The Abyssinian tends to have a lot of energy, and tends to be very active and playful. This cat is a great pick if you are looking for a feline friend that is fun and entertaining. Plus there is the factor that the Abyssinian is a very attractive cat.

They are a midsized cats, with beautiful green and gold eyes of an almond shape, and a striking ticked pattern. There are generally three different breed colors.

The first is called ruddy; this is where the cat is an orange and brown color that is marked with dark brown or black. The second color for this breed is red; the cat has a warm color of fur that has chocolate brown spots. The last color of this breed is blue; this is a unique color where the cat looks like they have a mix of different shades of slate blue. They are a graceful and regal looking feline with soft, silky coats, and their hair is medium in length.

If you are looking for more of an affectionate cat that isn't going to freak and claw you, a Burmese might be just what you are looking for.

The Burmese is of medium size with quite a muscular body. Because they have more of a solid build, it might come as quite a surprise when you pick them up and feel the full effect of their weight. They are quite beautiful with a short glossy coat. With breeding over the years, there have come to be three different types of Burmese; there is the contemporary, traditional, and the European.

The contemporary has more of the stocky body,

Ailurophile: A Cat Loving Person

rounded head, and very pronounced round and spaced eyes. You can find them in coloring such as sable, champagne, blue, and platinum. The traditional has closer ties to the original breed. They are more of a sturdy yet muscular build with a very different head. Unlike the contemporary, the traditional breed has a more rounded head and the face takes on a full look. They come in the same colors as the contemporary breed does. European takes on a more foreign look, much as the name suggests.

The European is more of an elegant looking cat with a slim body type. Their eyes take on a slightly slanted look and they can be found in more colors such as brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, seal tortie, brown tortie, blue tortie, chocolate tortie, and lilac tortie. In addition to being a beautiful feline, they are also a very loving and stay with you wherever you go. They love to be with their owners and are very smart cats and great companions.

If you are looking for a spotted cat, the Egyptian Mau is the way to go. They are the only natural breed that sports spots. They are a very beautiful and graceful feline that is also extremely muscular as well. This breed of cat is actually the fastest breed of domestic cat that there is. Although quite muscular, they are not that heavy of a cat. They have heads that have sort of a rounded shape. They have alert looking ears that can be either of a medium or large size and their eyes are the pretty almond shaped eyes with a slight slant and green color. What sets the Egyptian Mau apart from many other breeds of cat is that they have spotting around their body that can vary in shape, size, and location.

They also tend to have an M shaped mark on their forehead that only makes them more unique. They have beautiful coats that are of medium length and can be found in various beautiful colors. They are a very smart cat that is quite active, and extremely loyal to their owners.

Even if you are not familiar with the name of the breed, it is probably quite likely that you have seen this cat many times, either at a friend's house or on television. The Himalayan is a very popular cat. The only thing is that although this is a very sweet and affectionate cat, it is also a very time consuming feline to have as well when you take into account all the combing of their fur that you will have to do in order to keep them from looking scraggily.

The Himalayan is not of the petite variety, but more of a heavily boned feline.

Ailurophobe: A person that hates cats.

They have round body and are very broad, plus their coats only add to the rounded look that they already have going. There are two main facial types when it comes to the Himalayan. There are the extreme and the traditional.

Both have small and rounded ears that are set low on the head. They have round eyes with full cheeks and a prominent chin. The extreme face gives the cat a round and flattened look.

The traditional also has a round head, but the nose is different and they have an up turned mouth. It has been observed that the traditional breed experiences fewer health related problems than the extreme. These cats are great as indoor pets. They are great if you are looking for a calmer type of cat that also has a streak of playfulness in them. This type of cat needs the affection of their owner and loves to be combed and loved.

If you want a cat but don't want to have to worry about its tail swishing you in the face or knocking down knickknacks, you might just find yourself interested in a Manx. Believe it or not, the Manx is the only breed of cat that has no tail. Although this feline has no tail it is defiantly all cat. They have a round sort of look to them, from their round head to their round behind.

They are a muscular and solid breed. What adds to their beauty is the short, glossy coat that they have. Although they are tailless, they do possess a sort of stub at their spine.

The Manx has a great personality, are quite intelligent, and has an even disposition.

This cat tends to find one companion in particular that they truly love, but are great with all family members. They are playful, active, and adjust well.

If you are truly looking for a cat that you can pet, groom, and fawn over the Persian might be just what you are looking for. The Persian is an extremely popular cat that has a ton of hair. There is no doubt that these cats look absolutely regal and beautiful, but there is defiantly a fair amount of grooming to do.

Awn hairs: The part of the cat's undercoat that is longer than the downy undercoat but shorter than the primary guard coat.

What makes this particular feline so popular is that they are very sweet, loyal, and affectionate cats. Another great feature about choosing a Persian is that you can find one in almost every color or pattern imaginable.

Although a furry feline, the Persian is a heavy bones and broad cat, it definitely gives the impression of roundness all over due to both body and fur.
If you are looking for a cat that will sit and watch television with you, getting a Persian is a sure bet. They love to sit around and laze away the day with their owner. They are gentle, sweet tempered, and trusting. Although they do enjoy lounging, you can also expect them to find the time to play after a good nap. This type of cat needs the attention of their owner, but they won't be obsessive about it.

Even if you aren't quite a guru when it comes to cats, you are probably well aware of what a Siamese looks like. This cat has been displayed in cartoon animations such as The Lady and the Tramp as well as other movies such as That Darn Cat. They are definitely a widely recognized breed no matter where you go. There is absolutely no denying that the Siamese cat is a beautiful animal. They have beautiful big blue eyes and a gorgeous coat.

The body of the Siamese is a light color and the face, tail, paws, and ears are darker.They are a shorthaired , so it's a perfect cat if you are looking for a feline companion that doesn't require an enormous amount of grooming and doesn't shed like crazy. They are a medium to large size cat that is considered very muscular. As you might have observed in many movies, the Siamese cat is a very intelligent feline. In the same light, although intelligent they can also be quite annoying at times when they try to communicate with their owners through a very distinctive yowling sound.

Barring: Markings of a Tabby Cats

If you are looking for a quiet cat, the Siamese might not be a great choice. This is a cat that will try to get its way and is very needy. They are also active and affectionate animals that can be a lot of fun to have if they fit your personality and lifestyle.

Cats can be great pets for people who are looking for an animal, but want one that is a little more independent.

There are of course many other considerations to take into account before rushing out and buying your cat based on a picture or vague description.

First You need to decide if you are looking to get a male or a female cat. There is a vast difference between the two species just as there is with humans or any other type of animal.

Males tend to be a larger cat than females and also boast a more extrovert personality.

You have to make the decision on whether or not the cat is going to be neutered. Just as a cautionary note, when a male cat is not neutered they tend to have a much different personality. You might find that they spray urine all over, will try to roam, and might just pick fights with other cats if there are any in the house or outside. When you choose to neuter them, you will be able to avoid a lot of these tendencies.

Females are a more careful and gentle than males are.

They tend to also be quieter as well. Again comes the question on whether or not to spay your female feline companion. If you choose not too you will be looking forward to dealing with her heat cycles and all that they entail, especially not a good thing if you have any unneutered male cats in the house.

That is, do you want to get a long hair cat or a short hair cat?

Even though you may think that you want a particular breed, it might not match up with what you want in a cat. This is really a choice that depends on your personal taste.

Long haired cats might seem great to one person and a total nuisance to another. If you choose to go with a long haired cat, you need to understand that it will be up to you to keep you cat groomed and looking nice. Just think about your own hair, if you have long hair then you need to keep it brushed or combed on a daily basis, a long haired cat is no different. They need their owner to comb their lustrous locks on a regular basis so they don't begin to look like a scraggly cat.



Again, you have to realize that when anything has long hair it tends to shed, a lot! If none of this sounds like fun or appealing in any way it might be a good indication that you in fact are not looking for a long haired cat such as a Persian, but a short haired cat instead.

First You need to decide how much money you really want to spend.

The reality when you go to buy a cat you can choose from mixed breeds or purebred cats.

When you buy a mixed breed there isn't quite as much to worry about because you don't have to worry about all the pedigree issues and such, plus as you might have guessed they aren't going to cost quite as much.

On the other hand all of that changes when you plan to buy a purebred. There are certain precautions that you will have to take before you buy a purebred cat.

Blaze: Stripe or splash of white on the cat's forehead or nose.

First you need to research the different breeding establishments to make sure that they are of good reputation. It won't hurt to do a little bit of research and to even visit different establishments and ask question and look at the cats that they are offering before you actually buy one.

Do you wish to buy a kitten or a cat?

Many might jump to the answer of kitten, but as everything there is much to consider before making such a decision. You need to realize that a kitten is in essence a baby and as such requires a lot more time and attention than a grown cat does. It's not to say that an older cat doesn't require time and attention, but normally they are quite a bit easier to care for than a baby kitten.

Before you rush out and buy or take the first kitten that is offered to you, there are a few things that you should know. As with any animal, there are certain things that you should look for to make sure that the kitten is healthy. By paying attention and looking for these different things, you might be able to save yourself and your family from picking a kitten that is going to be quite sickly or even die.

You need to ask certain questions that they should have no problems answering.If they try to avoid you or put your off it might be a good sign that you need to find your new kitten somewhere else.

Below are lists of questions that need to be asked:

- Ask about the kittens vaccinations
- Ask about parasite checks
- Have them tell you the age, gender, and breed of the kitten
- Do not buy a kitten that is not at least six to eight weeks old
- Ask about their diet and nutrition
- Have them provide you with the Veterinarians name, number, and address
- If you are looking at a purebred, ask about the kitten's registration papers.
- Ask if you can have your own veterinarian check the kitten out before the sale if final.

Just remember that you can always find another pet shop or breeder that has the kitten you are looking for if something doesn't seem quite right.

Because you are choosing to buy a kitten it's just like with a baby, the kitten has to learn. The first lesson that will make life a lot easier for you and your kitten is litter box training. This really shouldn't be too hard of a lesson for either of you since most kittens take to the litter box quite naturally.

What is important to note is not to be in your kittens face while he or she is trying to do their thing. Patience is the key to any type of training, and this is not different. Of course, there are a few things that you can do in order to help this be an easy experience for your kitten.

I Make sure that your kitten can climb in and out of the litter box; sometimes they will have trouble in a litter box that is too big.

II Put the litter box in a quite area that is always accessible.

III Clean the litter box on a daily basis and keep the litter changed regularly

IV In order to establish a pattern, make sure you put your kitten in their litter box when they wake up and after they eat.

V Everyone benefits from being told they did a good job, kittens are no different, make sure to let them know when they have done a good job.

VI Keep the litter box in the same place, don't move it around

VII If you have more than one cat, make sure they all have their own litter box.

You might have heard your friends or family talk about baby proofing their home when their child began to be mobile, if you plan on getting a kitten you will find yourself doing the same thing. A kitten is in essence a baby, but of the feline persuasion, as such they are just as curious as any other type of baby. You need to take the time and look at your home from a kitten's perspective, find possible hazardous items, and remove them accordingly.

You aren't going to be able to anticipate everything, but it is quite advantageous to the health and well being of your kitten to take some precautions:

- Kittens can be quite clumsy, make sure that all of your windows are secured and keep your kitten off of anything high such as a second story house walk out.

- Move all cleaners and anything else harmful in an area that your kitten can not access. This goes for any harmful plants as well, just as with a baby, kittens will chew on whatever is handy such as a plant.

- After you use the restroom, close the toilet lid. This is a handy piece of advice if you have kittens or small children in the home.

- Don't leave plastic materials such as trash bags or plastic storage bags lying around, again helpful for kittens and children.

- After you have finished your six pack of beer or soda, cut up the plastic ring containers so that your cat doesn't get caught up in them. This is also an environmentally kind thing to do so other animals don't share a bad fate.

- Anything electric, sharp, or pointy needs to be responsibly stores so your kitten doesn't decide to make a dangerous object its next chew toy.

If you have children or other animals in the house you will need to make sure that your kitten is introduced to them slowly and properly.Older children are not as much of a concern as small children are. You need to make sure that they understand the proper way to treat their new kitten.

You need to teach them how to hold it properly and not to pull on its legs, face, tail, or ears.Young children must learn that the kitten is a living thing that they need to treat with love, care, and respect. You can help your kitten feel a little safer by getting down to his or her level when it comes to play time. This will make you not seem quite so huge and scary to the kitten.

You also need to pay close attention how other pets

Brindling: Different colored hairs in a cat's coat.

in the house treat the new kitten. It is not a good idea to simply leave a new kitten with an older cat or dog. Take the time to introduce them to one another while being attentive to their reactions to each other.Normally older cats will be tolerant of the new kitten and even tend to it after they are comfortable with one another.

Dogs may take a little longer to get used to the situation of a new kitten in the house. Just remember to be patient and to make sure your other animals in the house gets the love and attention that they need,make them feel just as special as the new kitten.

You need to make sure that you have everything you will need to take care of your pet with. Cats need certain things so before you get your cat or kitten, you might want to make sure they have everything they need before they come to your home.

Below is a list of the different materials you will need in order to make a home for your cat.

Food bowl, Cat food, Water bowl, Litter box, Litter box materials, Cat bed, Scratching post, Cat carrier,Cat Toys, Cat leash, Cat collar, Cat harness, Grooming tools

Although these seem like simple items, if you have never owned a cat there are certain things to consider before you go out and buy the most expensive of everything.

The food and water bowl does not have to cost you a fortune. You do not have to go out and buy one with your pets name on it unless you want to. Mainly they just need to be easy to clean and heavy so they won't tip over easily.

Because it is possible that your cat might be allergic to plastic, it might be a good precautionary note to opt for the stainless steel bowls. You also need to make sure that your cat has food and water in their bowls as well.

Unless you plan on teaching your cat how to use the toilet (like in a movie below), you will need to purchase a litter box and everything that goes in it. This involves the litter box, the scoop, and the litter.

Calico: Cat color characteristic for female cats with patches of white, red and black

If you have a kitten it is important that the litter box is not so big that they cannot get into it, but on the other hand you need to get a litter box that is big enough for a full grown cat.

What many cat owners may not know is that the litter boxes that have hoods or covers may actually trap foul smelling odors and make your cat unwilling to further use the litter box, so it may be a good idea to avoid these altogether.

Another helpful tip is to keep some sort of garbage container next to the litter box so that it will make it easier to scoop the box on a regular basis, just make sure that the container you choose will keep the odor inside the container and out of your room.

The last item is of course to find litter that works best for you and your cat. There are many varieties that have odor control and clump better, what you choose is up to your own preferences.

Your pet needs a place in which they can lay down, sleep, and take a nap. A cat bed will also help keep your cat from taking its naps on your bed or couch. This doesn't mean that you have to spend a fortune or have it monogrammed, but it does mean that you need to look for something comfortable. A good choice is a bed that your cat will be able to snuggle in. You can choose from nesting beds, mats, or perches.

Your choice will depend on your cat's sleeping habits and what will fit best in your home. Also, don't be irritated if your cat doesn't take to its new sleeping domain right away, it might take time or your cat might not adapt to it at all.

A good tip is to find a bed that is washable so that any messes are easy to clean. It's also a good idea to put the bed wherever your cat likes to sleep or in a quiet area.

Cats need to stretch and exercise their arms and legs, just like humans do. Unfortunately they choose to do this by scratching things since no one has invented a gym for cats. In order to avoid having them scratch up all of your furniture, it might be a good idea to invest in a cat scratching post, and the sooner the better. A scratching post will help your cat realize that they have their own piece of furniture to claw up and to leave yours alone.

When buying a scratching post for your cat, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

First, you need to make sure that the scratching post is actually tall enough for your cat to be able to get the full effect.

Cat fancy: People who fancy cats and are involved in breeding, showing of cats and cat clubs.

This is so they can completely stretch their body out and still have room to spare.

Next make sure that it won't fall over as soon as it has something leaning against it or your cat will be tipping it over all of the time.

If your cat already has a few bad habits such as scratching furniture and such, you might need to train your cat to use the post instead. This might take a little time and patience, but if you make sure your cat is playing with it whenever you are around, they will begin to get the idea, and it also helps if it is in an accessible area to your cat.

Since you may have realized that trying to transport your cat or anyone else's for that matter is no easy task, it is smart to invest in a cat carrier. A cat carrier is great for a cat or a kitten. It will enable you to transport your cat from point A to point B with little to no damage or injury. Plus you will not have to worry about your cat plunking around in your car or attaching itself to you with its claws while you are driving.

A cat carrier is the best choice all around and will help your cat feel secure as well. Since there are a variety of different cat carriers to choose from, again it will depend largely on your preference and how much you want to spend. It's a good idea to make sure that the carrier is big enough to fit your cat and allow them to move around while in it.

This is largely due to the fact that they will play with whatever it is you have handy. Whether it is a string, a leaf, wrapping paper, or a ball, they will be completely content swatting it, biting it, and tearing it apart.

Catnip:(nepeta cataria)A plant of the mint family and acts as a hallucinogen to cats.

Of course, many of these items that you have lying around your house are not the safest for cats and kittens,nor do you want them thinking that it's ok to chew on whatever they want, this is why it's important that they have some of their own toys.You can choose to go through your house and find toys that will be safe for your cat or to go to the store and purchase a few cat designated toys.

Some toys that are SAFE to give your cat that you find around the house are:

- Small balls that bounce, but they can't chew apart and aren't so small that they will get caught in their throat.

- Sewing supplies such as a empty wooden thread spool

- Balled up paper

- Boxes and gift bags filled with tissue paper

Items around the house that you should NOT give to your cat or kitten for health and safety reasons:

! Balls of string, yarn, or spools with thread on them

! Anything with wire in it

! Anything aluminum or cellophane

! Plastic bags

! Rubber bands

! Nothing that is sharp or pointy

! Nothing that can break and hurt your cat

! Nothing that they can chew off and get stuck in their throat

A collar is a very important thing if you have a cat who enjoys both the indoors as well as the outdoors. An important thing to keep in mind when buying a collar for your cat is that if they are quite active and curious, you will need to find a collar that can break away. Although a breakaway collar seems kind of strange, it is really in the best interest for your cat and their safety.

If your cat is outdoors or even inside and their collar gets caught on something you do not want them to choke, that is why it's important to look for a breakaway collar. You should have your kitten or cat begin wearing their collar as soon as possible so that they become accustomed to it.

Also make sure that your cat has some sort of

Cobby: Short body, broad, heavy boned and low on the legs. (Persian or Manx)

identification on their collar if they get lost or find themselves out of your house. You can also choose to purchase a leash and a harness if you wish to take your cat or kitten out for a walk. If you have the opportunity to train them how to walk with a leash when they are young they will adapt to it much better.

Not all cats like the leash around their neck which is why it might be necessary to purchase a harness which will be more comfortable for the cat and give you more control as well.

Grooming is a big part of having a cat, especially if you have a long haired cat so you will need to have the proper grooming tools, even if you have a short haired cat. Mainly you will just need to have a flea comb and a brush, but the tools that you will need depend largely on what type of fur your cat has. Grooming is important in order to prevent hairballs and it will also help to cut down on how much cat hair will be on your furniture.

You need to make sure that you read the label on the food that you are getting for your cat. Although it may seem strange because your cat is a pet, their nutrition is still just as important as yours is which is why you should read the ingredients so that you are aware of what is in the food you are giving your cat.

You also need to pay attention to what formula of cat food that you are purchasing. They have food for adult cats, kittens, aging cats, cats on diets, and everything in between. You don't want to be feeding your kitten adult food and vice versa.

After picking up the right food for your cat, there

Conformation: Structure of a cat's body, legs and tail.

is matter of where to feed your cat, when to feed your cat, and how much to feed them. If you have never owned a cat before this can be quite a tricky process to figure out all on your own. First and foremost, you need to find a place that is ideal for your cat to eat at.

Think about it from your cat's perspective, you really wouldn't want to eat while adults and kids are running all around you and being loud. This is why you need to find a place that is quiet and accessible for your cat to have their food and water bowl. Once you decide on a particular place, don't keep changing it around because cats don't always deal well with that type of change.

Keep in mind that your cat might make a bit of a mess when they are drinking and eating so it may not be wise to put the food and water in an area that is going to be ruined by the mess. You also need to make sure that you are keeping the bowls clean and changing the water out on a regular basis in order to avoid your cat getting sick.

As far as when you should feed your cat, it is good to get your cat into the habit of eating at a particular time each day. Just as humans eat

Dew claw: The first digit found on the inside of the leg above the front paws.

breakfast, lunch, and dinner at certain times, so should your cat. Of course this might not be quite so easy if you are away from the house during the day, but there is a solution. If the cat is eating dry cat food you can simply put the entire days ration into the food bowl and your cat can eat from it throughout the day.

If you aren't sure you want to put it all in, you can choose to be half of it in the bowl. It's really up to you and your schedule as to what a regular and convenient feeding schedule will be, but it is wise to get a regular pattern started.

Listed below will give you some ideas as to how to coordinate your feeding schedule.

At 4-6 weeks
1/2 to 1 oz
3 to 4 times per day
7 weeks to 6 months
1 to 3 oz
3 to 4 times per day
7 months to 1 year
3 oz
2 times per day or you can leave 6 oz in their bowl all day

You can also look on the package of cat food that you buy for information on food amounts they suggest you should give to your cat everyday.

- You shouldn't give your cat bones; this is a good rule for any pet whether they are a cat or a dog. Chicken bones, pork bones, and fish bones are a big NO because they can cause quite a bit of damage to your cats tummy and throat that could lead to a trip to the veterinarian or worse.

- Again a good tip for any animal, don't give your cat leftovers from the table. Although you think that you are doing them a favor by giving them a treat, you could be making a bigger problem when your cat begins to avoid their cat food.

- Cats can't eat two foods in particular, the first being chocolate and the second being onions. Both of these foods are considered a toxic food to your cat.

- Despite what you may have seen on television or in the movies, cats do not need to drink milk. What more, if you give milk to your cat you might find yourself cleaning up after an icky mess since it can cause diarrhea.

- The last tip is not to feed your cat any other animal's food. They need the nutrients that are in their cat food and dog food won't quite give them what they need.

Cats are very similar to people in many ways. Just as it is important to watch what is going into you cats tummy, you also need to keep an eye on how much is going into your cat's tummy. When people eat too much food, over time they become overweight and cats are the same. If they become used to eating however much they want, when they want, it is a sure bet that you will have a pretty fat cat on your hands after a while. This is especially true as your cat gets older and less active. If you aren't sure if your cat is fat or not, there are a few telling signs that you can look for that are pretty similar as to when you can tell if a person is overweight.

A double chin is always a telling sign of a weight problem. If you find that your cat has a bunch of fat underneath their chin, they might have a weight problem.

A big stomach is another sign, if their stomach is hanging, they might have a weight problem

Another is whether or not you can feel your cat's ribs. On a healthy cat you should be able to feel their rib cage, if you cannot feel your cat's rib cage then you cat is definitely overweight.

Hybrid vigor: Increased vitality resulting from breeding cats of two different breeds together.

Just as people think that their weight might not be a big deal, many cat owners might not feel it too distressing that their cat is a little overweight. The reality is that being overweight can cause many health problems in your cat. The more weight your cat has on their body, the more weight and pressure they have to carry around on a daily basis. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what and how much your cat is eating. If you do find that your cat is overweight you should probably speak to your veterinarian about it and look into buying a specially formulated cat food for overweight cats.

Whether you have an overweight cat or not, it's important to make sure that your cat gets the exercise they need. If you cat isn't overweight then the exercise will help keep them active and avoid such a predicament, but if your cat is overweight then the exercise will help them to trim off a few pounds.

The great thing is that exercising with your cat doesn't have to be a tedious activity; it can be a lot of fun. Below are a few ideas that will help you get an exercise program started with your cat.