There is no doubt that even the icy-est heart will melt when faced with a kitten.  Kittens are cute!  But kittens are not kittens forever, and you still need to decide if owning a cat is the right choice of pet for you.

Cats are not like dogs.  They tend to be more independent animals and often appear quite aloof.  That does not mean that they do not want or require attention or affection.  That is simply the demeanor of most cats.

We have heard on many occasions that cats have no personalities.  That is simply not true.  Emilee, Anja and Ernie will attest to that!  They each have their own unique personality, although some, like Anja, take longer than others to display it.

Cats generally require less care than dogs.  Cats can be left alone for longer periods of time with lesser consequences, thus enabling the owner to work longer hours or take an occasional overnight trip.  All cats can be litter-trained, whereas this is only feasible with some dogs.  This makes a working person or someone living in an apartment more apt to own a cat than a dog. 

It is easier to get someone to watch your cat while you are away, than to get someone to watch your dog.  Although some dogs are small enough to take to another person’s house without much trouble, most dogs to not take kindly to the change in environment, or they have trouble getting along with other people.  Dogs also often do not allow strangers into the home, whereas a cat will. 

Many cats also require less grooming than dogs.  Cats, however, still love to be clean but they tend to groom themselves, whereas you need to bathe and brush your dog often.  (Although is also a good idea to brush your cat as well to help avoid hair balls.)

A downside to cat ownership is that cats in general tend to be less sociable with other animals that may be in the home.  Some cats and dogs never get along.  Cats and birds are often not a good mix.  You can even have trouble with your cat bothering your pet fish. 

Cats make great pets for people who understand them.  Cats form as much of a bond with their human owners as do dogs.  They love affection, and also like attention and to be played with.   They are also easily self-entertained, a trait that can be beneficial to a busy human.

Choosing a Cat Breed

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