cat.
Make sure to adopt from a trusted breeder or rescue organization to ensure that you get a healthy cat that has received proper veterinary care.
If you already have cats at home, make sure that the new cat is tested for feline leukemia and other diseases before introducing them to your other cats.
To keep your cat healthy and happy regular veterinary care is also important.
Overall, choosing the right cat requires careful consideration of their personality, lifestyle, indoor/outdoor preferences, age and breed, and health concerns.
Preparing Your Home for Your New Cat
Bringing a new cat into your home can be an exciting experience, but it’s important to make sure you’re prepared to welcome your new feline friend.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your new cat.
Before you bring your cat home, create a safe and comfortable environment for them. This includes:
1.Designating A Space For Your Cat
Choose a quiet, low traffic area of your home for your cat to call their own.
Make sure the cat has a comfortable bed, food and water dishes.
2.Moving Potential Hazards That May Impact Your Cat
Cats are curious creatures, so it’s important to remove any potential hazards from your cat’s space.
This includes, toxic plants, electrical cords and small objects that your cat could swallow.
3.Providing scratching posts For your Cat
Cats need to scratch to keep their claws healthy and to mark their territory.
Provide your cat with a sturdy scratching post to help prevent them scratching your furniture.
Cats also like cardboard cat scratchers which are a great alternative to using a scratching post.
Choosing the Right Cat Supplies
To make your new cat feel at home, you’ll need to have the right supplies on hand. Just get the basics to begin with as it is easy to become seduced by all that the pet shop has to offer. Over time you will add a bit of this and a bit of that (a bling cat collar anyone)?
Here are some essentials to get you started:
1.Food and water dishes For your Cat
Choose cat food dishes that are the appropriate size for your cat and easy to clean.
I will just say here, that right from the start, use these cat food dishes that are designed for whisker fatigue. They are perfect for all cats, plus they are easy to clean and pick up from the floor.
2. Litter box and litter For your cat
Choosing the right litter box can be trial and error and you may change your mind about litter boxes over the years. However, in the beginning, I would suggest getting an open litter box that is big enough for your cat.
This article explains how to measure your cat so that you get the right sized litter box.
Choose a clumping litter to make it easy to clean the litter box. Your preferences may change as you gain more experience with cat litter products.
You will need a litter mat and these ones are brilliant. There’s more info here about cat litter mats but these ones remain my favorite.
3. Toys For Your cat
Cats need mental and physical stimulation, so provide them with toys to play with. Choose toys that are safe for your cat and can’t be easily swallowed.
Laser cat toys provide hours of fun. Laser cat toys encourage physical participation, which is an important consideration, particularly if your cat will be an indoors cat.
4. Bedding For Your Cat
Provide your cat with a comfortable bed to sleep in.
Over the years you will have several cat beds. This article will help you choose a cat bed that will be more than adequate.
Introducing Your New Cat to Other Pets
If you have other pets in your home, it’s important to introduce them to your new cat slowly and carefully. Here are some tips:
- Keep your new cat in a separate room at first. This will allow your cat to adjust to their new surroundings without feeling overwhelmed.
- Let your pets smell each other. Once your new cat has settled in, allow your other pets to sniff around the door of the room where your cat is staying.
- Supervise interactions. When you’re ready to introduce your pets, supervise their interactions closely. Keep your dog on a leash and make sure your cat has a way to escape if they feel threatened.
Remember, cats are individuals, and it may take some time for your new cat to adjust to their new surroundings.
Be patient and give your cat plenty of love and attention, and they’ll soon become a beloved member of your family.
Adopting A Cat
When it comes to adopting a cat, you still need to give consideration your original thoughts when choosing a cat. It is easy to get carried away with cuteness.
I mean, who is immune to the cuteness of a kitty?
In this section, we’ll explore the pros and cons of a new pet by adopting from an animal shelter, rescue organizations, or breeder.
1.Adopting A Cat from an Animal Shelter
Choosing a cat from a local animal shelter is a great way to give a cat a second chance at finding a new home.
A local shelter will often have a variety of cats available, ranging from kittens to seniors, and they may have information about the cat’s history and temperament.
One benefit of choosing a cat from a shelter is that the available cats are usually spayed or neutered and up to date on their vaccinations.
Plus, choosing a cat from a shelter helps support the mission of the shelter or humane society to save animals and reduce overpopulation.
If you want more than one cat it is often possible to get two kittens from the same family or maybe three😊.
2.Adopting A Cat from a Rescue Group
Rescue groups are another option for choosing a cat. These organizations and animal shelters often specialize in a particular breed or type of cat and may have a network of foster homes.
Adopting from rescue groups can be a good choice if you’re looking for a specific breed or if you want to choose a cat that has been living in a home environment.
Rescue animal groups may have a more extensive adoption process and may require an application and home visit.
3.Adopting A Cat from a Breeder
If you’re interested in a purebred kitten, then adopting from a reputable breeder may be the best option.
A cat breeder will prioritize the health and well being of their cats and will be able to provide information about the cat’s lineage and any potential health issues.
However, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re working with a reputable cat breeder.
Avoid cat breeders that prioritize profit over the well being of their cats or less reputable breeders that have a history of health issues in their breeding lines.
Overall, adopting a cat is a great way to add a furry companion to your life.
More Questions About Choosing A Cat?
How to pick a cat with a good personality?
When choosing a cat, it is important to keep in mind that each cat has a unique personality.
Spend some time with the cat before adopting to see if their personality is a good match for you. Look for a cat that is friendly, curious, and playful.
Avoid cats that seem overly aggressive or shy.
What are the red flags when adopting a cat?
When adopting a cat, it is important to watch out for red flags.
These can include cats that are overly aggressive, shy, or have a history of health problems.
It is also important to make sure that the you get a cat that has been properly socialized and is comfortable around people and other animals.
How to find a friendly cat?
To find a friendly adult cat, spend some time at your local animal shelter or rescue organization.
Look for cats that approach you and seem comfortable around people. You can also ask the staff for recommendations on friendly cats.
How to choose the right kitten?
When choosing a kitten, look for one that is healthy, active, and playful.
Make sure that the kitten has been properly socialized and is comfortable around people and other animals.
You may also want to consider the kitten’s breed and personality when making your choice.
How do you pick a cuddly kitten?
To pick a cuddly kitten, look for one that is affectionate and enjoys being held and petted.
We had a cat that as a kitten did not like to be held, although he would sit near us, and he remained this way throughout his life, until his old age.
Spend some time with the kitten before adopting to see if they enjoy cuddling and being close to people.
How do you tell if a kitten will be a good cat?
To tell if a kitten will be a good cat, look for signs of good health and a friendly personality.
A healthy kitten will have bright eyes, a shiny coat, and be active and playful.
A friendly kitten will be curious, approachable, and enjoy being around people.
