Before you get your first cat...

Part 3: What Kind of Cat Should I Get?

So you're seriously thinking about getting your first cat, and you are sure you want a cat in your life. Splendid! You may have some preconceived notions that you want a particular breed of cat, or that you want a kitten instead of an adult kitty. But before that important decision, do some homework. Like life itself, there are many factors involved in choosing a cat, some of which you may never have considered. Here's the help you need in making that decision. On the other hand, you may find yourself lucky enough to be chosen by the cat of your future. Male vs Female
Personality-wise, there really isn't a lot of difference between the sexes, if they are neutered. Whole male (unneutered) will fight for territory if outdoors, and indoors will liberally spray their strong scent on walls and curtains, to mark their territory.
Whole females will also spray on occasion. Worse yet, they will make themselves and you miserable each time they go into season, with loud yowls and bizarre body gyrations.

On the other hand, once neutered, their personalities will improve, if anything. I've known male cats to be loving and loyal, and they are my usual preference. Other people swear by female cats as felicity purrsonified. Bottom line is that it doesn't make a lot of difference. You'll want to look for personality first, then if you find several nice kitties, narrow it down to sex, if that's important to you.

• Pedigreed Cat VS "Moggie"
  You may have already been to a pet store (heaven forbid!) or a cat show, where you fell in love with a particular breed. One important factor with "purebred" cats is that, unless the breeders has years of experience with genetics, and carefully chooses their breeding stock with the cats' full pedigree background, undesirable traits will creep into the breed. Some breeds have inherant problems because of this, e.g. Persians with P.K.D.and/or nasal problems because of their foreshortened noses, or Manx with spinal problems. Reputable breeders will screen their cats and offer guarantees against known physical problems in their breed.

  "Moggies," which I've adopted from the English term for domestic cats, are of unknown parentage. The Moggie you adopt from a shelter or rescue organization will most likely be a true "orphan." Because their health and genetic history is unknown, it is important for a shelter cat to be tested against certain diseases, and to receive his "shots," preferably before you bring one home.

• Adult Cat VS Kitten
  When you first visit a shelter you'll be torn between appealing kittens clustered in cages, but keep in mind that grown cats often are more "user-friendly", and will be ever-so-happy to find a new home. These cats often came from a happy family setting, and were given up because of illness of an owner, divorce, death, etc. The benefits to you in adopting an older cat are many:
• Older cats (other than ferals) are usually trained to a litter box.
• Kittens are rambunctious and lively. Your household will never again be peaceful with a crazy kitten running around. If "serenity" is your lifestyle, you'll be better off with an older cat.
• Grown cats may already have been neutered and had its "shots."
• Older cats may make the transition to a new home easier than kittens.
• • Older cats are much more grateful!

  The benefit to the older cat is that most of these cats will not find homes, because people naturally gravitate toward the kittens.

  A final consideration is your own age. If you are 65 or older, it is always possible that you will not outlive your cat, so an older cat would be an excellent choice. You might even want to adopt a "disabled" cat, one that is blind, an amputee, or otherwise "unadoptable." These cats make wonderful companions and compensate for their "disabilities" with a wealth of love and devotion for their human savior.

  For more information, please read this illustrated article on the many Reasons to Adopt an Older Cat.

  If you are younger, with school-age children, a cat who is one or two years old would be a great choice, and s/he can grow up with your children.

• One or More?
  You may have not even entertained the idea of adopting more than one cat, but it is not unusual for someone to go to a shelter to adopt one kitty and come home with two. You may fall in love with a beautiful, personable cat, only to find that she has a litter mate or "best friend" and can only be adopted as part of a pair. My response to that scenario is that if you have the space in your home and your heart and the resources to care for more than one, you'll be rewarded with much more than twice the amount of joy. This is particularly true when getting a kitten. Kittens are loads of fun, but for a number of reasons, two kittens are better than one, in many cases.

This is the third lesson of a two-course series of lessons on "Getting a New Cat." After completing this series of lessons, be sure to continue to the next series on "Your New Cat," which will give you all the help you need in shopping for your new cat, making your home "cat-safe," and the information you'll need on getting him off with a good start in his new home, as a family member for life.