Are pedigree cats more sociable?

[whethergirl]

I'm looking to buy a kitten for my 6 year old ds, and was looking into buying a pedigree, like a Burmese, because they might be friendlier and affectionate and give ds the companionship he needs?

Obviously they cost a lot more money though - is it worth it? I use to keep non pedigree cats before ds, and I found that it was pot luck really as to what type of cat you'd get - some are naturally friendly, cuddly & relaxed and some are just more nervous and solitary.

I did have a Siamese cat when I was child, and although a great personality, was completely bonkers, and could not be toilet trained.

...and also, can anyone recommend getting a female or male? Either way they will be neutered obviously.

my siamese is v v cuddly and loves human company and my dog.you probably know that tho from your childhood pet.i much prefer male neuters as i think they are more friendly.

My Persian doesn't mind being cuddled and is extremely laid back but she doesn't get on your lap wheras her daughter who is a persian crossed with some randy neighbourhood cat who must have had black in him a moggy is so affectionate it can sometimes be inconvenient!

If you get a pedigree will you keep it as a house cat?

Not neccessarily Viva - why? I do have a garden but no catflap (landlord won't let me).

fruitshoots - there are a couple of neighbourhood cats which are cross Burmese, and they are the most friendliest cats ever and love the attention of any kid walking by. I wonder if the cross has anything to do with it?

BUrmese cross are lovely. I wouldn't get a pedigree - expensive and neurotic! We have a v affectionate black and white moggy. Apparently black and white cats are often like that.

sharbie - my siamese was very friendly and would cuddle up in bed with me. But would growl and hiss if I moved. I had to lie there as stiff as a cardboard all night.

yh know what you mean whethergirl - my lap is permanently occupied.they are a fab breed though - mine does a lot on his hind legs which is very odd.

seen my pic btw

Northernlurker, ahh you see, I had a black & white cat who was crazy and nervous, mind you she was the last of four cats I took on at the time and the others did give her a bit of a hard time. But I agree with you, I do think full pedigree cats may have neurotic tendancies! There are some tabby cats for sale nearby, I've heard they are very affectionate but not sure if moggies can be generalised by character.

Aw she/he's lovely Sharbie! Mine was a seal point. Very very talkative she was.

Any more preferences on female/male cats?

Definetly male. They nunt less and are friendlier in general.

I just asked about the housecat as I'd be worried about having a pedigree pinched. Not sure how much of a concern it should be but I know someone with a Ragdoll who wont let it out because of this.

mine's a housecat.

i just picked up a message on my answerphone and he helped by putting his paws on the numbers after he saw me press 1571.they like to get involved don't they.

Go for a moggy. Get a kitten that comes from a family. They need to be socialized and handled from very early on to be a proper soppy housecat, and this doesn't usually happen with pedigrees. The handling is more important than the pedigree.

A good compromise might be a half breed. The best and most sociable cat I've ever had was a half Burmese - his mother was a prizewinner - but also ann escape artist. So several of her litters were from the wrong side of the tracks, and they were alwasy lovely, lovely cats - much better as pets than the purebreeds.

Don;t have a housecat - it's cruel. Just my opinion, of course - but I'm right!

Well actually, my Siamese went missing after 7 years . It was so unlike her to go wandering, so we fear she may have been pinched. But then Siamese are very recogniseable. A cross Burmese for example won't stand out. Just been googling around, I think there does seem to be a consensus on male cats being friendlier and not as moody.

Just replied to an ad for a Bengal/Norwegian cross on gumtree. The kittens are already used to kids as there are 3 of them already in the house, so that's a good sign. Still a bit pricey (£150-£200) as my mum was going to buy one as a birthday present for my ds, she normally spends about £50 so I'd have to chip in too.

Seeker, well I guess the ad I just replied to ticks all the boxes, family reared with kids, cross breed and half Burmese to boot! Think I will take this as a sign to go ahead and then be completely heartbroken when cat owner gets back to me to say all the kittens have been taken

cross bengal or burmese ?

norwegian forest cat? they are v friendly

let us know how you get on

Oooh, whethergirl - I'm excited for you! Burmese are brilliant - so talkative and personality-ful! And mixing the Burmese blood with a moggy makes them less highoy strung and intense.

My beloved Caspar was jet black, and the best cat ever. He died at 18 nearly 8 years ago, and I still miss him.

Oh shit, I am getting my bengals and my burmese confused. Bugger. Thought the ad was for cross Burmese.

Aw seeker, I had a jet black called Buster, I love black cats but ds won't!

Oh noooo!!! I really want a male cross Burmese now! I am hang up on getting that very specific cat!

Gumtree lady just emailed back to say she has one kitten left, and it's the one I was after! I wanted him because he was male, and shorthair. But it's strange that he was the cheapest out of the 3 (and the last to be bought), does anyone know why that would be?

heres the ad

Well, queens are more expensive than toms. Maybe long lairs are more desirable than short? My friend has a lovely Bengal - and the kitten in the picture looks lovely. Go on, you know you want to!

To be practical, can you go and see him? Just to make sure it's not a kitten farm pretending to be a family? It looks perfect, though - a kitten raised with children is the best to get as a pet.

We currently have 3 Siamese, all have different personalities. The thing with all cats is that (beyond wanting to be fed) no behaviour is predictable. One of our cats is neutered female but behaves worse than any tom we've ever had. Buy a cat you like,love it , and take your chances.