Best cat breeds for a first time owner

Gorlitz

Gorlitz

Iron Man
Registered Senior Member
Hey guys, I was wondering if anybody has any good suggestions for the right cat breeds for a first time owner. Not having owned a cat before I'm looking for an affectionate breed that is fairly independant but also easy to care for. Also this cat will need to able to live in a ground floor apartment and not a house with a garden as I've recently moved.

Also any thoughts on the two breeds which have already been suggested to me, namely the pixie bob and maine coon would also be really helpful, cheers in advance for any help.
 
The only difference is appearance. Cats were never bred for specific tasks or personality. There is more variation in temperament between individual cats than any that might exist between breeds. The best cat is a rescue. People that buy purebreds should be shot.

I have had 5 cats in 15 years and they all came from my backyard or at most one block away. I even tamed an adult feral cat.
 
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Go to your local animal shelter and find a cat that you like and it likes you. Cats are easy going if you spay or neuter them so no matter which kind you pick get that done along with the shots they need.
 
Sometimes male cats have a strong smell from scent glands, that can be annoying in an apartment. I've been lucky so far with my cats, but once I left the door open and a stray cat came in. I could smell him for months.
 
Cheers for the advice guys. I hadn't realised just quite how many different types and sizes of cats existed. Every other website seems to suggest this type of cat or other is perfect for the first time owner, hard to know where to begin. Many also suggest asking around and doing some research beforehand so as to ensure you are able to meet any particular breeds individual requirements. Since I have no prior experience the knowing that the individual cat is more important than the breed type is really useful to know.
 
It's a bit of a crapshoot, honestly. My female cat barely tolerates me petting her unless I go through an elaborate ritual. My male cat gives me a big hug then flops his head down on my face and pretends to be sleeping. She's the boss though. She should be, with 6 claws on each paw.
 
I've had cats my whole life. The breed doesn't matter much, as has been mentioned. I also suggest a rescue cat. As long as you can provide food, attention, and a safe home, your cat will be happy. I think females make better indoor cats. If you plan on keeping your cat indoors, do not let them outside at all. It is really hard on a cat to go from being allowed outdoors, to kept indoors.
 
zgmc said:
I've had cats my whole life. The breed doesn't matter much, as has been mentioned. I also suggest a rescue cat. As long as you can provide food, attention, and a safe home, your cat will be happy. I think females make better indoor cats. If you plan on keeping your cat indoors, do not let them outside at all. It is really hard on a cat to go from being allowed outdoors, to kept indoors.
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Hi, thank you for the advice. I hadn't really given too much thought to inside or out. Rightly or wrongly I just assumed my cat would come and go as it pleases and I'd call for it at dinner time if it wasn't indoors. I guess then I have to get a cat that is happy both indoors and out, something else to think about, cheers.
 
Gorlitz said:
Hi, thank you for the advice. I hadn't really given too much thought to inside or out. Rightly or wrongly I just assumed my cat would come and go as it pleases and I'd call for it at dinner time if it wasn't indoors. I guess then I have to get a cat that is happy both indoors and out, something else to think about, cheers.
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What I meant by outdoor cat, is one that goes in and out as it pleases. Growing up that is how our cats always were. When the weather was nice they would stay out most of the time, and come in for dinner. Cats are happiest if they are allowed to go outside. I currently have two cats, one 16 years old, who used to go outside, and the other is 1 year old, and has never been outside. We had to make a change because of two things, our daughters allergies and proximity to a very busy 45mph street. The 16 year old definitely misses the outdoors. The new cat does not miss what it has never known.
 
spidergoat said:
It's a bit of a crapshoot, honestly. My female cat barely tolerates me petting her unless I go through an elaborate ritual. My male cat gives me a big hug then flops his head down on my face and pretends to be sleeping. She's the boss though. She should be, with 6 claws on each paw.
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polydactyl?
 
If you want one that will allow you to pet them, cuddle them and hold them, then ragdoll cats.

Or you could go the live on the wild side route like spidergoat and get a tiger.

youreyes said:
what do you mean by that?
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It means to adopt one from a shelter after it has been abandoned.
 
I do think there's something appealing about those Savannah cats, a mix of domestic breeds and African servals. But man are they big. And expensive.
 
Bells said:
If you want one that will allow you to pet them, cuddle them and hold them, then ragdoll cats.

Or you could go the live on the wild side route like spidergoat and get a tiger.


It means to adopt one from a shelter after it has been abandoned.
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Yes ragdolls crop up quite often on the various cat websites I've so far come across. They appear to be really popular and all seem to describe this type of cat as loving and affectionate, on top of this the pictures of ragdolls do make them look like a very cute cat, certainly one that I've looked at. My I only slight possible reservation though here is that some are suggesting that this isn't a particularly energetic cat and I was maybe hoping for one that enjoys running around in countryside or could even can be walked on lead perhaps.

Lol tiger, don't think I'd have the bravery for tiger.
 
Ophiolite said:
Avoid lions and tigers, unless you have room for really big cat litter trays.
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I was reading on one site about a liger named hercules, now this cat would require half of Scotland for a litter tray, it topped the scales at 922 lb!!!

TE-liger-main.jpg
 
spidergoat said:
I do think there's something appealing about those Savannah cats, a mix of domestic breeds and African servals. But man are they big. And expensive.
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This cat keeps cropping up being billed as the largest domesticated cat breed. They look huge to me for a normal cat, kind of like a skinny cheetah with a smaller head. If I had a cat this size I'd be slightly worried that someone might think it was dangerous and want to hurt it.

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Gorlitz said:
This cat keeps cropping up being billed as the largest domesticated cat breed. They look huge to me for a normal cat, kind of like a skinny cheetah with a smaller head. If I had a cat this size I'd be slightly worried that someone might think it was dangerous and want to hurt it.

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That cat could be dangerous if you aren't familiar with them. I wouldn't be worried about being attacked, but you need to know how to read their moods. If you invade their space at the wrong time, or in a way that is upsetting, you might get the claws.
 
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