New Cat Owner's Guide: Finding The Right Cat

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Ahhh...cats. With their flexible bodies, alien-like eyes and a somewhat “King of the World” attitude, there’s no question why many people around the world love them. In Singapore, they are considered by many as their chosen furfriend. Owning a cat is not something to be taken lightly, and there are commitments other than just time and effort involved in getting yourself a life long companion. Throughout the next few weeks, we will be going through the process of owning a cat in Singapore to better prepare you for your new addition to the family! The decision of choosing your cat is an important one, as once you’ve decided, your new feline friend will be part of your life for many years to come. In this article, we will be providing you with some tips to figure out what kind of cat is the best choice for you!

Before looking for your new furfriend, narrow down your search by asking yourself a few questions:

Do you want a kitten or an adult cat?
Do you want a certain breed?
Do you want a friendly or cautious cat?
Do you want to adopt from a shelter or rescue group?
Does it need to be good with children or other pets?
Do you want a friendly or cautious cat?
What is your lifestyle and living arrangement?

Lifestyle and Living Arrangement

It’s best to pick a cat that has the personality that will suit your lifestyle. For example, you will want an independent cat that doesn't mind being left along for long periods of time. Whereas you may prefer a lap cat that loves to cuddle and follow you around. Do you entertain a lot and require your cat to be friendly towards strangers and visitors? If so, you should probably get a “greeter cat” that is sociable and has the confidence to approach anyone to say hello and get some attention.

Age

If you're a busy person that cannot give your pet a lot of attention, a new kitten may not be the best choice for you. Although kittens (aged 1 year or below) are easier to train and assimilate with other pets as their personalities are still developing, they require more care and attention compared to their older counterparts. A kitten is probably not the best match if you have young kids, as you will provide constant supervision to protect a fragile kitten. In contrast, adult or senior cats (1 year old onwards) already have a more developed personality, and thus may require more patience to train if they’re already set in their ways. However, adult cats have been known from being timid to cuddly and playful when paired with the right household!

Cat Breeds

Cat breeds come in different ranges of sizes, colors, builds and personalities. Each breed possesses distinctive characteristics that set them apart from each other, and it is important for a new owner to ensure that they have chosen the right breed for themselves.

Good with children: Siamese, Maine Coon, Persian, Ragdoll and Burmese
Most likely to seek human contact: Russian Blue, Maine Coon, Cornish Rex and Oriental breeds
Low activity level: British Shorthair, Ragdoll, Persian, and Saint Birman
Hypoallergenic breeds: Balinese, Devon Rex, Siberian, Russian Blue and Sphnyx
Less likely to have behavioral problems: British Shorthair and European Shorthair
Sheds minimally (or don’t shed): Sphynx, Burmese, Lykoi. Cornish Rex, Exotic Shorthair and Birman