| Deciding to be a pet owner and caregiver is a big | | | | Be prepared and none too surprised when they |
| responsibility. Owning an indoor cat can bring years of | | | | vomit a hairball from time to time -- completely |
| enjoyable pleasure for you and your new companion | | | | natural with little cause for alarm. It's a good practice |
| friend. Although cats are seen as self-reliant, you as | | | | to routinely brush your cat to collect the loose hair. |
| the owner will always have to be the diligent parent. | | | | Shorthair cats usually need less routine brushing than |
| If you've never owned any pets before, you should | | | | longhairs. If you brush your cat routinely, they can |
| get some pet education before bringing your new | | | | have less incidents of hairballs and upset digestion. |
| furry friend home. | | | | Giving your cat a bath (cat formulated shampoo only) |
| Probably the best way to find out about caring for | | | | once in a great while is good also. |
| an indoor cat is to visit the homes of friends who | | | | Gender |
| have indoor cats. Your friends can be an excellent | | | | Cats are individuals. Both female and male cats can |
| resource for what's going to be required of you to | | | | make wonderful companions. If the cat has been |
| care for a cat. Other resources are community cat | | | | spayed or neutered, then the cat's gender doesn't |
| clubs, veterinarians, animal shelters, books, tapes, | | | | play a huge role. The cat's own unique personality will |
| videos, and the Internet. | | | | determine how good of a pet it will make. Your |
| Before you get your first cat, decide what your | | | | personal preference may be to choose a cat whose |
| commitment to this relationship will be. How much | | | | personality is agreeable to yours. |
| devotion, cost, effort, and attention are you willing to | | | | Breed |
| provide to your new friend. Also consider what your | | | | Generally the cat's breed isn't a factor and your |
| personal preferences are for the new family addition. | | | | selection usually is a personal preference. |
| Are you looking for? | | | | Pedigree |
| - Kitten or Adult | | | | You may choose a pedigree cat if your intention is to |
| - Longhair or Shorthair | | | | invest, breed, or show. There are other reasons why |
| - Male or Female | | | | someone would choose a pedigree over a |
| - Breed (Persian, Burmese, etc) | | | | non-pedigree, and that's a personal choice. Expect to |
| - Pedigree or Non-Pedigree To many, a kitten is a | | | | pay more for a pedigree primarily because its lineage |
| cute, cuddly bundle of joy, just like a new born baby. | | | | can be traced and its pedigree is highly prized by |
| But like a baby, you'll need to watch over carefully to | | | | others. |
| the health of the kitten as it grows to adulthood. An | | | | Non-pedigree cats are just as cute and cuddly as the |
| adult cat, on the other hand, is more capable of | | | | pedigree. A lot less expensive too! |
| attending to its own personal care. | | | | Summary |
| Hair | | | | A cat is a wonderful addition to your family and will |
| Cats shed hair, just like humans. Some breeds shed | | | | give you many years of enjoyable pleasure. |
| more hair than others. Cats are fastidious groomers. | | | | |