��ࡱ�>�� <>����;��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������%` ��qbjbjN�N� 4,,�,�q���������������llll$��v$�(��������������$�h������������0;;;�"�����;��;;��;�� ��ŀ�l�";�F0v;��:�;;������;�����1 ���v��������� ����� ������������� Choosing a Cat from  HYPERLINK "http://www.catster.com/" \t "_blank" www.catster.com � Kittens vs. Adult Cats One of the most important factors when considering cat acquisition is whether you want a kitten or adult model. Use the following information to help make a decision. Kitten Advantages: A kitten will more easily adjust to its new home and to its owners. Disadvantages: Kittens require a great deal of attention. They can also be highly destructive. Imagine bringing a toddler into your home�a toddler capable of vaulting onto kitchen counters and climbing drapes. Adult Cat Advantages: A fully grown cat's personality is already firmly established, and its destructive kittenhood is well behind it. Also, most come pre-loaded with all necessary software (for instance, they already know how to use a litter box). Disadvantages: The cat may carry deep-seated software glitches, such as excessive timidity. Be sure to examine the feline closely and at length before acquisition. EXPERT TIP: If you have decided to adopt a kitten, consider getting two. This can actually be less work for the owner, because the kittens will expend much of their youthful energy and aggression on each other. Also, the companionship will make for more well-adjusted pets. Cat Gender Some cat aficionados assert that, in general, male cats make more laid-back, playful companions, while females tend to be more secretive and reserved. Usually, however, feline personalities are so distinctive that sweeping, gender-based generalizations are meaningless. There are plenty of reserved male cats and plenty of playful, outgoing females�so many that your decision should be based not on alleged sex-specific characteristics but on those of the particular cat under consideration. Cat Coat Types Varieties such as the Persian and Himalayan require regular, fairly intense home grooming; professional care may also be necessary. Shorthaired models are usually lower maintenance. Remember, however, that all cats (except for the mostly hairless Sphynx) shed. Be prepared for this. Even more important, make sure no one in your household is violently allergic to cat dander. (See  HYPERLINK "http://www.catster.com/guides/cat_health_and_care/health_care/feline_to_human_transmission/intro_feline_to_human_transmission" \t "_blank" Feline-to-Human Disease Transmission.) EXPERT TIP: Ironically, longhaired cats present less complex shedding problems. While short cat hairs tend to embed in fabric and are difficult to remove, long hairs are easier to spot and pick up. A Cat's Physical Requirements It is true that most cats require very little physical exercise to stay fit. However, active breeds need regular playtime with their owner, if only to burn off enough energy so that they sleep through the night. If you're not interested in dragging a length of string through the living room, consider adopting a senior cat. � Schedule Demands for Cats Many believe that cats are completely independent and don't mind if their owners are absent for fairly long periods. This is sometimes the case, sometimes not. All cats need love and attention, but some need a great deal. Breeds such as the Siamese may suffer, physically as well as psychologically, if denied companionship. And no cat, even one that seems aloof, wants to spend endless days and nights alone in an empty house. It may develop emotional problems and take out its frustrations on the furnishings. � Cats and Familial Considerations Make sure that every member of your household is committed to the decision to acquire a feline. Since a cat can live 15 to 20 years or more, owning one is a long-term commitment. � Financial Obligations of Owning a Cat It costs an estimated $300 to maintain one feline for one year. That figure does not include emergencies or the higher upkeep of an aging cat. If this sounds too expensive, consider more affordable pets such as gerbils or goldfish. Advantages of Cat Ownership Adopting a feline companion offers many advantages to human beings, both physical and psychological. A cat can provide companionship, love, and the opportunity to form an intimate bond with a member of another, distinctly different species. They offer important physiological benefits as well. Scientific studies demonstrate that physical interaction with a cat can lower one's heart rate and blood pressure. The sound of purring can also induce calming effects on the average human. A good-natured cat can help fight depression and loneliness, as well as provide endless hours of amusement. This is one of the reasons they are used extensively in nursing homes and hospitals as "therapy animals." Considering the benefits, the relatively nominal cost of maintaining a cat seems like a wise investment�provided you are committed to caring for it properly. Emotional States When Deciding on a Cat Do not be "swept away" by a cute kitten and make a poorly considered, spur-of-the-moment decision that you will regret later. Instead, allow yourself plenty of time for careful deliberation. The more you think about it now, the better you will feel about it later. CAUTION: The decision to add a cat to one's home should never be taken lightly. Likewise, felines should under no circumstances be given to third parties as surprise gifts. Animal shelters euthanize such "surprises" by the hundreds of thousands each year.� A few fortunate �surprises,� manage to be taken in by no-kill shelters, but most end up euthanized. 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