If you are looking to choose a specific breed of cat, and to make a decision if you want to bring home one or two kittens, here are some things to consider to ensure that the cat/s will fit in with your lifestyle and be the pets you are looking for.
- If you are looking for a cat who is always up for a game of pounce and keen for being taken for a walk on a lead, you may consider breeds like the Burmese, Siamese, Ragdoll or Sphynx. These breeds are known to be very affectionate and don’t like to be left at home alone for long periods of time.
- If you want a cat who is quite happy with her own company, breeds like the Norwegian Forest Cat, British Shorthair and Maine Coon are known to be less demanding of your attention.
- If you would like a cat who will curl up on your lap and sleep on your bed, there are the traditional couch potatoes, like the Persian, Ragdoll and Ragamuffin. Having said that, we always need to remember that each cat is an individual and that these are generalisations – a bit like saying “All men can’t cook!”.
- If you are looking at a shelter kitten, it is often difficult to identify the breed, but moggies make up about 80% of pet cats and most of them are exactly what you were looking for!
The chance of two cats getting on well is dramatically increased if you get them together as kittens. So, if you are away from home for long periods every day, getting two cats will mean your cat will not be lonely.
Wendy Wilson, behaviourist
