Cat breed experts plz

[5iveminutespeace]

I’m looking for the wisdom and advice or litter tray mumsnetters..
I’ve always been a dog person (don’t hate me). Well I say that, I’ve never actually had a dog, I just like meeting them out and about or at friends houses, stroking them ect and they’re always so pleased to see you. I like walks too.

Anyway, I can’t have a dog and I really want a companion, for myself and the kids, 9 and 16. Mainly the 9 year old. All the cats I’ve met, well I haven’t really met them, as they just run off and hide under sofas ect so I’ve never really understood them or what it’s like to live with one.

I’ve done a lot, and I mean a lot of research and I’ve decided I either need to rescue an older cat with a known friendly affectionate temperament, or get a pedigree cat with more predictable personalities. Id also need an indoor cat as I live in a flat and these are harder to find in rescues.

So let’s assume I get a pedigree. I’m torn between ragdolls and British short hair. What I’d really love is a short haired ragdoll as everything about them sounds amazing, except the long hair. I’m not sure I want long white hair shedding constantly, I wear a lot of black! Also poo in long fur.. I just don’t think long hair is for me but I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it for the perfect cat.

Are bsh very aloof? I’ve read so many mixed things. I mean what is an affectionate cat like anyway?? I would love a cat that likes the occasional cuddle and wants to sit next to me and likes being stroked. My ds would love the same.

I’d love a rescue but the chance of finding, and being accepted for an indoor, friendly, child liking cat is slim

How do you know?

There’s loads of indoor only cats, and they aren’t very popular due to their issues

Took me a couple of weeks to find ours, local rescue had an ex kitten farm queen dumped on them, skin and bone and done with breeding. She has her issues but is the gentlest little thing, it’s taken her a long time to learn how to cat and trust us but now she follows us around chatting and is gradually figuring out being a lap cat is quite nice.

Phone/message a few rescues and ask, many of the undesirables don’t make the websites.

I have been looking at rescues for around a year. Not had much luck

Looking at or actively contacting and applying?

You have to prepared a little to end up with the “wrong choice”. Even kittens can grow up to be arsey buggers you hate 😂. At least with a rescue if it’s really wrong they will take it back and help with any issues.

What the worst that could happen? If it’s a truly evil bitey scratchy monster it goes back to the rescue, if it’s not super friendly you co- exist happily enough, even if you don’t have the lap cat you wanted.

I’d love a rescue but the chance of finding, and being accepted for an indoor, friendly, child liking cat is slim.

I would actually say the opposite - many indoor only cats struggle to be rehomed as they often have health issues that mean they can't go out.

Have you looked into getting an FIV+ cat? They can't go out due to their weakened immune systems but otherwise they're generally healthy.

One of mine is FIV+ so all our cats are indoor only to keep her safe. It's absolutely fine. Mine are moggies though - the best breed there is

Where are you? There's a great rescue near me that often asks for indoor homes only.
In terms of pedigrees and friendliness - a friend of mine has BSH and does find them quite aloof, she has one which is quite friendly but the other barely gives you the time of day! I have 2 oriental short haired cats, very friendly and intelligent, love people and are really curious about everything. I also have a rescue moggy who is a complete sweetie but very much her own cat..

Personally, if you want a pedigree I would suggest all the smooth haired oriental types - their coats are very low maintenance, they're smart animals but if indoors only you will need to keep them amused and occupied as they need to be mentally stimulated. I would also get 2 as they are hugely sociable and don't like to be alone.
I'd like a Siamese but my cats go out so I choose slightly less distinctive looking ones!

I'd like to know what sort of Ragdolls previous posters have been around as yes, they don't require much brushing but they certainly DO shed. It's the only downside really. I love my 2 Ragdolls! Really do have the best nature.

Totally second Birman @CovidCorvid

Beautiful cats, very affectionate, loyal and shed very little.

Good luck!

Kittens are amazing and massively easier than puppies. I've had both!

I have two moggie tabbies that are very affectionate the female will sit on you all day. The male prefers a fuss and will sit near you

My least affectionate cat was a black one but she was very timid. Even as a kitten.

My black and white preferred
My husband.

Thing is about cats is you can't tell as they are all so individual. I have 3 at the
Moment and only one is like a dog . He is half Bengal . I would get a rescue adult as they are more grateful and you can tell their personality .

I have a ragdoll, he doesn’t shed too much but he basically a dog in a cat’s body . It’s good because he’s very clever but like a dog, he really can’t be left alone for long periods of time. I rehomed him because his previous owner was out at work all day and he got depressed, he really needs to be around people as much as possible so just something to consider.

I've had two BSH. Both very aloof! One only allowed me to stroke him on his terms, don't think they would cope with children as they prefer their own company. What about a spynx? No hair, very cuddly, indoor cats!

@Reallyreallyborednow I’ve been looking for a long time. I wouldn’t want to take on a cat with issues though. The only reason I’d go through a rescue is to get a cat with a known friendly temperament. That on top of indoor only makes it quite difficult. I’ve looked, a lot.

I have also actively applied but get nowhere.

I can’t find any Birman breeders, I’ve emailed all of them and they’ve all said they won’t have kittens until next year and have waiting lists.

If you're going after a pedigree then you do need to be prepared to wait.

Get yourself on those lists - next year really isn't that far away.

I have found several ragdoll and bsh breeders.it’S jist the Birman breeders, seems like their lists are full even for next years litters. There’s a lot less Birman breeders.

Does anyone have a Burmese? I’m worried about their energy levels with being indoors.

Fiv isn’t really an issue as such. They just need to be indoor only so they don’t pass it to other cats.

Blind cats as well, or one eyed, not really an “issue”, just means they can’t go outside for their own safety.

I say ours has “issues”, but all that means is she has taken a little longer to settle in and get used to us. But then my brother got 2 cats of a breed he’s had before, knew (thought) they’d have a similar temperament etc. He couldn’t even stroke them for the first year, they didn’t settle until 3 years in.

I had a wonderful kitten years ago. Pedigree, cuddly, purry- then it grew up and completely ignored me for the rest of it’s life 😂.

They’re animals. You can’t predict.

I have a BSH. She likes me and will seek me out for cuddles when she feels like it. I would say she tolerates the DC, but doesn't really enjoy their attention. She spends a lot of time outside and is a keen hunter. I do love her, but if she's typical of BSH then I wouldn't recommend them for your situation.

@5iveminutespeace just like you I started off wanting Ragdolls but changed midway to thinking about Siberians. And boy am I glad I did.

They are so gentle, hypo allergenic but so high energy and playful. Mine started playing fetch the day after I got her!

I have had a birman very beautiful cat, but was a complete escape artist he actually learnt to open windows and a very capable Hunter. The breeder said they are in door cats which is what we wanted at the time ( lived in a flat) he disagreed escaped regularly and went mouse and rat hunting around London ( horrid beast he was at times) he had a daily decapitated rabbit habit when we gave up and moved to the country with him. He did leave hair around I brushed him daily. A lovely cat but not as affectionate as my Burmese. Birman like to lie next to you or cuddle more on their terms a Burmese is all over you constantly.
I had Burmese before the birman and have gone back to them as they are just so affectionate and lovely, also I am not really a fan of long haired having had a birman.
BSH are very traditional in cat behaviour so can be quite aloof although I'm sure there are affectionate ones around, but it's not a known personality like Orientals ( Siamese, Burmese, spynx type cats). If you want to go down the pedigree route you need to go and meet a few different breeds.

My ragdoll siamese cross boy. Weird as fuck. Don't really shred and really pathetic as you can see

Watching with interest as looking into child friendly cats too 🙂

We had mainecoon cats growing up, (pedigree from kittens) they are gorgeously affectionate, stayed on our laps ages, loved being stroked. I don’t remember too much cat hair about, but my mum did hoover everyday. Unless they set up camp in the warm washing basket (from the tumble drier)! They did bring in lots of mousey ‘gifts’ for us though(!) I think they are hunters by nature.

I was interested in the Rag doll as similar to mainecoons re: affection, but I heard they aren’t as hunting by nature(?)

Following on from @Sidneysussex..

Do not be tempted by a Bengal. They are often sold as “indoor only” but they are fighty bastards that need a huge territory. They are only indoor as a) they are gorgeous looking and get stolen and b) they roam for miles and are very loud and arrogant- your neighbours will hate you 😂

You’ll find loads of bengals up for rehoming- there’s a reason for it…

Please don't take this as criticism OP - it's definitely not intended in that way, just my own thoughts on this. This also isn't intended as a pro-moggy post, the same applies to pedigrees as well.
I've always had moggies - they have all had different personalities, some have been complete lap-limpets others simply happy to spend time around us. I've also had cats that have changed personalities significantly during their life.

I think my concern would be that if your expectation of a cat's behaviour is too rigid, then you risk disappointment. I'd recommend going in with expectations set low, remember that you are getting an intelligent living animal with its own personality and drives, and just enjoy living with your cat on its own terms,
My other thought is that getting a bonded pair of adult cats, or a pair of littermate kittens, seems to work very well for most cats (and people).

Ok so I think I’m going to rule out bsh as by the sound of it I’d be just as likely to end up with an affectionate cat getting a moggy kitten.

So this leaves me with ragdoll or Burmese. I really wish there was a way to meet some. There’s no car shoes near me. I don’t know anybody with cats.

I really do want a ragdoll but deep down I just don’t think long hair is for me.

I may need to join some Burmese fb groups and speak to owners but have a feeling they’re too energetic and not great if left alone.