Help....from a former dog person

Hi everyone,

First of all let me just say that im loving this website. Im completely new to cats (ive been a dog-person all my 27 years) and this site has helped me a lot with my research and i have to say that the more i read.....the closer i am to becoming a full on cat-person.

So, the reason for my post....Im about to buy an apartment and would like to get a cat. Im a little stuck on the best breed to get though so i thought i'd invest in the help of forumers who no doubt know a heck of a lot more about cats than i do.

Basically, i really like the Burmese breed but im a little worried that i wont be able to spend enough time with it. I work full time which means Ill be out of the house at work for around 9 hours of every weekday. Im a little concerned because ive read that the Burmese cat might not respond too well to being left alone for that amount of time every day. Im home most nights and will be able to spend a lot of quality time with it when i get home from work and on weekends but i guess im just concerned that it might not be enough.

Does anyone else have any advice they can offer me? Should i go with a different breed? Am i freaking out over nothing

If anyone out there can help here I'd really appreciate it. I really would like to do what's best for my soon-to-be-pet so that we can enjoy a long and happy life together.

thanks everyone and im sorry for the long first post )

I hope you enjoy the site and all the wonderful people here!

As for a cat, my opinion would be to rescue a DSH from the shelter, to save it from being killed and gain a great companion for life!

Welcome to TCS prepare to become addicted

I swear my cat, Penelope, is part Burmese and she demands a lot of attention. Even though she has a playmate, Molly, she really seems to prefer people and needs people attention. I don't think it's a good idea to get a Burmese if you're gone 9 hours a day. I would consider adopting two litter-mates of a different more laid-back breed who get along well with each other. That way, when you're gone during the day, they'll have each other.

There are lots of adorable kittens at the humane shelter who need homes but if you are set on getting kittens of a particular breed, PLEASE check out the breeder carefully. Go on the breeding section of this web site and ask questions, check references, etc. If cats are not carefully bred, they can have many health problems and cause you much expense and worry.

Good luck on your adoption quest!

I am going to agree on adopting a cat from your local shelter. They have all kinds with diferent colorings marking and personalities. I would also encourage getting 2 of approximately the same age or even from the same litter. Good Luck!

Hello It's nice to meet you!!

Hi there

we're so happy to welcome you to TCS. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us - we're one great big family and you'll find loads of friends here. If I can help at all while you're finding your way around TCS just click on my username and send me a Personal Message - I'll do what I can to answer your questions

You're so wise to do your research before getting your kitty. if you're gone a lot of the day, then I would second the advise to get two kitties of about the same age so that they can be companions

Thanks everyone for your help, i really appreciate it and im sure that ill have a thousand more questions to ask so please bear with me.

Getting two cats isnt really an option for me so im thinking that maybe i should consider a different breed. Maybe a burmilla or a russian blue. The russian blue's are adorable but im concerned that they might be a little more stand-offish. I have my girlfreinds over all the time and i guess i'd kind of like my cat to come and socialise with us and not be afraid of noise.

OK, another quesion.....do you think that the breed of the cat defines its persoanlity or that its upbringing plays a major part?

What i mean is, would i be able to bring up a russian blue to be a social and trusting cat or am i just completely nuts and clueless?

Welcome to the site
I commend you for doing your research before jumping right into getting a new pet. That shows just how responsible you will be as a pet owner I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to the traits and characteristics of different breeds. All I know, is that Dori (my little tortie girl) has a mind of her own and does whatever she pleases. It was me who had to adapt to her

I honestly think breed does play a small part in their personality but I think their up bringing has the biggest effect on how they act. It sounds to me that you are pretty set on getting a purebred cat. Make sure you do a lot of research and check the breeder before you buy.

Hi! I just got my first cat ever on Monday after a childhood with a beloved dog. To echo what others have said, going to a shelter is a great way to find a cat without having to worry as much about all of these questions. Older cats not only desperately need homes, but you can spend some time with them and find one with a personality that suits you. Better yet, many of these cats have a known background to give you an idea of what he/she is used to. Places like PetSmart work with local shelters, and keep cards with that info whenever it is available. Why not go and take a look as a starting point? A twist of fate involving a stray kitten is the only reason I didn't follow that path, myself.

For what its worth, I have known cats of the same breed with completely different personality. One Siamese I knew was terrified of strangers, and wanted nothing more than a solid bed to hide under. Another Siamese that belonged to an ex-girlfriend was precisely the opposite. He didn't like crowds, but warmed up to me after only a few minutes. Soon he was purring and taking up residence on my lap. And don't even think about putting a door between you and him! It's all about the individual cat.

Hello and welcome. Before purchasing a specific breed. I would at least suggest going to your local rescue shelter and just sitting in with the cats and see if any of them have the come up and sit with me personality that you are looking for. With a pureebred kitten, you don't know how it will grow up. My mom got a Himalayan from a breeder so we have had her since 8-10 or so weeks old. She is now 8 years old and is completely scared to death of EVERYTHING. She knows us all, the house has always been very quiet, no parties or get togethers or anything and very cat friendly. My mother even took in my very very mellow loving cat India to try to calm her down but no. You wouldn't even know she was in the house. She sleeps on the bed all day long and gets up to eat and bathroom, will sometimes come around to the fridge area for some milk and then goes right back upstairs.

So anyway, there is nothing wrong with buying a purebred, but so much has to go into finding a reputable breeder. Anyone can just look in the paper for someone claiming the blue/grey cats they have are purebred Russian Blues without papers, or go to a mall pet store (please don't, those are all kitten mill kittens there) but you really need to do research on breeders too. There are a TON of unethical ones out there.

I really urge you to go to a shelter first and ust see if any cats there already have the personality you are looking for. Plus they will be older and can handle being alone for most of the week. A kitten needs a lot more interaction and leaving it alone all day IMO will not work. Tell the shelter people whaat you are looking for, tell them that you are gone a lot of the week and just want a happy cat that will be happy to see you when you get home and mellow enough to just chill out all day.

Thanks again everyone for all of your help. I think that the best option for me would be to get a rescue kitten. As you've said, that are so many out there that need a home.

Can anyone give me any advice on the best way to choose a rescue kitten? I know that they are a bit of a mixed bag and im not really sure what i can do to try and ensure that i get a kitten thats affectionate, playful and will be ok to be left alone for up to 8 hours a day.

Thanks again guys. I cant tell you how helpful your advice has been.

Originally Posted by SillyJilly

I hope you enjoy the site and all the wonderful people here!

As for a cat, my opinion would be to rescue a DSH from the shelter, to save it from being killed and gain a great companion for life!

Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!!!!

You will find the PUUUURRRRfect companion!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by New_to_cats

Thanks again everyone for all of your help. I think that the best option for me would be to get a rescue kitten. As you've said, that are so many out there that need a home.

Can anyone give me any advice on the best way to choose a rescue kitten? I know that they are a bit of a mixed bag and im not really sure what i can do to try and ensure that i get a kitten thats affectionate, playful and will be ok to be left alone for up to 8 hours a day.

Thanks again guys. I cant tell you how helpful your advice has been.

Click to expand...

FIRST OFF, Iam so excited for you!!! What amazing creatures...

I got Jackson on MArch 29th from a shleter (What a blessing he is in my life) ANYWAYS... Age was not a factor to me, Younger or older it didn't really matter. When I saw Jackson's colors thats what got me at first!

IMO, you can tell alot about a cat when u spend time with them in the shelter, Jackson was very talkative, VERY affectionate, these are the things I was looking for. He was everything I could have wanted him to be AND MORE... The shelter was not too sure about his background as far as where he came from, how old he was, and if he was an indoor or outdoor cat!

Jackson is roughly 13months!

My boyfriend and I went back to the shelter EVERYDAY for 4days and had half hout - one hour visits to really get to know him before we made a decision!

But as soon as I saw him I didn't want to look ANYWHERE else...

BEST OF LUCK, Pls keep us posted...and AS SOON AS you get a kitty, you have to be sure to POST pictures...

Jayme Jackson Mommy!

Hi and welcome to TCS!!!!!!!!!!


see you on the forums!

Welcome to TCS!! I know you'll love it here! I hope to see you on the forums soon!