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Why insure your cat.

Discover how your cat can cost you thousands of pounds, and why one third of cat owners will need to take out pet insurance. This guide to cat insurance explains the benefits of insurance and why it is a financial win win situation.

Calamitous cats are not that uncommon. As with all animals, cats do not have the same concept of danger as humans and therefore are more at risk from injury. Added to this, there is always a risk of illness to your cat, and with the recent advances in veterinary medicine, there are a lot more treatments available to your cat should she become ill.

On the surface this seems to be good news, but how would you, a responsible and caring cat owner, feel if there was a treatment available today for something which would have killed your cat ten years ago, but you couldn’t afford to pay for it. Logic dictates that the more advanced the treatments and procedures on pet animals on the vets operating table become, the more damage your cat can do to your wallet.

Over the past twenty years more and more people have taken to insuring their beloved moggies. This is a sensible precaution to take, as domesticated animals today are more popular as companions rather than practical additions to a home. The point being, if a cat was bought for no other reason than to catch mice, it would not make financial sense to spend a lot of money an a sick cat, when she could be replaced by a healthy cat for less. However, nowadays cats are more often than not irreplaceable family members rather than pest control delegates. This is why pet insurance has increased, and with cats overtaking their canine counterparts as the world’s most popular pets it is no wonder insurance companies are offering more and more attractive policies to today’s cat owner.

Statistics gathered from the leading insurance companies suggest that 33% of cat owners with insurance will make a claim against veterinary bills procured by a sick or injured cat. This tells us that at least one third of cats will visit the vet for something other than a vaccination booster. The trend for pet insurance began in Europe and gradually spread to the USA where it is now less common not to insure your cat.

Cat owners can expect to shell out anything between £1 thousand and for £4 thousand to treat a cat with cancer or heart problems. The simple fact is, not everybody can afford this and sometimes cats will have to be euthanised for financial reasons rather than ethical ones. For a modest premium, this type of heart-breaking scenario can be avoided.

What if you pay a monthly premium to cover your cat against illness and injury and nothing ever happens to her, have you wasted your money? The simple answer is no. What you will have gained from taking out insurance is peace of mind, you will simply not have to worry about losing your cat should anything happen to her which could be rectified by a trip to the vet. Many insurance companies will give a lump sum to cat owners who have never claimed upon death of the cat.

Insurance is a concept based on risk. Gambling is based on calculated risk. You would not gamble on your cat becoming injured or ill so why not insure against it and enjoy peace of mind each time you let her out at night.

” If you chose to leave your cat entire, you must be prepared to faced with various problems ”

One of the most important early decisions the new cat owner will have to face, unless the kitten has been brought specifically as a breeding cat, is whether to have their cat neutered or not at the appropriate age. If there is any doubt at all, it is important to consider the effects of not neutering your cat.

The entire female can produce three to four litters a year, which is a dozen or possibly more, kittens that must have homes found for them or that will be abandoned or destroyed. There is no knowing how many kittens an un neutered male will sire, if not confined, but given access to enough mates it could run into hundreds. It is totally irresponsible to leave a female or male cat entire. Neutering a cat is the surest way of preventing such unwanted pregnancies and the resulting over population of cats that we have in this country today.

Most new kitten owners request the simple operation to eliminate what they regard as undesirable sex related behaviour, but unfortunately not all prospective cat owners are aware of these possible implications.

If you chose to leave your cat entire, you must be prepared to faced with various problems:

The female: Each time the female comes into season, she will be restless and call profusely to attract a Tom, she will very possibly spray flat surfaces, furniture and bedding etc, in a bid to leave her scent for a male to smell, males can smell a female calling queen from quite a distance so be prepared for a chorus of males outside your back door! If left to repeatedly call, the female will become bad tempered in her frustration, lose condition and develop uterine infections such as pyometra and ovarian cysts that can be very serious to the queen’s health. If left to roam she will disappear for days and be possibly mated by several males.

The male: The tom when is aware of a female in season and if confined will be equally as restless and on a mission to seek a mate, he will be just as noisy as a female and spray very pungent urine in as many places as he can, which is very difficult to eradicate the smell of. If left to roam he will disappear for days on end and will encounter various fights in his attempt to claim a female for himself.

Although it is possible to put a female cat on the pill to prevent or postpone oestrus, it is again possible to lead to uterine problems and other side effects such as sluggish behaviour, increased appetite and undesirable weight gain. Unfortunately there is no medicinal alternative for the male cat.

Overall, neutering cats reduces fighting, unplanned litters, straying and the pungent smell of sprayed urine. Which may well put your friends off visiting!

Effects of neutering

The advantages far way out the disadvantages with regards to neutering, in fact apart from the small risk of the anaesthetic there really are no disadvantages.

The advantages of neutering your cat are numerous, whether female or male and especially if neutered at an early age, neutering will ensure your cat remains affectionate, tranquil, playful and more people orientated, than if left entire. A neutered cat will still make an excellent mouser as well. Neutering a male will avoid him returning home bitten and at risk from disease, which goes to for a female. It is complete nonsense that a female cat needs to have a litter before she is spayed.

If you leave neutering your cat until adulthood, especially the male, it may be too late and he may still spray and continue to mate females. Early neutering will inhibit any of the hormones kicking in.

The neutering operation

Neutering and spaying should be carried out at approximately six to eight months, it is best to seek your own vets advice on what age he is prepared to carry the operation out at, some males and females sexual hormones kick in at quite a young age so the earlier you neuter the better but it should never be done on a kitten under five to six months old. Although usually straightforward, neutering is done under general anaesthetic, and an appointment needs to be made with the vet in advance, because of the anaesthetic it is necessary to starve your cat for at least twelve hours before the operation, water may still be left available up until a couple of hours before the operation though. Male and female cats are generally allowed home later on the same day once they have come around fully from the operation and passed urine. Stitches are usually removed 10 days after the operation.

” In ancient Egypt, killing a cat was punishable by death. ”

Have you ever wondered why your cat washes herself after she has eaten, or why male cats go submissive whenever there is any catnip around? Feline Online has the answers to these brainteasers and other intriguing feline facts in this compendium of cat related facts.

+ Having trouble keeping your cat in line and out of your drawers? The answer is simple, spray a little lemon juice anywhere you don’t want her.

+ It has been scientifically proven that stroking a cat lowers your blood pressure.

+ Did you know that cats with blue eyes have a higher chance of being deaf?

+ Cats bathe directly after eating because their instinct for survival tells them to do so. This stems back to when cats lived in the wild and needed to avoid detection from predators that could be down wind of them.

+ There are more cats living in London than there are people living in Norway.

+ Havana cats have nothing to do with Cuba. They are simply the same colour as the famous cigar.

+ Cats have 30 vertebrae, which is 5 more than humans.

+ In ancient Egypt, killing a cat was a crime punishable by death.

+ Cats see in the dark by reflecting light from their retina onto objects, almost like an involuntary light bulb inside their face.

+ Cats are longsighted. They see accurately over a long distance but anything closer than six inches is just a blur.

+ Every cat’s nose pad is unique, no two nose prints are the same.

+ One in one thousand orange cats are female. That is some serious competition for the lads.

+ We all know cats use their whiskers to help guide them around. And this is why mothers bite the whiskers of their kittens, to stop them wondering off.

+ Cats take between 20 - 40 breaths per minute.

The Ageing Feline… What happens when your cat gets old?

” the Guinness Book of Records has recorded one amazing cat who lived passed the age of thirty ”

The average life span of a cat is somewhere between twelve and sixteen years. Although the Guinness Book of Records has recorded one amazing cat who lived passed the age of thirty. Cat owners often do not notice the signs of ageing in their cat, as the process can often be slow and subtle. However it would always be beneficial for cat owners to be aware of what happens with regards to health issues.

Much like humans, the life expectancy of cats is becoming greater. And much like humans the signs of ageing are often difficult to detect at first. The signs vary from cat to cat and breed to breed. Some cats may begin to slow down the pace by age eight, whilst next door’s cat is still flying up the walls at age thirteen.

Unlike humans however, cats have no concept of death. They neither fear nor understand it. So as sad as it may be to witness the decline in the cat’s energy and the inevitable diminished senses, your cat will probably be wondering when dinner time is coming round. This said, it comes at no surprise that cats are unable to make life altering decisions like humans. For example, a man recovering from a heart attack will be fully aware that he needs to slow down, eat healthier and cut out the fags. A cat however, still thinks she is capable of hunting, climbing and a whole host of other things. It is not until her body tells her she can’t will she begin to realise what she is and is not capable of.

Therefore, it is important for cat owners to be aware of at what rate your cat is ageing physically and mentally. One of the first signs of ageing in cats is the appearance of grey hairs at the muzzle. This happens for the same reason as in humans, and in no way impairs the quality of life, it just gives them that handsome Sean Connery appeal that the ladies love!

Perhaps some while after the grey hair comes weight loss. Not severe or life threatening weight but merely the loss of the fatty layer used for insulation during winter. You may notice this weight loss coincide with her unwillingness to be let out in the middle of February. The spine and hips will become more prominent because of this and in some cases the cat could appear to be slightly malnourished. Given that loss of appetite it is advisable to monitor this situation very carefully in case there is any problem with eating or digestion.

The cat will become less active and keener on sleeping. The degree to which this occurs varies from cat to cat. So don’t be surprised if your fourteen year old moggy can still whip you at the hundred metre sprint. Along with this comes thinning fur. This is a common sign of ageing and is usually a good indicator that the ageing process itself is well under way.

The senses usually begin to diminish towards the end. Eyes will become cloudy and vision will become impaired. Hearing loss is common as well. However, cats are great at adapting and improvising, so this does not necessarily mean that the quality of life has to be reduced due to any loss of sense.

A healthy cat should be able to enjoy life to the fullest right up until their last moments. If these means chasing mice in a field or simply basking in the summer sun, your cat will certainly know what she is capable of and what she enjoys.

” There are many reasons why cats are aggressive ”

Imagine, you are deep in the Serengeti jungle, and you come face to face with a lion, here are your choices: - A) Point your gun at it, hoping that by being aggressive towards it, it will apologise to you and back away shamefully B) Run, Run like the wind C) Don’t Panic, stay quite calm, and still and wish the lion isn’t hungry

As you can see your choices are limited but I wouldn’t want to show my aggression towards it, it will probably get more aggressive towards you, running like the wind may save you until the inevitable happens and it catches up with you, the best option is to stay calm.

It’s the same on a smaller scale with our cats, after all they are related to the big cats in the jungles and wilds of afar, the more you wind a cat up the more aggressive it gets, as it can’t speak like humans and say “no”, it speaks with it claws and teeth.

There are many reasons why cats are aggressive; lets call it ‘feline aggression’.

Understanding the reasons for the different types of ‘feline aggression’ and then trying to recognize the warning signs may help you to deal with these incidents of feline aggression.

It’s probably best to get a picture of ‘feline aggression’ in your head.

Imagine some scary movie – a snarling cat with sharp teeth showing through a wide-open mouth, its ears flattened back wards and its wide-open eyes showing a pair of dilated pupils. Accompany that with a melee of growls and hisses and it isn’t very pleasant. Understanding the different types of ‘feline aggression’ and the reasons for them may help you deal with your cats aggression.

I’m not painting a nasty picture of Cats, but like us, they are prone to random bouts of aggression in various forms, it may seem an attack on yourself comes right out of the blue, but more often than not there are several warning signs, and identifying these warning signs could prevent some pretty painful bites and scratches.

If your cat has wide-open eyes then it is probably in an aggressive mood, if its pupils are dilated, it fears some kind of attack on him, however, its pupils do become very constricted when the cat tries to threaten back. Other signs are if the cat has flattened ears or its tail is lashing erratically, and to even complicate things – a straight tail with bristle fur is also a sign of aggression. As you can see there are lots of things to be on the lookout for, it is not an easy thing to spot. If your cat is making hissing noises and sometimes spitting it is best not to agitate him as his meows could soon turn into growling and snarling.

To understand feline aggression fully, I think you need to be educated in ‘Cat Behaviourism’, something that I am not. According to Behaviourists there are five main types of feline aggression.

Fear Induced Aggression
When a cat is frightened, its response is two fold – ‘fight or flight’. Most cats prefer the ‘flight’ option and choose to run away from real or imaginary danger, but if they feel cornered or trapped they may attack. Even the most timid cats will strike if there appears to be no way of escape.

This type of aggression is probably the easiest for us to identify, however, timid cats may be afraid of all sorts of imaginary threats, like sudden movement or loud noises. It is also feasible that your cat may have a traumatic past that makes it afraid of certain things, things that you may not be aware of.

This aggression is also the most common reaction to physical punishment. Cats do not learn from any kinds of punishment, physical or psychological, like the ones we use with dogs or children. Instead of changing their misbehaviour because of its punishment, they are more likely to react violently because they are afraid of you.

Redirected Aggression
Sometimes cats cannot retaliate against the source of aggravation and they may redirect their response to the nearest person, cat, or other animal, which may be your dog. Your cat could be sitting in the window watching the world go by when it suddenly notices a dog, a cat, or something it’s not seen before. It starts to get agitated but being indoors it cannot do much to deter the possible threat. You pass by and you casually stroke your cats head, the cat is more than likely to hiss and lash out at you with all that pent up aggression which to you may seem like an unprovoked attack.

Pain Induced Aggression
This is probably the easiest type for us to identify with, your cat is in a lot of pain, and so lashing out while she is in this confused state seems natural to her. For this we usually sympathise with our cat when she lashes out at the vet, for example during a painful procedure. Remember the cat doesn’t understand that this is for her own good and her natural reaction is to defend herself from pain. Even picking up your cat to stroke or groom her could cause pain as they have very sensitive skin and they may react to pain that we do not know that we have caused. I used to have a cat that only liked being picked up a certain way; I had the scratches to prove it.

Aggression Triggered By Petting
We can’t win can we? Your cat is laying by your side, begging for some petting and you start to gently stroke your cat, the purring starts, you both feel relaxed. A few minutes later the purring slowly stops, the tail starts to twitch and suddenly the cat tries to grab your hand with its teeth and claws.
This is a well-known behaviour pattern, but it is hard to explain why some cats are more sensitive than others to petting. Behaviourists reckon that it may be down to early socialisation with people or something in their genetic make up. I can understand that, I feel more comfortable with people I have known a long time. Some cats have a tendency to become over stimulated and may feel threatened when petted for too long. Exactly how long depends on the cat, if you have a sensitive cat, you will usually learn what is considered to be too long.

Illness Induced Aggression
Your cat may start to become aggressive because there may be something medically wrong with him. In my research I have discovered that tumours, blocked blood vessels and even rabies have all been associated with aggressive behaviour.

It would be advisable, as a precaution, to consult your vet if there is a sudden onset of unprovoked violence. You should know your cat best and any changes in behaviour should be noted and passed onto the vet during regular health check ups.

I must point out that a cat scratching you is not always about aggression. A cat can scratch you when it is playing or even ‘complimenting’ you by a cat ‘love bite’. It may hurt just the same but this is different from aggressive behaviour. It doesn’t make it easy for us, does it?

What to do
Now that we are in a position to identify cat aggression, the next thing is to decide what to do if your cat has attacked you. It may be holding you quite firmly with its claws and teeth, I would recommend resisting the urge to struggle free, this will probably result in more scratches and bites. Try to keep calm, don’t hit the cat (remember pain induced aggression), don’t shout at the cat (remember fear induced aggression) and with your other hand gently try stroking the top of its paws, speaking gently and calming it down. Now you are free, don’t quickly pull away and don’t move away from the cat, but do stop stroking it. Let the cat sit where it is and let it ‘cool off’, when it appears calm try to move away from it and go and soothe your wounds.

I think that this is a learning curve between you and your cat, most of all be patient and understanding towards your cat.

” a healthy and happy moggy in the prime of its life can be every bit as ..magnificent in appearance and manner as a pedigree cat… ”

(A) – A small peruvian aardvark? (B) – A term for a series of manoeuvres conducted by the Spanish Armada in the late 18th Century? (C) – An informal name for a cat?

If you answer A or B then please feel free to lower your head in shame. However if you have answered C then hold your head proudly in the air and walk with some kind of arrogance, because, frankly you deserve it.

MOGGY IS INDEED AN INFORMAL NAME FOR A CAT.

The definition of a MOGGY is a cat or a kitten that does not belong to any recognised breed. Here in the UK it is also an informal name for a cat whether the cat is a recognised breed or not. The lovely English Language – you can’t beat it. Get this amazing fact – Moggy was originally the pet name for a Cow. You think I am kidding? Pull the Udder One I hear you cry. IT IS TRUE.

Did you know that there are approximately 100 million pet cats worldwide and the vast majority of these are non-pedigree or crossbred cats; their parentage may be unknown or neither of their parents may be a registered pedigree.

Up until the late nineteenth century cats were mainly kept as rodent deterrents and looks were not a consideration. However as most owners know a healthy and happy moggy in the prime of its life can be every bit as magnificent in appearance and manner as a pedigree cat.

SOME SCIENTIFIC BUMPH FOLLOWS. STAY WITH ME.

Because the gene determining short hair is dominant, most crossbred cats are shorthaired, but there are no standard crossbred types. They come in every imaginable variety of coat and colour and for people with more imagination than others, that is a lot of coats and colours. Many of our crossbred cats are tabbies, which is the variety closest to the cat’s ancestors among African wild cats. The mackerel or striped tabby pattern is the original, but the classic blotchy tabby pattern is the most common, with the rarest being the spotted tabby, which strangely enough is being selectively bred in new pedigree lines. The aim of this is to achieve a wild look. Solid colours are also a plenty: black, white, ginger, marmalade and blue. The ginger colouring is sex-linked, being carried in the X chromosome, and marmalade males outnumber females by about 2 to 1. Conversely, the tortoiseshell or calico pattern of orange and black is only possible in females (with rare exceptions in sterile males). White is common, both on its own and in combination with other solid and tabby colours. Siamese-style points are rarely seen in crossbred cats but can certainly occur.

WELCOME BACK. NORMAL LIGHT HEARTED SERVICE WILL NOW RESUME.

Apart from colour and coat, crossbred cats differ much less from each other than pure breeds do. Most have the moderate build that is typical of the British and American Shorthairs, being neither slender like the Siamese nor large and heavy like the Persian or Maine Coon. Although random-bred cats from tropical climates tend to have a somewhat sleeker form than others, and those from cold climates are comparatively stockier, they have not acquired the extreme lines that have been introduced into pedigree lines by selective breeding. Wedge-shaped heads and flattened faces are unusual in a crossbreed but can appear if the recent family tree of one of the parents includes a cat with Siamese or Persian genes.

Random breeding means that the non-pedigree cat does not have a definite appearance or temperament. Yet the character traits of the domestic shorthaired cat make it universally loved and admired. Cats are wonderful companions and enjoy being part of a family, but still retain much more independence than domestic dogs. They can adapt to an indoor existence but will make the most of any freedom offered (deliberately or otherwise), for it must be said that the domestic cat is a relentless predator of small rodents and birds. Even when well fed, most crossbred cats will persist in bringing hunting trophies home, faithful to their thousands of years of heritage as pest-control specialists. You can’t teach an old cat new tricks.

The crossbred cat has hybrid vigour, nature’s way of selecting the fittest and most successful animals. Crossbreeds have much lower concentrations of undesirable genes. With proper care it is robust and should live a long life. The typical crossbred, if you choose carefully, is a beautiful, intelligent, playful, low-maintenance companion with an independent streak. It will be a devoted and loving member of your household. Who could ask for more?

Whether you are looking for a kitten or an adult, there is likely to be a huge selection to choose from in your area.
You will not need to contact a breeder. They can be obtained from local animal rescue shelters.
You have to pay very little. Most crossbreeds are given away free. However, a small donation to your local rescue shelter would be most welcome.

Crossbred cats are robust and long-lived.
They suffer from fewer inherited health problems than pedigree cats.
So if you are on the lookout for a cat, why not consider a Moggy.

Signs of Feline Cancer

According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, the 10 most common signs of cancer in cats are:

Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.
Sores that do not heal.
Weight loss.
Loss of appetite.
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.
Offensive odor.
Difficulty eating or swallowing.
Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.
Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating.
These signs can also be present in many other diseases; they do not necessarily mean your cat has cancer. Any cat showing any of the above signs should be examined by a veterinarian.

Each and every cat owner dreads the day that they discover a suspicious lump or growth on their cat’s body. Far too many problems are caused by panicking cat owners reacting in the wrong way to the discovery of a foreign body on their beloved moggy. Cancer does not measn the end of the line for you and your cat, as long as you deal with the problem in a calm and rational manner.

The instances of cancers which go undetected highlight the importance of checking your pet for abnormalities. This not only is a sensible measure to take as a precaution against cancer but it can also strengthen the bond between yourself and your cat.

The veterinary cancer society has compiled a list of the ten most common signs of cancer in cats.

Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.
Sores that do not heal.
Weight loss.
Loss of appetite.
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.
Offensive odor.
Difficulty eating or swallowing.
Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.
Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating.

These conditions are not peculiar to cancer but they will always require medical attention.

Radiation therapy is available to cats nowadays, and more often than not proves to be effective, especially when the cancer is caught early on. The actual process does not cause papin to the cat but there are some side effects. Skin burn and alcerations can occur after treatment sessions. In localised tumors ( localised tumors are ones that haven’t sperad) treatment is a lot easier as the tumor will not need to removed, whereas a larger tumor will need to be removed and the remaining area will then need to be treated.

Diet is an important factor in the recooperation of cancer patients. Energy levels need to be maintained at a high level in order for the patient to be able to combat the disease. Cancer cells feed on the startch content in the cat’s diet, they steal the nutrients from the food that the cat eats, so it is imoerative that the level of startch in the diet is high. This may seemnon-sensical but the value of startch to the cat is too high to consider removing it from the diet in order to affect the cancer cells.

Your cat will be weakened by both the treatment and the illness so be sure to be gentle with her.

Thinking of buying a cat? Before you do, why not take a look at Feline Online’s comprehensive guide to picking the perfect kitten.

The first thing to remember before you even visit the cattery is ‘do I really want a cat?’ You must be a hundred and ten percent certain that a cat is the right pet for you and your family. Can you afford it? Do you have the right home in which to raise and look after a cat? Do you have the time to properly look after a cat?

A pet cat will depend on you, her owner, for the whole of her life. A healthy, well looked after cat can live up to fifteen years so commitment and dedication are essential qualities in a cat owner. The time and effort you put into raising and looking after your cat will be reflected in her temperament and character, and subsequently the enjoyment you will get out of the ownership of your cat.

Upon deciding whether or not a cat is the right pet for, put off visiting the cattery for a little while longer. Because now you have to plan finances and caring for the new arrival. It would be advisable to plan an annual budget, including in it the following.

• Annual veterinary bills. These are unavoidable; you will never own a cat that doesn’t require a visit to the vet at some point in her life. Vaccinations are essential if you want a healthy, happy cat. In some areas vaccinations are required by law. Consider them an investment, paying for a vaccination early on will reduce the chances of your cat becoming ill and subsequently requiring treatment, which will cost more than the vaccination itself.

• Food. Cat food will constitute a large part of the overall cost of cat ownership. It is important to monitor the health of your cat, especially if you change your food at any point.

• Accessories. Items such as litter trays and scoops are essential. Your cat will need certain things to ensure that she does not become bored and as a result, ensure that your furniture does not become destroyed. She will need a scratching post amongst other things.

• Insurance. Insuring your pet is highly recommended by vets and insurance companies. The premium paid out over a year to cover a pet against illness or injury is substantially less than the cost of treatment.

After planning your finances you need to ensure that you have the resources to look after your cat to the highest standard. You need to ask certain questions. Are you prepared to have an animal living in the house? You will need to clean the house more frequently and thoroughly with a cat about. This is for hygiene reasons as well as the fact that your house won’t have the cat smell! Cats are notoriously independent animals. They may venture off for days at a time only to return for food. Are you seeking companionship from your pet or are you happy with seeing your cat less frequently than with other pets.

Once you have decided that a cat is the right pet for you and your family you need to decide exactly which cat will fit into your life best. Do you want a male or female? Do you want a long or short haired cat? All of these along with many more are questions which could alter every day of the next fifteen years of your life. So think carefully. It is imperative that you have a clear idea of what you want in a cat before you visit the cattery. This is to ensure that you do not become attached to a cat which is unsuitable for you and your family.

When deciding whether or not to buy a male or female cat it is important to remember that each cat has an individual personality regardless of sex or breed. Unlike dogs, it is difficult to select a breed or sex in order to get certain characteristics. Some cats may be affectionate, others may be shy, so choose type of cat based on practicality rather than temperament because it is very rare that you would know what you were going to get. If you are a house proud home owner perhaps a short haired breed would be more suitable.

If you insist on a purebred then be prepared to pay more than for a non purebred and the difference is not easy to see to the untrained eye.

As equally as important as selecting an individual cat is selecting a breeder. Only use a reputable breeder who observes the code of ethics set to regulate the behaviour of cat breeders. It would be advisable not to use a breeder who advertises in the local paper. This is not because good breeders do not use this medium but because the majority of bad breeders do use it. Choose a breeder who is local, so you can easily go to visit your prospective cat and see it in it’s own environment. This is so you can get a judgement on its character.