Selecting A Cat That Suits Your Personality

While selecting a cat, you should be careful about which breed to buy. Cats are very good companions. The physical and personality attributes of cats vary between the various breeds. Since cats live for more than 10 years, you are going to have at least 10 years of association with your cat. Therefore, it is better to consider some facts about selecting a cat before you choose one.

Breeds

The coat type and length are the major differences that you would find among the various breeds of cats. The personalities and grooming requirements also vary between the different breeds of cats. For example, Siamese cats are very vocal and individualistic whereas Rag Doll cats are very cuddly and compliant.

You should select a cat that meets your requirements and personality. When you are selecting a cat, you should be aware of the allergic issues that you and your family members might face. People who are allergic to cats can tolerate breeds such as Devon Rex and Cornish Rex.

You can offer a home to an abandoned cat by selecting a mixed breed cat. You can find mixed breed cats at Cat Adoption Centers, RSPCA, Cat protection Society and Animal Welfare League throughout the year. You should consult a registered breeder once you select a particular breed. A breeder can help you if your cat develops any problems. In addition, you can ask your vet or find lot of resources on the internet to find out about the characteristics of the breed you select.

Age

Age should be a very important criterion when you are selecting a cat. Age plays a vital role in early socialization of your cat that would ultimately determine its behavioral characteristics. You can train and socialize your kitten very easily if you get it before its 7 weeks old.

Sex

The behavioral characteristics of your kitten would vary according to its sex as well. A male cat would have aggression, roaming and urine marking characteristics. It is better to neuter your cat at an early stage to avoid such characteristics. You should neuter your cat around five to six months of age before it reaches puberty, whether it is a male or female. You can also neuter your cat at 12-16 weeks. Some cats would have aggressive features even after being neutered. You should consult your vet if that is the case with your cat too. You should also consult your vet regarding the timing of neutering.

Behavior

When you are selecting a cat from a breeder, you should see the parents of the kitten and the cattery. The behavioral traits of parent cats would be passed on to the offspring. Therefore, you should thoroughly analyze the parent cats and see if they have any behavioral problems. You should select a cat that is comfortable with lifting, handling and petting with little fear or no fear. You should avoid a cat with runny nose, weeping eyes, white skin lesions, bad odor or dull coat. With constant training and socialization, you can make your cat a great companion for you and your family members. So be careful about all the above issues when you are selecting a cat.