Is a Cat the Right Pet for Me?
As pets, cats generally require less attention and activity than dogs. This makes them suitable for people who have busy lifestyles, small living spaces (such as apartments), or limited mobility.
Cats are different from dogs in how they behave and interact. While dogs are social animals that love being around people, cats are typically more independent and often prefer to be alone. Some cats, though, do live in groups and spend most of their time together, and many cats raised around humans seek out human company.
Because cats usually ask for attention on their own terms, some people think they are unfriendly. But many cats are very loving and seek out affection from their owners.
Cat showing affection
Cats show they care by purring and rubbing against you. They also rub their faces against things to mark them with scent glands on their faces. A fearful cat might arch its back, raise its fur, hiss, or spit.
Purring is just one way that cats communicate. When they make soft sounds, they might want attention. When they make loud sounds, they might be upset or need something urgently.
When female cats (called queens) are ready to breed (“in heat”), they can be especially vocal.
What Cat Breeds Are There?
When you're choosing a cat, focus most on its personality and behavior and not as much on its appearance. Mixed-breed cats are usually described by their fur length and color. You can find shorthaired, medium-haired, and longhaired cats in colors like gray, black, brown, white, calico (a mix of patches of white, orange, and black), and tortoiseshell (a combination of colors like orange, cream-colored, or black all blended together, rather than being patchy).
There are many different cat breeds, and each breed has unique traits. If you want a purebred cat, you might want to read up on the particular breed or ask your veterinarian or an experienced breeder for advice.
Should I Get a Male or Female Cat?
Both male and female cats can be excellent pets once they are neutered or spayed, respectively. (The surgery to prevent a cat from breeding is called spaying in females and neutering in males.) All cats should be spayed or neutered unless they are meant for breeding. The behavior of neutered male and spayed female cats is very similar.
Spaying prevents unwanted kittens and decreases certain health risks in females, such as cancer. Neutering male cats can help decrease behaviors like roaming and marking territory with urine. Neutering also decreases the strong odor of urine from male cats.
Spaying or neutering is usually done when cats are about 5–6 months old, but some vets suggest doing it even earlier to prevent unwanted breeding and undesirable behaviors.
Should I Get a Kitten?
Kittens that grow up with a family usually adapt well to their home. Although they are fun and playful, kittens require more attention than adult cats. Adult cats are generally calmer and less demanding.
Kittens that are handled by people when they are 2–7 weeks old tend to be friendlier and less aggressive than kittens that are not handled. Feral (wild) kittens that don’t get enough human interaction in the first few months of life might always be scared of people.
Kittens can leave their mother when they are weaned (able to feed themselves), which is usually when they're about 6–7 weeks old.
Where Should I Get a Cat?
You can get a cat from various places:
Breeders. If you have a particular type of purebred cat in mind, you will probably need to find a breeder. Be sure the breeder has long-term, reliable experience breeding a particular type of cat before you purchase a cat from them. Finding a good, responsible breeder can be tricky, so consult your veterinarian for help. Articles like How to Find a Good, Responsible Breeder can also be helpful.
Shelters. Adopting from a shelter helps save cats that need homes. Cats from shelters are typically already spayed or neutered and vaccinated.
Pet stores. Some veterinarians advise against purchasing pets from pet stores, because of concerns about animal welfare and health. Although pet stores might provide health records, you might not know how the cat was raised.
Stray cats. Some people take in stray cats from their neighborhoods. But doing so can be risky because the cat might be unhealthy or fearful of people.
Online. Trying to purchase animals online can be risky because many scammers pose as pet sellers but don't actually have any animals. Be cautious when arranging to purchase a cat online from someone you don’t know.
Wherever you get a cat, have it checked out by a veterinarian right away.
How Do I Judge the Physical and Behavioral Health of a Cat?
When choosing a cat, look for signs of good health and a friendly personality. Here’s a quick guide:
Healthy cats are usually lively and friendly. Kittens should be curious and playful, not shy or aggressive.
