Do cats love you? And breed advice please

[Blossomworld]

Do cats actually care about people? I really want a companion for me and the kids but I don’t want a cat that’s stand offish and attacks us.
I love the sound of ragdolls (and they’re the cutest things ever) but don’t know if I’m cut out for a long haired cat.
Does anyone have experience of ragdolls or British shorthair?
Or what are my chances of getting a moggy kitten that ends up friendly and cuddly?
No rescue suggestions as I live in a flat so wouldn’t be suitable.

Kittens don't really bite and scratch. Mine never have anyway. Puppies however...

Siamese are considered indoor cats and they are low shedding.

We have a siamese x bengal and he is no shedding. His hair only falls out with a wad of skin attached if he's got a scratch thats healed. He is so personable. Hates other people but absolutely loves us. He is very active from his bengal side but his siamese side is quite lazy. He can snuggle and sleep for days if he's in the mood.

He is very very clever though. I cant tell which side of him that is because both breeds are very clever. He can open cupboards, doors, and he can do purposefully vengeful things like wait for you to look at him and slowly push a glass of the table if hes in a mood and wants something we have denied him. Its all fun and games though. Hes quite the character :)

Contact the cat club rescue of all the breeds you are interested in. They often have retired queens needing new homes or for various other reasons. Many will only be rehomed as indoor cats.

Super affectionate breeds to add to your list:
Abyssinian
Somali
Devon or Cornish Rex

@wineandcheeseplease

Siamese! The most peopley cats I have ever owned. Ours sleep under the duvet cuddled up to us

Agreed. They are very loving, but also bright and easily bored. Would your cat have access to outside space? If not, a Siamese would likely be miserable cooped up indoors. Also, if you work full-time they like company and it would be kinder to get two.

Siamese are considered indoor cats and they are low shedding.

🤣😂🤣 Erm, nope. Mine sheds everywhere. We have hard floors and his spring moult results in fur bunnies (like dust bunnies) that put our Dyson through its paces.

I have a British shorthair and although she is obsessed with me, she's not a lap cat at all. First thing in the morning she jumps on my bed and starts nuzzling me on the head. I only enjoy it because she's so stingy with her affection the rest of the time. Most of the day she follows me around the house/ garden and just wants to be next to me but If I stroke her when she hasn't initiated it, she walks off in a huff. Once in a blue moon she climbs onto my lap and I refuse to move until she leaves,no matter how much I need the toilet

@soddingkitten

Really! Well your going to have to get a part bengal then OP :)

Little troublemakers but a lot of fun.

I’ve had British shorthairs for thirteen years all of them female and since 14 weeks old

All of mine have always been and were incredibly sweet and gentle. One of them would let you cuddle her like an baby her surviving sister gives you an actual cuddle. She puts her front paws around my neck
My younger two hate being picked up but come and and sit curled up next to me or on my lap for hours

Two are more vocal than the others none of them really go outside as too docile and no Road sense etc

They have all been/ are very amusing and are / were real characters.

They love to be brushed and groomed
The only cat breed for me : there is just something about their chubby cheeks, beautiful velvety coats, teddy bear qualities etc.

Just that most rescue centres won’t rehome to flats even though I know absolutely loads of people with content cats in flats

This is incorrect. Rescues often have indoor only cats- those that are fiv+ or have some other issue that means they aren’t safe outside.

Siamese are v. Friendly, but bear in mind they are LOUD, and very demanding. Not great at 3am. Bengals are the same. I had a bengalxsiamese and while he was an amazing cat, he was very high needs, and he also needed outdoor space as he caused serious chaos if not.

I agree with getting a adult cat that you know the personality of. I had a very friendly kitten once that grew up to be completely independent. All the adult cats have clear personalities.

Long hair isn't too bad, as long as you keep on top of it. And a hygiene Trim is a must.

Cat breeds have very little to do with cat temperament in my experience. I worked in a cat rescue for years, some cats are lovely and some cats are more difficult.
A rescue will know the temperament of a cat so will be able to advise you.
If you do decide on a kitten I wouldn't be worried about it scratching/biting etc. Cats aren't like dogs. I have a puppy atm and he bites, I can count on my hands the number of times I have been bitten by a cat and most of those times the cat was a feral one.
I have two British short-hairs and they are both affectionate but like most cats it's on their terms. Both sleep in our bed, both of them are super tolerant with kids (less so with the puppy haha).
Check out local rescues and I am sure you will find the right cat for you

We have burmese. We chose them particularly because the think they are humans and like to join in wirh everything we do or lie on us. The do spend a lot of time lounging around and have their mad half hour in the evening where they go loopy every evening.
My sister had a ragdoll untill it recenyly fied after 17 years, but it was notthing like as froebfly as our cats, i would consder ot standoffosh, she thought it was friendly. I wouldnt consider ragdolls friendly compared yo other "friendly" breeds.
A lot depends on how you interact with a cat when you first get it. It makes an enormous difference as to how it bonds and how used to being handled and around people it becomes.

I would always always get a kitten that has been handled daily by humans. Our 4 cats are all so loving and affectionate. They jump up on my lap for a stroke and cuddle every time I sit down. They never scratch and bite. I have s fifth cat that is a rescue Bengal, whilst he is fine with us he attacks all of the other cats even the most docile female one. I have to keep him separate from other cats. He is upstairs, other 4 downstairs. Then he comes down and I put other 5 out for a few hours. Luckily my DS is in process of buying as house of his own and he is going to have Bengal. He is a lovely cat but just not happy living with other cats.

I have a maine coon. She’s a very gentle and sweet girl, not really a lap cat but loves to be around me and my partner, she’s not fussed about anyone else though.

The shedding is full on, we’re going to get her clipped for summer I think!

I’d recommend the breed, they’re great cats

@Blossomworld

I think Siamese and Burmese are probably to active to be indoor cats in a flat.

I definitely love ragdolls the most and they sound perfect. But I am very scared of having a longhair cat in regards to shedding and poo in fur incidents.

I’d definitely be up for rehoming g an older cat with known temperament. As much as kittens are cute and I’m definitely up for having one, they’re hard work and bite and scratch. I just don’t know where to begin with finding rescues that rehome indoor only cats. I’ve found one but they have so many people and not enough cats.

I’ve heard good things about bsh being laid back and friendly, but not affectionate like ragdolls. But less shedding... hmmm 🤔

Shorthairs shed like nothing on earth... I love BSHs and don’t think I could ever not have one but the shedding is real! Everything we own is perpetually covered in cat hair.

My cat doesn't love me, unless she's hungry or wants to be petted. Otherwise she's perpetually aloof.

Cats are very much on THEIR terms. I think dogs are much more loyal. Cats are cute little fluffy users.

I have a ragdoll girl and she is very much a companion cat. Ideally wants to be around people as much as possible (although that obviously includes sleeping nearby), although no obvious anxiousness being left at all.

Spectacularly confident and unphased by anything. Extremely vocal and chatty (also demanding and opinionated!).

Will potter with me in the garden but doesn't go out by herself (could if she wanted to).

Very little fur maintenance, occasionally I have to help her with a knot but it's rare. Stroking with a damp hand I find is a good way to low-key groom.

I adopted her as an adult and I've now completely fallen in love with the breed! They have so much personality and affection!

Get a ginger boy cat. Ive never met a bad one.

Saying that my big black&white boy is looking at me lovingly right now and occasionally chirps.

Boy cats are friendlier ime

I have a ragdoll and he is wonderful. Calm, loving, follows me from room to room and so docile.

However, he has a very sensitive stomach and poo in fur incidents are so common that I check him after every poo and have often had to wash him in the sink (much to his disgust).

It's a pain but I work from home so am generally around to do that immediately, before he spreads it around the house.

After much trial and error with food I think we've finally found a semi solution but it means boiling chicken and mixing it with tinned pumpkin, interspersed with normal cat food to make sure he gets all of the nutrients he needs.

He's totally worth it but it's more effort than I expected.

I have 3 cats. All female. 2 are oriental breeds and big personalities, affectionate and engaging but not particularly keen on being picked up, but will happily snuggle up to you. Other cat is semi longhaired rescue moggy, hugely affectionate in short bursts or asleep! None of them shed much. Long haired one needs a brush every now and again.

Rescues are totally suitable for flats btw. A FIV cat for example is often harder to home as they have to stay indoors and could be perfect for you.

Of course you can get an affectionate moggy. Have you owned a cat before? The thing that often happens is that the first few days to sometimes weeks they can be aloof whilst settling in. I've heard about a lot of new owners being put out by this and being overbearing, but they're animals not toys. But if you're willing to give them time and let them come to you when they're ready then I've never known a cat not to show affection in their own way. Getting to know your cats unique personality is part of their charm.

It's when people push cats out of their comfort zone that they react, they're really not aggressive by nature.

Sphynx! No shedding and my two follow me around the house like a shadow waiting for the lap to become free. They are also both great with DC.

@Shannith

Those feetsies ❤️❤️

My mum has a Burmese, he is the devil in cat form. I love all cats, except him. We have a rescue moggie who definitely loves me, she's like my furry shadow. I would get an adult cat where you can see their developed character.

Interesting about ginger male cats. I’d love a ginger cat!

I think, as much as I’d love one I’m probably not the ideal person for a ragdoll cat. I couldn’t deal with poo in fir incidents on a regular basis, and the shedding. It would drive me crazy. I’ve watched YouTube videos and everything and tried to convince myself I’d be fine, but I wouldn’t.

Ideally a moggy or rescue would be best in terms of budget but I don’t where to begin. I’ve been looking at rescues for a long time and it’s extremely rare to come across indoor cats. 99.9% say you must have a garden.

Do bsh really she’s loads??