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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

What cat breeds would you suggest? (House cat types)

26 replies

SeekingCatExperts · 27/07/2019 16:29

Please could you help as I don't know the first thing about cats.

Two elderly relatives. One is an experienced cat owner. The other has early dementia but always loved cats. The main purpose is to provide a pet for petting and distraction for the dementia patient but the other relative loves cats and will do the cat caring.

Ideally looking for a house cat or a breed that will be happy to spend alot of time sitting on a lap being stroked and is affectionate rather than a wild rover who will be out all the time bringing in mice.

Also one that is not a big moulter or will require a lot of grooming.

Preference is for a young kitten so would buy from a reputable breeder rather than go to a shelter.

Are there particular breeds you'd suggest or recommend to avoid?

OP posts:
twistyturnycurlywhirly · 27/07/2019 16:33

A moggy from a shelter of course.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 27/07/2019 16:36

Yep. Definitely an older mog from a shelter. Many older cats choose to be indoor only.

Can't say I blame them!

WhatTheAbsoluteFuck · 27/07/2019 16:39

An older cat from a shelter.

No such thing as a reputable kitten breeder.

Bunnybigears · 27/07/2019 16:44

An der moggy from a shelter would be perfect. There are loads in there because their owners have unfortunately died or gone into a home who will be used to exactly the kind of lifestyle you are suggesting.

hereforasillygoosetime · 27/07/2019 16:45

An older cat from a rescue

Bunnybigears · 27/07/2019 16:46

*older

DramaAlpaca · 27/07/2019 16:46

What they all said ^^

hereforasillygoosetime · 27/07/2019 16:47

Also, if you get a young kitten it could live for 15-20+ years, who will take the cat on if they go into care / get really ill before then?

hereforasillygoosetime · 27/07/2019 16:48

...not ideal for a puppy/kitten to go to elderly people in the long term...

MarieBaroneIsMyMom · 27/07/2019 16:49

Go to a shelter. You might find a cat who has lost their elderly owner and would love another lap.

IHaveBrilloHair · 27/07/2019 16:50

Definitely an older shelter cat, they'll let you know which one is a lap cat.

MidnightVelvet9 · 27/07/2019 16:53

I'd say an older cat from a shelter because they will know the temperament of their cats. Some cats are lap cats, some aren't and the trouble is with a kitten it's going to be active and clawing at some point and may become too much for them.

A rescue can find you a docile calm older cat who won't zip around at 100mph.

I had a rescued Ragdoll, beautiful docile inside cat but had to be groomed every week & she did moult. Loved to be petted and played with though. Depends what you mean by not frequent grooming really.It wasn't onerous, just a few swipes with a brush each week.

YesQueen · 27/07/2019 16:58

I adopted an 8yo from rescue who would fit all the above. Will sit and be stroked/brushed/kissed/hugged ALL DAY and doesn't hunt. He potters outside but never for long and would rather be hugging me HmmGrin
He will even hold your finger with his paw and let you bear hug him
You can't have him Grin but yeah, rescues are definitely worth a shot

Thequaffle · 27/07/2019 16:59

A kitten wouldnt be suitable imho, they’re super high energy little scamps no matter what breed.
As other posters have said, an older cat (age 8+) would be perfect.

Original poster
SeekingCatExperts · 27/07/2019 17:55

Ok - thanks thats all very helpful. good points about the kitten energy issue.

Any comments about breeds in general terms though? Which are more lap-catty types and any that shed less/ need less grooming?

The cat lover of these two wanted a British shorthaired blue (if that's right?) - is that ok for this?

OP posts:
KittekatMP · 27/07/2019 18:03

Yes definitely not a kitten. We have a kitten and I had forgotten how hard work it is, our older cat is rather fed up of him! He has times or just going mad and scampering round the house for half an hour then jumping at you. Kittens are not lap cats!

I would second an older moggy from a shelter, they will know the personality of the individual cat and pick you a suitable one.

Hayls17 · 27/07/2019 18:08

Would not recommend a kitten, at the age of 6 my cats have only just started to calm down! I’ve had years of chasing them down from curtain poles and tops of cupboards! Also I’ve had cats live up to 20 years! An older shelter cat would be ideal. I’ve known the wildest cats calm down and become lap cats by the time they reach 8 or 10 ish

MrsApplepants · 27/07/2019 18:12

Any short haired cat will require minimal
grooming and will appear to shed less than a long haired cat. Agree, an older, calmer cat from a shelter is the better choice. No specific breed necessary, a short haired moggy would be a good choice.

Bunnybigears · 27/07/2019 18:17

You dont need a particular breed of cat and will be hard pushed to find one in shelter anyway. You just need a short haired cat.

ragged · 27/07/2019 18:18

The shelter should be able to advise which one of their residents most likes a fuss.

Girliefriendlikescake · 27/07/2019 18:23

I've always found ginger boy cats to be very thick soppy.

There is absolutely no guarantee that a posh cat from a breeder will be affectionate and most kittens are very independent.

My girl cat wouldn't sit on our laps until she was at least 4 years old!

Go to the cats protection league and see what cats they have.

hereforasillygoosetime · 27/07/2019 18:48

You 99% won't find a 'breed' from a rescue, british shorthair or otherwise.

Options are either get a kitten from a breeder, or an older non-breed from a rescue.

Toddlerteaplease · 27/07/2019 19:32

I've had 3 Persians from a Persian rescue. They are just absolutely wonderful. The 2 sister were rescued from a kitten farm, but the third came from a good home.
They are laid back, docile, very affectionate, Cheddar is very vocal. They are not very lively and are happy to potter round my garden.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/07/2019 19:52

Joining in to fly the flag for Rescue Moggies Grin

We got two young adults (a year old) from CPL, we didn't want kittens but we were happy to take a pair who were spirited because we've no young DC ( mine are late teens)

The cats are little demons at times , they will hide under the sofa and go for feet , try and trip us on the stairs and hide quietly when the lights are off so we only know that they're there when our feet touch soft fur . There's no malice in them, I think the random pouncing is aimed at the other cat but we get in the way Grin.

A mature housecat will be more settled , the character can be assessed and yes , lots of them have been somones beloved pet and now find themselves confused and unsettled in Rescue Sad. They just want a quiet life and space to call their own.

Good Luck in your search

DorotheaHomeAlone · 27/07/2019 20:03

What they all said! But just chiming in to say that on the whole you’re better off with a moggie for a range of reasons. They tend to be healthier and easier to care for than overbred pedigrees. Persians in particular can have a range of health issues caused by their flat faces. icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/brachycephalic

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