New Kitty Suggestions?!?

[tikeyas_mom]

Adopt, or goto a shelter at least and look around . they have alot of availible kittens I bet.

If I were to get a pure bred I would get a persian , I love their pushed in faces .

[julijul]

What type of temperment are you looking for? How high/low maintenence do you want your kitty to be? How talkative? All these things you want to take into consideration before chosing a breed that you're apt to spend 100s (even 1000s) of dollars on!

Myself, I chose Bengals! I was first attracted by their beauty, then I learned of their temperment, everything I wanted in a cat! Social, playful, affectionate, curious, highly adaptable, love water, even have "dog-like" characteristics!

Here's what I got with my two:
Very loving (when they want to be!) They sleep snuggled next to me at night. They don't really enjoy being picked up, but they frequently "catnap" with me while I'm watching TV. But they ONLY love me. No one else!!! They're pretty nervous and skiddish around strangers (especially Jonah), unless of course you have food, a toy, or something that smells interesting.

Playful - VERY playful! Very high attention needs for play! And they DESTROY toys!! But they're so much fun and VERY acrobatic!!

Curious - meaning, they are into EVERYTHING!! I do mean everything!

Love water - not really, except they are FASCINATED by a flushing toilet!

Dog like - VERY! They have to sniff everything new that comes into the house (including people - if it's only one person..more then one, they become zoom kitties!). Finn fetches. I think it's the cutest thing ever (but with one, and only one, toy). Jonah chews ANYTHING that's plastic (hard or soft) and wood. Everything wood and plastic I own has Jonah bite marks on it!

And the one thing no one told me and drives me batty? Jonah's voice - he YOWLS!! He's the loudest cat I've ever heard. For no reason at all!! Especially at 6am when I'm still trying to get the last valuable minutes of sleep! I think this is the one (and only) bad quality about Bengals - I prefer quiet cats. Luckily - Finn has a very quiet, petit meow.

And the one thing no one told me that I absolutely love? They hardly shed at all! (only when they're nervous).

I know you didn't say you were interested in Bengals - but these are some of the things you need to consider when choosing a particular breed of cat - talk to breeders, talk to owners.

And don't forget about your local animal rescue/humane society! Kittens are super cute, but if you adopt an older kitten or adult, you're likely to know better about what sort of temperment they'll have.

Some day when I'm able to have a 3rd cat, I'd like to get involved in showing - so I've though alot about what my 3rd cat should be - I really like Pixie-Bobs (much like bengals in temperment but not as talkative), I thought about Balinese/Javanese (I just love their long profiles and tubular bodies) but then thought of the "talkative" factor, Singapuras sure are cute! The breeder I got my two from also breeds (and shows) Singapuras - they are kind of like Bengals on speed!! And super affectionate!

Phew - ok, I guess that was kind of a lot!
Check out my photo album if you'd like to see pics of my two!

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

IMHO YOU do not choose a cat - a CAT chooses you!

I also echo the advice re a rescue cat or kitten - and you will probably find a wide choice of breeds available. It might help to enquire at your local rescue / shelter and also your vet - they may be aware of an unwanted cat or kitten or litter of the breed you eventually choose.

Best of luck - hope you are chosen by a real special kittie!

[cocker_luva]

even if it was from a shelter or not, i would like some background info on a cat first!!!!!!!!!

[carole]

i know what u are saying , i was scared i would get another one with the same temperament as Ash, and i nearly took one at the shelter, i was stroking this female grey cat, and she seemed happy, then all of a sudden she bit my finger, blood everywhere, it hurt too, that was a close call for me, they said she was stressed being in a shopping mall, but i reckon that was half the truth, i think it was her nature, thank goodness i took lexie next door to her and i am blessed with a lovely natured kitty, so take your time as i said before, be in no hurry, and make a wise choice, you will find the right kitty as i did if you do.

[cocker_luva]

thank u carole, i don't wanna be in a hurry. i'm gonna take my time researching and eliminating the breeds that aren't right for me.

[carole]

good for u, let me know when u get your new kitty
cheers

[slick]

I, too encourage you to get a rescue cat, preferrably an adult as opposed to a kitten. The kittens are always the first to go because of the "cutness factor" and the adults always get overlooked. There are so many advantages to getting an adult and they are just as loving as kittens. Good luck.

[bluekat]

I agree with slick, adult cats from a shelter could be very affectionate too. Once I went and saw this cat i fell in love with. He was an adult, and once I walked over to him, he immediately got up from sleeping and started purring and rubbing himself against me as best as he could. The people said that if you hold him, he'll do whatever he can to stay on you as long as he can. I was soooo sad when my parents said we couldn't get him.
So go to a shelter, and look for a cat, and you'll know right away if its the right cat for you.

[cocker_luva]

I am really thinking about getting the Australian Mist. they're good with kids, very affectionate and lap cats, from what i read.

[kath00]

You should think about getting a Ragdoll...

Ragdoll cats are affectionate, dependant, big fluffy cats that do not shed too much and do not need grooming, despite their beautiful, medium long fur. Ragdoll are "colorpointed" cats that will follow you around the house like a dog and it will flop into your arms like a rag doll (children will enjoy it as much as you!).

[kath00]

here's a good website if you're interested in Ragdolls :
http://www.ragdoll-cats.com

[carole]

gosh is that right about the ragdolls, they dont shed, are they not long haired, and dont need grooming, i never knew that about this breed, i would love to own a ragdoll oneday, do you think they would be ok for someone with cat allergy, remembering i have two cats right now. but i thought being long-haired would be an absolute no no., just wondering if you know thanks

[PayItForward]

The Ragdoll breed must be kept inside at all times. Because of their natures they don't see danger. ie. Sit in the middle of the road and will go home with anyone.

As I know you have inside/outside cats, a Ragdoll wouldn't be the right cat for you.

[kath00]

Their coat is like that of a rabbits’ and sheds considerably less than other medium-long haired cats. Ragdolls' coat do not mat, so grooming is not absolutely essential, but a weekly grooming is really benefic to the beauty of the fur.

Because Ragdolls lack undercoat and shed little, it is sometimes claimed that they don´t cause allergic reactions. It however isn´t the hair which causes allergy, but the dander . Therefore Ragdolls are just as bad to people with an allergy as any other breed.


Ragdoll facts
The male can weight up to 20 pounds, the female usually weight 10-15 pounds;
Ragdolls are very affectionate and love to sit beside their owner;
Ragdoll are gentle and limp into trusting arms;
Ragdolls follow their owner everywhere and are very people-oriented;
Ragdolls get purrfectly along with other pets and children;
Ragdolls are known to be quick learners.

Here's a good text about ragdoll cats :
"Ragdolls truly deserve their name. The name implies to Ragdolls´ tendency to relax all their muscles and go limp in one´s arms like big beanie babies, but they have other characteristics that could be connected to a rag doll: they are friendly, sweet, loving, docile, gentle and serene. Although they have many good qualities, it is the personality which has made people call Ragdolls addictive!

Ragdolls are "people-oriented" cats who love to be with humans and attach strongly to their owners. Many Ragdoll owners tell how their cats wait for them at the door when they come home and follow them everywhere like shadows! Ragdoll owners are rarely alone; Ragdolls want to take part of everything that happens in the house and "help" their owners on whatever they do. Because Ragdolls want to be close to their humans, they are always on danger to be stepped on! Luckily they also forgive easily. Because Ragdolls are very social, you should get at least two cats if you are a lot of time away from home.

Ragdolls are calm, yet moderately active and like to play. With their easy-going attitude, they get along well with other animals and children and rarely use their claws while playing with someone. Ragdolls can also adapt to live in a small apartment and they are happy living indoors, as long as you play with them and provide them cat toys and a climbing tree. In fact Ragdolls should never be let go outside alone, because they are very trusting and tend to think of everyone as a friend. Their trusting nature also shows in the way they let people handle them: you can put Ragdolls on their backs and carry them like babies, and unlike most cats, they actually often enjoy tummy rubs!

Ragdolls are usually not very "talkative" and they have a quiet voice. Yet they have a large vocabulary and often Ragdoll owners tell how they cats "chirp", "squeak" and "growl"!

Ragdolls are less stubborn than most cats tend to be and they can be easily trained. They usually learn the same tricks as dogs, like retriving toys, rolling and begging. They are also easy to teach how to walk on a leash and how to use a scratching post. Ragdolls are generally not destructive at home, because they are calm and usually prefer the floor-level to climbing. Due their lack of undercoat, Ragdolls shed relatively little.

Don´t forget that these are only common qualities in Ragdolls and just like in any other breed, they don´t apply to all of them. Every Ragdoll is an individual!"