How To Choose The Best Cat For You
If you really love cats it’s possible you imagine living with every feline you cross paths with, especially if you visit a rescue or shelter. If a cat needs a home, why wouldn’t you adopt them? This is an honorable approach, but adopting a cat is a big decision—and it’s one worthy of time and careful consideration. Whatever your lifestyle and home environment, it’s important to contemplate which type of cat is best for you.
We Love Shelter Cats
Choosing the best match from your local animal shelter is a wonderful option. So many beautiful, sweet, playful, loving companions need homes and shelter cats make incredible friends. For starters, they seem to recognize when they’ve been “saved” from the shelter and never tire of showing gratitude and love to their owners. Secondly, by adopting a cat from a shelter, you free up space for another cat to find their new home. The sheer volume of homeless cats underlines the importance of the “adopt, don’t shop” credo.
Adopting a Cat
In addition to finding all the necessary supplies and gear, successful cat adoption hinges on bringing home the “right” cat. If you have a lot of free time, adequate square footage, and amenable housemates/family members/resident pets, a kitten may be a terrific choice. They sure are cute, silly, and feisty, but they aren’t free of certain challenges. Kittens need to learn the proper ways to behave and socialize, whereas older or senior cats are already well-versed in the art of co-existing.
Appearance, Size, Personality
Once you have an age-range in mind you can start to ponder a breed of choice. Most shelter cats are mixed breed, but you can still find purebred cats available from time to time. Cat experts say that Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Siamese cats may be the friendliest cats to owners new to the experience. Some cat breeds are larger in size than others and benefit from having more room to stretch their legs.
It is worthwhile to assess the effect that long-haired cats can have on the home and fellow residents. All cats shed (even hairless breeds shed dander, a known allergen). If you have the luxury of choosing the right cat for you and your home, we encourage you to consider how excessive shedding might impact your day to day life.
Should I Adopt a Cat?
Cats can live long, healthy, happy lives when all of their needs are provided for. All cats deserve to be:
- Protected from contagious diseases via routine vaccinations
- Guarded against terrible illness spread by parasites
- Spayed or neutered to promote lifelong reproductive health
- Fed a balanced, age-appropriate diet
- Exercised and played with every day
When wondering if you should adopt a cat, please keep in mind that your home, lifestyle, and family dynamic must adapt to meet the needs of your cat for as long as they live. A newly adopted cat can live upwards of 20 years old!
If you have further questions about cat adoption or the great contributions cats make toward human health and happiness, please give us a call at (404) 792-0700. Our team is always happy to help you at Cat Care of Vinings.
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I was shocked at how little we knew even after more than a decade of cat ownership and regular vet visits. I really can't say enough about how thrilled we are with Dr. Palmer and Cat Care of Vinings. We just feel so fortunate to have you in our lives and are most grateful. Thank you all for all that you do! :-)
Knowledgeable, caring vets and a very supportive team. Highly recommended based on my personal experiences…
These people love your pet almost as much as you do… This seems less like a business and more like a labor of love. [They]…always keep you in the loop of what is happening…and put both you and your pet at ease…providing first rate care for you cat.
The quality of treatment and unbelievable care with which my kitten was treated are priceless to me especially as kitten moves into her later years. I wouldn’t take her anywhere else.
This veterinary clinic changed my cat's entire life…[he had] severe dental problems… I was reluctant to…do the procedures… I cannot stress how happy I am… Everyone treats the cats with love and care, and they treat the people with respect and offer great advice.
At Cat Care of Vinings, every person…demonstrated care. Everything was well explained… I received phone calls updating me on his progress and asking how he was after I took him home. They are compassionate and knowledgeable about cats and that is what really matters.
I am extremely fortunate to have taken her to Cat Care of Vinings… They take time to listen…answer questions, offer guidance…compassion, and give frequent and welcome updates.
The veterinarians and staff here are very professional, caring and thorough (they check for things other vet clinics don’t). They genuinely love their clients (i.e. cats)…
I have had cats my whole life and have used many veterinarians over the years. Cat Care of Vinings provides the best care I have ever received for my 'kids' - cats
Cat Care is exactly what it says. The whole office is geared toward all felines… There are cat trees, and cat friendly furniture throughout. But is what is more important is the feline expertise…
…more information than the previous…places… Also,…we did not feel like they were pressuring us into paying for expensive procedures that may or may not work… [They] actually showed care and concern for our kitty…
Dr. Michael Friedlander is experienced, capable, kind, and caring with my cat and with me. Her staff is also excellent. Besides the excellent care for my cat, Michael also educated me on what I need to do to take care of my cat, such as vaccinations and heart worm prevention. This is a top notch feline veterinary hospital with a top notch staff!
Where do I begin? There are so many positives about Cat Care of Vinings…this entire practice is on a whole other level… The environment is relaxing and the staff are comforting and supportive.
CCV is a warm, quiet environment that helps my nervous cat feel more comfortable… The vet techs and office staff are skilled, helpful and friendly. A+
The Vets have taken time to know and understand both my kitties. All clinic staff are caring, knowledgeable, and generally first rate.
…We must say that Dr. Jennifer Palmer…is the BEST. Her medical experience, bedside manner, candor, and quest for knowledge…is immeasurable. She goes beyond the call of duty to ‘reach-out’ for answers and health options you may not be aware of.
The staff are always welcoming and hospitable. Doctors will go out of their way to make sure your cat is taken care of and comfortable. They always return your calls and even call to check up on your cat after an appointment.