Ten Breeds You Should Consider if You're Looking For a Loving Cat
For some, part of the appeal of a cat lies in the fact that they can be quite independent creatures that typically require less maintenance than the average dog. However, if you are actively searching for an affectionate, sociable cat that will love to spend time with you, it is well worth considering one of the following ten breeds.
Burmese
Burmese cats are often described as 'bricks wrapped in silk' (due to their athletic, firm bodies and wonderfully soft coats). They are available in many different shades, from warm chocolate to exotic blue and have loud, expressive voices that demand immediate attention. The average Burmese is playful and active well into older age and can even be trained to do things like fetch a toy or obey basic commands. If your ideal cat is vocal, energetic and deeply interested in human behavior, a Burmese could be the perfect addition to your household.
Manx
While you may be taken aback by the fact that a Manx cat will have a stub instead of a tail (or no tail at all), these unique cats have some outstanding personality traits that make them highly endearing. They are deeply attached to their home environments, making them ideal house pets if you are unsure about letting a cat go outdoors and you can expect your Manx to be a curious, bold pet that loves to be close to you.
Rex
Rex cats are even more unusual looking, as they have a very short, very curly coat with gigantic ears that dwarf the size of their faces. The eccentric appearance of a Rex comes with a truly wonderful disposition, and will shower you with affection and enthusiasm. These cats love to impress their owners with crazy antics and they are passionate about playing.
Ragdoll
You may have heard of the ragdoll as these cats were specifically bred in order to be unusually compliant when held by their owners. This trait makes them highly pleasant to cuddle, and your ragdoll is likely to be the perfect lap cat. However, when they are not snuggling up to their owners, ragdolls enjoy playing and can often be trained to do basic tricks.
Abyssinian
Abyssinian cats are the very embodiment of elegance and have strikingly good looks. Their beauty is a mere bonus though, as these cats are so loyal and clever that they typically delight their owners on a daily basis. They can be difficult to source and may come with an expensive price tag but those who own Abyssinians will tell you that these cats are worth the cost.
Siamese
As long as you don't mind owning a cat that tries to have lengthy conversations with you while you make the dinner, tidy the house or try to work at the computer, a Siamese could make a great companion. In addition to being very vocal, these cats love to curl up on a warm lap or turn everyday activities into opportunities for play.
Persian
Some find the classic, flattened faces of Persian cats to be beautiful, while others think that these cats look rather squashed. However, it it's love that you are looking for then a Persian should definitely make your shortlist. These cats are very chilled out, passive companions who enjoy being held and stroked.
Maine Coon
Owning a Maine Coon requires you to be diligent about regular brushing, as these cats have long coats that need to be carefully protected from matting and tangles. In addition to being truly beautiful, Maine Coons have bags of energy, an intense interest in social interaction, and a fondness for play.
Birman
Birmans have creamy looking coats and colored points that can be anything from burnt red to very dark brown. They are known for their high intelligence levels and tendency to form deep, lasting bonds with their human families.
Tonkinese
The Tonkinese offers the best traits of a Siamese and a Burmese in one gorgeous package. These cats are athletic, trainable, and may even enjoy going out for a walk on a leash. A Tonkinese is also an excellent choice for a busy household, as your pet will be delighted to meet new people.
Comment(s)28
They have all the good qualities of the Siamese, but are a bit less vocal
and demanding. They are very intelligent and loyal. They also have the slender, athletic body and are full of great ideas. They come in wonderful colours and I would never get a different cat.
My female calico has been my best friend for over 12 years! She is a beautiy, with green eyes lined with white! Her face is split down the middle with color!!!
She is Quite the Princess!!!
A few years ago a black cat showed up with a huge lump on his neck!!! I nursed him back to health. He talks constantly. He acts like a dog; comes when I call, runs up the driveway to greet me after work, would sleep on top of me, if I let him. A friend came to visit and exclaimed,
"You have a Bombay!! He is a Bombay!!"
So I googled him!! Sure enough, the pictures could have been him!!!
Loyal, affectionate, charming, eager to okay- yet independent!!
My only problem is that they do not get along!!! My Calico is soo
Jealous and possessive!! He adores her and wants to be close to her. She growls, hisses, snaps at him, blocks him from the food,
Won't let him in or out and he cowtown to her!!! It is almost funny!
I tell her that he lives here now!! He is your Brother! But, she's NOT going for it!!! Any suggestions?!
So I reintroduced them...this time, putting my boy in a wire crate for a week, to introduce him to her, slowly and safely. By the end of the week, they were fast friends and playmates.
Another thing you can do is "play therapy." Play with your girl with a fishing rod string toy. Put the boy away in a separate room...then let your girl have a good long play session. Run her good about 3-4 passes (as many as she's interested in). Then, when she's exhausted, bring the boy in and let him chase the toy. (Or, ideally, have two humans do the play therapy, so both cats can play at the same time, far enough away to have space to run freely, but close enough so they can see each other while they're each having a great time.)
If the girl wants to chase the toy in the midst of the boy's session, let her take a turn. Cats tend to show great respect for each others' space and taking turns. End the session with high-value treats for each cat. Mine have loved Whiskas Temptations and/or Pill Pockets broken in half.
Also, if you're free-feeding, stop doing that and only feed the cats twice a day, for 30 minutes. Then lift the bowls. Then, when you feed them, put the food in bowls on opposite sides of the room, where kitties can eat freely without being bothered, but where they can see the other one. Over a period of weeks, gradually move the bowls closer together. If your girl balks at being too close, move the bowls back to a safer distance and sloooowwwwly and gradually, over a period of weeks, again, start to move them closer together, a little bit each day, until they can eat happily side-by-side.
These exercises will help your girl to associate the boy with positive things, like happiness when she plays with the fishing rod string toy (which increases a cat's confidence, by the way) or the satisfaction and happiness of eating a yummy treat or a yummy meal.
Good luck!!!
He loved to visit neighbors who had babies, kittens, or puppies, and disappeared for an hour every morning because he was out visiting. He came in when I called him, unless he didn't hear me because he was actually inside someone's home to visit their little ones. I don't know what breed he was, but all his brothers and sisters were bicolors with similar markings.
In just a few short months, I adore this baby girl.
andy p. who was found wandering in the woods on a very cold dec. day, had been declawed and dumped.
I wanted to adopt an older cat, found this guy at the local shelter, and brought him home.
he walks with a harness, crazy about running water, wades in the tub, converses with me, and is my friend.
he is always formally dressed, chews his own rear tonails and is loved by all our neighbors.
made the page a day calendar cat for oct. '14.
get a tuxie, you'll love him/her.