Choosing the Right Cat for Your Family

Personalities

Affectionate and Social Cat Breeds:

• Ragdoll: They are known to be smart, gentle, loyal, and super affectionate. They enjoy being held and will happily follow their human around the house.
• Maine Coon: Despite their size, they have a friendly and sociable nature. Maine Coon’s are incredibly loving and make great family pets. They are known to remain playful, curious, and kitten-like throughout their lives.
• Siamese: Siamese cats are known as one of the most intelligent breeds. They are known for being vocal, their desire to be in the center of attention, friendly, and affectionate. They form strong bonds with their owners and are known for their intelligence and playful personalities. They tend to react positively to positive reinforcement as they can be sensitive cats.

Independent and Low-Maintenance Cat Breeds:

• Russian Blue: These are a sweet and loyal cat who are known for their calm and reserved nature. They enjoy their alone time but also form close bonds with their families. At first, they can be cautious and shy but are affectionate once they get acquainted.
• British shorthair: They are generally low-maintenance and can adapt well to various living situations. They tend to be active – wanting to play but not requiring hourly attention. They are easy going, loyal and loving but not overbearing.
• Norwegian Forest Cat: These cats are well suited for outdoor environments as they originate from the forests of Norway. They are sweet, gentle and can be shy at first. They are also intelligent, independent, and have a strong hunting instinct. This breed thrives in a family environment.

Playful and Energetic Cat Breeds:

• Abyssinian: Known for being very playful and active. They are loyal and affectionate but get easily bored. They enjoy interactive play and require mental stimulation to keep them entertained.
• Bengal: Bengals are highly energetic and love to explore their surroundings. They are sweet, loving, and loyal. They are also curious about everything around them and need to be able to stay active by running, jumping, and getting attention.
• Sphynx: Sphynx are full of energy and enjoy interactive play. They are intelligent, love spending time with people, and enjoy the company of other pets such as dogs. They are social and crave attention making them perfect for families with ample time for interaction.

When selecting a cat for your family, it is important to consider lifestyle, preferences, and the needs of each breed. It is also important to remember that individual cats within a breed can still have unique personalities.

Things to Look for When Adopting

To further determine a cat’s personality, we have listed below 6 things to look for during the adoption process.

1. Observe behaviour: Spend time with the cat in their current environment. Look for signs of friendliness, curiosity, or shyness.
2. Ask about the cat’s background: If known, then it may be useful knowledge to you. Things like if the cat gets along with other pets or is good with children may be of importance to you. In addition, you can ask about the cat’s personality, health, and energy levels.
3. Get to know the cat: Interact with the cat, allowing them to approach you on their terms. Keep note of their response to being pet, held, or played with. Engage in playtime if they allow, observing their level of enthusiasm, energy, and agility. Cats with a higher level of engagement may be a good fit for a more active household.
4. Vocalization: Some cats are naturally more talkative while others are more reserved. Consider whether you are comfortable with a chatty or quieter companion.
5. Be Open to Cats of All Ages: Whether you choose a kitten, adult, or senior cat you’ll have years of love and companionship ahead. Kittens are cute, fun, and playful and you can shape habits from the beginning. Adult cats are full-size and have distinct personalities. Senior cats and generally calmer and more laid back. It is also great to provide senior cats with a second chance with a new pet parent.
6. Intuition: Sometimes you meet a cat and just have a feeling it’s the one you’re meant to adopt. If you can meet the cat’s needs and provide it with a safe and welcoming home, trust your instincts.

Keep in mind that a cat’s personality may evolve and change over time as they settle into their new home and bond with family. We hope that these tips help you when choosing a cat for your family!