Cats.. I want to learn about them - Possibly will adopt in September..

[Tora Oni]

I highly recommend a cat. I've been reading your thread in the dog thread. I used to think I was a "dog person" and didn't like cats. Then I had one! Now I have 8. But the first one is still my big baby. I really think that a cat would fit your lifestyle better than a dog. Not that there's anything wrong with dogs, but they do require alot more work and attention than a cat. And there are cats that have personalities that are similiar to a dog. Ones that love to be with people and to be held. Get to know the kitty. One observation I have made, and it is not in any way to be viewed as a rule, but from what I have noticed, male kitties tend to be very affectionate with their person. Hope you find what you're looking for. And it is good that you are thinking ahead and not making any rash decisions.

PS I named my kitty, Morgan, because of Garth Brooks' song 2 Pina Coladas.

I totally agree, The same thing happened to me up till I was 13 I thought I was a dog person, me and my dog competed in obedience training so its not that I feel out of love with my dog it just I found a new love and as much as I love my dog I still connect with my cat better than my dog. Which I had since I was 8, but now all I want are cats but I'm waiting till I get a good job and such. If I were you I wouldn't get a kitten the first time because if your a new cat owner because the take alot of care and if your not familiar to the things a grown cat does then you probably won't think to proof your house in some ways a kitten would need, not that its impossible. It more so the fact that if you get 1 or 2 year cat then you know it is going to be a cuddler or not when a kitten don't always stay the same. Some people think that getting an older cat it has all these habits that you can't deter or their going to be less trusting or something which is absolutly untrue. Most cats if trained or taught not to do something correctly their not going to and your probably only going to have one cat so behavior problems won't occur; such as spraying. My advice is above all make sure your cat is spayed or neutred and it will be more friendler and less likly to be focused on mating and more on just being a carefree cat. Oh btw Stormy was found in a park.

[KitCat]

Cats can be very attentive and loving, despite what many people think. They are also trainable despite the rumor they aren't. My cat knows the rules of the house and follows them and knows some tricks.

He is a great companion, and I would certainly advise a cat as a good pet. They are much more quiet than a dog, and easy to take care of. My cat loves attention, to be brushed and combed, and likes to play with toys even though he is about 10 years old. He has really enriched my life!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I also read your thread in dog general and I'm glad that you're also considering adopting a cat. I now have 4 males and 2 females and from my experinece the males are more of the lovebug type than my females. I also agree that adopting a slightly older cat is a great idea because then you really know what their personality will be like. My cat Sky is my kitty dog and he was about 1 when I adopted him but I already knew that he was a very outgoing cat and that he loved people before I even brought him home. He's a Norwegian Forest Cat/Siamese Mix.

All of my cats are rescues but if for some reason you'd like a purebred cat then the Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats are often considered very dog like if this is what you're looking for. Most Siamese cats are also very friendly and will form strong bonds with their owners. I would recommend that you look at petfinder or a local rescue group or humane society. They can usually help you find exactly what you're looking for. Good luck.

[Russian Blue]

I also agree with the older cats since it's much easier to see their personalities and behaviours. Go to a local rescue or contact a cat rescue in your area and discuss your living situation with them. They will know their cats and can find one that fits your home.

Also, if you want to find a specific breed of cat you can contact local breeders. Many times they will retire a cat from breeding and need a home for them usually at a reduced cost as well. To understand the basic breed descriptions, you can read about them here: Cat Breeds

I've had rescue cats growing up and last year lost my heart cat, Nakita who was a purebred Russian Blue. I would never tell someone to take one cat over another. The best cat for you is one you fall in love with and will take care of throughout its life. Also, I couldn't tell you that males are more lovable than females since each cat is so unique and I've had very lovable cats from each gender.

I just added two cats from a local rescue to my house, a 2 year old female named Gigi and a 7 month old make named Steve. I was originally looking to only adopt Steve but knew it wouldn't be fair to leave him home alone when we were gone to work. So the two cats keep each other company when we're gone and it's very entertaining watching the two of them interact.

Good luck on your search and feel free to ask any questions!!