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.

Cats are individuals - whether a kitten, a rescue, pure breed or moggie - some will be friendlier than others, just like us! With a kitten they will be able to grow with you and probably be more accepting of you, but no guarantees!
Our cat from a kitten is definitely my cat, disappears when the doorbell rings or strangers come round.
Our rescue (farm cat) is much friendlier! He's a tart who'll have cuddles from anyone!

I would love to get 2 kittens but don’t have the space for extra litter boxes and don’t want the extra expense.

I do appreciate there is a level of unpredictability regardless but that’s what drew me to pedigrees, slightly raises the odds of knowing what to expect.

nurses scratches on ankles from latest Bengal attack

First (and last) time owner of a Bengal cat here. All I can say is know what you're taking on with one of these.

I've had a mix of british shorthair and moggies....cats are very different when u get to know them. Kittens are adorable !

I loved them all, but the only lap cats I've has have been moggies. My BSH have been affectionate but not as much as my moggies.

I’ll definitely keep searching for a suitable rescue moggy. Just don’t want to risk a moggy kitten. Knowing my luck I’d end up with a nut case.
I like that pedigree kittens stay with mum until 12 weeks too.

I need to find a way to actually meet some cats

My experience has always been that people with children think they have a nervous cat , but I see young children squealing and running after the cat or picking up a cat that clearly isn’t in the mood! So just be aware if your children hassle the cat you will create a negative feedback loop where the cat hides under the bed.

I think if you want just one cat and indoors, I would keep looking for a rescue. A decent cat rehomer will have a handle on the personality of the cats they have available.
Cats are - in my experience - mostly friendly animals and respond well to food, kindness and owners who can read their needs well.

I have two bengals (my third died ☹️) and they are the most dog-like cats I have ever had. They run to the door when I come home, get very attached, play fetch and other games and a very affectionate. The first two I got as kittens and the other one I rehomed when she was about three. I would only ever do this in future I think, an adult cat is much easier than a kitten!

I can't speak for other breeds but everyone comments that my cats are like dogs, so I think they would be great for a dog lover!

I had a bsh - extremely friendly & laid back. Absolutely loved a fuss from anyone used to sit on the garden wall for hours waiting for strangers to walk by and give him a stroke. Lazy but loved playing. But not a lap cat & didn't like being picked up. Although would come sit on me when it was very cold!

I would recommend a Siamese or Oriental.
Our Siamese was indoors mostly. He was very family focused and good with dc.
He played fetch when younger and walked on a harness with no hassle at all.
I can't imagine another breed being better to live with.

We had 4 burmese cats growing up. Not all at once, 2 at a time.

They were exactly like this Ok so you want a dog like affectionate short haired Cat? Get a Burmese!

They were not especially high energy. No destruction that I recall, maybe a little sofa scratching but you can get that with any cat. Definitely not whirlwinds or particularly physical. Not like Bengals!

Just very very attention seeking and vocal. They will follow you round the house, roll over in front of you to get strokes, head butt you while you are working to get strokes, trip you up on the stairs to get strokes, and miaow at you (miaow is loud and sounds weirdly like a baby) to get strokes.

Also many Burmese breeders these days won’t give you one unless you promise to keep it indoors because they are not streetwise or cautious and so are at higher risk of being run over (two of ours were sadly).

Otherwise they are fabulous cats. Guaranteed friendly and affectionate. Loads of personality. They used to sit on our laps every evening and even sleep in bed with me and dsis.

If you go down the Burmese route I would definitely get two as they will play together and keep each other company when you go out so you don’t feel guilty for leaving them alooooone.

Our neighbour has two BSH, one very friendly and inquisitive, the other more timid.
Family have had lots of Orientals - Siamese and Burmese which are devoted, don’t especially shed but noisy and nocturnal.
Also Birmans currently- beautiful looking cats, a bit aloof and OMG the shedding- drifts of fur everywhere.

Family have had lots of Orientals - Siamese and Burmese which are devoted, don’t especially shed but noisy and nocturnal

This. The 3 am yelling is unbearable. Plus the shoving soggy toys up your nose in the early hours because they want to play. Then you throw the toy to get it away from you and yup, fab game of fetch

Ha ha! My previous oriental boy was just like that. Would come in for cuddles at 3 or 4am and would yowl loudly to announce his arrival. If that didn't work he would pat my eyelids until I opened them!
Current girls are much more respectful of my sleeping, although I often wake up in the morning to one of them sleeping tucked into my shoulder. She just creeps in quietly and snuggles up.

I have 2 BSH males. They are indoor cats and we’ve had them both from kittens. They are amazing pets, happy, laidback, affectionate, but full of personality. My daughter has just rehomed an older BSH female, who took a week or 2 to settle, but is now in her element. I’ve had several cats (and dogs) over the years, but would not consider any other breed now. Key is to find a reputable breeder so that the kitten arrives well socialised.

@5iveminutespeace
If you are in the East Midlands you are welcome to come and meet my pair.

@Toddlerteaplease Thank you that’s very kind. Unfortunately I’m in London.

This is Flynn.

Flynn is a FIV+ boy we picked up from the RSPCA in the Cotswolds earlier this year. He is 4 years old and wants to spend all his time either playing (he is a great goalie!) or cuddling.

We wanted an indoor cat because we live near a main road and he is FAB! He is super interactive and absolutely adores us. His FIV has not caused any problems- we’ve been to the vets once because of a sore eye but that cleared up very quickly and other than that he seems a robust and healthy cat.

Highly recommend rescuing because they give you such a good idea of their personality- we couldn’t believe how much of a good match he is. Definitely worth making some calls to individual RSPCA centres- we used Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home and could not recommend them enough!

I’d definitely be happy to rehome an fiv cat. I’ve applied for several but never hear back. If I can find a cat to rescue I’ll definitely go with that option but it’s been more than a year and I’m giving up hope.

I definitely wouldn’t want a high energy Bengal and am on the fence about Burmese. I don’t really want 2 and it seems like one would struggle being alone. I know this can be the same for ragdolls but ragdolls are much calmer I think so I guess would just sleep.

Nice to hear some people have friendly bsh. That seems to be my impression from the Facebook group I’m on but online articles do state they’re aloof, as some posters have said here.

Where in the country are you? There are lots of rescues round here, lots are struggling to rehome adults as it’s kitten season…

London

Ok then, love searching :)

Someone should develop a rightmove for pets, RightCat!

My British shorthair is very stand-off-ish. My Bengal was super noisy but affectionate, clever and in some ways dog-like. My maine coon is very soppy and follows me everywhere more quietly than the Bengal. Of all three the Maine coon is most dog like, though more puppy like as he's still young.