Each cat is unique in its own way. Its temperament depends on the breed, upbringing, and the character of the mother, who raises the kittens before they go to a new family. By nature, cats are independent creatures. They cannot be forced to obey; they walk wherever and whenever they want. Despite a certain detachment, these animals are able to become attached to a person and give him their love and warmth. Our article will help you find out which cat breed is the calmest and how to choose the right new family member.
Main selection criteria
When making a choice, start from your capabilities and preferences. To do this, you will need to take into account the size of your living space, your lifestyle and amount of free time, as well as preferences regarding the appearance and behavior of your future pet.
Residence and area
For a small apartment, a medium or small cat with a calm character is suitable. Large representatives with a developed hunting instinct and an awl in the butt will feel uncomfortable in it - they will be more comfortable in a private house with a fenced area.
The character of the future owner and the whole family
Lonely people in need of communication should take a closer look at talkative cats. Such pets become strongly attached to their owners and help with household chores with great enthusiasm.
It is recommended to take into account your activity. If you like frequent walks and trips out of town, then pay attention to playful breeds that quickly get used to wearing a harness.
Don't forget about other family members. If an extrovert who loves noisy parties lives with you, then the future pet should be distinguished not only by its friendliness, but also by its lack of fear of strangers. Otherwise, constant fear from loud sounds and unusual smells will negatively affect his psyche.
Length of stay of the owners of the house
Your work schedule also plays a significant role. If you often stay late at work and go on business trips, take a closer look at animals that tolerate loneliness well. Otherwise, a pet left for a long time may fall into deep depression or create a mess as a sign of revenge for inattention.
Self-sufficient cats who know what to do with themselves are suitable for workaholics. They don't need to communicate 24/7 and won't bother you if you're not in the mood. Despite their independent character, these “mustaches” are also partial to affection and love to sit in your arms.
The solution for cat lovers is to have two or more pets. They won't be bored much together.
Having small children
Not all children know how to handle animals, and some, due to their age, are not yet capable of learning. For this reason, for children under 3 years of age who cannot control their emotions, it is better to choose a patient and friendly “mustache.”
Such a cat will not only tolerate all pranks, but will also support any children's fun. If your child does cross the line, instead of being hit with a clawed paw, he will simply temporarily lose his playmate.
Presence of other pets
Friendly cats get along well not only with children, but also with other pets. Particular caution should be exercised only by owners of birds, rodents and aquarium fish. Make sure your pet has a weak hunting instinct. Otherwise, the fish birds may become prey.
Pet gender
Having decided on the breed, it is logical to move on to choosing the sex. Each has its pros and cons, so analyze which ones are more important to you.
Females are distinguished by greater cleanliness, docileness and friendliness. They only cause problems during estrus and pregnancy. In the first case, you will have sleepless nights due to loud screams and periodic attempts to escape, and in the second, you will have to find owners for newborn kittens. If there are no plans for breeding, everything can be easily solved with the help of sterilization.
Males are more dominant. They rarely accept affection against their will and often show aggression if something does not go according to their plan. They are also characterized by marking their territory, accompanied by a rather pungent and unpleasant odor. As in females, this problem can also be solved surgically. The advantages of males include attachment to the house and rapid toilet training.
Please note that gender differences are very arbitrary. There are always exceptions to the rules, so this point should be considered only as an additional one. Unusually affectionate cats and extremely aggressive cats are far from uncommon, but the nuances regarding puberty are always static.
Requirements for the coat and color of the pet
The difficulty of grooming directly depends on the length and thickness of the coat. Long-haired individuals with a thick undercoat shed very heavily. Without regular brushing, their fur becomes tangled and can lead to dermatitis.
Completely hairless cats are not so easy either. They sweat a lot and are constantly cold. Because of this, they need to be bathed frequently and dressed in warm clothing.
When choosing the type of coat, proceed from the amount of free time and desire to engage in grooming procedures, and when choosing a color, simply be guided by your ideas of beauty.
You may have heard that white colors are less allergenic, but in fact this opinion has not yet been confirmed by felinologists. For this reason, if you have allergies, it is better to take into account more reliable factors.
Manx
Photo Credit: gfacegrace Flickr via Compfight Another feline native to Maine, but this time from the Isle of Man.
This is where the name of the breed comes from. A distinctive feature of this breed is the absence of a tail, or a very short tail, as well as medium-length hair. Manx get along well with people, as they can subtly sense a person’s mood. With all this, Manx are excellent hunters and guards. Like a real watchdog, the Manx can begin to growl threateningly if he suddenly decides that something is a danger to him or your family. If suddenly the need arises to change the family for a cat, the Manx easily adapts to new people and a new environment. Manxes are very obedient cats, and if you tell him not to scratch the sofa with his claws, he won't do it. However, in this case, it is better for you to offer him a scratching post instead of the sofa as an alternative.
Lifespan: 8-14 years.
Weight and size: height - 18-23 cm, weight - 3-6 kg
Care: brushing once or twice a week, more often during shedding.
Which cat is better to have in an apartment: top breeds
In addition to size and activity level, there are a few other things to consider. The top cat breeds for apartments, presented below, include the most friendly animals, as well as those who are famous for their unpretentiousness, cleanliness and hypoallergenic properties.
Unpretentious
The most unpretentious cats are those who are unpretentious to food and do not require complex care. These include Bengal, Burmese, Siberian and Rex.
It is most difficult with long-haired, hairless, flat-faced and fold-eared animals. The first ones shed profusely, the second ones constantly sweat, the third ones suffer from increased tearing, and the fourth ones are vulnerable to ear diseases. If you have little free time, then it is better to immediately refuse to buy cats with the listed features.
Clean
Cleanliness is characteristic of all cats. This is their advantage over dogs. Falling asleep in the litter box, urinating in the wrong place and carelessness in grooming are not breed characteristics at all, but the result of errors in upbringing or a consequence of health problems.
Hypoallergenic
It is important to understand that hypoallergenic cats also cause allergies, but much less often - or with milder symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, the source of the negative reaction is not animal fur at all, but a protein foreign to humans called uteroglobin, or Fel D1. It is found in all physiological fluids, including saliva. For this reason, when licking, the protein spreads throughout the fur, and when it falls out, it spreads throughout the house.
When choosing a hypoallergenic pet, focus on the following factors:
- Low concentration of uteroglobin in the body. The lowest protein level was recorded in “Siberians”, Neva Masquerade and “Balinese”.
- Bald skin. Such animals simply need to be washed more often to remove all dangerous secretions. Hairless cats include sphinxes, elves, and Ukrainian levkoys.
- Lack of undercoat. The less hair, the weaker the shedding, so it is much more difficult for the allergen to spread. Rexes, Lycois, Siamese, Napoleons, Javanese, Ocicats, Burmese and Bengals have this feature.
Please note that hypoallergenicity does not exclude preventive measures. These are: frequent washing, combing, periodic change of cat litter and hand washing.
Calm and friendly
The “British” and “Persians” are distinguished by their angelic calmness and laziness. Both are friendly, but do not tolerate being annoying. For this reason, they are not suitable for children, but they get along well with teenagers and some primary schoolchildren who understand the boundaries of what is permitted.
Good with children and other animals
Such pets include Ragdolls, Exotics, Neva Masquerade, Thais, Burmillas and Burmese. They not only take part in joint games with pleasure, but also never enter into open conflicts. For this reason, be sure to ensure that children and other pets do not harm your peace-loving “whisker”.
Munchkin
Photo Credit: mila-sera Flickr via Compfight The Munchkin is a real cat dachshund.
A very funny breed with a very interesting history. In fact, all currently existing representatives of this breed descended from one cat named Ezhevichka. The owner of Ezhevichka did not breed this breed on purpose, but simply picked up a cat that was already pregnant at that time on the street. When the cat gave birth to kittens, Sandra Hochnel (the owner) noticed that half of them were short-legged. Since then, cats with short legs have become a separate breed of munchkin cats or, translated into Russian, karapuz. Although, if you are offered to buy a munchkin kitten, and the kitten’s legs are quite long, do not rush to blame the seller for wanting to deceive you, since long-legged munchkins also exist. The short legs of munchkins do not in any way prevent them from being very active and playful animals who love communication with both children and other animals. It’s very funny to watch how munchkins, with their short legs, try to quietly steal a tasty morsel from the table. The hind legs of this breed are usually longer than the front legs, which causes the body to rise from the front to the back, making the cat look even more funny.
Lifespan: 12-15 years.
Weight and size: height -18-20 cm, average weight of a cat - 3-4 kg, cats - 2-3 kg.
Care: all care for munchkins consists of periodic brushing, which these cats perceive quite favorably. Short-haired munchkins need to be brushed once every few weeks, while long-haired munchkins need to be brushed twice a week.
What breed of cat is best to choose for your home?
If you are the owner of a private home, then the size of the animal plays a secondary role. Living outside the city requires unlimited access to walks in the yard and the occasional infestation of rodents. In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to the most active breeds and mouse cats. Good health will also help.
Mice catching abilities
The appearance of rodents on the site is a rather serious problem that can easily be solved by a mouse cat. The most capable representatives include the following:
- Siamese;
- Russian blue;
- Cymric;
- British;
- European Shorthair;
- Maine Coon;
- Kurilian Bobtail;
- Siberian;
- Manx.
Please note that the hunting instinct is best developed in females. This is due to the need to protect and feed the offspring.
Desire for frequent walks outside
Most mustachioed pets are typical homebodies, but there are exceptions. Revelers include the following representatives:
- American Shorthair;
- savannah;
- oriental;
- Abyssinian;
- Bengali;
- Siamese
All of these animals are characterized by increased activity, intelligence and curiosity. For this reason, when living in an apartment, it is recommended that they be walked on a leash, like dogs.
Such cats quickly get used to wearing a harness and with great enthusiasm keep company with their owners in the nearest park or ordinary yard. In a private house, everything is even simpler, since it has a very convenient free-range option.
Good health
Life expectancy is influenced not only by living conditions, but also by the health received from nature. The following representatives have the strongest immunity:
- Siberian;
- Russian blue;
- Norwegian forest;
- Bengali;
- Maine Coon;
- Siamese;
- American Shorthair.
On average, they live about 15 years, but with proper care this figure increases to 20 years.
The nature
The breed of a cat does not guarantee that the pet will have the desired character traits. However, cases of “undesirable” nature in purebred cats are an exception to the rule.
Sociable and talkative
Communicating with your cat is a pleasant activity that talkative pets will happily share with their owner. If you want to discuss the weather with your cat every day, the following breeds are suitable:
Burmese cat
A purr that's fun to talk to
Don Sphynx
Kitchen Talk Lover
Canadian Sphynx
Warm and smooth myavlik
Oriental cat
Fan of philosophical conversations
Siamese cat
Accompanies every action with his “meow”
Thai cat
Loves to talk even to herself.
Sociable cat breeds love to have philosophical conversations with their owner. Do not choose this breed if you value silence in your home.
Silent cats
Meowing can also irritate a cat's owner. If you prefer not to hear unnecessary sounds, choose from these breeds:
American Shorthair
A cat who is too lazy to meow
Cornish Rex
Able to communicate with the owner without making sounds
Norwegian forest
Northern wisdom and silence
Siberian cat
Doesn't meow while being fed
Turkish Angora
The Snow Queen
Exotic cat
Doesn't waste energy on talking
Silent cats don't bother you, and you'll keep your home calm. Representatives of these breeds will only meow for important reasons.
Active and energetic
It’s interesting to watch active cats: today the pet wanted to explore the closet, and tomorrow he will become an astronaut! These are the cats that love activity:
Abyssinian cat
Astronaut cat with fiery color
Bengal cat
Curious entertainer
Egyptian Mau
Energetic and smart
Kurilian Bobtail
Jumper with a short tail
Ocicat
Comes up with problems and solves them
Turkish van
Lover of games and swimming
Owners of energetic cat breeds will have to constantly come up with something to keep their pet occupied. But it's worth it! They will be happy to solve your puzzles and wait for the next ones.
Lazy cats
There are cats that don't like to run around their owners' shelves. You can eat well and then sleep well! The following breeds are true sloths:
British cat
Loves to eat and sleep
Nibelung
A cat who is interested in lying with his owner
Persian cat
Real cat pillow
Russian blue
Always resting to be ready for the hunt
Siberian cat
Moves only to find a comfortable position
Exotic cat
Lazy cat with a cute face
Lazy cat breeds are a good choice for phlegmatic people. Slothful cats can be so inconspicuous that only a regularly empty bowl hints at the existence of a cat in the house.
Affectionate and kind
People get cats to pet them and love them! Affectionate breeds themselves come to hug and kiss, so they are suitable for loving owners:
Burmese cat
They follow their owner like a tail
Don Sphynx
A cat who will live on your shoulder
Manx
Ball with love for affection
Neva Masquerade
Will be happy to come pet you
Nibelung
Always remain affectionate kittens
Ragdoll
A tame cat with a submissive character.
Such breeds are reluctant to get off their owner: they don’t like to part with their beloved friend! Choose an affectionate cat breed if you are willing to give it enough attention.
Smart cat breeds
It is interesting to communicate with intelligent pets: they understand speech, easily learn commands and become a true friend. Smart cat breeds include:
American Bobtail
Easy to learn commands and rules
American Curl
Trainable and intelligent cat
Munchkin
High intelligence and innovative thinking
Oriental cat
A lively mind and good learning ability
Siamese cat
A cat that acts like a dog
Turkish Angora
They know the wisdom of human life.
Such cats can be trained: they learn to fetch a ball, perform actions, dance and walk on a leash. Cats with high intelligence are the choice of people who do not want to get a dog.
A few more unusual cat breeds
If we abstract from the size of the living space, then we can highlight several more unusual options. In this section we will talk about cats with an original appearance and canine devotion.
Beautiful color
First of all, the beautiful color adds originality. The most effective include the following:
- Lilac. The combination of pink and purple is typical for the “British” and “Oriental”. The purple color is even present on the nose and paw pads.
- Tortoiseshell marble. Both colors are known for their rarity, but their combination breaks all records. This coloring appears only in females (American Bobtail, Munchkin, Maine Coon, Rex, Scottish).
- Cinnamon. This coloring resembles ground cinnamon. The intensity varies from light red to dark brown. With a lighter color, the paw pads are always pinkish-brown, and with a darker color, the pads are the color of the coat. Found among the "British".
- Spotted, or tabby. A very attractive color, characteristic of wild cats, is inherent in the Egyptian Mau and Bengals.
The listed colors greatly influence the price. Due to the rarity and difficulty of breeding, an animal with such colors will be much more expensive than its standard counterparts.
Unusual sizes
Dwarf breeds are very popular among cat lovers. These include:
- bambino;
- munchkin;
- Dwelf;
- minskin;
- Napoleon;
- lambkin;
- Skookum;
- Singaporean;
- Kinkaloe;
- skif-tay-don.
The last representative is the smallest. Its minimum weight is only 900 g, so an adult cat can easily be confused with a kitten.
On the contrary, the largest representatives include Maine Coons, Savannahs and Chausies. Savannahs and Chausies of the F1 generation (that is, the closest to wild relatives) can reach a weight of 15-20 kilograms and are the size of an average dog.
Original appearance
In addition to color and size, it is recommended to pay attention to other features of appearance. Among the most original breeds are the following:
- orientals - mustachioed aliens with big ears;
- Bombay - a pet resembling a wild panther;
- American Curl – a very fluffy and unusually kind cat with curlicue ears;
- dwelf - another alien, reminiscent of a rex, with ears like a curl;
- rexes are unique owners of curly fur coats;
- Savannah generation F1-F3 is a smaller copy of the wild serval.
Note that in the latter case it is very important to avoid close relationship with the wild ancestor. It is best to take kittens from the second generation, or F2. Their blood contains only 25% of the Serval, which excludes innate aggression.
Playfulness and dog loyalty
Both traits are characteristic of the Abyssinians, Orientals and Kuril Bobtails. All of them are famous for their hyperactivity and selfless love for their owner. For this reason, they endure even temporary separations and changes of ownership with great difficulty.
It is better to leave them with friends during their departure. This recommendation should be followed not only on vacation, but also in the event of a 2-3 night stay with friends.
For children
Choosing a breed that is suitable for a child is not so easy. On the one hand, the animal must be loyal to games, and on the other hand, be patient and forgive children's pranks.
Cats that equally possess these qualities include:
- Kurilian bobtail (a playful “catdog” who will gladly share the child’s enthusiasm);
- Manx (a very smart and energetic cat, he prefers intellectual games);
- Turkish Van (suitable for an older child who can look after him and become a full-fledged owner for the pet);
- ragdoll (a calmer cat for children that can easily tolerate careless pranks);
- Burmese cat (contact and affectionate Burmese cats will be happy to receive the attention of their little owners).
Choosing a kitten
After drawing up a portrait of your future pet, you can proceed to the actual purchase. There are also some nuances here.
Optimal age
Never take newborns. A decent breeder will not even offer you this option, so take this into account to identify fraudsters.
The difficulty of caring for a baby is not the worst thing. Early separation from the mother is fraught with mental disorders and weak immunity. For this reason, the most optimal age is 3 months. At this point, the kittens begin to feed themselves and receive all required vaccinations.
In a nursery or from a private owner
Another important point is the choice of seller. You can contact a nursery or a private owner. In both cases, the kitten must be accompanied by 3 mandatory documents:
- veterinary passport;
- metric or pedigree;
- contract of sale.
The advantage of the cattery is that it must be registered in the system of professional cat clubs. Private traders often work unofficially, which increases the likelihood of deception about the relativity of the animals' pedigree and health.
How to take a closer look at character
Here it is better to build on the breed characteristics and behavior of the baby’s parents. A kitten's reticence at first meeting can be deceiving. Despite this, many choose a pet based on the principle of contact. If the baby climbed into your arms without fear, then at least he liked you.
Health and activity
You can find out about your health status from your veterinary passport. It also makes sense to check the documents and certificates of the parents to make sure there are no hereditary diseases.
His activity can also tell about the baby’s well-being. If he behaves apathetically and distantly, and his appearance causes serious concern (his eyes are festering or closed by the third eyelid, his tummy is very swollen, there are bald spots), then it is better to refuse the purchase. Otherwise, the kitten’s disease may be transmitted to other pets after they meet.
Do you like the article? 255
Is it possible to adopt a cat from a shelter?
People who decided to take such a step believe that it was done correctly. They argue that there are many reasons why a shelter cat will do well in an apartment.
Table 2. Pros and cons of a shelter cat.
Advantages and disadvantages
|
|
As for communication with curators, this is a temporary phenomenon. As soon as volunteers or shelter workers understand that their pupil is in good hands, they stop disturbing the new owner.
Don't be afraid to adopt a cat from a shelter - this has its advantages
Shelters are also found through social networks - usually such organizations have pages. If you couldn’t find an adoption center in your city, you will definitely find one in a neighboring town.
For reference. ADOPTION
(from Latin
adoptio
- adoption), a form of establishing artificial kinship - the inclusion of an individual or several individuals in any related group or family. The motives for adoption could be different: providing a lonely person with a certain status in the system of social connections...Lifehack. From several institutions, the smallest ones are chosen, with the number of inhabitants up to 50 individuals. The cats there are more well-groomed and better cared for.
Ragdoll
zoolibcat.ru
Ragdoll means “rag doll”. The breed was given this name because its representatives tend to relax into the state of a rag doll, when it takes any poses that you choose for it. In this state, the cat can be stroked, squeezed, and it will not resist.
These cats are strongly attached to their owner, do not tolerate loneliness and are smart enough to understand intonation and become toilet trained.
To overpay or not to overpay?
When purchasing a cat, you may come across different prices, and in different regions they differ significantly, so the question arises, why in some places they give purebred cats for absolutely nothing, and in other places they ask for fabulous money for them? This all depends on several factors:
Each nursery must maintain its own brand. It’s the same as with selling things: branded clothes are much more expensive than similar Chinese products
The nursery will provide you with documents for the kitten, which will indicate its pedigree, and this is very important if you want to reproduce the animal in the future. Of particular value are show-class kittens whose parents took prizes in shows and exhibitions.
If this is not important to you, then you shouldn’t overpay. Compliance with breed standards. Experts will immediately suspect incest in the kitten’s appearance. This is called a defect, a deviation from the breed. Sometimes such defects can occur in a kitten of purebred parents. But still, it is not suitable for exhibitions, unlike its successful brothers and sisters, and therefore its price will be much lower. The age of the kitten also plays a role. It is best to sell it at the age of 2-3 months. Older kittens are considered “grown up” and are cheaper. Sometimes it happens that a kitten is sick, and the owners try to sell it quickly while the disease is not noticeable. In this case, the price may also be low.
The Javanese cat endures loneliness without its owners during the day. There are different cases, for example, at the bird market, a purebred kitten can be bought for ridiculous prices. Owners sometimes don’t know how to quickly get rid of their offspring. If you are not interested in exhibitions, medals and regalia, then this is also a good option for purchasing a furry miracle. It’s up to you to choose which cat is best to have in your apartment.
They will tell you which cat is best to have in your apartment and select a pet for you, taking into account your interests. But it’s worth talking about your wishes in more detail so that there are no disappointments later.
For example, it is very important to know how long you will be away, since some breeds cannot tolerate being alone, it is also important whether you have enough time to care for the cat, this is important for long-haired breeds, whether you plan to have offspring, etc. Ragdoll has an easy character
Ragdoll has an easy character
A good breeder is also interested in ensuring that his kitten ends up in kind and caring hands. It may take time for you to choose the right option, but if your desires and capabilities coincide, you will gain a reliable friend for life.
Sphinx
Rustmb/depositphotos.com
These hairless cats are ready to flirt with everyone just to get affection and attention. This makes them one of the friendliest breeds.
Sphinxes do not like to spend time alone, so they strive to “help” their owner in everything he does. Hungry for love, cats of this breed are famous for their stupid actions, committed only in order to receive attention and affection from their owner.
#10 Maine Coon
Maine Coon
This is one of the smartest cats
She is also quite large and attracts attention with her exotic appearance - she has tufts on her ears, like a lynx. These animals are quite proud, but they are loyal to their owner and do not like strangers.
But it requires a lot of space. Not suitable for an apartment, but for a country house - yes.
The last three cats are considered the best for home keeping and aesthetic pleasure from the breed.
The most handsome men in the world from 10 countries: ideas about attractiveness are very different
You will also be interested to look at the most beautiful horse in the world. This is a Friesian stallion. And he is simply magnificent! He has his own Facebook page and thousands of subscribers. The horse loves to pose and be on camera. Probably, this is not only the most beautiful, but also the happiest horse in the world. See his photo collection here.
You can read more interesting materials on Clutch.
To overpay or not to overpay?
When purchasing a cat, you may come across different prices, and in different regions they differ significantly, so the question arises, why in some places they give purebred cats for absolutely nothing, and in other places they ask for fabulous money for them? This all depends on several factors:
Each nursery must maintain its own brand. It’s the same as with selling things: branded clothes are much more expensive than similar Chinese products
The nursery will provide you with documents for the kitten, which will indicate its pedigree, and this is very important if you want to reproduce the animal in the future. Of particular value are show-class kittens whose parents took prizes in shows and exhibitions.
If this is not important to you, then you shouldn’t overpay. Compliance with breed standards. Experts will immediately suspect incest in the kitten’s appearance. This is called a defect, a deviation from the breed. Sometimes such defects can occur in a kitten of purebred parents. But still, it is not suitable for exhibitions, unlike its successful brothers and sisters, and therefore its price will be much lower. The age of the kitten also plays a role. It is best to sell it at the age of 2-3 months. Older kittens are considered “grown up” and are cheaper. Sometimes it happens that a kitten is sick, and the owners try to sell it quickly while the disease is not noticeable. In this case, the price may also be low.
The Javanese cat endures loneliness without its owners during the day. There are different cases, for example, at the bird market, a purebred kitten can be bought for ridiculous prices. Owners sometimes don’t know how to quickly get rid of their offspring. If you are not interested in exhibitions, medals and regalia, then this is also a good option for purchasing a furry miracle. It’s up to you to choose which cat is best to have in your apartment.
They will tell you which cat is best to have in your apartment and select a pet for you, taking into account your interests. But it’s worth talking about your wishes in more detail so that there are no disappointments later.
For example, it is very important to know how long you will be away, since some breeds cannot tolerate being alone, it is also important whether you have enough time to care for the cat, this is important for long-haired breeds, whether you plan to have offspring, etc. Ragdoll has an easy character
Ragdoll has an easy character
A good breeder is also interested in ensuring that his kitten ends up in kind and caring hands. It may take time for you to choose the right option, but if your desires and capabilities coincide, you will gain a reliable friend for life.
