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 have a Burmese X and he is noisy!!! he's also definitely a one-woman cat and is devoted to me but can be off/shy with others.

Posted too soon...

Of course this may just be his personality and not breed related.
He comes when I call and plays fetch. He loves a cuddle and his food!

Keith!

felinefriendslondon.uk/adoption/keith

Try FelineFriends, OP. They're in London.

@Reallyreallyborednow I saw that ad yesterday. I must have looked at at least 100 cats yesterday. Unfortunately it says Keith is not suitable for children.

Also says he’d benefit from a multi cat
Household

I have a moggy who barely ventures outside and a ragdoll who's quite adventurous and an excellent hunter ( unusual for the breed who are more typically indoor cats and not very streetwise). He is very affectionate and likes to be where the people are when he's in. I've never had an issue with poo in fur but he sheds a lot despite frequent brushing at times and a groomer 2/3 time a s year for a deshed. It comes off him in clouds!

Obligatory pics included!

You could try Oreo at felinefriendslondon.uk/adoption.

I saw that ad yesterday. I must have looked at at least 100 cats yesterday. Unfortunately it says Keith is not suitable for children

It says “small children”. I wouldn’t class 9+ as “small”?

I didn’t see the bit in the text- at the bottom it says not suitable to live with other cats! Imo cats are generally better alone anyway, especially indoor in small flats/houses.

Mr Magoo?
www.catchat.org/shelter_centre/index.php?route=shelters/cat&path=556&category_id=1&cat_id=75102

Moscow?
www.catchat.org/shelter_centre/index.php?route=shelters/cat&path=518&category_id=1&cat_id=75448

This rescue don’t have any suitable cats on the website but they seem to mainly home to indoor homes so some are likely to come up

www.london-inner-city-kitties.org/adopt

I didn’t have time to check everywhere and often It’s best to email the rescues or give them a phone as they might have cats not on their website- these are the rescues in London:

www.catchat.org/index.php/cat-rescue-centres-west-london

www.catchat.org/index.php/cat-rescue-centres-east-london

Bella and Lady here:

www.haws-animals.org.uk/adoption/pets/cats-kittens/

It says both cats are affectionate and friendly and fine with children and that a garden is not essential.

Sage here might be an option, it doesn’t mention if she’s ok with children but says she’s an indoor cat who is “an incredibly sweet girl that enjoys being stroked and fussed”

www.croydonanimalsamaritans.co.uk/index.php/animals-seeking-homes/cats-seeking-homes

I know you don't want bengals but they do quite well as 'only' cats because they can be quite territorial. I have always had more than one, but I keep my eye out for adults that need rehoming and they often need to be the only cat, which is why I don't have more!

Mine aren't high energy at all (lazy fuckers actually) but they are older, so a bengal kitten might not be for you but I wouldn't rule out an older one if you see one needing a home. They aren't all crazy and often do very well being the only car where they can be the boss and get all the attention.

If you’re in London:

Cats Protection
Celia Hammond
Battersea (but they are verrrry fussy)
RSPCA
Catchat to find smaller rescues like Croydon Animal Samaritans or Feline Friends mentioned above

NB for lots of the smaller rescues and even some of the big ones, it pays to call them rather than emailing or relying on website, as they don’t have enough manpower to keep the listings up to date. But if they have spoken to you in person they may well be able to suggest suitable cats for you who aren’t yet listed. Facebook pages of small rescues also worth a look.

Mr Grey at Celia Hammond

Sage at Croydon Animal Samaritans

I love rescue cat shopping!

I’d say don’t let hair length determine your choice.

Yes, long haired can be a bit of a bugger. But if you live in a flat, then chances of matting whilst out roaming are reduced slightly.

My cat is long haired. Always worried that I wouldn’t get spot-on flea treatment onto him correctly as he’s a wriggly bugger! So he gets a flea treatment, called Programne, twice a year. I do a “health plan” at my vets - this covers annual booster, flea meds etc (and they include th3 injection as well as spot on re flea treatment). It works out cheaper than paying for each item individually

The Programme (flea) injection is twice a year - and I ask them to give his “trousers” a trim each time which they’re happy to do.

People often think short-haired are easier. What I’ve seen is that it’s not the case. With a long-haired cat you tend to get anythin* from “tufts” to “tumbleweed” floating around - they are pretty easy to hoovered up.

What I’ve seen re short hair.- it’s like teeny little needles that work their way into everything and are a bugger to get out!

If perseve with rescues re FIV cats. But if you want to go down breeder route, do t limit yourself to short haired only.

I have 2 BSH cats (and have had 3 others in the past). They are very friendly and take minimal care. But they won’t sit on your knee - although one will sit on DH’s shoulder when he is sitting down! They do come and sit next to you, particularly on the arm of the sofa/chair. They do not like being picked up particularly. They like to know what is going on and are quite nosy. They will always come and have a nosy at visitors.

Thank you to everybody that has searched rescues for me! I’ll be contacting them.

Still love ragdolls but I’m on so many groups on fb and every time a photo comes up of a super floofy one I just think ooh I don’t know if I can handle that

Good luck! There’s also Sheila, she’s not available for adoption yet as she’s recovering from a hip operation but she’ll be rehomed as an indoor cat and can be with families:

www.wallingtonanimalrescue.com/adopt-sheila.html

There’s also Sess
www.guardianangels-animalsupport.co.uk/cats-for-adoption.html

Ah Sheila sounds lovely. I’ll get in touch.

Also found a three legged cat on one of them but unsure if that’s likely to indicate health problems later on or litter box problems.

Unfortunately I’m too far for Sheila.

Sess doesn’t like loud noises so that or only rules us out

Also found a three legged cat on one of them but unsure if that’s likely to indicate health problems later on or litter box problems

Why would it?
Cats manage fine on three legs. It would be very rare that a 3 legged cat would have any more issues than any other cat.

Oh that’s a shame about Sheila, but that would be lovely if you are able to give a three legged cat a home. As far as I know cats tend to do very well with three legs.

Here’s some info from Cat’s Protection:

www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/health/disabled-cats/three-legged-cats

If he or she has had 3 legs for a while they should be used to how to manage the litter tray, but you could ask the rescue if they’ve had any issues. There are some litter tray tips here:

tripawds.com/2016/06/15/litterbox-tips-tripawd-cats/

I don’t think they’d be more likely to have other health issues, but you’d probably want to watch their weight as it might be harder for them if they’re overweight.