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 CHOOSING A CAT
Before you get a cat for your home, be sure to know what kind suits your lifestyle. Cats, like clothes and furniture, must be compatible with you and your environment. Like a partner, they must be treated with outmost care and must be given extra attention. And like kids, training must be imposed early. These answer to why you should know your cat better and choose it appropriately before housing. Of course, besides pondering on the limit of your patience and cost, there are other factors to consider.
1. Male or Female?
Deciding on the cat's gender is not really an issue in choosing a cat today, but then, you must remember that choosing is now also part of your obligation. Knowledge on the behavior of different genders is necessary in your cat selection. Many people may think that both male
and female have the same behavior and personality - they are wrong. Male cats are aggressive while the female cats are graceful, but almost 80% of cat lovers prefer the male rather than the female. What could be the reason? The truth in choosing a cat is that the gender is unnoticeably a big consideration.
Male cats, though a little violent and aggressive in protecting their territories, can be loyal and more loving than the female. The female cats, on the other hand, may show calmness, but can also be intolerably noisy - always howling and creating crying-like sounds.
2. Adult or Kitten?
Adopting an adult cat is more advisable than choosing a kitten. The notion that kittens are just like human babies is true. You have to give them extra attention, extra care, and most importantly, extra patience.
Kittens are so much energetic and vigorous that sometimes they can be destructive of your furniture and appliances. They can also show signs of tantrums and irritability. Kittens can be nice pets for kids as they can play with each other. Adult cats are more trained than the kittens. They can adjust easily to a new environment. Just give them enough food, shelter, and love, and they will be okay. For older and organized people, an adult cat can be a great pet, and for extra patient people who would like to personally train their cats, kittens will be good.
3. The Breed
It is necessary to know the breed of your cat because this can convey their physical conditions and their behavior. For instance, the Persian cat is the most common kind of breed cat owners have because of its loyalty and beauty but, it is important to also know that these cats often have nasal problems because of their foreshortened nose. A Manx have spinal problems so a little harder bed is preferred. These physical attributes can help the owner in knowing how a certain cat should be taken cared of.
In terms of behavior, choose a well-behaved and loyal cat. For the elders, a Birman cat would be a good pet because of its gentleness, and non-aggressiveness. A Tonkinese would be enjoyable for the kids because it is energetic and lively, but is very loyal just like the Birman.
Domestic cats are also loyal and loving, but if you choose to take a domestic cat instead of a purebred, be sure to have it inspected by a veterinarian first. Domestic cats, also known as "moggies", have no specific life history and only an expert can trace it, give the cat the proper vaccinations and treat its certain diseases.
4. The Physical Condition
Before buying a cat, make sure that it is healthy and free from diseases. Remember that you and your family would play and hug it; there must be no chances of transmitting viruses and diseases from the cat to another person.
Signs of a healthy cat:
* The cat's eyes must be clear, no excretions of any kind.
* The ears must be clean and free from wax.
* The nose must have no moist, or any signs of cold or nasal problems.
* The teeth must be white and gums pinkish.
* The body must not look like malnourished - there must be a proper amount of flesh.
* The hair must have no fleas and ticks.
BASICS OF CAT CARE
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CAT IS SICK
HOUSE TRAINING YOUR CAT
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