Today’s busy lifestyles mean that cats, with their independent natures, are winning the hearts and affections of millions of families in the UK.Whereas a dog relies on its owner for both emotional and social support, a cat will think of its owner as a friend and won’t suffer from having no-one to dictate its behaviour.Before looking at cats it’s worth considering what the initial outlay will cost you. You will require a quality cat bed, maybe a cat carrier to transport your cat to the vet, the kennels, etc. Cat bowls will also be required and maybe a cat blanket or throw to protect your furniture if you choose a cat that sheds its hair frequently. Cats need to sharpen their claws and to prevent them from doing this on your furniture it is recommended that you purchase your cat a cat activity centre or cat scratcher for this purpose. Any other cat toys will be much appreciated by your cat and will help to keep her amused and out of mischief when you are not with her.The next question to ask yourself is what breed of cat is right for you and your family. There are huge numbers of different cat breeds to choose from and most of these breeds are easily adaptable to home living and will make excellent pets for you and your children.

Read up on the different breeds of cats available and talk to other cat owners and breeders.

Some breeds of cat can be very loud and noisy – if you don‘t mind the noise the choose a Siamese or a Burmese or even the Korat. If you prefer to have a quiet cat then look towards a Scottish Fold, Somali or American Curl.

Do you prefer an independent, aloof cat or one that is more affectionate and loves to be cuddled and petted. Before choosing, bear in mind the amount of time you will have with your cat. If you have lots of time available then a cuddly cat who craves attention would be a great choice.  Likewise, if you have children who want a pet they can play with, then an affectionate cuddly cat would be a good choice.

If you have to go out to work and your cat will be left for long periods of time alone, then you might want to consider a cat kennel so that you cat can smell the outdoors and have some fresh air.  Ideas-4-pets have a selection of cat kennels for you to choose from ranging from a small kennel for one or two cats to much larger ones for those of you who own several cats.

The friendliest cat breeds tend to be the Maine Coon, Abyssinian, Snowshoe, Ragdoll, Tonkinese and Himalayan Persian. Less sociable and more aloof breeds include the Nebelung, Russian Shorthair and the Norwegian Forest cat.

If you a cat that won’t get into constant mischief, and is happy amusing herself, then don’t choose a Siamese, Rex, Sphynx, Balinese or British Angora because these cats have bundles of energy and are very curious. These breeds are best left for someone who has lots of free time to spend with their cat and doesn’t go out to work. These breeds can be a great source of entertainment and in fact the Rex can be enjoyable and silly to watch as he attempts to amuse those around him.

And don’t forget the standard “moggie” who we all love and who come in all shapes, sizes and colours.  If you can, take a look at the mother cat or both parents if possible, so that you will have an idea of your cat’s size and temperament, etc.

Another important feature to consider when choosing your cat is whether you want to own a long haired or short haired breed. If you go out to work or have a hectic social life then choose a short haired breed because the long haired cats do need to be groomed regularly in order to keep them happy and healthy and to prevent matting and knots. ideas-4-pets have grooming tables to make this job easier for you and your cat.

Once you’ve read up on the many different cat breeds and their unique features, you should be in a position to be able to start choosing your new cat.  However, you should also decide whether to go for a kitten or an adult cat. There are pros and cons for both and the homing centres very often have lots of older cats who have been abandoned and these are often hard to place, so worth considering giving a lifetime home to.