Howdy! My name is Matt, and I'm a college student. At the end of this semester, I'll be moving to a new apartment that allows cats. I think cats are great, and I would like to get one. I really feel I can provide a good home for one. But I've never had a cat before, so naturally I have several questions which I hope the people on this site can help me with. (If my questions should be posted in a different forum, please point me there.)
1.) I am unfortunately mildly allergic to cats. Unless I'm doped up on antihistamine, I generally can't be around one for more than about two hours before my hayfever-like symptoms get so bad that I'm forced to go someplace else. What options are available to me to reduce or eliminate my allergic reactions, and how expensive are these options? (I know allergies like mine might be a deal-breaker for many people, but I want to know my options.)
2.) My dad and brother also have cat allergies, so my family has always been a dog family. (We currently have a border collie named Samson, and used to have a bassett hound named Samantha, before she got a liver cancer.) As such, I know absolutely nothing about cat breeds or personalities. I know certain dog breeds, having been bred for specific tasks, often have certain personalities associated with them. Are there any cat breeds that I, as a new cat owner, should avoid based on breed temperament?
3.) I think I want to adopt a cat from a shelter, since I don't like the idea of them being euthanized. Plus, being a college student, I don't think I can afford to go to any other source. Is adoption from a shelter a good or bad idea for a new cat owner? What qualities should I look for in a cat from a shelter, or any cat, for that matter? (How do I make sure the cat is healthy, friendly, etc.?)
4.) Being new to owning a cat, would it be better/easier to get a kitten, or an adult cat? What kind of training is involved for kittens?
5.) Would it be better/easier for a person like me to get a male cat, or a female one? Also, is it a good idea to have a cat neutered/spayed, or does that mess with their personality too much?
Thanks in advance for the help.
~Matt
1.) I am unfortunately mildly allergic to cats. Unless I'm doped up on antihistamine, I generally can't be around one for more than about two hours before my hayfever-like symptoms get so bad that I'm forced to go someplace else. What options are available to me to reduce or eliminate my allergic reactions, and how expensive are these options? (I know allergies like mine might be a deal-breaker for many people, but I want to know my options.)
2.) My dad and brother also have cat allergies, so my family has always been a dog family. (We currently have a border collie named Samson, and used to have a bassett hound named Samantha, before she got a liver cancer.) As such, I know absolutely nothing about cat breeds or personalities. I know certain dog breeds, having been bred for specific tasks, often have certain personalities associated with them. Are there any cat breeds that I, as a new cat owner, should avoid based on breed temperament?
3.) I think I want to adopt a cat from a shelter, since I don't like the idea of them being euthanized. Plus, being a college student, I don't think I can afford to go to any other source. Is adoption from a shelter a good or bad idea for a new cat owner? What qualities should I look for in a cat from a shelter, or any cat, for that matter? (How do I make sure the cat is healthy, friendly, etc.?)
4.) Being new to owning a cat, would it be better/easier to get a kitten, or an adult cat? What kind of training is involved for kittens?
5.) Would it be better/easier for a person like me to get a male cat, or a female one? Also, is it a good idea to have a cat neutered/spayed, or does that mess with their personality too much?
Thanks in advance for the help.
~Matt