Having a cat as a member of your family is a good idea. However, it does not stop at that. You also need to choose a breed and make sure you choose the right one.
This is because there are many feline breeds recognized by various feline associations. For instance, the TICA is a lot more generous than the CFA in its estimation of cat breeds across the globe.
The TICA (The International Cat Association) recognizes 71 while the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) that is stricter in their evaluation recognizes 45.
There are several reasons for this massive difference. For instance, the CFA has ruled out certain breeds recognized by the TICA because they are deemed not medically fit. For more on how cat registries recognize cats, you can read this.
Having established that there are various feline breeds, you need to select the right one for you and your family. This is what this article intends to help you do. So, you are advised to keep reading.
How to Choose the Right Cat Breed for You and Your Family
Before we get into this subject, we suggest that you think about health and training when making your decision. As regards health, some breeds are better than others. But even the well-known healthy breeds may develop issues along the line.
Some people go for adult felines rather than kittens to best handle the situation. It is believed you know a lot about the feline when you get them at the adult stage. Well, this might not work for you.
As regards training, you should understand how the cat was raised if you are not getting a kitten. This is because the environment and training from the breeders will go a long way. This is something you should especially consider if you are adopting one from a shelter.
The reason is that many felines that end up in the shelter have been through a lot of unpleasant situations. So, just make sure you know what you are getting into well enough. Now that you know this, here are some things to consider before getting any cat breed:
Do You Want A Cat with High Activity Level?
It is wrong to think every cat presents the same features in terms of personality. Some are reserved while some are very active.
If what you want is an active feline companion, some of the options you can consider include the (age-long and popular) Siamese, Manx, Toyger, and Bengal. These felines will make a great companion for people that are into very active cats.
They love to play for long periods and are attention seekers. You can be certain that you have met your match if this is who you are.
Do You Want a Cat with Low Activity Level?
Some people cannot just deal with a cat that is all over the place playing. If you are that person, you might want to settle for felines like British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, or Ragdoll. Even the kittens of these breeds in their most hyperactive state are still cool-headed enough.
Are You Experienced with Felines?
Raising a cat comes with some responsibilities. The truth is that the responsibilities can be more difficult when you have certain breeds. For instance, some cats are more difficult to groom than others. They can become aggressive whenever you try to do any form of grooming.
This is why newbies when it comes to having feline pets should look for options that will not prove difficult. Some of the options these people should consider include Maine Coon, American Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, or Ragdoll.
On the other hand, people that know the tips and tricks required to raise felines stand a better chance. So, they can handle some cats. For this reason, options like Peterbald, LaPerm, Persian, and Sphynx are better left to people that are experienced.
How Busy Are You?
What many people fail to realize is that cats also need to be in the right mental state. This is because they have emotions and can feel good or bad.
So, it is not just about meeting their physical needs. You also need to create a suitable environment for the cat to do well mentally.
This is why people that cannot afford to spend so much time with their feline companions should stay away from some felines. For such people, cats like Persian, Scottish Fold, Chartreux, or British Shorthair are ideal.
These felines do not demand a lot in terms of attention. They are easygoing and have a sense of independence. However, it is not out of place to hire a pet sitter to spend time with them.
Can You Spend a Lot of Time with Your Cat?
If you are a cuddly person and need a cat that will reciprocate, then you should consider some options. Some of the cats you should consider include Siamese, Ocicat, Somali, Oriental Shorthair, or Japanese Bobtail.
You should make sure you give all the needed attention if you have any of these cats. This is because they thrive when they are allowed to feel like they are part of you.
As a result, these cats are very susceptible to separation anxiety. They can become unruly when they are not given the attention they want. We suggest that you consider getting an extra cat if you have one. However, you should make sure you get one that is open to living with another feline.
Wrap Up
You should know that the points discussed above are very important. They can help you end up with the right feline companion. However, there are other things you may need to consider as well. For more on this, you can visit this page.
We have explained some of the best cat breeds for certain kinds of people in this article. We advise that you check the list again and go for a feline companion that suits your lifestyle well enough.
