It’s always adviseable to do your homework before making the all important decision of what type of cat to purchase.  You might have some preconceived ideas of which particular breed of cat you want or that you must have a kitten instead of an adult cat, but there are many factors involved in choosing a cat and you might not have even considered some of them.

For instance, families with young children are aware of the responsibility that bringing them up takes and a new cat will be much like having a new child in the family.  This means you must be prepared for the costs of looking after a cat.
 
Small children usually love kittens, but if you bring a very young kitten into your home you may find them loving it too much by squeezing it to death -literally.  Alternately, a small kitten could inflict some very painful scratches on a curious child.  If you have small children you may be better off either getting an older cat that’s used to being around small children or maybe waiting a couple of years until the children are older and more responsible.  It’s worth knowing that most older cats tend to make the transition into a new home easier than kittens do and older cats are much more grateful!  The benefit to the older cat is that most of these cats tend not to find loving homes because most people naturally gravitate toward the kittens. 

If your furniture is important to you but you still want a cat, then make sure you have a good scratching post or your new cat will use your furniture to sharpen his nails !!  A good, clean litter box is also an essential item along with the necessary training to go with it.
Make sure your new cat has a quality soft, warm and cozy cat bed to snuggle up in and maybe a cat carrier for if you have to take her to the vet or to the cat kennels when you go on holiday.  Your cat will also need grooming, so you may need to look at a grooming table.   Cats love the outdoors but it isn’t always safe for them if you live near a busy road so look at an outdoor cat kennel with a cat run attached so that your cat can have the benefit of the outdoors sometimes but within the safety of the cat run.
  
Personality-wise, there really isn’t a lot of difference between male and female cats if they are neutered.  Whole male (unneutered) cats will usually fight for territory if they are outdoors and will liberally spray their strong scent on walls and curtains indoors to mark their territory.   Not a good choice if you value your furnishings !!  Neutering will stop this behaviour and will also prevent unwanted pregnancies in the area.

Did you know that whole (unspayed) females will also spray on occasions and will make themselves and their owners miserable each time they go into season with their loud wailing and bizarre body gyrations.  Another good reason for neutering.

After spaying, a cat’s personality will usually improve which means that both male and female cats will become loving and loyal towards their owners.

It’s always a good idea to bear in mind your own age before purchasing a cat.  If you’re 65 years old or older it’s always possible that you will not outlive your cat, so an older cat would be an excellent choice. You might even want to adopt a disabled cat, one that is blind, an amputee, or otherwise “unadoptable.”  These cats can make wonderful companions and compensate for their disabilities with a wealth of love and devotion for their human saviour.

Whichever cat or kitten you decide upon having done your homework, make sure that he is more important than your furniture and be prepared to change your lifestyle somewhat.  It would be terrible to adopt a kitten or a cat only to want to get rid of it because it is too much “trouble”.

Your cat will really appreciate a good grooming session as cats are fastidious in their cleaning rituals.   I’m sure you’ve seen your cat carefully washing herself many times a day.   Although she can take care of herself very well, she will also benefit from some help from you. 

It’s important with cats and dogs (and rabbits) that grooming is an enjoyable experience for both of you, so make sure your cat is completely relaxed before starting to groom her.  A good time to groom is after she has had some exercise or after she’s eaten a meal. 

Grooming should be a positive experience, so don’t try it after a hard day at work when you might feel stressed and tired as this mood may rub off on to your cat and the whole experience could end up being a bad time for both of you !!

We advise that you keep your first grooming sessions to about 5 minutes and then gradually lengthen the time until your cat is used to the routine.  Your cat should be used to being handled before you start to groom her, so get into the habit of petting every single part of her body on a regular basis — including her ears, tail, tummy, back and also her paws.

The main rule is to be patient !!  If your cat is extremely stressed out by the grooming experience, stop it and try again later when she’s calmer.

Regular sessions with a brush or comb are a must to keep your cat’s fur in good condition.  Brushing helps to remove dirt and spreads the natural oils throughout her coat.  This helps to prevent tangles and keeps her skin clean and irritant-free.

Short haired cats need brushing once a week:  We recommend you use a strong comb to work through her fur from head to tail.  Next, use a bristle or rubber brush to remove dead and loose hair.  Always be careful near her tummy which is a delicate area and one she may not want you to linger on !!

Longer haired cats need to be brushed every day:  Start by gently combing her tummy area and her legs and make sure you gently untangle any knots.  Next, brush her fur in an upward motion with a bristle or rubber brush.  When brushing her tail, make a parting down the middle and then gently brush the fur out on either side.

If your cat’s coat becomes greasy and oily or if she’s managed to get coated in something sticky or smelly, she’ll probably benefit from a bath.

We all know that most dogs love a  bath, whether it’s in your own or whether they have a posh electric dog bath of their own.  However, most cats don’t like bathing, so you might want to involve another person to help with this process and remember to give your cat lots of cuddles, praise  and treats when the session is over.

After the brushing session, place a rubber bath mat into the sink or bath to prevent her from slipping and put about 3 or 4 inches of luke warm water into the bottom.  Gently place your cat in the water, giving her praise and strokes throughout.  Thoroughly wet your cat but take care not to get water directly into her ears, eyes or nose.  Gently massage in a mild shampoo that is suitable for cats and work it in from head to tail.  Thoroughly rinse avoiding the ears, eyes and nose and then dry your cat with a large towel.

At the end of session, provided you have handled your cat gently, carefully and with great patience, you should both feel pleased with the result.