Have you decided to welcome a feline into your family? These fluffy animals bring joy to both children and adults, reduce loneliness, and alleviate anxiety and stress.
The vast number of cat breeds makes the selection process complicated for individuals. Felines differ in their personality, grooming needs, temperament, health, and other essential traits. Make sure you visit an educative site like Holista Pet to gain an insight into the extensive choice of cat breeds. The one you choose should adapt you your lifestyle and the climate of your local area.
We hope the comprehensive guide below simplifies your decision.
Conduct research
Opting for an ideal feline companion is a complex decision given the extensive choice of over forty breeds.
Prospective pet parents are advised to base their decision on multiple factors related to cat breeds such as the grooming requirements, nutrition, pet insurance, personality, exercise needs, and health concerns of these fluffy creatures.
The decision-making process is facilitated by their access to valuable resources like informative websites, detailed guides, and useful books containing all sorts of details about different breeds. Additionally, you can even try a cat personality quiz that provides you with suggestions in compliance with your requirements and lifestyle. These quizzes might advise you to adopt a feline breed whose name you haven’t come across but it may turn out to be the perfect companion for your family.
Don’t forget the allergies
Given the plethora of individuals suffering from cat allergies, it’s common for every family to have at least one member sensitive to the presence of these creatures. Since hypoallergenic cat breeds do not exist, you can at least pick a feline with a short coat that sheds less in comparison with other breeds.
Moreover, people with cat allergies are sensitive to the protein found in the saliva of these animals, as well as to the secrets produced by their skin. In case a person in your family is allergic to felines, look for a Balinese, Siberian, or Javanese cat, all of which produce less Fel D1 protein. Also, female felines and those in light colors are believed to secret a lower amount of the proteins that induce allergies. Read more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of cat allergies.
Consider grooming
An essential aspect for future pet parents to take into consideration is grooming. Not all breeds have the same requirements when it comes to brushing and bathing, as the frequency of these activities mainly depends on the length and thickness of feline coats. Certain cats with long coats shed more heavily when compared to almost hairless felines.
For instance, Persian and Siberian cats, Russian blues, Ragdoll, and Ragamuffin felines are popular for being heavy shedders. These breeds are supposed to be brushed regularly so as to prevent the number of hairballs scattered in every corner of the house. Conversely, other breeds like the Sphynx, Bombay, and Cornish Rex felines shed significantly less, as some of them are naturally hairless.
Prior to committing an animal companion, it’s important for pet parents to determine how willing they are to devote their spare time and a portion of their finances to grooming. Unless you have enough time to groom your pet don’t opt for a heavy shedder.
Consider your climate
The climate is an important consideration when selecting a pet, as felines have a tendency to overheat when exposed to boiling temperatures. Therefore, animals with long coats aren’t recommended to pet owners living in areas with scorching weather. See the following link, https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-diseases-conditions-a-z/can-cats-get-heat-stroke, to learn more about heatstroke in cats.
Keep in mind that heat-exhausted felines are susceptible to panting, vomiting, trembling, and drooling. These creatures are surprisingly lethargic, spending most of their time sleeping without taking any interest in eating or playing around the house. Owners of long-haired pets are expected to do their best to prevent their beloved companions from overheating by running the air conditioner in the afternoon, not allowing the pet outside when extremely hot, or using cooling mats and ice cubes to reduce their body temperature.
Final thoughts
Never choose a pet whose requirements are too demanding for your lifestyle.
Every animal deserves care and attention!
