Cats

Danielle and I are debating on whether or not to get a kitten. We were wondering what is the most loveable type of kitten to get. My friend said that Tuxedo cats are very loveable and playful.

Does anyone know.

Thanks,
Scott

I have a tabby. As a kitten he was SO playful and affectionate and now at 8 years old, he won't even let you pick him up I don't know if they're all like that or if it's just mine.

I have no idea what kind of cat ours was but he wasn't all that affectionate but still the coolest cat ever (although I'm sure everyone thinks that about their pets). I'll see if I can find a picture of one that looks similar to my beloved Roscoe (RIP ), maybe someone can tell me what kind of cat he was.

Ooh, here's one that's similar. Roscoe was a little prettier but very similar. What kind of cat is this?

Hey Scott!

Here's the deal... as the owner of three cats (and having lived with quite a few roommate's cats in the past) let me tell you that there is NO telling what kind of personality any domestic cat will have. Unless the cat is purebred (i.e. Siamese) it's kind of a crap shoot. I have a calico cat (the epitome of a scaredy cat... she's the most gorgeous cat ever, but she runs from anything she doesn't know really well), a big fat fluffy gray cat (part Maine Coon... 19 pounds of love! She has bad habits but she's a sweetheart and very mellow), and a tuxedo cat (the only boy... very mischevious but such a mush! He loves to cuddle, but also loves to tear around the house at breakneck speed). So I guess I consider myself a bit of an expert

Here are some tips!!! -->

The best advice I can give you is to handle your kitten a LOT when it's real small. Pick it up constantly, cuddle with it, pet it, teach it that their claws HURT and they shouldn't use them, and don't let them claw all over everything (if you let them claw a bad piece of furniture, there will be no stopping them from clawing your new couch. They see all furniture as fair game once you give them the OK once). Same goes with jumping on counters, tables, etc. Make sure they know from day one where they are and are not allowed. Cats are smart! They'll get the hint after a while. Besides a firm 'NO', a little spray bottle or squirt gun works well to deter them, since they hate getting wet.

Also - DO NOT FEED THEM SOFT/WET FOOD!!! It's really bad for them. It makes them fat and increases their chances of urinary, kidney, liver, and dental problems. If you insist on feeding them soft food, only do on rare occasions, and make sure it's a good quality kind like Iams. Same goes for dry food... don't buy Deli Cat or Meow Mix or any of those brands that you usually find in supermarkets. (We feed our mongrels Max Cat Lite Hairball Formula). Once you find a brand, stick with it. Cats hate change, and too much variety can upset their stomach (and then they'll leave you icky messes on your carpet! Bleh!)

Brush your cat a lot. Prevents hairballs and helps with shedding.

DO NOT let your cat outside, unless you're there to watch it and make sure it doesn't go far or get into trouble.

The best litter we've tried is the Arm & Hammer Crystals blend, although Tidy Cats is a close second. Try to find an uncarpeted place for the litterbox, and make sure you get the covered style litterbox. If you can't find anything uncarpeted, get a litter mat. Even with a cover, litter still goes everywhere and it's much easier to sweep up than to vacuum.

OK - I think I can step down from my feline soapbox now! If you have any questions, please feel free to FM me. I hope you enjoy your new pet! Cats can be a handful (especially kittens) but they always mellow out and end up being your best friend. My kitties are like my children and I would do anything for them. Please post a pic of your new kitten once you find him/her!

Wow, Lunatrek...great advice. My mom has eight cats and they are all FAT!! Why, cuz she insists on feeding them wet food. Now two of them have diabetes...can't imagine why!
All of your advice is awesome. I think the reason Espresso (our cat) is so friendly is because DH and I mauled him when he was a baby. Now, he comes up to everyone who comes over and is ridiculously friendly.
I also agree with the litter recommendations...we use Tidy Cat all the time.

figures my male cat is the exception to the rule - he's a nasty little [email protected] there's food around....

but i love him anyway

WOW Jill that was excellent advice. I saved that info in word for future use.
Thanks,
Scott

If it's not a pure breed, I think it ultimately comes down to that personality of the cat.

My sister has had boy cats (one all black and one tuxedo). The all black cat is a big mush with her and but not so much to anyone else. The tuxedo cat could take or leave anyone and was affectionate on his terms (but most people and animals are that way anyway).

I have a girl calico cat that is very friendly and affectionate (almost to the point of annoyance sometimes).

All the cats were given supermarket brand wet food and the only fat one is my sisters black cat (a 21 pounder!) but my sister used to feed him 4-5 times a day. The tuxedo lived to be 18 years old and my kitty is a svelte 8-9 pounds.

I agree with all the above postings, the personality of the cat all depends on the owner .
I had to give my kitty away last year to a co-worker due to FI's alergies but I inherited him from my sister about 6 years ago (turns out BIL was allergic too). She and my BIL adoped him from a shelter when he was about a year old. He was really skinny and completely aftraid of people. You couldn't even pwt him. If you sat next to him on the couch, he would get up and run under the bed. We determined that he was abandoned or abused by his previos opwner and was afraid of people.
I house sat for them while they were on their HM. At the end of the 2 weeks, he was a complete lapcat!! He loved to be held and petted
By the time he came to live with me a few months later, you couldn't walk or sit without him being right next to you. My roommate would laugh at how much like a dog he was. When he would hear my keys in the door, he would come running to the door. He would lie on his bak waiting for his belly to be rubbed
You really can't determine the kitty's personality by it's breed, only by the mommy and daddy
He is a picture of my kitty:

IF you guys want a kitten. check out my website at http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/NY142 cacat link