what is a good cat for a person who has never had one?

Question

i want one but i have never had one before.

Answer 1

It depends upon how much time you can devote to it. Do you want a longhair? They need a lot of grooming. Shelters have lots of unwanted cats and kittens. Also, check with your neighbors. Any cat deserves to be loved and will love you.

Answer 2

For a first cat, I would choose an older cat from a shelter, unless you have the time and patience for a kitten. Whichever you choose, read a lot about cat behavior and training first to make sure you know what you are getting into. They are not difficult, but problems like litter box avoidance and scratching are the main reasons cats get surrendered to shelters. If you get a cat, be sure to have it spayed or neutered because they simply do not make good pets otherwize. Also consider getting a female because they are less likely to get urinary infections, which can be expensive to treat and are fairly common. The breed of cat doesn't always matter because they all have different personalities. Go to a shelter and spend lots of time with them and ask the staff about thier personalities. I wouldn't recommend a stray because you will have no idea what it was like where it lived before. See if you can find one that has background info from a previous owner. Good luck!

Answer 3

I would go for a regular, run-of-the-mill stray. They warrant less attention, and they are a lot cheaper than any other cat. I live in Mexico, and I've gotten my two cats off the streets. They couldn't have been more than 2 months old at the time. They are wonderful little things, now 2 and 1 1/2 yrs old, and they are the most loving and grateful things you can imagine. One is a gorgeous grey tabby and another a solid black beauty. If you live in the states, I would suggest you go to a pet shelter and pick out a cat that isn't too young, and that is already spayed/neutered. Kittens tend to be a handful and require more attention, and if this is your first cat, I would suggest you take the easy route and get a slightly older cat who is already accostumed to humans.

Answer 4

You are smart to ask a question like this. Spend some time at a local rescue center or animal shelter in the cat house. Just sit quietly and observe them. One will choose YOU. That's how it is with cats. You don't choose them, they choose you. If you are home alot you might consider a kitten. If not then you probably should get a more mature cat as they are more settled. If you decide on a kitten you may even consider two so they can keep each other company. Happy Hunting!!

Answer 5

That depends on your lifestyle, your patience level, and your living space. If you want a cat you can train (to some degree, they're not as trainable as dogs, generally), get a lot of laughs from, and that has a lot of energy to spare, a kitten is your best bet. If you want a more placid, less bonkers cat who will spend some of its time alone, an adult is probably a better option. If you want a kitten but will not be home a lot, get two of them...they'll keep each other company.

Kittens can be crazy, and for a few months you'll spend your time trying to redirect its behavior so it doesn't do things like climb up your drapes or get into the garbage. But the upside is that sometimes you can teach him (or her) to do funny things and you'll have the upper hand in making sure (s)he is litter trained and used to your surroundings and life's rhythm. Adult cats have the advantage of maturity...they're not nuts like kittens and don't require nearly as much attention or redirection. Many are just as playful and friendly as kittens, and many have a more laid back temperament. The trick is to make sure that the cat wasn't given up because it has any particularly bad habits (like inappropriate elimination, scratching, or aggression). If you adopt from a shelter, ask a lot of questions and see if it's possible to interact with them for a few minutes to get an idea of their personality.

Answer 6

The best thing is to go to a shelter and get a tabby or anything like that. Most cats are calm and sweet.

You will want to stay away from Siamese cats if you never had a cat before, they need a lot of attention and are more prone to getting into your stuff.

Answer 7

You need an adult from a Shelter..They will know if the cat is Physco or Laid back, You need something laid back and friendly.There are some Very Intense Cats out there and Kittens while being cute if you have never had one you may not like all the damage they can do(not much) they slide down Curtains, Furniture and Such and attack bare legs at limes ..lol..Its all in fun but it annoys some...Please let us know what you get...I like the Grey/blue big cats. I have one named Pudge

Answer 8

A regular old tabby cat from a rescue or pound. They are generally quite healthy, require almost no training, and you get the good feeling of having saved a life.

Answer 9

go to the Humane Society or a pet clinic or something and take one of those cats. generally they will be more friendly b/c they have the association of having been saved and stuff.
i don't think it matters what KIND of cat as long as you're nice to it, you'll be fine.
i like those ones that are gray with darker stripes... but i don't know what they're called....

Answer 10

Well, First you need experience to know what it takes to have one. As a beginner, get a Russian Blue. Their beutiful, short hair, calm, and suitable for inexperienced owners. Their easy to take care of. I had a russian blue as my first cat. I have also had maine coons and my current cat, a turkish angora.