I need some info on getting a cat. I kno nothing about them and hoping you can help me.

I want to get one from a rescue centre rather than get a kitten. Its not definate I'm getting one though as I want to do alot of research before deciding to get one.

What is the best breed for first time owners?

Which breeds are good with dogs?

How much attention do they need and how long should I be at home with them for?

Any other infromation would be appreciated.

I think you'll find that when you go to a shelter, you won't find many cats of a specific, identifiable breed. I'm not sure where you are, but I know that locally, only about 25% of the pets surrendered are purebred and they get snapped up very quickly. Next to none come with papers proving they are pure. I wouldn't worry so much about the breed, especially if it is your first cat, as I would worry about finding a cat who bonds with you.

Go to the shelter, look at the pets, and ask the attendants what they know about the animals there. Are they friendly? Do they have a history of abuse? Medical problems? Allergies? Where they surrendered or found abandoned? If you are getting your first cat, you probably don't want one with a host of medical problems. It can be hard enough to take care of a pet without needing special diets and medication (that's not to say, however, that they are bad animals, just ones that need a lot of extra care and time).

I am a first time owner aswell!!! And believe me you wont regrett having your new cat! I hated cats and was always a dog lover untill i got pharoh! Now hes my little baby (hes 1 by the way) He was only 9 weeks when i got him, He took to his litter tray like a fish to water and i havnt had any problems since i got him, He is a moggy (no breed) And hes soooo loving its unbelivable and to think i loved distructive attention seeking dogs before this! Hes also a house cat and it doesnt bother him. I myself wouldnt recomend an older cat for your first one but theres loads of people out there giving away kittens for as little as 10 pound or FREE, I think if you get a kitten it will be brought up the way you want and it will grow on you straight away rather than an older cat. I know i havnt got that much experience but My friend got an older cat from a rescue place and they told her he wasnt a bother, But he hated her and wouldnt go near her, he was so used to being on his own that he prefered it, The only other things i can say is reguardless of what cat you get i would get it straight to vets as if you get a female and let her out youll have kittens on your hands and if its a male he will spray in your house (which is a very nasty smell that you cant get rid of) I got pharoh done as soon as the vet recommended and have had not problems from him hope this helps!! x

Are you looking for a purebred cat?

If so then your questions are very valid, however any cat can be good with dogs if they are brought up with them - the question is, is your dog good with cats?

If you are looking to rescue then the chances are slim you would get a purebred anyway! Most rescue cats are moggies, and the purebreds tend to be older cats, so no matter what their breed its their upbringing that will tell you if they are good with dogs or not - most of the time you wont know their upbringing!

A moggie is just as fun, comes in every colour imaginable in cats and should be fairly hassle free.

I would spend a week at home with your new addition, but for the first few weeks never leave dog and cat in the same room unattended, so if your going out make sure they are seperated.

Cats need plenty of attention, lots of affection and then you have toys, litter trays, grooming (depending on coat type), health checks, feeding etc.

A rescue cat will cost you somewhere around £30-100 depending on the centre, and a pedigree around £300-600 depending on the breed.

The setting up costs ar ethe same for every cat, although most rescues and good breeders will have fully wormed, flead and vaccinated the cat first. Most rescues will also have neutered their adult cats/older kittens and give you a voucher for neutering kittens. Most good breeders will insist their pet stock is neutered so you have that cost to consider.

You will need insurance, which is around £7-20 a month depending on company, cover and breed.

Litter and food around £10-15 a week

worming £3 a month

flea £20 for 6months

Hope that helps.

i got my cat from a shelter only a few days ago.
really the best thing is to go along and ask questions - they will soon get an idea of what kind of cat would suit you.
the lady i saw straight away knew which cat to show me and i took her home that same day

i have never been to a shelter as i know i would come home with 20 of them but the people i know that have been say that they just know when they see the right on.most of them went to the shelters with a specific type of cat in mind and came home with the exact opposite.
as someone else has said you need to make sure yoou dog is ok with cats before bringing one home and then youll need a cat that is used to being around dogs.after that they sort themselves out.

Thanks for the help guys.

I'm not looking for a purebred specifically. I mistakenly thought they were like dogs, lots of different breeds with different temperaments. I didnt know the purebred were so rare.

If you like a certain breed you can contact that breeds breed club, they will have rescue coordinators who home those cats needing help.

However for moggies, you can get them in just about every shape and colour known to the cat world - although some colours will be rarer due to the genetics behind the colouring. You will also find cats which are long coated, short coated and semi-longhaired. The two coat types your unlikely to find in a standard rescue are rex or sphynx.

Ive had cats of every colour fostered here, although ive never had pointed kittens (siamese pattern), but i have had pointed mums.

It's not so much that purebred cats are rare--there are tons of them--it's that purebred cats are less likely to show up at shelters because they are expensive investments. A person who spends several hundred dollars on a cat is less likely to let it run away or want to surrender it to a shelter. It happens, but if you want one, you have to be vigilant about calling the shelters to find out if any have come in.

Moggies are great - go to your local shelter(s) and have a look around, talk to the staff and be honest about what sort of cat appeals to you.

Remember that long and semi-long hairs need maintenance - grooming - and can get matted.

If you want a pedigree then make sure you do your research as pedigrees have characteristics peculiar to their breed - for instance Siamese can be very, very vocal...... and this may be something that you might not want.