What type of cat?

[Puy]

We are looking to get a new cat. We sadly lost our dog a few months ago, her and our cat were the best of friends so we’d like to get her a new little play mate. I’ve done some research and I really like Maine Coons, I hear they are gentle giants, quite a doglike cat and they get on with everyone, not to mention they’re gorgeous 😍so I think we’ll go for one of those however was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations of cat types to consider?
Also bit nervous about introducing a new cat to the house, I’ve read up online and watched videos about how to introduce kittens to cats but wondering if anyone has experience and how did it go?

We already have one 13-year-old rescue moggie girl who’s happiest as an only cat, tbh (we had another rescue moggie boy who died last year at a young age, very upsetting) and my DH and DC are set on 2 kittens if we get any more cats. Which I’m currently saying no to! So no rescue Maine Coon for me, alas. And I do sort of agree that a cat’s a cat, so I would likely always pick the moggie anyway, but a girl can dream.

It’s like dogs - I’d bloody love a Great Dane, and other massive hounds but I know I’ll never have one. I’m won over by practicalities in the end.

@HoldingTheDoor
Thank you - I'll pass on the message 😼

I have three mogs, who I absolutely adore, but my next cat will be a Maine Coon.
I had a half one, but sadly lost him to cancer and my daughter has one.
They are beautiful floofy flumps.

Ragdolls have lovely personalities too, and they’re cuddling. Quite doglike, mine plays fetch, does tricks and comes on walks.

*cuddly

We have a MC kitten Mr Floof after having a moggie. Difference he is much more gentle and also he will be much bigger, this is him at 3 months and 4 months and already bigger than our old moggie. He was pricey but worth every penny to us, got my DD through her gcses and I have been on chemotherapy and he is such a loving, sweet cat and more dog like than old cat. He will play football like a professional with the wrappers, is gentle with our other pet, takes things in his mouth, fine with being carried, makes lovely happy noises, makes his tail super fluffy, also will puff himself up and walk like a king. From the reputable breeders they require indoor only, catio or cat proofed garden though our old cat chose to be indoors so not so different for us. Floof is much kinder with our other pet than the moggie, she would give the evil eye, he will lie on a rug next to other pet and they play together but do be careful if smaller cat is nervous as MCs esp boys can get huge. When I got cancer I decided was getting the cat I always wanted as it may be too late otherwise. Dd has been besotted, second one is on hr yoga mat. He can leap so much further already as well, maybe about 2 metres, open food and in 0.5 of a second a Floof is purring next to you doing a cute head tilt big eyed look puffed up tail. He can also jump over baby gate in one go, moggie could not but she was older.

I paid £150 for a 4 year old maine coon who had just been neutered and retired from breeding.

She is fantastic and I love her so much. Won’t sit on laps but that’s a breed trait so if you’re set on a lap cat I’d look elsewhere.

I got her from a Facebook group called ‘neutered pedigree cat rehome’ but it disappeared one day and I don’t think it exists anymore.

I am in another couple of breed rescue groups but they almost never have cats available to rehome on there.

I’d love another when she goes but MC kittens are around £1k now and I’d prefer an adult cat.

That's what Dd paid for hers.
She desperately wanted one though as she never really got over the death of our half one, he was her cat, just because he decided to be.
Her other cat is a rescue mog.

Friends largest MC is at least 11kg he is massive softie though. The girls are noticeably smaller.

I have British shorthairs. They grow up into big, lazy Tom cats. They like to be in the same room as me but don’t really sit on my lap. They like to sleep on my bed though.
They are ace 💙

Kitten definitely as it'll be easier to introduce it to other day and accept. I've got 2 Siamese cross with ragdolls. Same litter. Lovely temperaments and act like dogs. So funny.

I also couldn't pay for a cat when so many are in rescue centres. My two gingers are often mistaken for Maine Coons. They are the most lovely natured cats.

11kg! That's amazing. My little moggies (15 months so possible full grown) are 3kg. Maine Coons do sound lovely.

Ragdolls are quite dog like. Ours is a 4 year old rescue cat, it was just pure luck that we got her, I would have accepted any moggy that worked with our family. She was a breeding cat and handed to the rescue when she got too old.

She is a bit dim but she is big, fluffy and just as soft as a brush. She does go outside but doesn’t wander far. She loves her freedom though and I wouldn’t keep her in. she isn’t a lap cat at all but loves a fuss and likes to know where we are at all times. Can be a bit vocal and quite partial to an early waking, humans have to be awake too of course😬🤣

I wouldn’t buy a kitten though. Based on what we know of our dcats life, I wouldn’t want to be part of the kitten breeding culture.

I had a Maine Coon that weighed 11lbs, her dad weighed 28lbs. She lived until 21. Once I've moved, I want another one but, in France, where I am the prices are horrific.

Kaz, at about 16 or so, sunbathing on a windowsill in France.

Rescue moggy every time. Far too many lovely cats and kittens out there needing homes, don’t encourage the money hungry breeders.

Persians are awesome cushions that breath.

Rescue moggie here too, we have two. Honestly there are so many amazing cats in rescue centres that make the best pets.

Get a rescue! You do sometimes get pure bred cats in rescues, the one I got my 4 from recently had a pure bred Bengal kitten brought in. Me, I'm for the moggies. One of mine is reserved (she was born in a feral colony) but will never lash out even if being caught for vet visits, the other three are cuddle monsters,

@Isonthecase have you tried St Francis Persian rescue? I got my girls from them. They might be more flexible as one of the main people who runs it has a two year old.

I've got a half rag doll and she's the sweetest thing! Such a great temperament.

I would love a main coon or rag doll! My big boy is a rescue moggy who I got because I initially wanted a dog but the rescue centres wouldn’t allow me to have one because of work ( I understand why completely) .Instead I got an 18 month old black rescue mog from blue cross as I thought he would fit into my lifestyle better. Best decision I ever made!!! He was initially very timid and sold to me as an indoor cat….. nearly 5 years later he’s now the biggest, softest lap cat imaginable but also a massive hunter who can force his way out of a locked cat flap. He’s also 7kg but not overweight ( he’s very long)- after his last check up the vet laughed and said “he’s a very strong cat” 😂 He also plays football when he wants to. I’d love to get a kitten to join him but don’t think he would tolerate it.

I’m now googling pure breed rescue centres but don’t think I could commit for fear of upsetting my boy 😢