Cats

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How to Choose the Right Cat Breed
There are so many cat breeds. How can you decide which breed is right for you and your
family? Follow this handy guide to select the perfect cat breed.
The first thing you should consider is whether you will be able to handle having a vocal cat.
Some cat breeds can actually be quite noisy. While many cat owners do not have a problem
with these vocal breeds, as they realize their cats are just communicating with them, a loud cat
can be a problem in an apartment situation. Breeds that are very vocal are the Siamese Cat, the
Korat, and the Burmese. The Scottish Fold, Somali, and the American Curl are considered to be
very quiet cat breeds.
Next, you will want to think about whether you want a cat who is cuddly or if a more aloof
breed is right for you. If you do not have a lot of free time, a cuddly cat who loves attention
may be the wrong choice. However, affectionate cats are usually better with children than more
reserved breeds. Some of the friendliest cat breeds are the Snowshoe, Abyssinian, Maine Coon,
Ragdoll, Tonkinese, and the Himalayan Persian. Less sociable breeds are the Norwegian Forest
Cat, the Nebelung, and the Russian Shorthair.
If you are looking for a cat who can amuse himself and will not get into constant mischief, then
the Sphynx, Siamese, Rex, Balinese, and British Angora breeds may be a bad choice. These cats
are very inquisitive and energetic. However, for someone who is homebound or has a lot of free
time, these cats are a wonderful source of entertainment. In fact, the Rex is downright silly in
his attempts to amuse those around him.
Of course, while you are looking at what cat breed to shop for, don’t get so caught up in
selecting the right temperament that you overlook other important features. One of the most
important things to consider when you are looking for the right cat is whether you want a long
haired or short haired breed.
People who don’t have a lot of time to devote to a pet may want to opt for a short haired
breed. Although that fuzzy ball of fluff may look adorable right now, grooming adult long haired
cats can take up quite a lot of time. If you neglect your cat’s coat, it can tangle and matt up at
an alarmingly fast rate, right down to his skin. Once this happens, your only option is to have
him shaved completely, which can be quite traumatic. Also, your cat will probably have to be
sedated before he can be shaved down, which poses a health risk.