Hi there all first post from me!

Me and my partner have taken the decision to get an indoor cat for our spacious but first floor apartment and i really want ideas on a good breed for us. We are both profesionals with full time jobs and thus the flat will be empty for around 7 hours each day

We have all the patience in the world and just wanted to add to our mini family some extra company in the evenings and such. Moneys not too much of an object (within reason) we are after an offectionate breed that could cope with the daytime solitude.

Any tips would be greatly received

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SELKCAH NORWEGIAN FOREST CATS
www.selkcahcats.co.uk

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Thanks for the response, yes 9-5 monday to friday they would alone although we have put aside 2 weeks holiday for settling the kitten in should we proceed.

I like the idea of a fur-ball really a nice fluffy breed... forgive me, i am not sure of the correct terms. Having always had dogs when i lived terra ferma (german sheperds) balcony is not quite big enough for a GSD.

I do like the look of ragdolls but have read they do not wish to be alone for too long

I do totally agree with Selk here and I personally wouldn't home one kitten to a family that were in the situation where the kitten would be home alone all day long. In this situation, you are much better off with 2 kittens who can keep each other company while you are both at work. Also, one of you would have to take time off work when you bring your new kittens home to help settle them in.

There's lot of wonderful breeders on this forum who breed cats with the "fluffy" look that you are seeking and I'm sure you'll have no problems finding the right babies to join your home Possibly breeds like Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coons, that sort of breed would interest you? The breeders on here would be able to tell you about their personalities and temperaments

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Purrs and best wishes
Kat
http://www.schimmelorientals.com

Yes, strongly recommend two kits if you are going to be working all day. Some breeders will give you a discount if you take two kits together.

I can recommend some reputable Raggie breeders if you want to PM me and let me know where you live.

Karen

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

Hi All,

Thanks for the help, have to confess i hadn't thought about two, but it does make sense.

Dan

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SELKCAH NORWEGIAN FOREST CATS
www.selkcahcats.co.uk

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Yep, when kittens leave for their new homes you have to remember that they are leaving the security of having an extended family. i.e. litter mates, mum, aunties, uncles etc. etc. So going to a new home can be quite lonely for one baby on his/her own.

All the best with finding some babies and please do let us know how you're getting on? It's so much fun when you're beginning that search for your new family members

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Purrs and best wishes
Kat
http://www.schimmelorientals.com

Hi

I had exactly the same problem as you - OH works away most of the week (I mean really away - not returning to home sort of away) and I work 7.30-4.30 5 days a week.

I debated long and hard with myself and did not feel that it was fair to a kitten to be left alone - and you have to consider that really a kitten is child/teenager for about 18 months to 2 years.

I thought about 2 kittens but again I was uncomfortable with leaving them alone for so long and it is really not feasible for me to 'pop' home at lunchtimes.

I wanted a pedigree and my breed of preference was Maine Coon. Looking at the websites of breeders I found that they sometimes wanted their older queens and studs to be rehomed after neutering and it occurred to me that this might be the solution.

The Breeder knows their cat's character and will actually specify the type of home they think would fit the cat.

I know it could take a bit longer but in fact it worked out for me and I am now the proud owner of a 2 year old neutered male (never a stud) and a neutered three year old queen from the same catery - but that was fortuitous - I was willing to look for an adoptee from another catery.

I have found that the cats are well adapted to each other - romp around energetically and do not fight, seem to respect each other's space, but will cosy up to each other given the right atmosphere/environment.

Both have developed characters (this may be a minus but a good breeder will know their cat's character and be able to tell you of any quirks). They both are happy to be indoors and have shown no desire to escape into the garden - I think this is because they had very defined territory in the catery - outside cat proofed area and house.

For me this has ticked the boxes - I don't feel so guilty at leaving them alone during the working day and they have special rooms opened to them and quality time with me when I get home.

I now have 6 cats but the original pair I got were 2 year old sisters from the CPL who had to be homed together. It was perfect as we too work full time.