What are very affectionate yet trainable cat breeds in your experience?

Question

I am looking for a breed of cat with the following characteristics: 1. lap cat; 2.) loves to be held/carried 3.) likes to get under the covers 4.) loves cuddling/petting 5.) is trainable and loyal like a dog 6.) is laid-back and doesn't mind my noisy and not-really-a-cat-person fiance 7.) doesn't need a lot of grooming. I searched similar Yahoo! Q&A's as well as the CFA profiles and found that Burmese, Ragdoll, Main Coon, and American Bobtail seem most to match these criteria. I would get a kitten in order to help mold his personality (yes, I woud get a male - more affectionate that females). In YOUR experience with cats, what would you suggest?

Answer 1

You should check out the forums at :

http://catchannel.com/

http://www.catster.com/

try asking your question there. I think any cat may meet these criteria if you raise it right!

Answer 2

A couple of the cats you've listed might not be as low on the grooming scale as you might like; the medium- to long haired cats have have chronic hairballs and require brushing and maintenance. You're right to explore male cats above females - they tend to be more sociable, but it's no guarantee.

If you're only interested in pedigree cats, check out the mother and father of the potential litters before you commit to buy. While genetics aren't everything, you can get a good idea of what your kitten has potential to be. As a side note, veterinary geneticists find that paternal DNA (dad) can be directly traced to a kittens personality. Nice dad usually means nice babies.

There's also something to be said about the good ole' Domestic Short hair (a nice way of saying the 'feline mutt'). We have three orange male cats - they've got a tremendous reputation of being very friendly cats. The only drawback is that you can't often find out who parented these kittens. The advantage is that these cats generally have fewer health problems than pedigree cats. Pure-bred cats have limited gene pools in an effort to maintain the pedigree of the breed, and as a result there are inherent genetic disorders and predispositions to illness.

Kitten kindergarten is a great way to teach your cat vital social skills and encourage friendly behavior. You can call local clinics to see who offers these sorts of classes and check the qualifications of the person heading the classes.

I hope this helps you out some. It's a very exciting time and I wish you luck with your future new baby!

Answer 3

Avoid Maine Coons, they can be nervous and tempramental.
(not all maine coons, just the 2 I've known... don't hate me)

I have a Rag Doll, but they are hardly trainable. They are very lovey and affectionate. The Burmese that I have is very smart, a little aloof. She needs very little grooming.

My Manx is the most loveable, trainable lap cat that I've ever had, but his double coat means grooming. Also, if you get a manx with no tail stub, that may mean potty duty (wiping their little behinds when they're done, it's a lack of vertebrae-nerve thing).

I hope this helps some!

Answer 4

I have a kitty who is 1/2 ragdoll and she is WONDERFUL! She loves to be petted and loved, she comes when you call her, and would rather be under the covers than on top (not to mention she is absolutely beautiful). She does get a little nervous at times but it doesn't take her long to warm up to you and demand to be loved. If you get a purebred you may have to groom her though but as long as you begin grooming as a kitten, it shouldn't be a huge problem.

Answer 5

Tuxedo cats are great pets. My cat Cuddles which I had when I was younger, was a tuxedo and in a lot of ways he was just like a little dog. I taught him not to use his nails, so he would only wack with his paw, but never ever use his nails or bite. Always came when called and followed me everywhere. He loved being held and petted, very patient cat as he let me dress him in my doll clothes. Always slept or napped with me and playful, loved playing catch or playing cat and mouse with me. He had a tendency to hide, then leap out of nowhere startling me..lol. He always waited by the door until we came home and was protective of us whenever strangers were around, following them like a little guardian until he got to know them.

Another great thing was his patience with my nieces and nephews from the time they were babies til they were toddlers, he was always by their side when they visited even after having his tail pulled. He got along well with our guinea pigs and dwarf hamsters, he would lie down in their play area and never attack them, even let nibbles climb onto him..lol.

We got my mother a tuxedo cat and she is a great little girl, very affectionate with big personality. Like all animals, how they are depends on you and how you train/raise them. If you are affectionate to them, they will be too, teach them to not bite or scratch early and they will never do those actions. Talk to a vet or visit a shelter and discuss what you are looking for, they will be able to give you an idea of what you might be looking for and some places allow you to spend time with a cat to see if it's what you are looking for.

Answer 6

Well in my experience, meaning 26 years of having cats, i have found that the regular tabby cat is the greatest. I have a male tabby who is tan, doesn't shed much, and is my baby i mean baby...but i also have a Himalayan/tabby cat in my home who is a female, she has long hair and i have to constantly vacuum with her but she is just as love able she is my girl and follows me through the house. Rotten are they both. I believe you would be happy with just a normal male tabby cat..go adopt one they are everywhere...and great companions.

Answer 7

Burmese

Answer 8

My Hymalian is absolutely wonderful....but needs constant grooming. Other that that ..she sounds like just what you need.

Answer 9

Tigers
Lions
Mountain Lions
Those are a few I would recommend.