The answer depends on a variety of factors.
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With the right tools, formula, and patience, you can give a newborn kitten what she needs to grow into a healthy cat.
Selkirk Rex
Article
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: short, long
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, black / ebony, cream / beige / tan, lilac, white, red / orange
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby, calico / tri-color, color point
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, low prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Prized for his unusual curly coat, the Selkirk rex cat is one of only four breeds of cat with wavy fur. This curly-haired cat has a warm, loving disposition and comes in both short- and long-haired versions.
Exotic Shorthair
Article
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: short
- colors: chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, lavender / silver, fawn, blue / gray, black / ebony, cream / beige / tan, lilac, white, red / orange
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby, calico / tri-color, color point
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: requires lots of grooming, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, low prey drive, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Often called the “lazy man’s Persian” the exotic shorthair has the same body type and personality of the Persian cat, but with a shorter coat. Find out everything you need to know about this docile cat breed.
Birman
Article
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: long
- colors: cream / beige / tan
- patterns: color point
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, low prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Originally called the Sacred Cat of Burma, the Birman is an ancient breed that’s been prized for generations for her beautiful markings and lovely, mild temperament. These mid-size cats are sociable, easy-going felines that make wonderful pets for people of all ages.
Himalayan (Colorpoint Persian)
Article
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: long
- colors: cream / beige / tan
- patterns: color point
- intelligence: medium
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: requires lots of grooming, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, low prey drive, high potential for weight gain, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
Himalayans combine the luxurious coat of a Persian with the flashy coloring of a Siamese. Although he’s a mid-sized cat, the Himalayan looks larger than he is because of his fluffy, long coat.
American Shorthair
Article
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: short
- colors: white, black / ebony, red / orange, blue / gray, cream / beige / tan, chocolate / brown / sable
- patterns: bi-color, solid, tabby, calico / tri-color
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up
The American shorthair cat has a short, dense coat and came to the U.S. aboard the Mayflower. With their affectionate nature, compact build, round faces, and short ears, American shorthairs make beautiful and loving pets.
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Bengal
Article
- temperament: sociable, affectionate, bold
- coat length: short
- colors: lavender / silver, chocolate / brown / sable
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, high prey drive, strong loyalty tendencies
Bengal cats are an intelligent and active breed prized for their boldly patterned coats. Descended from domestic cats and wild Asian leopard cats, they make affectionate and gentle pets.
British Shorthair
Article
- temperament: sociable, affectionate
- coat length: short
- colors: white, black / ebony, red / orange, blue / gray, cream / beige / tan, chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, fawn, lilac
- patterns: solid, bi-color, tabby, calico / tri-color, color point
- intelligence: high
- good with: children, seniors, dogs, cats, families
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies
British shorthair cats are one of the oldest recognized cat breeds, first thought to have been brought to Britain by the Romans. Prized for their soft, plush coats and rounded bodies, British shorthairs could almost be mistaken for living teddy bears.
