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Guide to Cat Breeds for Your Family

KittensWhen choosing a specific cat breed, there are a variety of factors to think about. You should consider the origin of the cat, its body type, grooming, coat pattern, your sensitivity to allergy and your family’s lifestyle. Every cat breed is unique. Be sure that you choose one that matches your particular needs and those of your family.

Different Cat Breeds
The American Shorthair has a medium build. This cat is compatible with everyone, young and old. They tend to be less active than other cats and are quiet and easy to maintain and handle. In fact, they can spend eight hours alone each day. You don’t have to do too much grooming; only once every so often is enough. American Shorthairs are affectionate and not too demanding.

Manx cats are also medium-sized. They are easy to maintain and handle, as well. In fact, you only need to groom these cats once each week. Their activity level is normal. Like the American Shorthair, the Manx is affectionate and good-natured. They usually can amuse themselves for up to eight hours each day.

The Sphynx needs to be groomed twice per week. They have a medium build, as well, but are very active and verbal. They are affectionate and need more attention than most cats. They can be alone for four to eight hours each day.

Persians are usually of medium build but can be larger. Their coats are long, so they require grooming on a daily basis. These cats are not too active and can be very quiet. They are affectionate and suited for anyone. They are not difficult to care for, and you can leave them alone for four to eight hours each day.

Cat Allergy
When adding a cat to your family, you have to consider whether the cat produces allergens. If someone in the family is sensitive to allergy, there are certain breeds of cat that you need to avoid. Cats like the Abyssinian breed and Siberian breed have low sensitivity to allergy. If a cat is neutered, this lessens allergy sensitivity, as well.

Grooming
You should also think about how often you will have to groom your cat. Some cats require daily grooming, while others require less maintenance. Some cats will shed two times per year so it is important to have sufficient knowledge of the cat breed to provide them proper maintenance.

Other Things to Consider
You also need to know your cat’s life expectancy. Some cats can live up to 15 years. Select a breed that suits your family, lifestyle, and budget. Getting pet insurance such as that from PetPremium.com would however, help decrease the level of uncertainty that comes with owning a pet. You will also have to think about small children when choosing a cat, especially if the cat has a high level of activity. Some cats that you can consider for small children are Japanese Bobtail, Ragdoll and Maine Coon. Will your cat live inside the home or on the outside? What kind of climate do you live in? If your location is hot and humid, you may have to face issues with fleas. There are products available to counteract this problem. Always remember to do your research first because every cat breed is distinct!

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This post originally appeared on CatTipper.com and is the sole property of CatTipper and LT Media Group LLC.