| Once you've decided to welcome a cat into | | | | information available about the various |
| your home, the question remains: what kind? | | | | registered breeds. You can look at |
| Should you get an adult or a kitten? | | | | longhaired versus shorthaired, and get a |
| Longhaired or shorthaired? Do you want a | | | | brief description of each breed's general |
| purebred or whatever mix is available at the | | | | traits. |
| local shelter? And if you decide you'd like | | | | |
| purebred, which one? Here are some things to | | | | If you aren't planning on showing or |
| consider as you choose what type of cat is | | | | breeding, and you haven't fallen in love with |
| best for you. | | | | a particular breed, you may just want an |
| | | | old-fashioned housecat. One benefit to |
| Kittens versus adults. There's nothing cuter | | | | getting a "moggie" as they're called in Great |
| than a kitten. They're not only adorable but | | | | Britain, is their availability. Your local |
| are lots of fun. They also have a lot of | | | | animal shelter probably has dozens of cats |
| energy, and can keep their owners up at | | | | looking for a home. You may even be the |
| night, break things and generally make life | | | | happy recipient of a free kitten. There are |
| pretty hectic. Of course, this stage does | | | | literally millions of homeless cats in |
| not last forever, but if you want a kitten, | | | | America, any of whom would love to become |
| make sure you're prepared for it to be | | | | part of your family! |
| rambunctious. Older cats are usually already | | | | |
| housebroken and are calmer, often adapting to | | | | Do you want a longhaired or shorthaired cat? |
| a new home more quickly than kittens. | | | | This is a major decision when trying to |
| | | | determine what kind of cat to get. Be |
| Once you've decided whether you want a kitten | | | | prepared to keep a longhaired cat bushed; |
| or an adult, you have to determine whether | | | | although cats are good self-groomers, some |
| you want a purebred or not. There are over | | | | breeds may need a little extra help keeping |
| 40 registered breeds, all of them with | | | | all that fur in order! And you may find that |
| different characteristics. If you are | | | | you've got the vacuum running more often with |
| interested in showing or breeding your cat, | | | | a longhaired cat than a shorthaired one. |
| you'll probably want to pursue this option. | | | | Shorthaired cats shed as mush as longhaired, |
| Purebred cats can be quite expensive, and | | | | in general. They can trigger allergies to |
| you'll need to make sure that you are dealing | | | | the same extent, as it is the dander and not |
| with a reputable breeder. | | | | the hair that gets to allergy sufferers. |
| | | | |
| National and international cat breeder's | | | | Choosing what kind of cat you want can take |
| associations maintain lists of recognized cat | | | | research. On the other hand, you may find |
| breeds and their characteristics. Both the | | | | that you fall in love with a cat in a moment, |
| CFA (Cat Fancier's Association) and TICA (The | | | | making that one the perfect pet for you. |
| International Cat Association) have | | | | |