How to select a cat that's
  a good match with you





    Congratulations!
    Having cats is a responsibility, but the effort you put into this task will be greatly
    rewarded.  It feels good to take care of something smaller than you.  It feels good
    when you enter your home and your cats run toward you, rub against your legs,
    and then sit on your lap at the end of the day.  Both you and your cat will greatly
    benefit from the relationship.  
    You'll need to understand what's natural for cats so you can be sure you're
    growing a contented healthy cat.  You'll need to be able to provide daily care---
    fresh food and water, a clean litter box, petting and attention.  You'll need to
    spend extra time with it to help it settle into its new surroundings in the ways you
    can accept.  Give it extra company for the first couple of days, to help it bond with
    you.  
    Cats tend to live into their teens, especially if they're exclusively indoors and
    regularly cared for by a vet.  They'll also be happier and have a longer life if you get
    them neutered by a vet early in their lives.  Shelters get hundreds of cats in a year
    and most of them are put down.  You can save a cat's life by getting one from a
    shelter and you'll probably end up with one grateful cat.
    If you choose cats you can deal with, it's immensely easier and more rewarding.  

    Questions to ask yourself
    Are you home just part of the day?---Cats are one of the best pet choices for you,
    since they can take care of themselves during the day and don't need to be let out
    for toileting or walked for exercise.  And they don't disturb your neighbors with
    barking or other noises.  But kittens are not the best choice for you.  Kittens need
    a lot of watching to help them grow in a successful way and not destroy your
    belongings.  

    Do you tend to go on many vacations?---Not a good idea to have kittens, then.  
    Grown cats can survive well for a few days by themselves, if they have enough
    food and water and litter boxes.  This is harder for Siamese cats, who depend more
    on their humans.  You may also face restrictions against having pets in apartments
    and motels.  

    Do you have toddlers?---Again, kittens are not the best choice since active, curious,
    young children don't always understand the need to be gentle.

    Do you have an elegant home with elegant furnishings?---Cats may scratch your
    furniture, knock over valuable items or eat your houseplants.  Cats will leave hair
    on your clothes, upholstery and rugs.  Except for the hairless Sphynx, all breeds
    shed, especially during the spring equinox.  Some breeds need more brushing and
    combing and they cough up more hairballs, which may stain carpets.  Wirehair and
    Rex cats need less brushing because of the wavy and wiry quality of their hair.  

    Are you allergic to cat dander?---You need to find out before you bring cats into
    your home.  My allergies have changed during my life time.  I used to have quite an
    allergic reaction from cat dander.  After I retired, I discovered that I was no longer
    allergic to cats.  So you'll need the most recent evaluation for yourself.    

    Do you have an immune deficiency?---Cats harbor a parasite that can result in a
    human case of toxoplasmosis.  You can keep cats but must take precautions
    handling the contents of the litter boxes.

    Do you have other cats or dogs?---See my page How to introduce your new cat to
    your established pets.

    Do you have birds, fish, mice, hamsters or reptiles?---Cats are natural predators of
    those kinds of pets and need to be kept separate.

    Are you expecting a baby?---Get through that first and then get your new pet.

    Are you a senior citizen?---Kittens are so full of energy that they wouldn't be the
    best choice for you.  You know the saying that little children are given to young
    parents because they have the energy to run after them.  The same applies to
    kittens.  Some breeds of cats never outgrow their high energy.  They relate well to
    you, are intelligent and are worth the effort if you can supply that need for extra
    attention.






















    Where to find a new pet
    Kittens are available in late spring and summer.  You can find ads in newspapers or
    on bulletin boards that say "free to good home."  Or you can visit your local
    shelter.  Those are both good solutions.  Pet shops are called Kitty Mills because
    they often buy from people who are only raising cats for profit.  I'm not sure if there
    are any  Kitty Mills left.  National cat chain stores may be offering cats from
    shelters.  Check to see that they are providing the local shelter with a space to
    show their cats.  Should you get one kitten or more?  Kittens from the same litter
    have learned to entertain each other and will not need as much attention from
    you.  
    Adult cats of the same sex can learn to get along with each other, too.  If you bring
    both of them together to their new home, neither one is intruding on the other's
    territory.  Or if you introduce a kitten to an older cat, they may get along fine.  See
    my page on Introducing a new cat and your established pets.

    Recycled cats
    Grown cats from shelters or from people who can no longer care for them, are the
    best for most people, especially beginning cat keepers.  The older cats are quieter,
    less likely to get into trouble and don't need as much attention.  When you get
    rescued cats from a shelter, you can tell a lot about the cat's personality if you can
    identify the components of the mix within those cats.  Then you'll be better
    prepared for their specific behaviors.  
    Read my page on Making sense of the differences between various breeds and
    mixes.  You'll see that there's a big difference between the heavier and hairier cats
    and their opposites, the svelte short haired varieties.  The first are much calmer but
    need more daily brushing.  The svelte ones are active and need more attention.  
    These are, admittedly, generalizations, but can help you sort out the major needs
    of the cats.     
    Choose your new pet carefully, because having a healthy socialized cat is enough
    challenge.  Select one that's confident and willing to interact.  Don't choose the cat
    you merely feel sorry for or that is sickly.  Pick the one that really appeals to you
    and the one that takes to you.  Find out all you can about the cat's history and
    type of previous setting to see if it matches with what you can offer it.  For
    example, a cat from an active home will fit in well if you have the same situation.  

    Pure breeds
    Pure-bred cats may have inbred tendencies to certain diseases.  If you're going to
    purchase a pure-bred cat, you might want to visit a cat show first, talk to the
    breeders, exhibitors, and judges.  You'll learn invaluable information.  You can also
    get information at the breed's club on the Web.  

    Feral cats
    Feral cats are only for the experienced cat handler.  You might want to help the
    cats you find wild in the woods or on the street, with no collar, but can you take
    the best steps to tame wild cats?

    Do you select your cat or does your cat select you?
    There are many instances where it seems that a cat comes to you and asks politely
    if it could live with you.  If that's the case, know that you are one of the chosen.  
    From the other point of view, if your friend or future partner comes to the house
    and your cat hisses or leaves a nasty gift on your friend's coat, take your cat's
    advice.  It lives or dies by its assessment of other animals in the wild.  It knows
    when the future will turn bad.  Your cat has a well-developed sixth sense.  See my
    page on How cats find out about the environment.          
How to Select A Cat