Now that you’re positive you wish to share your life with a cat, let’s examine the various sources out there for getting your new companion—whether a kitten, an adult, a purebred, a mixed breed, hairy, hirsute, male, or female.

As I’m positive you’re cognizant, cats aren’t in brief offer. You could in all probability open up your back door and virtually realize one hanging go into the yard. I go on 3 acres and virtually every morning I spot a special cat crossing through the sphere.

While a good many of us come upon the cat of their dreams through rescue efforts, that technique isn’t for everybody. The out of action or starving cat you pick up from the margin, or the one you rescue from the shelter’s cellblock, could or might not end up to be the friendly, trusting, well-socialized animal you’d hoped for. I’m definitely all for anyone United Nations agency offers a cat a second likelihood at life, however you ought to confirm you recognize what you’re moving into. I want you and your cat to spend many, many happy years together. Make sure everyone in your family is on the same page regarding the type of cat you want and the amount of time and patience you have to help that cat get beyond any negative history.

A note of caution: When you begin your search, I recommend that you not bring your children along. Your first visits to shelters, breeders, etc., need to be strictly to evaluate the facilities. I’ve seen too many owners coming home their first day out with a kitten they weren’t prepared for because the children fell in love. Oh, and by the way, children aren’t the only ones who suffer from the inability to walk out of a shelter empty-handed—we adults wrote the book on impulsivity.

Shelters—Finding Your Diamond in the Rough

Walking into a shelter is a very emotional experience for an animal lover. Walking out empty-handed is very difficult for an animal lover. Be prepared—you can’t save all the animals. It’s very tough to go from one cage to the next, staring into the eyes of the cats in need of homes. As much as you may want to take the neediest of the cats into your arms forever, be sure you know what it’ll require. Making an impulsive decision you aren’t ready for could end up being wrong for you and for the cat.

There are many shelters around the country, ranging from public animal control facilities to nonprofit private organizations. In your search, you’ll find well-run facilities and you’ll come across horrible jailhouses.

Chances are very slim that you’ll be able to come across a purebred cat at a shelter but it does happen. If you’re looking for a kitten, they go fast—everyone wants kittens, especially around Christmas. But if you’re open to the idea of an adult cat, you’ll find many ages, colors, and personalities.

Although shelters are staffed by caring people who try their hardest to house the cats in as comforting of an environment as possible, considering how stressful shelter life is, don’t expect the cats to be on their best behavior. Very often these cats are in emotional shock. Many have been abandoned by their owners, lost, homeless, injured, or maybe even abused. Suddenly they’re put in a cage away from anything even remotely familiar from life as they knew it and they’re terrified. Even though your heart’s in the right place and you plan on giving a cat the best home in the world, initially he may not act very appreciative.

Some cats who’ve been relinquished to the shelter by a family due to a behavior problem may pose an extra challenge to you. Very often though, a cat adopted from the shelter eventually puts his past behind him and ends up being the love of your life. Some of the smartest, prettiest, most sociable, tolerant cats I’ve seen came from shelters. I toured nationally with the famous Friskies Cat Team and these talented cats who are seen on television and in movies were rescued from shelters. When on tour, that fact always surprised people who assumed that “performing” cats had to be specially raised from kittenhood. Not true! Just ask Flash, Harley, Squash, and Spike—four feline headliners with shelter beginnings.

Shelter staffs work with cats when they’re first brought in to help them become adoptable. Volunteers come in daily to interact with the animals, offer comfort, affection, attention, and playtime. Many shelters now take an active role in providing behavioral information to the volunteers as well so they can interact with the cats in the most productive way. At many shelters, new owners can also find behavior support resources in order to help them through the adjustment period with an adopted cat after the honeymoon period has ended.

Shelters do an amazing job even though they’re all overcrowded and underfunded. Before you decide to go the shelter adoption route, inspect the facility, ask questions, and be completely informed regarding their policies. Some shelters even require an in-home visit first to make sure the environment will be appropriate. Don’t be offended at the questions asked of you. The staff is trying to make sure you’re matched with the best cat for you.

HE OR SHE?

This is another area where myths and rumors seem to run wild. If you know someone who has only had male cats, they’ll be able to rattle off all of the great qualities of a male and numerous shortcomings of females. They’ll tell you how much smarter and outgoing males are. Longtime owners of females will quickly dispute that and add how territorial males are.

 Here’s the truth. Once a cat is spayed or neutered, it doesn’t matter if you choose a male or a female. Hormones are what usually drive undesirable behavior such as a spraying male or a yowling female in heat. Simply by having the cat spayed or neutered, you can control that. Left intact, I don’t care whether you choose a male or female, you’ll be one unhappy cat owner. Intact males are territorial and they will spray. If allowed outdoors, they’ll roam and get into countless fights that could lead to injury or death. Intact females, when in heat call relentlessly in search of a male and will try to sneak outdoors every chance they get. Neutered and spayed cats make much better companions. They won’t spend their lives in frustration,

their risk of certain types of cancers will be reduced, and you won’t spend your days pulling your hair out.

Purebred Cats

Although most cat owners choose non-pedigreed cats, you may have your heart set on a purebred.

Lovers of purebred cats will argue that there are hundreds of reasons to go that route versus mixed-breed, but I’m going to assume you’re a novice in the cat world and focus on what I feel would be of the most important to a new cat owner.

When considering a purebred, make certain you’re aware of any possible genetic health concerns prone to that particular breed. Do your homework before deciding on a purebred. Read breed-specific books and check cat registry Web sites. Talk to your veterinarian, breeders, and owners of the breed you’re considering. Visit cat shows in your area to get a closer look. Talk with the breeders who are there to show their cats.

In the dog world, you find big dogs, bigger dogs, small dogs, even smaller dogs, hunting dogs, herding dogs, sporting dogs, guard dogs, long-haired, short-haired, floppy eared, perky-eared, long-nosed, pug-nosed, vocal dogs, and quiet dogs. Such variety! In the cat world, the greatest variety exists mainly within the purebreds. Let’s take size, for example: if you want a very large cat, you’d probably be interested in the Maine Coon Cat. If an athletic cat is more to your liking, there are several breeds to choose from, for example, the Abyssinian. So, if you like specific physical traits or a certain personality type, purebreds can be more predictable. This could be an important factor in your decision-making process. Within the world of purebreds, you’ll find cats with folded ears, bobbed tails, no tails, kinked fur, no fur, or colors that could only exist in nature; cats who are talkers or known for being couch potatoes.

 Some breeds require special attention that you may not have the time, desire, or ability to provide. For example, several of the

long-haired breeds—such as Persians and Himalayans—require daily brushing or their hair will mat. Do you have the time required to care properly for this kind of cat?

Use the Internet for research when considering a purebred because there are many cat-related groups and lists. You can get lots of information from other owners of the type of cat in which you’re interested. Finally, there’s money. A purebred will cost you. Some are much more expensive than others but be prepared to pay.

Kittens are cute. I mean really, really cute. Whenever I bring a kitten on tv with Pine Tree State, close to everybody on the set must come back by for a better look. Kittens area unit undoubtedly smile magnets, however before you fall smitten thereupon endearing very little bundle of fur, take the time to know what’ll be needed of you as the owner of a kitten.

You need to kitten-proof your home if you opt on a teen. You have to patrol for supporting electrical cords, dangerous cleansers, poisons, etc. (Even if you opt on associate degree adult cat you’ll get to safeguard him from this stuff yet, but kittens seem bound and determined to get into trouble.) Basically, you have to understand wherever your kitten is in any respect times to forestall him from pain himself. Kitten-proofing a home isn’t that troublesome, but for some people, it’s not possible. For instance, an artist friend of mine lives in a one-bedroom apartment. She wished the friendship of a feline however knew that obtaining a kitten would for sure end in spilled paint. Not solely would that be untidy, but it would cause a serious health risk to a curious little kitty. The creator selected to adopt associate degree adult cat WHO had a quiet temperament. Aside from one incident once the cat accidentally walked across Sonia’s palette and left a path of fuchsia paw prints on the carpet, they need a really compatible relationship.

A family with young youngsters ought to rethink the concept of a really young kitten associate degreed choose an older one (at least six months old). Kittens are very fragile and can easily be injured by exuberant young children. An older cat will still be confusion, however, he’s higher able to break loose a child’s grasp.

If you or anyone in your family is unsure of his footing, a kitten zooming underfoot through the house could create a danger.

Consider what quantity time you’ve got to devote to a kitten. They need additional oversight associate degreed can’t be left alone as long as an adult cat.

If you adopt a kitten, it affords you the chance to possess a larger result on shaping his temperament than you may wear an associate degree adult cat. By exposing him to a spread of novel stimuli, you stand a good chance of raising a cat who is comfortable around strangers, not afraid of unfamiliar surroundings, adapted to travel, etc.

So why would you want to miss all the fun and get a grown-up? One of the most effective reasons to decide on associate degree adult cat is simply grasp just what you’re obtaining. You can conjointly get a decent sense of his temperament—whether he’s active, nervous, docile, sociable, very vocal, quiet, etc.

Because all kittens tend to be fuzzy very little race cars, you don’t grasp which of them can truly keep that means and which of them can settle down. If you would like to make sure of a selected ready-made temperament or temperament, go for an adult cat.

Keep in mind, though, that associate degree adult cat WHO is timid or nervous will be worked with. There’s most you’ll be able to do to assist associate degree adult cat blossom. You also got to take the cat’s current surroundings and history into thought, and how the cat may change in a new environment combined with your think like a cat training approach. For example, a shelter cat may initially appear very timid or defensive in that stressful environment. Once he becomes acclimated to your home and family he’ll begin to indicate his true temperament and feel snug enough to trust. A cat at the shelter could are relinquished by his previous owner as a result of he had behavior issues. It doesn’t mean the matter isn’t executable, but you have to be prepared to address whatever situation does arise. Very often, the matter could are connected with the circumstances of that previous setting and won’t continue within the cat’s new surroundings.

An adult cat will not like them on the face of it constant oversight that a kitten does.

If you actually have the love and want to share your life with a cat, adopting associate degree adult may virtually save his life. Whether kittens area unit delivered to shelters, found in alleys, or given away outside of grocery stores, they stand a better chance of being adopted than the adult cats. By taking that four-year-old tabby, you may be saving him from a life behind bars or worse, death.

Financially, AN adult cat is usually less costly than a kitten. Kittens need a series of vaccinations and therefore the price of sterilization or altering. Adopting associate degree adult cat from another family or from a shelter typically suggests that the cat is up-to-date on vaccinations or a minimum of had the primary within the series, and in some cases, already spayed or neutered.

Cats steal the breath from babies.

Cats are aloof.

You must get obviate your cat if you’re pregnant.

Litter boxes always stink.

Cats ruin the furniture.

You can’t train a cat.

If those were true, why would anybody ever need a cat? Unfortunately, folks still pass on this inaccurate and unfair info. The result? Many people WHO may need become cat house owners get afraid off. It’s the cats who are suffering as they still are charged with crimes of that they aren’t guilty. Let’s take a better look into a number of the common misconceptions so you’ll learn the truth from fiction and move with plans to share your life with a cat.

Cats are aloof. We’ve all heard that! In fact, if the majority had to explain cats in one word, aloof would probably be it. And, if you mention aloof, you might as well throw in independent as well. I believe these descriptions return from not suitably making an attempt to check cats to dogs. We think of dogs as social creatures and cats as antisocial, solitary snobs. In truth, a cat is a sociable animal. His social system is made upon his sense of territory and therefore the handiness of a food supply. Cats can and do live happily together. In a free-roaming atmosphere, feminine cats can nurse and take care of every other’s kittens. One reason why cats might are inaccurately labeled as a solitary is as a result of they’re usually seen looking alone. Cats hunt small prey—just enough for one cat. Some cats do but hunt hand and glove still, so there’s always an exception to the rule.

Cats may seem distant to some humans as a result of, as hunters, they take in their entire environment. Sometimes the cat might sit on your lap, enjoying your affectionate stroking, but there are other times when he’d prefer just sitting nearby, relaxed yet ready should any prey come on the scene. Cats are stirred up by even the slightest movement which could indicate potential prey.

How kittens were liberal and whether or not they were handled gently by humans additionally play a job in however giant a private area they need later. Much of however your individual cat’s temperament develops, and whether or not he becomes friendly and sociable versus timid and unfriendly depends on you.

This will teach you how to understand his language and communicate with him so you two can develop a strong, loving bond. If you expect him to try to all of the work then you’ll find yourself with, yes, an aloof, freelance, untrusting cat.

The bottom line: stop scrutiny your cat to a dog, and suddenly you’ll begin noticing his unambiguously terrific traits. Cats don’t seem to be little dogs and, amazingly, that’s a tough conception for a few folks to simply accept. Cats shouldn’t be viewed as acceptable and sociable only when they act “doglike.”

Cats can’t be trained. False! Once again, you just have to stop thinking DOG and start thinking CAT. My approach to training is based on positive reinforcement, understanding what a cat needs, and what he is communicating by his behavior. If I want my cat to stop doing something, I direct her to something better and then reward her when she gets it right. This think like a cat method involves understanding why the cat is behaving a certain way so I can meet those needs in a way that’s acceptable to both of us. This training method is easier, more humane, and much more effective than continually reprimanding your cat for doing things that are instinctually natural to him (such as scratching). So throw out all of those old ideas you’ve had about how cats can’t be trained. It’s easier than you think.

Cats are dangerous if you’re pregnant and cats steal the breath from babies. I really hate these. First of all, if you’re pregnant, there are precautions you should take concerning the litter box. The box could be a serious health risk to your unborn baby, but it doesn’t mean the cat should be tossed out. To get an accurate story. As for that stupid myth about cats stealing the breath from babies, it’s not true, yet it continues to resurface again and again. The theory of many cat experts is that long ago before SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) was identified, cats were blamed for the unexpected death of sleeping babies.Litter boxes always stink. Well, actually a litter box will stink IF YOU DON’T CLEAN IT! As long as you maintain an adequate cleaning schedule, no one will ever have to hold his nose to enter your home.

Cats ruin the furniture. There’s some truth to this statement but only if you neglect to provide him with a scratching post. Now I know some of you reading this are thinking, Well, my neighbor has a scratching post and the cat still ruins the furniture. My answer to that? Wrong post.

Will You Be a Match created in Heaven or the Odd Couple?
Cats aren’t shirts that you just patronize the shop so come back if they don’t work. Nor are they a combination of shoes you’ll disclose or throw out once you’ve outgrown them. While these comparisons could appear laughably obvious to you, the unhappy truth is that too several cat house owners truly do read their cats that manner. As a result, in numerous cats find yourself relinquished to shelters or simply abandoned as a result of they didn’t meet their owners’ expectations of the right cat.
Why do you want a cat? Take the time to examine your desires honestly to help ensure a lifetime of love.
Choosing to become a cat owner is, of course, an emotional decision. It’s also choosing to take on a serious responsibility because the cat’s health and welfare will be completely dependent on you. If your impression of cat possession involves filling up a food bowl and putting a litter hold in the additional toilet then each you and your cat can shortly become very unhappy. Although a cat may seem to be a lower maintenance pet than a dog, you must be prepared to meet his emotional, medical, and physical needs.
Being a cat owner also involves a financial commitment which some people aren’t prepared for. Cats or kittens acquired for free need the same veterinary and nutritional care as the purebred you paid top dollar for the initial vaccinations and neuter or spay surgery, then yearly vaccinations for the rest of his life. He’ll also undoubtedly need periodic medical care for unexpected ailments or injuries, and veterinary care isn’t cheap.
Over the years I’ve seen many incredibly close cat/owner relationships. I’ve also seen cats and owners who seem to just co-exist in the same house with no emotional bond.
Many times, that’s the result of the owner having had the wrong expectations about cats from the start. You have an opportunity now, to create a close cat/human bond. Even if you already have a cat (maybe you’ve had him for years), you can create a closer relationshiand that’s the key, it is a relationship.