Lovely curious female cat on a desk looking at the window, her owner is smiling and looking at her
The image source is Envato.
You’re thinking of getting a cute cat but aren’t sure which one to choose for your family. If you take a quick look online, you’ll see the number of breeds out there. Choosing the right pet that will be perfect for you and your kids can be challenging unless you consider the following tips.
Narrow Your Choices
The first thing you should do is narrow down your choices. This doesn’t mean you need to choose which cat you want to purchase for your family just yet, but there are a few general questions that could help you. For example, does your family want to rescue a cat from a shelter? This is a major decision because these cats could have behavioral issues. Perhaps your family wants a specific breed, and for that, you need to talk to a breeder.
Focus on the Cat’s Health
It’s vital to pay attention to your cat’s health. If you purchase or rescue a cat without asking questions about the health history, you might be in for a world of financial headaches. Going to a vet can get expensive if your cat has a lot of health issues. You’ll want to ask about the cat’s health history, vaccination history, and the last time the cat visited the vet. If you aren’t provided with this information, then you might want to keep on going. You don’t want to put your family through the troubles you might face with a sickly cat.
Think About Personality
The next thing you want to pay attention to is the cat’s personality. You want to interact with the cat you’re considering, or at least make sure the breed you’re thinking of has the personality you want. Some cats are a bit aggressive, while others are a bit shy and might not be too friendly. Of course, some warm cats love attention and love to cuddle, which is probably the best type for a growing family. Just try to stay true to the kind of cat you want as you start looking.
Thinking About Breeds
If you’re going for a rescue, then breeds don’t matter much since you pretty much get what you get. If you are looking for a specific breed, you should pay attention to the types of breeds available and that you and your family would be interested in. Research breeds that have certain characteristics that you would like. This can really help you narrow down your search. For example, there are many people who like the dog-like characteristics of the Savannah cat while also having the looks of a cheetah. There are Savannah cat breeders that you can reach out to to ask questions and see if you would be a good fit to that breed. No matter what breed you are interested in, it is always a good idea to get as much information beforehand so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Let the Cat Choose You
If you’re going to a place where you will see many cats, then allow the cat to choose you. If there’s a cat that’s incredibly friendly to you and your family, then this might be the right option. If the cat isn’t too friendly or is a little aggressive, then you might want to stay away from that cat. Bring your family along to see how the cats interact with your family. What you’re doing here is trusting your instincts, which can sometimes work wonders when you aren’t sure about a choice you have to make.
A Personal Concern
When you’re choosing breeds, consider some things that might bother you. For example, some breeds have very specific dietary needs, and you’ll have to satisfy those needs. If you don’t want a complicated food-buying experience, then you may want to avoid cats with special dietary needs. The next thing you may want to pay attention to is exercise needs. A cat that needs to remain quite active is great if you know your family is high energy but not so great if most of your family wants to relax at home. Think about the breed’s coat. If it’s relatively thick, that means more hairballs and more hair in your home. Cat’s with short hair usually require less maintenance.
Conclusion
Now, you know how to narrow down your choices, which should help you find a cat that will fit with your family. This process is going to take some time, so try to be patient, but allow the process to guide you even if it feels like it’s taking too long.
