Choosing The Right Kitty/cat
by Debra. on May 13, 2009 with 45 Comments
Choosing the right kitty-cat can be somewhat challenging, but also essential for your new kitten to thrive and bond with your family in a happy, healthy and productive environment.
Are you looking to get a new kitty for the family, and are overwhelmed with the task at hand? Choosing the right kitty-cat can be somewhat challenging, but also essential for your new kitten to thrive and bond with your family in a happy, healthy and productive environment. There are many things to take into consideration when choosing a new kitten for your family.
- Does it have the right temperament for you and your family?
- Is it friendly with children?
- Is it laid back or hyper active?
- Is it tolerant of other animals?
- Is it the right breed?
All these questions need to be answered in order for you to choose the kitten that is best suited for you and your family.
First step:
Familiarizing yourself with cat breeds can help you look for certain characteristics in different cat breeds that could help you find the ideal match. This will help in properly choosing the right kitten or cat for you and your family.
Here are some examples:
The Persian cat
If you are a laid back type of person then, the Persian cat is the ideal cat for you. These furry cuddly cats are calm, very affectionate, laid back and very much an indoors cat. They are also highly sought after and greatly treasured among their owners.
The Maine Coon
If you have children and or a dog running about and you need a cat that can endure that kind of activity; then you have chosen correctly if you’ve chosen the Maine Coon. These cats are native to the state of Maine; and are described as having a long fluffy coat with a bushy tail. They have a wonderful temperament and, are very active and playful cats that are great with kids and animals, such as dogs. These cats can withstand and tolerate just about anything and have the ability to thrive no-matter what.
The Egyptian Mau
This is a prime example of why it is essential in familiarizing yourself with different breeds. If you have children, other pets, or even an active flow of visitors, than the Egyptian Mau will surely raise alarm bells. Maus that have been thoroughly socialized make good family pets but can be very distrustful of strangers. Although these cats bond well with their owners, they are in fact, very possessive of their toys and owners, and for that reason alone, they have been known to show aggression and even growl at strangers.
Now I know there are some cat lovers out there that are shaking their heads in protest at these profiles and, they may actually be justified in doing so. Not all cat members of certain breeds fall into the stereotypical characteristics associated with certain breeds. I, myself, am a firm believer that the characteristics and temperament of an animal weigh heavenly on the way a cat is raised, treated or the type of environment it resides and grows in. For instance: not all Persian cats are laid back or, tend to be an indoors cat rather than out. Even-though, many of us strongly believe that certain characteristics and temperament of an animals depend upon the animals environment; yet, we cannot ignore the fact that certain animal breeds are prone to certain characteristics, whether they’re good or bad.
Step two:
Familiarizing yourself with certain characteristics of different breeds is very smart but even that’s not enough.Now you need to go a step further and familiarize yourself with the many different disorders and conditions that plague certain cat breeds and their families.
Sometimes when buying a kitten the seller isn’t always as upfront and honest as you’d want them to be with disclosing any information that may prove detrimental to your new kitty and your family should any health problem arise; if so, and given the extent of it, it could result in some serious financial woes. This is why it’s imperative for you to become familiar with breeds that are prone to certain conditions, temperaments and disorders that are often passed down through family genes. While some may be seen as minor, others can be life threatening.
Inherited disorders among cat breeds:
(Examples)
Spinal muscular atrophy: spinal muscular atrophy is a nerologenerative disorder found in the Maine Coon cat families, which strongly resembles the human spinal muscular atrophy. The onset of symptoms occurs between 15 and 17 weeks. Such symptoms include: muscular tremors and fasciculation’s (rippling of muscles), with a progressive weakness starting in the hind limbs. Although, some cats seem to stabilize later, and if supported, can survive with an adequate life expectancy.
Primary seborrhea: Primary seborrhea is a dermatological condition that is inherited through Persian cats. The onset of symptoms can be seen in young kittens, which includes a progressive scaling and greasy skin that can affect the whole body. Although Persian cats are long time sufferers of dermatological disorders there is treatment, which includes, anti-seborrhoeic shampoos and coat care.
Pick Disease Type A (r): Niemann Pick disease is a lysosomal storage disease also known as sphingomyelinosis that inherited through the Siamese cat breed. It’s an recessive hereditary disease due to lack of the enzyme sphingomyelinase, which results in the accumulation of sphingomyelin within the cells of the nervous system and organs such as liver, spleen, kidneys, lung and intestines. Clinical signs are apparent from 3 months of age which include uncoordinated walking, high stepping walk, head tremors, loss of balance and splayed legs. On some cats the liver and spleen may be palpably enlarged. Progressive paralysis develops, with most cats dying before 1 years of age. Diagnosis relies on demonstrating the enzyme deficiency in tissues such as liver, brain or skin fibroblasts. A milder variant form of Niemann Pick disease has also been seen in Siamese cats.
Step three:
Another important factor to take into consideration, after when making the decision to become a cat owner, whether or not to get your cat neutered or spayed. Did you know that between 6 and 10 million cats and dogs in the United States alone, are put to death by euthanasia each year, due to overpopulation, crowded shelters, and simply, not enough homes? It is imperative that pet owners take the necessary steps to prevent any unplanned breeding without the availability of proper adequate housing. This procedure itself is safe, harmless and vital to your cat.
In addition to overpopulation there are countless benefits for the cat and the owner in getting your cat spayed or neutered.
*Longer healthier life expectancy.
*Better behaved and more responsiveness to their owner.
*Increased safety, as spayed and neutered cats are less likely to wander the streets and become lost or injured in search of a mate.
*No unwanted or unplanned kittens.
*Spaying or neutering your cat also decreases health risks such as: mammary cancers and urine infections, which are quite common among cats that are not spayed or neutered.
*Are less likely to mark or damage furniture.
Now you know just what to look for when choosing the right kitten by taking the necessary steps to familiarizing yourself with thephysical and temperamental characteristics and disorders of cat breeds. Be a responsible pet owner and get your cat spayed or neutered, so that he or she, may live a healthier and happier life; so that you do not contribute to the killing overpopulation resulting in euthanasia, of countless, innocent and homeless lives.
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Published in: Pets
lindalulu | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Very good article, kittens bring so much joy! I know I would be lost without mine..
Fegger | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Haaaa! Best for me to leave the subject matter alone and simply say that you’ve done a fine job assembling data and writing this piece. Well done, Deb.
Christine Ramsay | May 13, 2009 | Reply
This is such a good article, Debra and very useful to those looking for a new pet. Well done.
Christine
The Quail | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Very good article, kittens bring so much joy!
QuinMonty86 | May 13, 2009 | Reply
While you have put out some good information here, Deb, I do take issue with the statements on the Egyptian Mau. I have been owned by one for 4 years now, and she is a delight. I researched the breed before choosing her, and never found a definition of “aggressive”. She has bonded with me, but she also gets along with the other cats in our home, also the dogs, and my husband. I have never heard her growl at children or strangers. If she doesn’t like someone, she disappears. When we went to the cattery to pick her up, the little cats were swarming over us, friendly, purring and wanting to be loved. They are very smart, loving and I would have another one in a minute. They are NOT aggressive.
Please don’t spread that falsehood about them.
Thanks
Peggy.
Bullwinkle Muse | May 13, 2009 | Reply
My father-in-law had a Maine Coon, and it was the size of a bobcat. Very informative read, Deb.
OhSugar | May 13, 2009 | Reply
I am not in the market for a new kitty, but if I were I could surely use this great advice. Great job.
Jo Oliver | May 13, 2009 | Reply
they are all stunning cats; it would be hard to pick just one. thx for the info
valli | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Well-written. Good info and with beautiful images.
Karen Gross | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Well researched – great pictures. We have always had cats, but we get kittens the old fashioned way – by getting them from friends whose cats have kittens. There are always cats and kittens at animal shelters who need homes.
Debra. | May 13, 2009 | Reply
QuinMonty86,
I would never spread any falsehood. My information is well documented and factual. I’m sure that some of you might have a difference of opinion about any one breed, but this information was based on a majority count of people and experts and well documented.
Furthermore, I have also left a link to the characteristics of the animals and if that is not enough, during my search the different information sources I found on each cat was pretty much the same info, so it would be easy to look up.
But for whatever the reason, please feel free to check out my information.
Milton H Peebles III | May 13, 2009 | Reply
We grew up with Persians. So I always go OOOO and AAAAH when I see one. Loved the pic of the red you placed in this article.
I know you did your research well here. But remember with pets there is that one in 10 that don’t follow what is researched about them.
LONG LIVE CATS!
Take Care, DreamSweet and let your Heart Shine!
milty
QuinMonty86 | May 13, 2009 | Reply
I will take my foot out of my mouth and apologize for accusing you of spreading falsehoods, Deb. That was totally uncalled for and I am sorry.
I sent you some links on the Mau breed and I hope you will take a look at them. They are what I used to make my choice. We can continue to disagree on our beliefs and that’s fine. I just hope my callous mouth has not ruined our online friendship.
Vikram Chhabra | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Some great information you posted here. Thanks!!
Kate Smedley | May 13, 2009 | Reply
The pictures are all gorgeous Debbie, I don’t know much about cats but I’m sending this to my friend as she definitely wants a new kitten and isn’t sure which to have. Informative and well researched article and enjoyable as always.
George W Whitehead | May 13, 2009 | Reply
A beautiful article, Debra. The Persian in your picture is a dead ringer of our late, lamented Ben.
clay hurtubise | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Nice article, should be handed out at shelters!
Thanks,
Clay
Judy T Lloyd | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Nice pictures of cats, and most cats that I have really liked, simply picked me.
CHAN LEE PENG | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Great tips here, thanks.
Liane Schmidt | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Interesting, helpful article to anyone who wants to get a cat!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
S A JOHNSON | May 13, 2009 | Reply
Great article, very informative.
Stacey T Pollock | May 14, 2009 | Reply
Very well written and comprehensive article. I love my two cats, one which I did raise from a kitten, who is now as sweet as ever. However when she was a kitten she was very naughty! This shows that a cats temperment can change as they get older.
Karelee | May 14, 2009 | Reply
Very informative and good advice. Like many others I do the rescue thing but for someone who is looking for something special.. this is a must to read.
Karelee
nutuba | May 14, 2009 | Reply
Debra, this is a wonderful article! We don’t have any cats right now, but I grew up with a couple and my sister and brother have always had cats at their homes. My sister’s Maine Coon cat was wonderful. We were fortunate as kids to get a puppy and a kitty at the same time, so they were up together. When our cat had a little of kittens, our dog would pick up the babies in his mouth and carry them around the yard. Years later, as my dog was in his final days, one of the cats would cuddle up next to him and lick him affectionately.
C Jordan | May 14, 2009 | Reply
Good article Deb.
MMV Abad | May 14, 2009 | Reply
Interesting facts. A must read for all cat lovers
Lauren Axelrod | May 14, 2009 | Reply
I have 3 cats and I’m sure I won’t stop there. Great piece Deb, I love learning about the breeds.
M J katz | May 14, 2009 | Reply
A wonderfully informative article…and I especially liked the advice regarding spaying and neutering!!!
Noodleman and SpiceGirl weren’t very impressed, though, since there was nothing here about the American Shorthaired kitty. Then their noses REALLY got out of joint when I tried to explain that this type of kitty is really a mutt…darn…wrong word!!!!:) ^-^
Denise Kawaii | May 15, 2009 | Reply
Great information here – I am debating getting a second cat and this brought up all the things I need to think about first!
swatilohani | May 16, 2009 | Reply
cool tips
Wylrhyss Terrado | May 16, 2009 | Reply
probably some animals have differeny characteristics which varies from one animal to another animal even with the same breed.
Joshua Miguel | May 16, 2009 | Reply
im more of a dog lover. but cats are cute too. tnx for the post
Poetic Enigma | May 17, 2009 | Reply
This is a great article,
Very informative,
We used to have cats when I was younger,
I’ll keep this in mind if I ever decide to get any more
Eunice Tan | May 24, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting and useful.
nenen | May 27, 2009 | Reply
Great article, very informative.
Anne McNew | May 31, 2009 | Reply
very beautiful cats… and very informative too
lowellpendon | Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
nice article. i love cats, i use to have about 30 of them in the house until grandma make them disappear one by one, lol. planning to get one.
Annie Hintsala | Jun 7, 2009 | Reply
My favorite kind of cat is the Maine Coon cat, but I think because it reminds me most of a dog
Good article.
writing4angels | Jun 12, 2009 | Reply
Nice article, but the only thing I hate about cats is when they kill mouse or birds and then come back home with a bloody face like a killer.
Ruby Hawk | Jun 13, 2009 | Reply
Great information for anyone looking to get a cat. Ours used to bring voles and mice and leave them at the door. I didn’t mind the mice but I hated about the voles.
Unofre Pili | Jun 29, 2009 | Reply
Very nice article. I love cats and will always will.
Nathan Grace | Jul 28, 2009 | Reply
Some good information and well done at highlighting the need to research rather than rush into things. My sisters just got two kittens brother and sister which is working well. They keep ehother occupied rather than try to destroy the furniture.
CHAN LEE PENG | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
I visit this article again, to give you another liked it since auspot is not available to leave comment and click on liked it.
Thanks and take care.
Chris Stonecipher | Aug 14, 2009 | Reply
Debra,
My daughter Lulu has been asking for a kitty Cat for awhile. Thanks for the tips.
Blessings to you,
Chris
Joshua Miguel | Sep 6, 2009 | Reply
i’m not really a cat person, i prefer dogs. but i might consider having one, thank for this post.