Once you've decided to welcome a cat into your home, the question remains: what kind? Should you get an adult or a kitten? Longhaired or shorthaired? Do you want a purebred or whatever mix is available at the local shelter? And if you decide you'd like purebred, which one? Here are some things to consider as you choose what type of cat is best for you.



Kittens versus adults. There's nothing cuter than a kitten. They're not only adorable but are lots of fun. They also have a lot of energy, and can keep their owners up at night, break things and generally make life pretty hectic. Of course, this stage does not last forever, but if you want a kitten, make sure you're prepared for it to be rambunctious. Older cats are usually already housebroken and are calmer, often adapting to a new home more quickly than kittens.

Once you've decided whether you want a kitten or an adult, you have to determine whether you want a purebred or not. There are over 40 registered breeds, all of them with different characteristics. If you are interested in showing or breeding your cat, you'll probably want to pursue this option. Purebred cats can be quite expensive, and you'll need to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable breeder.

National and international cat breeder's associations maintain lists of recognized cat breeds and their characteristics. Both the CFA (Cat Fancier's Association) and TICA (The International Cat Association) have information available about the various registered breeds. You can look at longhaired versus shorthaired, and get a brief description of each breed's general traits.

If you aren't planning on showing or breeding, and you haven't fallen in love with a particular breed, you may just want an old-fashioned housecat. One benefit to getting a "moggie" as they're called in Great Britain, is their availability. Your local animal shelter probably has dozens of cats looking for a home. You may even be the happy recipient of a free kitten. There are literally millions of homeless cats in America, any of whom would love to become part of your family!

Do you want a longhaired or shorthaired cat? This is a major decision when trying to determine what kind of cat to get. Be prepared to keep a longhaired cat bushed; although cats are good self-groomers, some breeds may need a little extra help keeping all that fur in order! And you may find that you've got the vacuum running more often with a longhaired cat than a shorthaired one. Shorthaired cats shed as mush as longhaired, in general. They can trigger allergies to the same extent, as it is the dander and not the hair that gets to allergy sufferers.

Choosing what kind of cat you want can take research. On the other hand, you may find that you fall in love with a cat in a moment, making that one the perfect pet for you.