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Choosing your First Indoor Cat
Author: David Johnson  | Posted: 25-08-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 11 | Rating: (56)  (?) 
 Deciding to be a pet owner and caregiver is a big responsibility. Owning an indoor cat can bring years of enjoyable pleasure for you and your new companion friend. Although cats are seen as self-reliant, you as the owner will always have to be the diligent parent.
If you’ve never owned any pets before, you should get some pet education before bringing your new furry friend home.
Probably the best way to find out about caring for an indoor cat is to visit the homes of friends who have indoor cats. Your friends can be an excellent resource for what’s going to be required of you to care for a cat. Other resources are community cat clubs, veterinarians, animal shelters, books, tapes, videos, and the Internet.
Before you get your first cat, decide what your commitment to this relationship will be. How much devotion, cost, effort, and attention are you willing to provide to your new friend. Also consider what your personal preferences are for the new family addition. Are you looking for?
Kitten or Adult
Longhair or Shorthair
Male or Female
Breed (Persian, Burmese, etc)
Pedigree or Non-Pedigree
To many, a kitten is a cute, cuddly bundle of joy, just like a new born baby. But like a baby, you’ll need to watch over carefully to the health of the kitten as it grows to adulthood. An adult cat, on the other hand, is more capable of attending to its own personal care.
Hair
Cats shed hair, just like humans. Some breeds shed more hair than others. Cats are fastidious groomers. Be prepared and none too surprised when they vomit a hairball from time to time -- completely natural with little cause for alarm. It’s a good practice to routinely brush your cat to collect the loose hair.
Shorthair cats usually need less routine brushing than longhairs. If you brush your cat routinely, they can have less incidents of hairballs and upset digestion. Giving your cat a bath (cat formulated shampoo only) once in a great while is good also.
Gender
Cats are individuals. Both female and male cats can make wonderful companions. If the cat has been spayed or neutered, then the cat's gender doesn't play a huge role. The cat's own unique personality will determine how good of a pet it will make. Your personal preference may be to choose a cat whose personality is agreeable to yours.
Breed
Generally the cat's breed isn't a factor and your selection usually is a personal preference.
Pedigree
You may choose a pedigree cat if your intention is to invest, breed, or show. There are other reasons why someone would choose a pedigree over a non-pedigree, and that’s a personal choice. Expect to pay more for a pedigree primarily because its lineage can be traced and its pedigree is highly prized by others.
Non-pedigree cats are just as cute and cuddly as the pedigree. A lot less expensive too!
Summary
A cat is a wonderful addition to your family and will give you many years of enjoyable pleasure.
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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/choosing-your-first-indoor-cat-203997.html
About the Author:www.PetFoodStory.com
Veterinarian formulated holistic pet food products for cats and dogs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Speed of the leopard
By: anonymous12 | 07-10-2007
What is the average speed for this cat???
I can't sleep b/c my cats meows too much!
By: shanna82 | 13-09-2007
I have a female cat who has always been a little odd. She doesn't like to be picked up and held, but loves to be pet on her own time. She will cuddle and lay on me also, but only when she wants to. And when I pet her she won't stop moving, purrs loudly, and sometimes nibbles on my fingers.But, in the last week, she's gotten very vocal. It started when our alarm clock would go off in the morning and she would sit outside our bedroom door and meow until we got up. But now she is meowing hours before the alarm goes off right outside our door...loudly. She wakes us up all the time. I've tried ignoring her, but she won't stop. I've tried going out of the bedroom to see what is wrong with her, but she won't stop. I've tried a spraying her with a water bottle, but she won't stop. She doesn't do this during the day or when we go to bed. And we have never allowed her in our bedroom, so it's not like we've taken something away from her. Is there a possibility that she is sick? Should I be concerned? What can I do to get her to stop?
My cat has a quater size red mark on his back. can ...
By: gage1 | 05-08-2007
my cat has a quater size red mark on his back. can you tell me what i shoultd do about it
My cat is pregant
By: sarah75 | 04-08-2007
how will i no my cat is in labour and when do i get her nesting box ready
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By: Don | 02-08-2007
Why do my cat walk in circles, close to the wall, and stares at it.
Cat predicting death in nursing home
By: whitelady | 01-08-2007
Oscar the cat was adopted as a kitten by a nursing home in Rhode Island. He is special because he predicts the death of the residents, and curls up to them a few hours before they die. So far he's been right about 25 cases, and actually predicts better than the medical personnel when death is coming. Here's the full story. I love cats, and I own quite a few, but I think this would freak me out... Aren't they afraid to touch him because he's a bad omen?
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