Author's sketch of his lazy cat flopped on the back of a couch
Choosing a cat isn't just a matter of vet checkups, neutering and health concerns. It's not even necessarily by looks. The most important reason to choose a cat is to find the one who's going to become a good roommate--and maybe take over your life! Age, gender, breed and looks matter, but it comes down to personality. Know yourself to choose your cat, and the cat will choose you.
Instructions
1. Plan for the cat. Make some initial decisions based on why you want a cat. Do you like cat shows and want a purebred breed cat who's going to win awards and enjoy showing off in front of judges? Are you replacing a cat that died of old age, if so do you want one that reminds you of your departed pet or a cat so visually different you know that's who it is on sight? How large is your home? What's your budget? What are your habits?
Ask yourself all these questions in a completely non judgmental way. It's much better to know at the start what you want from a cat than to pick a beautiful one for breed or looks and then find out you're personally incompatible. Young cats are much more playful than older cats, but some individual cats are calmer than others. Some breeds have very affectionate, emotionally needy personalities. Siamese are often one-person cats who will choose to get attached to their one person with absolute devotion and get hostile or arrogant with anyone else. Maine Coons are gentle giants who appreciate affection from anyone.
Look into different breed personalities online. Even if you are planning to get an animal shelter cat, many of them still show the breed personality that relates to their looks. Also sometimes purebred cats wind up in shelters. If you don't mind the added work of daily brushing a Persian, you may luck and get a beautiful super-longhair that appreciates the attention.
2. Know your living situation. Neutered cats react better to being entirely indoor cats. Non-neutered cats may need more room to run around in, and non-neutered males will be more aggressive, especially if there's more than one. If you have any other cats, how they feel about the newcomer ought to be taken into account.
If you have an only cat who's lonely and are getting a second cat to keep her company, consider taking her with on the trip to the animal shelter to choose her companion. Phone ahead and ask if you can. Most shelters have playrooms where you can bring animals you're considering adopting to meet children and previous pets. They appreciate this kind of planning in getting a new animal, it's in their interest to make a good adoption match the first time.
3. If you are new to having a cat at all, consider getting a covered litter pan. This will help reduce the amount of cat sand that gets thrown around. Keeping it in the bathroom and using clumping scoop sand may be easier for you in daily litter pan care than the cheaper litter that's usually thrown out completely. Some people like ecological litter that's made from recycled newspapers.
Purchase premium cat food or better for your cat. Even a shelter cat will live much longer on good premium or high-protein food. Talk to cat breeders about their favorite foods for cat health, they are often knowledgeable. "Regular" cat food today is made with formulas more like the cheapest discount cat food in the past, premium is what regular cat food used to be, and the high protein or all-meat diets are the healthiest for cats according to every breeder I've talked to. Even a cat that seems malnourished or has a dull coat when you meet him may become sleek and healthy on a better diet.
Cat proof your house. Make sure small breakables are in cabinets with doors, not on open shelves. Cats like climbing shelves, being arboreal. They also love playing Drop Things. By instinct, they like to chase anything stringlike, including shoestrings, hair ties, the strings of anything that has strings and yarn. Buying or making some toys to give the cat something to play with that's disposable is a good idea.
So is a good scratching post or cat condo. You can make a cat scratching post from a two-by-four, nailing it to a base and wrapping it with rope or carpet that you nail to it. Some cats like a big barkless sawn-off tree branch set at an angle they can climb, just as if they were leopards in a zoo. Be prepared to try more than one, and be prepared to try new brands of litter or food if the cat doesn't like it.
Ask about the cat's history in the shelter. Sometimes an animal that's been abused will never become friendly again, but other times a formerly neglected animal will become extremely attached, grateful and cuddly.
4. After deciding if you want a breed cat from a breeder (and which breed), taking into account breed personality, visit the breeder or animal shelter and take your time playing with all the cats or kittens that interest you.
Kittens will be a lot of rowdy trouble for about a year, clawing things, wrecking stuff, making mischief you wouldn't have dreamed of in a century and interrupting everything you do. Usually by jumping on you with teeny tiny needle sharp claws. The advantage of raising a kitten is that you will influence the cat enormously just as you would by raising a child. Firm boundaries and plenty of attention and affection will help your kitten grow into a healthy, affectionate cat who has good habits especially in relation to your life.
If you do not have several hours a day to devote to interacting with your kitten while she grows up, consider starting with an adult cat instead and seek one with a quiet personality who's emotionally self sufficient. Is the cat in the shelter begging for your attention or relaxed and wandering off to explore the play area? Does he come when called by the name he used to have?
5. Choose the cat that purrs.
It's important to know a little about cat body language. Eye contact and ears perked forward is friendly interest. Leaning against your hand or leg and purring is familial affection and a very good sign. Purring as soon as you pick the cat up is a sign of a human-socialized cat who likes you a lot and wants to go home with you. Don't assume that the pretty one that's exactly the color you want but is giving you flattened ears, a standoffish hiss and stiff body language will warm up to you over time. Cats have strong personalities and decide for themselves who they want to bond with.
Head bumps from a cat while the cat's purring is a very strong signal the cat has decided to own you and chosen to adopt you. Head bumping and cheek rubbing deposits a little of the cat's musk on your skin -- subtle musk, a very faint odor you may not even be able to detect. But other cats will. Pet the cat in the direction of the fur. Don't try to hug a new cat unless the new cat is inviting a hug by leaning against you and not moving away with a little gentle pressure.
If you want a lap cat, try holding the cats in the shelter. Squirmy ones will not become lap cats later. The one that turns around, clings and may shove her head in your armpit is the one who will probably accept hugs later on too, and love you. Also, "armpitting" is a sign that cat views you as a protector from dogs, other large animals, hostile cats and hostile human beings. Pet a cat when he's armpitting and soothe him, he will probably calm down and be very grateful for the attention.
If you want a cat who will look after you emotionally, look for a female. Cats are matriarchal. Queens, especially cats who have a strong maternal streak, extend this to their humans too. Look for the female cat who's fussing over the other cats and washing them, who gives you affection and a firm head-bump, and who washes your hand. This queen cat will become your adopted furry little mom. She will nag you if you stay up too late, she will mention it when she needs food or water, but she will also climb up and wash you anytime you are sad or lonely. There is no trouble in life so great that a mother cat can't wash it away. This kind of emotional support is most likely from a motherly female cat, and she's the reason so many cat people joke "My cat runs my life." They do--emotionally.
Maternal queen cats retain this dominating yet gentle personality after spaying.
6. Neutered male cats are more affectionate and gregarious than female cats. They may become plump and lazy, or stay active and playful. They are less likely to be dominant than queens, more good chums getting along with their humans or perpetual kittens who let you take charge. But these are tendencies! Individuals vary a lot, so spend time with the cats and kittens in your final choices and look at how they behave throughout the visit.
Bad habits can be changed with patient discipline and sorting out the problem, like finding out a cat doesn't like scented litter by trial and error. However, it's better to avoid bad habits in the first place. Define for yourself what bad habits are. You may want a loud garrulous Siamese who's always meowing to let you know where she is. Or you may prefer a quieter cat who rarely vocalizes.
Watch how they behave with the other cats in the breeder's home or the shelter when you're a few feet away and not paying attention to them. If they are still trying to get your attention, that does actively mean the cat wants you -- but when more than one do, look at how they are trying to get your attention and ask if you'd put up with that in the middle of a serious project.
Cats are wonderful companions. They are as social as human beings and their instincts lead them to socialize with other species. Cats can and do train dogs. Cats have even done seemingly crazy things like adopt pet mice. They are neat and clean, often easy to care for and relatively independent, not needing attention around the clock unless that's their individual personality.
Try petting the cat's tummy. Some neutered males love belly petting. Many cats take it as an invitation to play "Got your Paw" with claws. Know the difference, and if you like rubbing fuzzy tummies, find one that appreciates it.
Finding the right cat is a matter of knowing your personality and then choosing one of the cats that chose you. It's well worth it in the long run!
Tags: other cats, animal shelter, more than, will become, your attention