Cats: Choosing a cat
Choosing a cat
People have had cats as pets for thousands of years, and no-one knows
for sure how cats were first chosen to be pets. Perhaps kittens from wild
cats were raised by early humans, and the amused their carers by their antics.
It is likely that cats had become tamed and domesticated by as early as 6000
BC. A feline jawbone was found in the excavations of a Neolithic settlement
in southern Cyprus in 1983. The location is significant as Cyprus has no fossil
evidence of wild cats, so the cat must have been brought to the island by
early human settlers. Certainly cats were fully domesticated 3,500 years ago,
and records from ancient Egypt prove this. Cats were much revered there, and
the punishment for killing one was death. When a cat died of natural causes
all members of the household went into full mourning.
The Romans were responsible for bringing the cat to Britain and it is recorded
that cats were well treated for centuries. They performed a useful service
in ridding homes and grain stores of rats and mice. However in the Middle
Ages the Christian Church proclaimed cats as evil, and saw them as linked
to pagan rituals. The Church urged Christians to inflict pain and suffering
on them. Cats were also accused of being the familiars of witches, and persecution
of cats went hand in hand with persecution of women during the witch hunts
of the seventeenth century. Yet cats survived, perhaps because ordinary people
were too fond of their cats, or found them too useful to want to obey directives
from the religious authorities. The persecutions eventually ceased, and the
cat is now again a much loved pet, though we still have legends of cats on
witches' broomsticks.
Cats unnerve some people because they are independent creatures compared
to dogs. Their independence helped them to survive hard times - they could
survive outside, and catch their own dinner. Today, though people generally
feel friendlier towards cats, and more of us are well-off enough to coddle
our pets, the environment cats live in is not as friendly as it was. There's
less wild countryside for cats to roam in, and there are hazards, like cars,
which can kill roaming cats. Deciding whether to have a cat is now a bigger
responsibility, because cats depend on us more for their survival than in
the olden days. They need a safe area if they are going to be outdoor cats,
and this usually means a garden. Outdoor cats belonging to people with no
garden, or just a small one, often go in other people's gardens. This isn't
always well received! They may wander onto busy roads and get run over. Outdoor
cats can also be at risk from other cats, in places where there are a lot
of cats competing for territory, which is often the case in cities. Outdoor
cats can be injured in fights, and catch diseases from other cats. You can
keep a cat indoors to protect your pet from modern outdoor hazards, and some
breeds are better suited to indoor life than others. Indoor cats are very
much more dependent on you for their needs, not just food, they can get bored
easily if they don't have enough interesting things to do. People with gardens
can allow their cat protected access to the outside by building a cat run,
fencing off part of the garden, with a wire mesh roof - as described in Indoor
Cats.
A cat can live for 20 years or more, so it is quite a commitment to take
on even an outdoor cat. Some people don't like to keep cats confined, even
with a cat run, and if you don't live in a safe area, and don't want to confine
your cat, maybe it's better to wait until you move to somewhere more cat-friendly.
Outdoor cats also get used to the territory they define for themselves, and
if you are at a time in your life when you are moving several times a year,
it may be better to wait a while until you can offer a cat a more stable home.
Lucky would-be owners have a nice, big garden away from traffic, or a large
city flat with lots of interesting places for indoor cats to play. There's
still a bit more thinking to do though, before you choose your cat.
Preparing for your new cat
The first thing to do is 'think cat', and. if you don't know cats well, ask
a cat-owning friend to look at where your new kitty will live to see how safe
it is. It's especially important to cat-proof your home if you are getting
a kitten. Cats and kittens are much more agile than dogs, and can get into
more trouble from objects you think are out of their reach, like cans of paint!
Open windows and balconies can be dangerous for little kittens, so you may
need to put barriers in place.
The new cat or kitten will also need equipment, like a litter tray, food
and water bowls, a carrying basket, its own bed (which it may, or may not
choose to sleep in), toys and of course food - whatever the cat has been used
to eating at first.
It's also worth asking around to see who can care for your cat if you are
away for the weekend. Cats often prefer to stay in their homes rather than
be put into catteries, and if you have very reliable friends, they can provide
care and allow your cats to stay at home when you are away for a couple of
days.
Where can I find a cat, and what sort should I get?
Non-pedigree kittens are usually readily available from rescue organizations,
who may sometimes offer subsidized neutering, or you can find kittens through
private advertisements, or asking around to see if anyone local has a litter
they are trying to place. A kitten should not be less than 8 weeks old when
it goes to its new home, and should be kept indoors until it is old enough
to be vaccinated, because of the risk of infection. Of course there are also
many adult cats at rescue centres needing good homes, and there are rescue
centres dedicated to specific breeds. It's a good idea to contact a breeder
who may know of a rescue organization devoted to the breed you're interested
in. Rescue cats come in all shapes and sizes, and their temperaments can vary
from being quite wild, to being couch potatoes, content to sit on your lap
and be cuddled for long periods. The one common characteristic of rescue cats
is that they all need good homes. The rescue centre can help you choose a
cat that suits you.
An adult cat may be more suited to your lifestyle than a kitten, and given
plenty of tender loving care, most will settle in quite quickly to a new home.
Some may take a little longer to settle so it is important to be patient.
Being taken from familiar surroundings, however bad, to a rescue centre and
then moved again to a new home, is a major upheaval for a cat. Cats that start
out a little wary can be more rewarding over the long run, when they do build
up trust with you.
Even elderly cats should be considered. An elderly cat may have been given
to a rescue centre when its owner died and such cats are often passed by because
of their age, but they can make loving, loyal pets in their twilight years,
given a cosy bed by the fire, good food and lots of tender, loving care.
You may find yourself adopted by a stray cat. Cats can be very fickle, and
come round to see you if you offer them food, so it's important to check whether
the cat is indeed a stray before deciding to adopt. You can place adverts
in local shops, the local vets, and notify the RSPCA and Cats Protection League,
to ensure that anyone who may have lost the cat has a good chance of finding
their pet. It's also important to give any newly adopted stray a health check
with the vet, and quarantine the newcomer if you already have cats. Strays
could transmit fatal infectious diseases to your existing cats, so it's safer
to take your vet's advice on quarantine and whether the cat poses health risks
to other cats. Cats and kittens you are given by friends and neighbours should
ideally also have a health check and quarantine period, just in case. Rescue
cats should already have been screened, though a brief quarantine period won't
do any harm, and will allow the new and existing cats to get used to each
others' smells before they meet, so make meetings easier.
At the other end of the scale from strays, there are pedigree cats, which
are available from breeders. If there is a breed that appeals to you, you
can contact the appropriate breed club, which should be able to put you in
touch with a breeder. You can make an appointment to visit the breeder when
he or she has kittens available, when you can make your choice and reserve
your kitten. Usually a pedigree kitten will be over 12 weeks of age and already
vaccinated when it goes to its new home. It's worth finding out as much as
you can about the breed before you choose a pedigree kitten, so you know what
to expect and can pick a breed that suits you.
What are pedigree cats like?
Most people have moggies with uncertain parentage, and the average moggie
can be a loving and much-loved pet. But pedigree cats have special allure
for some people, and there are many different pedigree cat breeds, each with
different personality traits. Some breeds crave attention, while others are
aloof; some are lively and some are, shall we say, more 'plodding'! There
are those who are very vocal and others who you won't hear a peep out of from
one day to the next. There is also the question of longhair or shorthair.
Longhair cats require regular grooming, with Persians requiring at
least daily grooming. It's worth thinking about your lifestyle and the sort
of breed that will fit in with that lifestyle. Some of the livelier breeds
are the Burmese, Siamese, and Oriental Shorthairs, while Persians, Birmans and Ragdolls are more relaxed. Maine
Coons and British Shorthairs are in-between, tending to calm down
a little as they get older.
Burmese cats are extrovert, fun-loving, athletic and strong, but can
be demanding. Not all Burmese cats are as vocal as, say, the Siamese, but
they do like the sound of their own voice and will use it. Their intelligent
minds need to be kept occupied, so they are generally not suitable for someone
out at work all day, or someone who craves peace and quiet at the end of a
tiring day. They are also very friendly and enjoy company so would not like
to be left alone all day. Some people describe Burmese cats as born clowns,
and they will keep you entertained. They enjoy the outdoors, so should be
allowed access to the outside and not kept as indoor cats. You can build them
a cat run to give them safe access to the outdoor, if you don't live in a
cat-friendly area.
Siamese cats are not for the fainthearted - they are very similar
to Burmese cats in being intelligent, demanding, friendly, and very vocal,
though they are more vocal than Burmese cats. Like the Burmese, the Siamese
is not a suitable 'home-alone cat', because this breed likes company and entertainment.
They can be very mischievous and inquisitive and have even been known to steal
away with their owner's possessions, such as keys, diy tools etc. High entertainment
value!
The Bengal is another lively, extrovert breed which likes attention.
This breed stands out for its beautifully marked coat, which has a unique
silky texture. The Bengal's leopard markings have indeed come from the wild.
This breed was developed crossing between domestic cats and Asian Leopard
cats. Not all the first offspring were fertile, but those that could breed
produce litters with greater fertility. The wildness has been bred out of
them, so the later generations still have the look of a wild cat, but they
have been selected to be sociable and make good family pets. The ability of
domestic cats to breed with close relatives has been in the news in Britain,
with reports of matings between escaped exotic pets and domestic cats, but
such matings have not been selectively bred for tameness and markings, so
are much less likely to produce a suitable family pet, let alone one that
is both sociable and beautiful, like a well-bred Bengal cat. Do ensure that
you find a reputable breeder, however, since selecting the right parents is
very important with this breed. Bengal cats are agile and curious and need
space to run and climb, preferably with access to a safe outdoor area. If
you can add a water feature this will satisfy their fascination for water.
Some individuals may adapt well to a harness enabling you to take them for
walks around the garden on a lead. They also don't like to be left on their
own for long periods of time and many Bengal cats enjoy the company of other
cats or other non-prey animals - some even get on with dogs! Bengal cats are
quite vocal, and have a wide vocal range, which includes chirrups and howls.
Oriental Shorthair cats (formerly referred to as Foreign Shorthairs
collectively with Abyssians and Russian Blues) are derived from the Siamese
breed with the same conformation and type, with an overall coat colour rather
than the typical 'pointed' coat pattern of the Siamese. Like the Siamese,
they are spirited and demanding and would provide a person living alone with
much entertainment and devotion, being almost dog like in their nature. They
are said to have good recall and will remember where they have left a toy
and are clever at finding items that you thought had hidden away safely! They
do not need usually much grooming, but do benefit from regular brushing when
they are moulting.
At other end of the temperament scale are Persian cats. They are generally
placid and laid back with sweet temperaments, although the temperaments can
vary between the different coat colours. Self or solid colours are generally
the most placid, while colourpoints can be slightly livelier, probably due
to their original development that involved crossing Persians to Siamese.
They don't require too much space and will be quite happy living permanently
indoors, although access to an outdoor run or safe fenced area of garden will
be appreciated. Persians do like company but will quite happily sleep the
day away until you come back home from work, and then sleep the evening away
on your lap! However, if you are at work all day, you might consider two,
as company for each other. They can be playful, but this is generally in short
bursts, followed by long periods of 'rest'! Persians are quite high maintenance
with regard to their long fur, which must be groomed regularly to prevent
it from matting. The key is to start introducing your kitten to brushing and
combing from an early age. Hopefully the breeder will have already begun the
process for you. There is also the problem of weepy eyes in some individuals,
particularly those with the flatter faces, so this will require attention
to prevent unsightly staining of the fur, both around the eyes and on the
paws when the cat washes itself.
Perhaps the answer to the grooming issue is the Exotic Shorthair,
which to all intents and purposes is short-coated version of the Persian.
Their coat is dense and soft and does not need as much grooming as a Persian
longhair, although it will still need grooming, perhaps once or twice a week.
The eyes of some flatter face individuals will again require attention to
prevent tear staining. They have the same placid temperament of the Persian
longhairs and are generally good family pets, having an affectionate nature
and being very owner-oriented.
Birman cats are amenable, laid back and people-oriented. They enjoy
the company of other cats and other animals, including dogs, and are gentle,
calm, and good with young children who respect them, making Birmans excellent
family pets. Equally their sweet and loving nature would suit a person living
alone or the elderly. They will happily live as indoor cats, but, like Persians,
would appreciate a safe outdoor area as they are quite active. If they are
allowed the freedom of the garden they may return with gifts, as some individuals
make good hunters! Their long silky coats are not as dense as the Persian
coat, but will still need regular grooming to keep it in good condition. The
coat markings are similar to the Colourpoint Persian except that the feet
are snowy white.
Another laid-back breed is the Ragdoll, famous for its relaxed attitude
to life. They can be playful well into adulthood, and are said to be fiercely
loyal and almost doglike in their behaviour, even to retrieving rolled up
balls of paper! They don't like to be left alone however; so two cats would
be ideal if you are out at work all day. Their laid back nature means they
are good with children, although they are large, muscular cats - with adult
males weighing in at 8-9kg! Their coats are semi-longhair and silky and easy
to look after with a brush and comb perhaps twice a week, although more grooming
may be required when moulting. The coat patterns are colourpointed, mitted
and bicolour.
Maine Coon cats are often referred to as 'gentle giants', and have
a somewhat shaggy semi-longhair coat. They are gregarious and sociable, and
can be energetic, although many individuals are happy to laze about idly once
out of kittenhood! They love human company and enjoy the outdoors, so this
is a good choice for people who live in a cat-friendly environment. Some individuals
can be happy as indoor cats as long as they are provided with things to do
and play with, and they have enough space. Ideally, though, they should have
a cat run, or some sort of protected access to the outside, like an enclosed
balcony, if you feel the area you live in isn't cat-friendly enough for them
to have unprotected access to the outdoors. They benefit from a sturdy scratching
post with different levels. Maine Coons are generally good with children so
are ideal family pets. Their semi-longhair coat is silky and waterproof with
only a slight undercoat, making it easy to look after.
British Shorthair cats are placid and affectionate and, as with Persians,
there may be slight differences in temperament between the different coat
colours. Silver tabbies are said to be energetic, for instance, with colourpoints
being extremely affectionate probably due to the influence of the colourpoint
Persians originally used to produce the coat pattern. They are said to be
adaptable to new environments and can be happy both as indoor or outdoor pets.
They enjoy human company and can be lively - usually in short bursts! They
are generally home-loving, making good family pets, mixing happily with other
animals and young children. The short plush coat gives them a cuddly 'teddy
bear' look, and is easy to look after, with perhaps a weekly brush and comb.
This is just a brief overview of the cat breeds which are favourites in Britain.
Breed clubs are another source of information on breed characteristics, including
any health problems the breed may be prone to, and you can click on the 'Books
on Single Cat Breeds' at the bottom of this page to find out more about cat
breeds, as well as cat breed books.
Should I have an entire or a neutered cat?
Neutered, if you aren't planning on breeding cats. Entire males are likely
to roam and fight, and catch diseases, as well as spraying the house. They
tend not to survive very long, while neutered males can live to an advanced
age. Entire females can present you with several batches of kittens a year!
How do I care for my new cat?
Any new pet likes some time to explore its surroundings, and a little peace
and quiet after the upset of moving to a new home. So let the newcomer make
friends with you in his or her own time, rather than forcing interactions.
If there are other cats in the home it is probably best to confine the new
cat or kitten to one room initially, so that the newcomer and the established
cat or cats can get used to each others' scents before you try a face-to-face
introduction. This is particularly important when introducing an adult cat
to established cats. Do get your vet to check out newcomers, unless you are
sure that they have already recently been checked by a vet - it can save you
a lot of heartache. Do check with the owner or rescue organization what type
of food the cat has been given previously, as any change in diet should be
gradual to avoid digestive upsets. This need for dietary continuity is especially
true for kittens. Watch your new pet as he or she explores your home, so you
can become aware of any hazards - your cat will tell you where they are! And
welcome to the world of people owned by cats.
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See also:
 Cats:
Behavioural Problems
Indoor
Cats
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Books
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