77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat. Susan Ewing M.

      The Abyssinian is an elegant, muscular cat that many people feel looks a bit like the African wildcat that is the common ancestor of domestic cats. It is believed that the breed originated along the Indian Ocean, in parts of Southeast Asia. The breed was refined in England, resulting in an elegant, intelligent companion.

      Abyssinians are social, inquisitive, and constantly moving; they jump, climb, and explore. If you want a cat who can learn some tricks, the Abyssinian is the cat for you. If you’d like a silent cat, however, keep looking; the Abyssinian is not shy about voicing his opinion.

      

      Abyssinian

       SOMALI

      If everything about the Abyssinian sounds ideal, but you’d prefer a longhaired cat, consider the Somali, a longhaired breed that is the result of a recessive gene in the Abyssinian.

      Abyssinians weigh between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) and have a life span of between nine and fifteen years. They are often seen in a distinctive reddish color with darker ticking, but they also come in chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lilac, fawn, and a silver version of them all.

      Abyssinians are healthy cats but they can develop a hereditary condition known as pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. This is caused by a recessive gene, and DNA testing can determine whether a cat is normal, a carrier, or affected by PK deficiency. A responsible breeder should test her cats before breeding.

      American Shorthair

      The American Shorthair’s ancestors probably came over to the United States on the Mayflower. This breed is an all-around good cat—generally healthy, agreeable to people of all ages and other pets, and talented as a rodent killer. These medium-sized cats weigh between 6 and 15 pounds (2.7–6.8 kg), with males on the larger end of the spectrum. The breed has a life span of fifteen to twenty years and a risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

      British Shorthair

      The British Shorthair is another good-sized cat, weighing between 8 and 20 pounds (3.6–9.1 kg), depending on whether you have a male or female; males are typically larger. This breed comes in many different colors and patterns and has an easygoing personality, generally getting along well with both adults and children. However, British Shorthairs aren’t always happy being carried, so any children in the family should not make a habit of lugging the cat around. The British Shorthair can be a bit clumsy at times, so you should move priceless antiques to safe locations.

      This is a generally healthy breed but is prone to HCM as well as hemophilia B, a hereditary bleeding disorder that can be identified with a DNA test. British Shorthairs can live from twelve to seventeen years. The British Longhair is the same breed, but with long hair.

      Devon Rex

      The Devon Rex has big ears, big eyes, and a big personality. A Devon Rex is always ready to play or just to help around the house with whatever chore you might be doing. Give him a ride on your shoulder or offer a cozy lap, and he’s happy with that, too. If you are gone for long hours every day, consider a different breed because the Devon Rex is very social and likes company. The Devon also likes food and will not only clean his plate, but will also offer to help you with yours.

      

      American Shorthair

      British Shorthair

      This 5- to 10-pound (2.3- to 4.5-kg) cat lives up to fifteen years, and the breed’s coat ranges from wavy/curly to soft down. Health concerns include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation, and hereditary myopathy. Make sure the breeder has screened breeding stock for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and patellar luxation.

      Exotic Shorthair

      The Exotic Shorthair is basically a Persian with shorter hair. Developed by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs, with a dash of Burmese and Russian Blue, the Exotic has a thick, plush coat that doesn’t mat or tangle and requires much less grooming than a Persian’s long coat. Exotic Shorthairs come in all of the many colors of Persians, so you can have the added bonus of a cat in a color you prefer. An Exotic may be a bit more playful than a Persian, but if you love the sweet, round look and gentle, affectionate temperament of the Persian but don’t want the chore of daily grooming, the Exotic is the cat for you.

      Exotics have a lifespan of eight to fifteen years and weigh between 7 and 12 pounds (3.2–5.4 kg). Since Exotics may inherit polycystic kidney disease, ask the breeder if your prospective kitten’s parents have been checked for cysts on the kidney.

      Maine Coon Cat

      The Maine Coon is the official cat of the state of Maine, where the breed’s long coat, tufted ears, and large, well-furred paws make it well adapted to New England winters. This is a large, solidly built cat that weighs between 9 and 18 pounds (4.1–8.2 kg).

      

      Devon Rex

      Exotic Shorthair kitten

      Maine Coon Cats are playful, affectionate, and social. They want to be where their people are. They also enjoy playing in water, so don’t be surprised if you find a catnip mouse floating in your Maine Coon’s water bowl.

      Health issues include HCM, hip dysplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The Maine Coon Cat is the only cat breed affected by SMA, a disease caused by the death of spinal cord neurons, leading to muscle weakness and degeneration. Kittens with SMA have difficulty jumping and have a swaying gait, but they are not in pain and can live happy lives. Fortunately, there is a DNA test for this condition. There’s also a test for the genetic mutation that causes HCM, so make sure that the breeder has tested both parents.

      Persian

      Persians are perfectly happy to play, but they aren’t as into climbing and jumping as some other breeds. These affectionate cats enjoy being petted, and because their long, gorgeous fur makes people want to pet them, it’s a win-win situation.

       HIMALAYAN

      The Himalayan is a colorpoint cat that is considered a color division of the Persian by the Cat Fanciers Association and as a separate breed by The International Cat Association and the American Cat Fanciers Association.

      The drawback to that lovely coat is that Persians require daily grooming, particularly in the areas that are hard for a cat to reach when it self-grooms, such as the base of the ears and where the legs join the body.

      These longhaired beauties come in more than eighty different color combinations and can live up to twenty years. There are two types of Persian: the traditional, or Doll Face, and the show Persian. While their coats and personalities are the same, the traditional

      

      Maine Coon

      Persian has