Cat lovers: I want to buy a cat and I need advice

[riff]

Please help.

I love dogs and cats, but because of my lifestyle I just don't think I could handle a dog (not only that I am in an apartment). So I have decided I want to get a cat- but it is not something I want to rush into.


First of all: I have always heard it said that one convenient thing about cats is that they are so independent that when you are away all day, it is not so psychologially unsettling for them as dogs that seem to require so much attention.

Is this a myth? My idea is that I want a cat, but maybe I should get two so that they can keep each other company when I am away. Should I start with one until I can get my confidence up as a cat daddy and then get my cat a playmate?

I don't know.

I just got back from the pet store where I was talking to the owner about Maine coon cats (thanks to someone's post here and asked him how I could get one). He told me to go to Dallas and bring a lot of money with me. He also said that the Maine coon cat was really just a really big Persian cat. So I am wondering now about the breed of cat that would be right for me in so far as looks and temperment.

If I am gonna get a cat, I want to be a good cat daddy.

Please give advice or links to resources that I can use to make a good decision. I like laurel's cat avatars- some of them have the look of a lynx, which is really cool. But there are so many beautiful cats.

Please help. I know that some of you know a lot about cats. I am serious. This is not one of riff's "twister-shifter" threads. Thanks.

 

[glamorilla]

I'll be your pu...


ah...I mean cats make really great pets!

 

[glamorilla]

Seriously if you live by yourself it would be better to get two kittens as they can keep each other company when you're out...one of my two cats passed away about a year ago and i can tell my second is kind olf missing her...

and for what kind I follow the "you'll know what you want when you find it" rule...look for a spark...

 

[Bindii]

Riff unless to are able to spend a lot of time grooming your cat and picking up cat hair then I would not recommend getting a long haired cat (persian etc).
Siamese, Burmese cats etc tend not to cope as well being left at home all day.
If you really want two cats then buy both of them at the same time, otherwise its likely that the first cat could be a bit funny about accepting a new addition to its family.

 

[riff]

I'll be your pu...


ah...I mean cats make really great pets!

Yes they do make great pets.



Sorry, but I cannot apologize for being heterosexual! I know you understand!

 

[Mischka]

Here's a website to help you choose the type of cat that's right for you.

I adopted both of my cats from local shelters. If you spend enough time with them, you'll know which ones will "click" for your personality.

 

[sabbathstorm]

I would not recommend you get a long haired cat unless you want to be lint rolling yourself for hours before work. I've got a gorgeous long haired black cat that can shed at will. Not to mention the lovely hairballs he routinely coughs up.

Yes cats can be very independent but it might be best to get two to keep each other company. If you get a kitten or younger cat, they tend to cry if left alone all day. My friend's cat was like that for the first six months. There had to be a radio on at all time to trick her into thinking that there was someone else in the apartment. My cat is older now and he likes the quiet time

 

[riff]

Riff unless to are able to spend a lot of time grooming your cat and picking up cat hair then I would not recommend getting a long haired cat (persian etc).
Siamese, Burmese cats etc tend not to cope as well being left at home all day.
If you really want two cats then buy both of them at the same time, otherwise its likely that the first cat could be a bit funny about accepting a new addition to its family.

I like Siamese cats. They are spunky and psycho- at least the ones I have known. You recommend two Siamese then?

Or a siamese and just a regular pedestrian cat? I would like a purebreed, but there is no reason to be elitist. Besides the impure cat could probably make as good a playmate as any?

Do some brreds have a natural affinity to others of their own kind? I am pretty ignorant.

 

[Mellon Collie]

I have a Persian and they really are pretty easy to live with. She's a picky eater, has to sleep on someone's bed, never the floor and needs to be the center of attention when she's in the room but she doesn't get along with other cats. My dog is fine with her but she can't stand cats. I guess she is kind of high maintenance for a cat but that just means she matches my personality.

 

[La Huesera]

I would say if you are going to get a cat..PLEASE save one from a shelter. Don't go to a pet store and buy one. Other then that, pick one that talks to you (oh god I sound like The Cat Lady down the street) and give him/her lots of love.

 

[riff]

Here's a website to help you choose the type of cat that's right for you.

I adopted both of my cats from local shelters. If you spend enough time with them, you'll know which ones will "click" for your personality.

* SCOTTISH FOLD
* SPOTTED MIST
* RUSSIAN BLUE/WHITE
* DOMESTIC

OOOO I like the Russian Blue! WOW! Where to get in USA? How much dough?

I bet I could find one in Dallas!

 

[glamorilla]

Saving one from a shelter is the coolest thing.

Really expensive champion class cats are a lot more trouble than they're worth in most cases. They're usually bred to meet specific show standards with little regards to the cats true health. Longhairs are bred to have flat faces which cause severe sinus problems (and lots more flying snot than shedding hair),the tailless cat (I think thats a manx or maine coon) have really bad gastrointenstinal problems and most have much shorter lifespans than a healthy normal tabby (my sister was a cat breeder)

 

[riff]

I would say if you are going to get a cat..PLEASE save one from a shelter. Don't go to a pet store and buy one. Other then that, pick one that talks to you (oh god I sound like The Cat Lady down the street) and give him/her lots of love.

I have thought about this too. Truly I have. You are tugging at my heartstrings. But like I said, I could get a purebreed and just a regular cat too, as many people seem to suggest that cats need playmates for when I am not around.

 

[riff]

No long haired cats. I am convinced.

 

[Mellon Collie]

Saving one from a shelter is the coolest thing.

Really expensive champion class cats are a lot more trouble than they're worth in most cases. They're usually bred to meet specific show standards with little regards to the cats true health. Longhairs are bred to have flat faces which cause severe sinus problems (and lots more flying snot than shedding hair),

Are you talking shit about my cat?

 

[Bindii]

I like Siamese cats. They are spunky and psycho- at least the ones I have known. You recommend two Siamese then?

Siamese cats tend to need more of your time, if they don't get it then not only will you know about it but so will your neighbours! Their meow can border on a howl if they don't get their own way, I wouldn't buy one unless you can spend the time with it. I have owned a lot of Siamese cats (my mothers favourite) but to be honest I have found the moggies to be just as affectionate and intelligent as the purebreds, they also tend to have more character.

 

[LilGirlLost]

*chiming in*

I have to agree with the shelter suggestion..you can actually find purebreds there, if you're dead set on a 'breed.' And who knows..while you're there, anything could catch your eye. My newest kitty, Mabel, grabbed me hook, line, and sinker..I wasn't even looking for an addition, but once I held her, she was mine.

 

[La Huesera]

I have thought about this too. Truly I have. You are tugging at my heartstrings. But like I said, I could get a purebreed and just a regular cat too, as many people seem to suggest that cats need playmates for when I am not around.

Sometimes you can run across purebreed cats (or dogs) in shelters. Sometimes the animal will have a habit that the owner will not deal with (throw away society that we have), and sometimes the owner has to move or may even pass away.

 

[glamorilla]

Are you talking shit about my cat?

I knew this was coming!

 

[Laurel]

I have thought about this too. Truly I have. You are tugging at my heartstrings. But like I said, I could get a purebreed and just a regular cat too, as many people seem to suggest that cats need playmates for when I am not around.

If you're set on getting a purebreed, do that - get one of each. I have a purebred Bengal - Aiko - I was given as a gift, and a "mutt" cat - Owen - that was born of feral cats in my backyard. Aiko is high-strung and only wants attention on her terms. Owen - the kitty I only kept because of deformities which he eventually grew out of - is the sweetest, most loving little guy ever. He sleeps with me every night, and comes to me for cuddles several times a day.

Purebreds are not necessarily "better" than others. In fact, the breeding can sometimes produce freaky personalities in cats. Get a purebred, then adopt a little baby friend from a shelter. That would be perfect.

There are cats that are more standoffish than others, but rare is the cat that needs NO attention. They are naturally very social animals. They're totally different than I thought they'd be before I had Aiko. They're great.

 

[Laurel]

Also, I'd suggest if possible that you get the cats at the same time so that neither cat has an advantage, territory-speaking.

Are you looking for kittens or older cats, riff?

 

[glamorilla]

Yeah...I didn't mean to imply purereedswere bad either...butI have seen some of these "freakish" personalties come as a result of too much controled breeding...

 

[riff]

No. I have noting against them. I have a friend with a beautiful persian, but they just really aren't my type.

I have large apartment with just me in it.

I want a kitty. And raise it to be my own. I got the summer off so I can spend a lot of time with it.

 

[WriterDom]

The breeder I went to for my Exotic Shorthair had several adults that were 1 to 3 years old for sell. They sell for a third or a fourth of want a kitten would. That's a good way to get a pure bred if you don't want to spend a lot.

My second cat was a rescued female who had a litter of kittens. The only kittens left were males and I didn't want another male so I took her. She's added so much quality to Caspian's life. I used to leave him for 2 nights and he'd take a day to get over it. Last time I left him with her for 3 nights and he was back to normal after 15 minutes.

Two cats aren't any more difficult to care for than one if they have the right temperament. And 4 times the fun.

 

[riff]

Thanks for the input. As I said, I do not want to rush into this decision. If you think of anything later that might be helpful, please post here or PM me!

riff