Guest Post: Cat personalities and how they are influenced by breeds

Hi everyone,

Today’s guest post comes from Georgina Rayner on the topic of different cat breeds.

In contrast to their canine counterparts, the majority of cat breeds vary much less widely in terms
size and shape, but don’t let this fool you, temperament and personality can differ dramatically from one cat to another. At Swell Pets, our customers often tell us stories about their cat’s adventures as well as their unique personalities.

Breed can be an important factor in shaping a cat’s character and while each, individual cat is
different, researching your breed of choice can help you to make a more informed decision that is in the best interests of you, as well as your prospective new family member. And don’t forget while you may desire a certain breed it doesn’t mean that you will have to go out and buy a pedigree cat. Despite common belief many shelters will have a variety of different cat breeds in their care and “not just moggies” So adopt don’t shop whenever possible!

With that in mind, while it’s all too easy to be memorised by the fluffy little kitten or gorgeous cat
that you’ve seen advertised, it is vital to ask yourself the following questions, and establish whether your needs are compatible with your those of your potential pet.

kitten-asleep

Are you looking for a kitten or adult cat?
There are many pros and cons in deciding whether to start out with a kitten or to take on an adult
cat. For example, it is very difficult to determine the personality of a young kitten versus an adult
cat. On the other hand, it is very difficult to influence the development of behaviour in adult cats so this is very much a double-edged sword.

Just like people, a cat’s personality is as much a product of their surroundings as their genetic
background. Consequently regardless of breed, if you select a kitten the environment that you bring him or her up in will be a key factor in shaping their personality.

Moreover, if you do decide on a kitten then it will almost certainly mean a higher demand on your
time. Kittens grow through a number of mischievous development stages and also require numerous trips to the vet for vaccinations and worming; whereas, the decision to adopt an adult cat bypasses most of these.

How much time can you realistically devote to activities with your cat?
With many of us living busy lives that are dominated by work and family, the amount of time that
you are able to dedicate solely to your cat may be limited. In which case, it would be advisable to
consider breeds that are generally known for having a more laid-back personality such as Persians. In this situation, your cat needs to be content sitting with you while; for example, you interact with family members or watch television. Traditionally more attention seeking breeds such as Bengals are unlikely to be satisfied by this type of environment. Breeds such as this have a tendency for wanting to be involved in everything, so whether you’re washing up or making the bed, it’s very likely that they will be close by trying to help you out!

How much time can you spend grooming your cat?
The amount of grooming required to properly care for your cat differs vastly depending on breed.
While some owners enjoy grooming their cat and take great pride in ensuring that they look their
best, others find it to be a bit of a chore. In general, longer coats tend to become more easily
matted, and consequently require more frequent grooming. Breeds such as Himalayans for example are likely to need to be combed for a few minutes every day as well as to be bathed regularly. Also bear in mind that if you have a cat that is particularly prone to shedding, you will also have to dedicate some of your time to removing their hair from your clothes and furniture!

persian cat

Do you have children and/or already have pets?
Again the way that each, individual cat gets along with children and other pets varies greatly. In
most instances, kittens that are introduced to children and other animals from a young age will be
better suited to a home with children and other pets. Additionally, there are certain breeds that
have a tendency to be more accepting of children and other animals such as the Maine Coon and
Domestic Shorthair cat. However, the breed of cat that you choose is by no means a guarantee that it will get along with children or your other pets, so this needs to be a serious consideration.

Are you looking for a pure or mixed breed?
While some people will have their heart set on a specific breed of cat, others will prefer mixed
breeds. The key thing to remember is that there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

If you are looking for a cat with a very specific appearance, or traits such as the talkative trait typical of Siamese cats, then a pure breed is probably going to be the best option for you. On the other hand, the cost of most pure breeds is significantly higher than that of mixed breeds. You will also need to carefully research common health issues associated with that particular breed.

Mixed breed cats can combine the traits of two of your favourite cat breeds and be very unique in
terms of appearance and personality. Additionally, they often do not have to suffer some of the
common health issues that result from selective breeding in pure breed cats as highlighted above.

Your next cat will hopefully be an important member of your family for many years to come so it’s
imperative to do all you can to ensure that your selection works out to be in the best interests of
you, your family and your pet. Reviewing guides from trusted resources, and getting advice from
veterinarians and cat breeders should help you in your quest to make the most informed and best
choice.

Siamese Cat

About the Author:
Georgina Rayner is a member of the Swell Pets team and proud owner of five month old, Bengal cross, Walter. Swell Pets are one of the UK’s leading providers of dog and cat products and our team of experts and enthusiasts regularly write guides and articles based on common customer questions.

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Thanks,

Marc

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29 thoughts on “Guest Post: Cat personalities and how they are influenced by breeds

  1. crystaleagle24 says:

    So true, you never know what a domestic kitten will grow up like. My two were like chalk and cheese, had them both as kittens from home environments. Kara was free, to a good home, came from a couple (I worked with her sister), was one of four kittens from an older experienced mother, she was 8 weeks old when I collected her. She was a gentle cuddly cat, liked other cats (male cats- even though she was spayed) and people. MM came from a family with primary school age kids, one of five kittens to a very young (about 1 year at most) mother, expected to collect her at 8 weeks, but in fact she was 6 weeks when she arrived, unseen. Had tortie-tude from the start. Greeted most people, who weren’t in her immediate circle, with growls and spitting. Luckily not me or my parents, only other humans she liked were Kit’ s ‘dad’, and our cat loving post man! She hated other cats, except for elderly Kit, they would spend a lot of time together, she’d even go in his house, the odd couple – dignified old cat and the firebrand youngster. All other cats were to be hissed and spat at. Though eventually she would tolerate Kara’s last cat friend, that’s tolerate not like!
    Kara you could pick up and cuddle, whereas I could only safely pick MM up at the end of her life, even then she ‘didn’t like it’s.
    But for all their many differences I loved them both, and they both loved me.
    Sorry for waffling on.

    • Marc-André says:

      Thank you for sharing your experience. :). And don’t worry! I’m sure just like me others like reading how everyone met their friends and their personality. 😀

      And don’t forget you can guest post if you’d like! ^^

  2. mcbery says:

    I’ve heard that white blue eyed cats are usually deaf. I think this was true in some of ours. Interesting article. I like cats who play and jump.

    • Melanie Noell Bernard says:

      It is true that deafness is more common in cats with white fur and blue eyes, however, it’s not always true. Additionally, I don’t believe there is genetic research at this time explaining why this occurs. However, evidence shows that a white cat with two blue eyes is more likely to be deaf than a white cat with a single blue eye or a white cat with irises in a color other than blue.

    • Marc-André says:

      Most white and blue eyed cats are indeed deaf. It’s something in that particular gene. You can’t tell most of the time though as they re act to lip movements of humans and will act as if they can hear you 😉

  3. franhunne4u says:

    I usually do look for the cat’s temper – not for their appearance. That said: I do not think I would desire a Sphinx cat or a Persian – the one looks a little alien or Gremlin like, the other with the lack of a nose I would pity far too much.
    I chose the first cats I actively brought home by their behaviour to me. That afforded for me to go to the shelter for several visits, as they were very shy. Only the tom is still with me. The “new” female (from German shelters ALL cats are spayed or they oblige you to spay the kitten when those are old enough) I chose by her character – she had to fit in with my tom. I did not want a hissing, spitting bully for this gentleman of a cat. And I chose well, luckily (you never know how they behave when they are finally settling in into your home – shelter situations are always unreal). And LUCK it was.

  4. Melanie Noell Bernard says:

    Ah! I love this! I think it’s funny how non-cat owners have a warped perspective of what owning a cat is like, but each cat is so different! No one experience of owning a cat will ever match another. No matter what, you’ll always be able to find a cat that matches your personality. That’s the best part about owning cats. ^.^

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