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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / August 2004What kind of cat to get?
My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look for "lookalike" kitties...I was very disappointed with our other cat, Ashley because she looked just like a greatly loved cat I had before but wasn't the same in personality. It took years for me to warm up to her and finally it was my husband who really took to her. We want 2 kittens. (well, I'd be happy with a young adult, a year or so old, but my husband is adamant about a kitten and I don't want to get an adult and a kitten cause maybe the adult will pick on the baby.) Usually I've always gone to the shelter and rescued kitties, or taken them off the street. (Like to save animal lives.) But this time I'm thinking about getting a purebred cat, maybe a Bombay or a Manx, cause you supposedly know what you're getting in temperament and disease susceptibility. Our last cats chose each of us as "theirs" and it worked out well cause we don't sleep in the same bed (sleep problems, better separate than tired and cranky). Each of us got a cat to sleep with, each cat was really possessive of us and we loved them back. We were thinking litter mates but I'm worried they may stick together and both pick one over the other of us. Any experience with this? We want snuggly "lap cats", very affectionate, friendly to kids, long lived, not at high risk of health problems and preferably short haired. Clingy cats would be good in our opinion. These will be indoor cats only and I'm home all day with illness, so they won't be alone, although I sleep a lot. We got spoiled with Ashley going at 22 so when Victor died of cancer at 14 we were shocked. The Cat Fancier website had information about various breeds...I know it's hard to predict a cat's life span. We thought Manx cause of temperament and long life span, and also considered Siamese for life span, although the Siamese I've had before were kind of high strung. I liked the Bombays the best from their site. Bombays seem real affectionate, not aggressive and very stuck to their humans. Plus they look so cool. We don't want to display cats, so not-show quality is fine with us, probably better in terms of money. Any opinions? Anyone here had a Bombay? I imagine Bombays cost an arm and a leg. How much are they? Are there problems the websites don't tell us about? AND: Do you REALLY have a better idea what you're getting with a purebred than a shelter kitty? Are there other breeds you'd recommend? Thanks. ___________________________________________________ Camilla Cracchiolo Registered Nurse Los Angeles, California camilla4@mindspring.com webpage temporarily down > We want snuggly "lap cats", very affectionate, friendly to kids, long > lived, not at high risk of health problems and preferably short > haired. If you are going to be this picky, you need to go for at least a young adult pair that have already a developed personality to have a chance at getting the snuggly temperment. If you want to be sure of health, well, ain't no such guarantee, especially if you go for a purebred, each of which ususually have some illness or problem possibility that run in the line. Please reconsider looking for two loving cats that had to be given up and should be kept together. >From: Karen Chuplis kchuplis@alltel.net >Please >reconsider looking for two loving cats that had to be given up and should be >kept together. Excellent advice! Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after > Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > > Camilla Cracchiolo You never know what you're going to get with kittens. They can be clingy at one age and become more independent as they get older. Kittens are also very active and get into everything. If you're home with an illness, will you be able to keep tabs on them to keep them out of trouble? It's almost impossible to get a cat that will behave exactly to your specifications whether pure bred or shelter cat. I think you might be better off waiting a little longer until you can just go look for cats that appeals to you and can accept them just the way they are. W I agree. Kittens grow up and will become more independent. My Isis was great at 5 months old but when she became an adult was hardly a lap cat. Yes, she jumps in my lamp on occassion but is not always there long. Jade too jumps in my lap when she feels like it but other than that is content to lay by my side from time to time. My new cat Icarus likes to be near me and will follow me around but he also doesn't like to listen and gets into trouble. > You never know what you're going to get with kittens. They can be clingy at > one age and become more independent as they get older. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > W 1ucri05jjb5rqtfil0s90huviqlluopjcb@4ax.com> writes >My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after >Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look >for "lookalike" kitties...I was very disappointed with our other cat, >Ashley because she looked just like a greatly loved cat I had before >but wasn't the same in personality. It took years for me to warm up >to her and finally it was my husband who really took to her... You can either go visit local shelters or do like I did (since it was hard to pick one and leave others behind)..i went to petfinder.com and typed in my locale (and pet desire). You will see the photo and specifics of the cats available. You mention two kitties. That would be wonderful. You wouldn't have to split up a team! Good luck to you. >AND: Do you REALLY have a better idea what you're getting with a >purebred than a shelter kitty? Are there other breeds you'd >recommend? > >Thanks. This story is simply what happened to me. YMMV. I have always loved Siamese. Their "breed characteristics" were everything I wanted in a cat: smart, people-oriented, vocal. I had the opportunity to be involved in a kitten mill rescue, and there was one particularly beautiful Siamese kitten among those seized. All I ever had were foundlings and rescues, mostly with health & behavior problems, and I justified adopting him by saying to myself, "I *deserve* to have a beautiful kitten like that." Funny how it sounds now. Anyway, seven or eight years later, I still have that cat. He is the most un-Siamese cat I've ever seen. He never talks. He runs under the bed at the slightest noise. He hates everybody except me, and even I can't pick him up. He is also, quite frankly, dumb compared to the others. It's not environmental. He was tiny when I got him. It's just his individual personality. Poor breeding practices, maybe. But the point of the story is, they're just all different. There aren't any guarantees. IMO, the best way to get the cat with the personality you want, is to spend *lots* of time with it. If it runs from you, it's not going to grow up to be a lap cat, for instance. I think you can learn a lot more about what kind of adult cat that way, than putting trust in the breed standards. Sherry >He is the most >un-Siamese cat I've ever seen. He never talks. He runs under the bed at the >slightest noise. He hates everybody except me, and even I can't pick him up. >He >is also, quite frankly, dumb compared to the others. Oh dear. This sounds harsh. I ought to add, he is the sweetest cat I ever had. Just not Siamese-ish. All he wants is to be petted and kissed on top of the head. Just don't ever pick him up. He's also the most accepting of new cats of my whole lot. He loves new cats immediately. He even "mothers" the kittens. Sherry > >He is the most un-Siamese cat I've ever seen. He never talks. He runs under the bed at the slightest noise. He hates everybody except me, and even I can't pick him up. > >He is also, quite frankly, dumb compared to the others. > > Oh dear. This sounds harsh. I ought to add, he is the sweetest cat I ever had. Just not Siamese-ish. All he wants is to be petted and kissed on top of the > head. Just don't ever pick him up. He's also the most accepting of new cats of my whole lot. He loves new cats immediately. He even "mothers" the kittens. > Sherry Oh, yes, I was thinking you just hated him ... not! I just wanted to add that the way Cheeks chose me is the way I got the sweetest cat I have ever had. Her lttle face just spoke to me, but best of all, when I crossed the room and put a hand out, she tilted her head and rubbed the side of her mouth on me--like she was marking me and like she was starved for affection. By the way--she runs like a feral from everyone, including me. But when she is on the bed, or in my office, she approaches me for affection, vocally inquiring when she approaches, then stretching way out and asking for tummy rubs if I respond receptively. So sometimes the ones who run can also be affectionate. A strange thing: my husband got tired of her running from him so he chased her out from under the bed a few times, then petted her and loved on her up there. Now he just walks into the room and she "squirts" up on the bed doing the submissive thing--then stretches out for a total love fest. He pets her and she "lips" her catnip toy, these days Hillary because she is so fresh. :) She totally blisses out. This has become a bedtime ritual, and she clearly looks forward to it. Weird little cat. ;) >From: sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) >>He is the most >>un-Siamese cat I've ever seen. He never talks. He runs under the bed at the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Oh dear. This sounds harsh. I ought to add, he is the sweetest cat I ever >had. LOL! When I read your first post, I thought this doesn't sound like Sherry :) >Just not Siamese-ish. All he wants is to be petted and kissed on top of the >head. Just don't ever pick him up. He's also the most accepting of new cats >of >my whole lot. He loves new cats immediately. He even "mothers" the kittens. He sounds like a very special boy :) I think a lot of times how a cat turns out has to do with how he or she is socialized when still with the mother and siblings. Funny about being picked up. My Meesha is a total lap cat and a real love bug. But she doesn't like being picked up too much. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > We want 2 kittens. (well, I'd be happy with a young adult, a year or > so old, but my husband is adamant about a kitten and I don't want to > get an adult and a kitten cause maybe the adult will pick on the > baby.) Adopt a mama and a baby. Shelters get them all the time, often would like to home them together, but few people adopt them both. Look for a friendly, cuddly mama like you say you want and the chances are pretty decent that the baby will also be cuddly and sweet. Kittens change. My Rowan was a very clingy kitten. She is NOT a clingy adult. She's rather aloof, actually, and loves to be pet when she's in the mood but NOT if she isn't. *g* My Jeffrey is so friendly and cuddly, it's nearly irritating at times (but still so darn cute). I adopted him as an adult. He's a moggie - orange tabby. > Usually I've always gone to the shelter and rescued kitties, or taken > them off the street. (Like to save animal lives.) But this time I'm > thinking about getting a purebred cat, maybe a Bombay or a Manx, cause > you supposedly know what you're getting in temperament and disease > susceptibility. Adopt a purebreed from a rescue if you have your heart set on a certain breed. Kittens tend to get along pretty well with adults, especially if they are fostered together. Many rescue groups have foster families that foster several cats at once. If you contact them, they probably have adults and kittens who are already together and getting along. > We want snuggly "lap cats", very affectionate, friendly to kids, long > lived, not at high risk of health problems and preferably short > haired. Clingy cats would be good in our opinion. These will be > indoor cats only and I'm home all day with illness, so they won't be > alone, although I sleep a lot. You just can't say if a kitten will grow into a lap cat. Getting a certain breed may increase your chances, but it's never guaranteed. Get an adult and a kitten. You can get your lap cat and your hubby can have his kitten. I have heard that mixes are actually healthier and less prone to genetic diseases than purebreeds. No line breeding to pass on bad traits. Whatever you decide, WE WANT PICS. ;)  Signature-- ~kaeli~ Murphy's Law #3020: Quality assurance doesn't. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace > Adopt a mama and a baby. Shelters get them all the time, often would like to home them together, but few people adopt them both. A wonderful idea! > Look for a friendly, cuddly mama like you say you want and the chances are pretty decent that the baby will also be cuddly and sweet. > Adopt a purebreed from a rescue if you have your heart set on a certain breed. Another fine idea. > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after > Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > > Thanks. Personally, I'd stick w/ a shelter kitty, unless a stray or two show(s) up before you pick out new cats. Too many felines out there w/ no homes. My cats have all been rescues to some degree or other: one - of a litter of an unspayed pet mother cat that belonged to a friend of a friend, two - a starving, pregnant stray found in the boonies in winter, three - a shelter cat, & four - a neighborhood stray older kitten. All were/are loving, sweet cats although with very different personalities. Two long-hairs, two short-hairs. One had Siamese in her background somewhere, one had Persian in her background, one's a calico, & one's a tuxedo - all cute, pretty, or handsome. Only one was adopted as a little kitten; one was a young adult, & the other 2 were older kittens - almost adult. The first two lived to be 17 & 16 (not long enough, IMO!, but in reality, decent life spans). The present two are now 12 & 5. If you're absolutely stuck on a certain breed or two, shelters do have purebreds - or nearly so, sans papers. There are also rescue organizations for some breeds; an internet search should bring up the organizations & which kittens/cats are up for adoption. Cathy BTW - I don't think you can predict clinginess. My cat who was the least clingy when younger - up to age 4 - 5, is now the most clingy. When she was younger, she was very affectionate, but didn't like to be held for more than a few seconds & or to sit on one's lap. She had bigger & better things to do back then - was very energetic. Now she's Ms. Lap Cat. Cathy > > We want snuggly "lap cats", very affectionate, friendly to kids, long > > lived, not at high risk of health problems and preferably short > > haired. Clingy cats would be good in our opinion. These will be > > indoor cats only and I'm home all day with illness, so they won't be > > alone, although I sleep a lot. > BTW - I don't think you can predict clinginess. My cat who was the least > clingy when younger - up to age 4 - 5, is now the most clingy. When she was [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Cathy Oddly enough, my cat Sugar NEVER would sit in my lap, until I moved my couch. I've experimented and when the couch is on one side of the room she NEVER gets up on me. When it is on the other, she will come up and sit halfway on my lap quite frequently. Wierd huh? > > > We want snuggly "lap cats", very affectionate, friendly to kids, long > > > lived, not at high risk of health problems and preferably short > > > haired. Clingy cats would be good in our opinion. These will be > > > indoor cats only and I'm home all day with illness, so they won't be > > > alone, although I sleep a lot. > Oddly enough, my cat Sugar NEVER would sit in my lap, until I moved my couch. I've experimented and when the couch is on one side of the room she NEVER gets up on me. When it is on the other, she will come up and sit > halfway on my lap quite frequently. Wierd huh? She's a Feng Shui [sp?] cat! > > Oddly enough, my cat Sugar NEVER would sit in my lap, until I moved my > couch. I've experimented and when the couch is on one side of the room she > NEVER gets up on me. When it is on the other, she will come up and sit > > halfway on my lap quite frequently. Wierd huh? > > She's a Feng Shui [sp?] cat! LOL! Apparently! > > BTW - I don't think you can predict clinginess. My cat who was the least > > clingy when younger - up to age 4 - 5, is now the most clingy. When she [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > NEVER gets up on me. When it is on the other, she will come up and sit > halfway on my lap quite frequently. Wierd huh? Yep, & being a cat, I bet she's not telling, either. ;-) Cathy > > > > We want snuggly "lap cats", very affectionate, friendly to kids, long > > > > lived, not at high risk of health problems and preferably short > > > > haired. Clingy cats would be good in our opinion. These will be > > > > indoor cats only and I'm home all day with illness, so they won't be > > > > alone, although I sleep a lot. > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties What Karen said. There is no "up" side to purchasing a purebred cat in my opinion, unless you are buying one like you would buy a piece of furniture: because it looks good. YMMV, but with all the wonderful kittens and cats facing death sentences out there, or crammed into shelters where they can barely move, I could not live with myself if I bought a cat from a breeder. >The Cat Fancier website had information about various breeds...I know >it's hard to predict a cat's life span. We thought Manx cause of >temperament and long life span, and also considered Siamese for life >span, although the Siamese I've had before were kind of high strung. From what I've read, there are a number of possible health problems associated with the Manx gene for tail-lessness, so you if that's what you want you should talk to a number of breeders and do some research before making a decision. As for Siamese, yes, as a rule these are long-lived and healthy cats, but that reputation is more typical of the apple-headed or traditional Siamese than the ones with wedge-shaped heads. Any cat with Siamese genes does tend to be healthy and long-lived, but as you note, there isn't any way to predict an individual cat's lifespan. >I liked the Bombays the best from their site. Bombays seem real >affectionate, not aggressive and very stuck to their humans. Plus [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >arm and a leg. How much are they? Are there problems the websites >don't tell us about? If you are interested in Bombays, the wisest thing to do would be to go to a few cat shows to see them, talk to the breeders and get to know several before making a decision. I'd do this even if you end up adopting from a Bombay rescue group; it will teach you quite a bit about the breed. >AND: Do you REALLY have a better idea what you're getting with a >purebred than a shelter kitty? Are there other breeds you'd >recommend? You will get a lot of argument about this question, but in my opinion, yes, if you do your research and get to know a number of breeders and go to the cat shows to see the cats themselves and talk to owners and breeders about how they behave and potential health problems, and see the parents, granparents and siblings of the cat you adopt, of course you will have a better idea what you're getting than if you adopt a cat whose background is completely unknown. >From: Camilla Cracchiolo camilla4@mindspring.com >We were thinking litter mates but I'm worried they may stick together >and both pick one over the other of us. Any experience with this? I have littermates and while they get along well (mostly), they are both very affectionate to both myself and my husband. I think a big factor is how a kitten is raised and how much attention they get from you. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > >From: Camilla Cracchiolo camilla4@mindspring.com > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Lauren Same here. Sibs like me better than each other, but are still companionable I used petfinder.org, found a place near us with kittens, went through the application process, then went to visit. Two littermate kittens basically chose us. They climbed into our laps, rolled on their back, and were purr monsters. One of them loves to bathe us. It didn't hurt that they were cute little black longhair fluffballs. I'm trying to convince my wife to take both of them, but she doesn't want 5 cats in a 4 room apartment, I on the other hand don't want to split them up. Two of our other cats are littermates and we've had them since they were 2 weeks old. It would be great if we didn't have to split them up. I'm working on my downstairs neighbor to take the other one since she loves cats and we frequently open the doors between our units so our cats can go visit her. > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after > Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] > > camilla4@mindspring.com webpage temporarily down >I used petfinder.org, found a place near us with kittens, went through the >application process, then went to visit. Two littermate kittens basically [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] >> >> camilla4@mindspring.com webpage temporarily down Actually you need 6 cats. One for each room and one for your lap one for the wife's lap. <grin > Actually you need 6 cats. > One for each room and one for your lap one for the wife's lap. <grin> works for me :). though my lap (and most of me from my neck to my waist) is usually occupied when im working from home from our 4 year old 20 lb DLH. He had a difficult time settling down so is constantly standing up and repositioning himself while he kneeds. UGH, he is HEAVY!!! Even worse when his brother (11 lbs) is already occupying my lap and he jumps up. At that point I have to give up on work because I can't move. (i work on computers and tend to slouch down and stretch out with my feet up on the desk, so there is more available cat surface area :)). Okay, I'm going to respond a point at a time, and then a big long piece of advice. :) >We want 2 kittens. (well, I'd be happy with a young adult, a year or >so old, but my husband is adamant about a kitten and I don't want to >get an adult and a kitten cause maybe the adult will pick on the >baby.) Usually adults and kittens get along quite nicely -- I wouldn't worry about it. >Usually I've always gone to the shelter and rescued kitties, or taken >them off the street. (Like to save animal lives.) But this time I'm >thinking about getting a purebred cat, maybe a Bombay or a Manx, cause >you supposedly know what you're getting in temperament and disease >susceptibility. A *well-bred* purebred is going to have a more reliable temperament. Please note the temperament is different from personality -- more on that in a bit. As for disease, a *well-bred* purebred is going to have been tested for genetic disease as well as having the advantage of careful pedigree-matching. A poorly-bred purebred is going to be a genetic nightmare. >We were thinking litter mates but I'm worried they may stick together >and both pick one over the other of us. Any experience with this? This would be a valid concern with dogs, but cats do not have that problem. My boys are littermates (only two in the litter!), and they are extremely affectionate to us as well as each other. >We want snuggly "lap cats", very affectionate, friendly to kids, long >lived, not at high risk of health problems and preferably short >haired. Clingy cats would be good in our opinion. These will be >indoor cats only and I'm home all day with illness, so they won't be >alone, although I sleep a lot. Okay. What you have described here is mostly personality, not temperament. Think of it this way -- temperament is genetic (passed through the father's DNA) and describes the cat's initial reaction to a situation. Personality is how the cat learns to react to a situation over time. An example -- a cat with good temperament, if abused, will be just as hand-shy and skittish as a cat with bad temperament. However, in a different home the cat with good temperament will re-learn to trust humans more readily than a cat with bad temperament. The best way for you to get the personalities you want is to adopt adult or young adult cats, purebred or not. Kittens, no matter how well-bred, are always something of a crapshoot -- by going with a well-bred kitten that has been bred for temperament you're stacking the deck in your favor, but you're still not guaranteeing anything. >The Cat Fancier website had information about various breeds...I know >it's hard to predict a cat's life span. We thought Manx cause of >temperament and long life span, and also considered Siamese for life >span, although the Siamese I've had before were kind of high strung. Okay. Manx can have problems because of their taillessness -- you'll need to carefully screen breeders. Siamese are very very active -- they might be more than you can handle if you're ill. Definitely don't get a Bengal. :) They're *way* too much for you to handle, though they are some of the sweetest cats out there. >I liked the Bombays the best from their site. Bombays seem real >affectionate, not aggressive and very stuck to their humans. Plus >they look so cool. We don't want to display cats, so not-show quality >is fine with us, probably better in terms of money. Again, Bombays are very active. Are you going to be able to commit the time and energy to them that they need? As well, Bombay kittens can be very timid and need time for their real purr-sonalities to come shining through. >Any opinions? Anyone here had a Bombay? I imagine Bombays cost an >arm and a leg. How much are they? Are there problems the websites >don't tell us about? The face of the Bombay is growing ever shorter, and some facial defects are starting to pop up, but that's not something you have to deal with as a pet owner. You're going to be looking at ~$400-$500 for a kitten, not too terribly bad but definitely more than an adoption fee. http://www.breedlist.com/retired/bom-ret.html http://www.felinerescue.net/PUREBRED_RESCUES/Bombay_Rescue.htm If you do decide to go the purebred route, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read over my Guide to Finding a Responsible Breeder thoroughly and follow the tips in there. There's a link to it in my sig. Orchid See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid Personally I think it's a crap shoot what kind of personality you end up with, kind of like the dating game. I had Siamese that I just doted on. They were so wonderful. But they were relatively short-lived, 11 and 7 and 7 years old. Heartbreaking. Maybe because with pedigrees there is so much inbreeding, they are not so hardy. Then I started with a black kitten and now I love black cats. But the best, most wonderful cat of my life is my Sapphire cat, a black cat which I found in the street in 1990 playing with a little girl. The girl told me the cat was a stray for 3 weeks hanging around but her mother said they already had too many cats and she couldn't keep her. At first I took her and tried to find her owner but a week later I realized she was declawed, not even full grown and fending for herself in the street and at that point she became mine. She is an absolute angel, gentle, talkative, perfect. But this is something I really didn't see at first. I just loved her because she looked like my other black cat!!! -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after What about fostering some kitties? Rescue groups and shelters alike are always looking for foster parents. I haven't fostered before, but it would seem a great way to spend a lot of time with a particular animal. If you find he/she/they are a good match for you, you can "flunk" the program and adopt them. If not, you've done a good deed and helped an animal get through a difficult time. I also like the petfinder.com web site, as someone else already mentioned. Most of those listings are from shelters and rescue groups. > > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > I also like the petfinder.com web site, as someone else already > mentioned. Most of those listings are from shelters and rescue groups. That is probably the surest way to get the personality you want. > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after > Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look > for "lookalike" kitties...I was very disappointed with our other cat, > Ashley because she looked just like a greatly loved cat I had before > but wasn't the same in personality. It took years for me to warm up > to her and finally it was my husband who really took to her. You don't have any guaranttes, from anywhere. Manx continually have defecation problems due to abnormalities in the hindquarters. Save a life and get a spunky kitten from the shelter. If you want an assured lap-cat, get a male black boy or orange boy, or a male black and white. Can never go wrong with any of those. -L. Color has nothing to do with whether or not they'll be a lap cat. "-L. :" <usenetlyn@yahoo.com> wrote in message > Save a life and get a spunky kitten from the shelter. If you want an > assured lap-cat, get a male black boy or orange boy, or a male black > and white. Can never go wrong with any of those. > > -L. > Color has nothing to do with whether or not they'll be a lap cat. Sez you. I have never met a black, orange or B&W male cat that wasn't a lap cat, if taken into the home as a kitten. And I know a *lot* of cats. -L. My Isis is a black cat and she is not a lap cat by any means. Color has nothing to do with personality. > Sez you. I have never met a black, orange or B&W male cat that wasn't > a lap cat, if taken into the home as a kitten. And I know a *lot* of > cats. > > -L. > My Isis is a black cat and she is not a lap cat by any means. Color has > nothing to do with personality. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> >> -L. I personally find males are usually much more prone to lapfungusitis than females though females are just as loving. >> My Isis is a black cat and she is not a lap cat by any means. Color has >> nothing to do with personality. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >I personally find males are usually much more prone to lapfungusitis than >females though females are just as loving. Can't tell that by my boys. Definitely not lap cats. >From: Karen Chuplis kchuplis@alltel.net >I personally find males are usually much more prone to lapfungusitis than >females though females are just as loving. Both my cats are lap cats. I think the girl is more of a lap cat though but that could just be because the boy is more energetic. Meesha is a tortie and Mickey is a gray tuxedo. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm >Both my cats are lap cats. I think the girl is more of a lap cat though but >that could just be because the boy is more energetic. Meesha is a tortie and >Mickey is a gray tuxedo. > >Lauren Do you have any kneaders? (Or like my vet calls it, biskit-makers). Two of mine are, two aren't. My cream tabby boy borders on obsessive. He can't lie down without kneading "his" blanket forever first. Sherry > >Both my cats are lap cats. I think the girl is more of a lap cat though but > >that could just be because the boy is more energetic. Meesha is a tortie and [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > without kneading "his" blanket forever first. > Sherry I thought all cats were kneaders, until Demelza didn't display this behavior. However, she eventually did - starting when she was around 5 years old. Herrie kneads a *little* - not much. Sabina & Debbie (my first 2 cats) were big on kneading. Cathy > I thought all cats were kneaders, until Demelza didn't display this behavior. However, she eventually did - starting when she was around 5 years old. This is how old Gnarly was when she first kneaded me. > Do you have any kneaders? (Or like my vet calls it, biskit-makers). Both of mine do this. Buddha on my husband's belly, Cheeks on her blanket and the lambswooly cover on her window seat. I could always tell when I had gained weight when Gnarly was alive because she kneaded on my belly lol! >From: sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) >Do you have any kneaders? (Or like my vet calls it, biskit-makers). Two of >mine >are, two aren't. My cream tabby boy borders on obsessive. He can't lie down >without kneading "his" blanket forever first. >Sherry Well I don't know if you'd call it kneading exactly. Mickey will wrap his arms around my husband's neck and nurse on my husband's beard, while making bisquits with his paws. He's done this ever since he was a kitten and still is doing it almost daily 5 years later. I wonder if it's a security issue (we got them from a rescue facility. Their mother was a stray. I don't know whether she had the kittens before coming into the rescue or after), or I wonder if it just means he's content. Any ideas? Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm >Mickey will wrap his arms >around my husband's neck and nurse on my husband's beard, while making [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Lauren I don't have any ideas, but that's about the cutest thing I can imagine. Tell you husband *never* to shave his beard. It would break Mickey's heart. Sherry >From: sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) >>Mickey will wrap his arms >>around my husband's neck and nurse on my husband's beard, while making [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Sherry Oh I know! He's been warned that he can never shave his beard off - ever, LOL. You should see it, it's so cute. Mickey will sit on the counter, make a very distinct meow, and then reach up for my husband to pick him up so he can nurse on his beard. Makes me wish I had a beard. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", Aug 2004: > Do you have any kneaders? (Or like my vet calls it, > biskit-makers). Two of mine are, two aren't. My cream tabby boy > borders on obsessive. He can't lie down without kneading "his" > blanket forever first. Shadow and Marley were kneaders. Blanket *doers*, and Marley used to knead my head and my hair and drool. lol Shamrock so far doesn't seem to know how to knead. He sort of shifts his weight from foot to foot sometimes, but never have I seen him knead anything, including me. Same with Bonnie so far. SignatureCheryl > My Isis is a black cat and she is not a lap cat by any means. Color has > nothing to do with personality. She said MALES. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > My Isis is a black cat and she is not a lap cat by any means. Color has > nothing to do with personality. In every post I made on the subject, I said MALE cat. MALE. You know, as in berries-and-stem? Sheesh! Do you have a reading comprehension problem or a learning disability or something? This seems to be a trend with you. -L. : usenetlyn@yahoo.com (-L. :) wrote: >In every post I made on the subject, I said MALE cat. MALE. You >know, as in berries-and-stem? Sheesh! Do you have a reading >comprehension problem or a learning disability or something? This >seems to be a trend with you. I think many of the regulars here can vouch for that--you are right, reading comprehension is not CP's strong suit. It is such a shame that this newsgroups has become a place where others have to turn this newsgroup into a place where you have to flame someone else. I feel really sorry for those of you that can't post without picking on someone else. > I think many of the regulars here can vouch for that--you are right, reading > comprehension is not CP's strong suit. It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. BTW, why do you have to insult people? Can't people here post without trying to flame someone else? > In every post I made on the subject, I said MALE cat. MALE. You > know, as in berries-and-stem? Sheesh! Do you have a reading > comprehension problem or a learning disability or something? This > seems to be a trend with you. > > -L. > It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. BTW, why do you have to insult people? Can't people here post without trying to flame someone else? It appears to depend on who you are, CP. > > In every post I made on the subject, I said MALE cat. MALE. You > > know, as in berries-and-stem? Sheesh! Do you have a reading > > comprehension problem or a learning disability or something? This > > seems to be a trend with you. > > > > -L. >It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. You'd argue with a fencepost over this, I know, but that's not necessarily true. There are studies being done that definitely link coat color to personality. Even obesity and propensity to roam. I can't find the original article I read, but here's one that's basically the same info. Not that you'll read it or anything, but others might find it interesting. http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/Care/Cats/004/10.htm > >It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > read it or anything, but others might find it interesting. > http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/Care/Cats/004/10.htm A good book for studies like this, is The Domestic Cat: The Biology of it's Behaviour . Edited by Dennis turner and Patrick Bateson. Alison I am not going to argue with Sherry since it is pointless but I stand by what I say. Just like people, cats have their own personalities. Some are lap cats, others are hiders, everyone of them regardless of color has their own individuality. > > >It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. > > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > of it's Behaviour . Edited by Dennis turner and Patrick Bateson. > Alison >I am not going to argue with Sherry since it is pointless but I stand by >what I say. Just like people, cats have their own personalities. Some are >lap cats, others are hiders, everyone of them regardless of color has their You're not arguing with me. You're arguing with behavioral studies. What did you think about the article? What part did you disagree with? Sherry > >It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > read it or anything, but others might find it interesting. > http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/Care/Cats/004/10.htm Thanks for posting that - interesting read. -L. >sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) >http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/Care/Cats/004/10.htm "At the cat shelter where I work we refer to "naughty torties" and "laid back blacks". One of our vets also used the "naughty tortie" epithet and told us it is "well known that tortie cats are temperamental". However, the addition of white has a "calming effect" and tortie-and-whites are "not quite as temperamental as brindled torties. " Interesting. My Meesha is a tortie and I remember when I took her for her first vet check. The vet said torties are known for having attitudes. But nothing could be further from the truth with Meesha. She is the sweetest natured, gentlest lovebug cat I've ever had. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm > >sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) My Meesha is a tortie and I remember when I took her for her > first vet check. The vet said torties are known for having attitudes. But > nothing could be further from the truth with Meesha. She is the sweetest > natured, gentlest lovebug cat I've ever had. Exactly the same with Gnarly, a blue-cream long-haired tortoiseshell, mean as a snake, not very bright, acrobatic and funny--and her daughter Penny who was a short-haired, darker tortie, very gentle, loving, and laidback. > >sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Lauren Yes, but she take to everyone or just a select few? Does she let you do anything to her or does it have to be on *her* terms? My Mimi (classic tortie) is a doll, but *she* is in charge. If I try to mess with her when she isn't in the mood, fergetaboutit! As a contrast, Peewee, my Big Black Boy will let me do *anything* to him, any time. Totally different personalities, both sweet. -L. >From: usenetlyn@yahoo.com (-L. :) >> >sriddles@aol.comkitty (Sherry ) >> [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >Yes, but she take to everyone or just a select few? She is shy around other people. Does she let you >do anything to her or does it have to be on *her* terms? Well.....I can do anything I need with her including pilling. She might whine a bit but doesn't really fight me. She purrs when I trim her claws or brush her. My Mimi >(classic tortie) is a doll, but *she* is in charge. Yeah but aren't all cats? :) ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm >>It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > read it or anything, but others might find it interesting. > http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/Care/Cats/004/10.htm Except for the mention of black and black-and-white cats in Bavaria to roam further in some study (and no cite of the study to look up what it actually said), the only studies mentioned in the article consisted of opinion polls, and nothing whatsoever to scientifically link color to personality. Signaturejamie (jamiemck@newsguy.com) "There's a seeker born every minute." >Except for the mention of black and black-and-white cats in Bavaria >to roam further in some study (and no cite of the study to look up >what it actually said), the only studies mentioned in the article >consisted of opinion polls, and nothing whatsoever to scientifically >link color to personality. Genetically speaking, and proven, coat color is an inherited trait. So is temperament and personality. It's not unfathomable to me to believe the two could possibly be linked. It isn't any further-fetched actually than to believe that coat color is linked to deafness and we all know that's true. I haven't seen any weblinks offered that scientifically prove the two are *not* related, either. Sherry > It doesn't matter. Color still has nothing to do with personality. BTW, why > do you have to insult people? It wasn't an insult. It was an honest question. I read two replies from you yesterday, and in both it was clear that you either did not read what was posted, or didn't understand what you read. It's frustrating as hell to read a reply from someone who *seemingly* doesn't doesn't care enough about the exchange to read what is actually written. (Note I used the word *seemingly* - I think you probably do care, or else you wouldn't participate.) I have had pleasant discussions with you on other occassions. I am just wondering if you have a legitamate problem. >Can't people here post without trying to flame > someone else? I don't flame people. I give them the response they deserve. I don't suffer fools easily. -L. >> Color has nothing to do with whether or not they'll be a lap cat. > > Sez you. I have never met a black, orange or B&W male cat that wasn't > a lap cat, if taken into the home as a kitten. And I know a *lot* of > cats. I've had all of the above that weren't lap cats, as well as ones that were lap cats. And if you happen to have cats that grow up to be large, those that were lap cats when young may stop being lap cats, if your lap isn't big enough for them to be comfortable. Signaturejamie (jamiemck@newsguy.com) "There's a seeker born every minute." >Save a life and get a spunky kitten from the shelter. If you want an >assured lap-cat, get a male black boy or orange boy, or a male black >and white. Can never go wrong with any of those. > >-L. That's weird you should say that. I've been around hundreds of cats, between the shelter & also since my circle of friends/family seem to all be cat people. And I've never seen a male orange tabby that wasn't just a big old love suck. It doesn't seem to hold true of the females, just the males. But all of them are really laid-back. Sherry > >Save a life and get a spunky kitten from the shelter. If you want an > >assured lap-cat, get a male black boy or orange boy, or a male black [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Sherry Yep. Orange Tommy Syndrome, we call it. -L. > Yep. Orange Tommy Syndrome, we call it. > > -L. The Orange Tommy thing really is true in most cases. They are always so sweet! The exception being my kitty Antonio, but he is semi-feral. He is a nice cat, but just not lovey. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net www.kelltek.com Check out www.snittens.com > > Yep. Orange Tommy Syndrome, we call it. > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > sweet! The exception being my kitty Antonio, but he is semi-feral. He is a > nice cat, but just not lovey. My experience/observation is that if the cat is acquired as a kitten, 100% of the time, it is a lovey lap cat (male Blacks, B&W and Orange Boys). The other color trends are torties being the "Snickers" cat - half sweet/half nuts. Same with calicos, although I think they tend to be a bit more touchy. -L. Why would you stray from the shelter and get a purebred when there are great cats needing good homes in the shelter? Besides, you can find purebreds in a shelter. My Isis is a Bombay and I originally got her from the Humane Society. As far as breeders go, they only add to the problem of overpopulation and by purchasing from them you are ensuring a cat in the shelter has less of a chance of getting a good home. All of my three cats were rescues and I wouldn't change it a bit. > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after > Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] > > camilla4@mindspring.com webpage temporarily down >Besides, you can find purebreds in a >shelter. You can find cats that somewhat resemble purebreds in a shelter, but usually they are not purebreds. Which is not to say they are not wonderful cats, but the possibility of finding purebred cats in shelters, especially the less common breeds, is often greatly exaggerated. A person looking for a particular breed will have more luck contacting a breed rescue group than hoping one will eventually turn up in a shelter. My Isis is a Bombay and I originally got her from the Humane >Society. Did they give you a copy of the pedigree from the previous owner to prove that she is purebred Bombay? If not, just wondering how you know she is actually a Bombay. >>Besides, you can find purebreds in a >>shelter. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >she is purebred Bombay? If not, just wondering how you know she is actually a >Bombay. That's true. We've only gotten a couple of papered, adult purebreds. But sometimes those wanna-bes look an awful lot like the breed, to an untrained eye. It sure helps them get adopted sometimes. Sherry >That's true. We've only gotten a couple of papered, adult purebreds. But >sometimes those wanna-bes look an awful lot like the breed, to an untrained >eye. It sure helps them get adopted sometimes. Yes, it does. And the reason many people think there are lots of purebreds in shelters is partly because the shelter workers are often unfamiliar with what the breeds really look like, and partly because it's often to the cat's advantage to be called a purebred. However, I've never seen any of the less common breeds show up at the shelter I'm involved with--just the very occasional Persian or Himalayan that looks to have come from a mill or byb. That's why if someone claims they got one of the less common breeds of cat from a shelter, I'm skeptical. Usually that cat doesn't even actually resemble the breed it's supposed to be. >However, I've never seen any of the less common breeds show up at the >shelter [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >less common breeds of cat from a shelter, I'm skeptical. Usually that cat >doesn't even actually resemble the breed it's supposed to be. Apple-head Siamese (TICA registered), and a few CFA Himalayans and Persians here. I think we get the Himmies & Persians because people don't realize how much work their coat is. The only other breed in all the time I've been at the shelter was a registered Devon Rex. His owner had died. We don't ever claim any cat is a purebred, but the volunteers are pretty shameless about name-dropping here & there..."Oh, he is Russian Blue". LOL. Whatever works in those poor cats' favor I guess. So, like you said, people probably *do* come away thinking they've got a purebred. Sherry I've always wanted a Devon Rex > >However, I've never seen any of the less common breeds show up at the > >shelter [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Sherry >I've always wanted a Devon Rex I don't know much about them, but he was a cute little thing. He was very energetic and lively, too. Not sure if that's true of all of them, but he was a live wire. Sherry >My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after >Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] > >camilla4@mindspring.com webpage temporarily down Go to the local shelter and rescue a cat from death row. Hopefully it will like you and you will like it. Hi Camilla , If you buy from a breeder, make sure the kittens have been handled regularly and that they are used to being in a household. Kittens that are bred in a cattery and go to their new homes at 3 months can be just as nervous and frightened as a feral kitten. Alison > My husband and I are about ready to look for new kitties after > Victor's death a few months ago. We know the basics, like not to look [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] > > camilla4@mindspring.com webpage temporarily down > We were thinking litter mates but I'm worried they may stick together > and both pick one over the other of us. Any experience with this? > > Yes, I have experience with this. Our two girls accept me, but they will not even stay on the divan if I sit next to one of them. I think they think I have cooties or something!
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