What Breed of Cat?

[Yorkiemom1]

My son's cat just passed yesterday...maybe day before, I can remember....I am not a cat person and really know nothing about cats...but I know my son simply ADORES cats and so I tolerate his love for cats and allow him to have one.

I always got his cats from SPCA, and we have always lucked out and ended up with wonderful, sweet, loving cats....his cat he just lost, Stacie, was more like a dog that a cat...very family devoted, not aloof or mean....I do not like cats, and I cried my eyes out when that cat died....

So I am now looking for another cat...thought I would get a breed that is KNOWN to be sweet and loving....I found several breeds on line....that Egyptian Mau sounds like such a doll and I am starting to research this breed as well as breeders. Are any of you ladies/gents knowledgeable about this breed of cat? I want short haired....any advice or direction would be appreciated....

I feel like one of those people that come on here trying to learn about Yorkies and where to find them, etc!!!!!

[lisaly]

My heart goes out to both Jimmy and you. I don't know much about breeds other than Ragdoll and Maine Coone, which are very friendly, but they have longer hair. Please tell Jimmy that I am very sorry for his loss.

[buddybear]

I know nothing about the breed you are looking at. I've owned several cats and the most affectionate, sweet tempered cat who accepted Buddybear right away was my orange tabby I got when he was in Petsmarts rescue when Tigger was 1 1/2 years old. I had Tigger over 11 years when Buddybear came into my life. They would groom each other and play together.
My friends all wanted Tigger if anything ever happened to me. Sadly we had to have Tigger put to sleep earlier this year. I see an orange kitty and my heart skips a beat.

[Yorkiemom1]

Thank you both....I worked with a lady that had a Maine Coon....HUGE, but soooooooo sweet and lovable....but long hair with shedding.....A friend used to breed some bald cat...but it had an aloof personality....

I had also gotten all three of the cats I have gotten for Jimmy, from the ASPCA....and they all lasted 12-16 years....they were all gray tabbies, I think he called them....they were all three such adorable, loving cats....I just can not believe I could possibly be lucky enough to get another precious loving cat again! My x-husband was cat crazy...that cat stuff is, like my momma used to say, "in the blood" because I left my ex and took my son when he was only 5 years old....my son was not raised around cats at all, but he just always adored cats! So I finally broke down and got him one.....when that one died, we got another one, and then along came Stacie when the last one died....Stacie lived longer than any of them before....all of them strictly indoors, never outside....she was really a precious cat....they all were....I just can not imagine I would ever be that lucky again....I have contacted the president of the club that was listed on line for that "Egyptian Mau"....I am anxious to hear what she has to say/offer/advise.

[Cherie6446]

All my cats have been rescues and they fit in with my dogs very well. You should visit some groups and maybe you will find the right cat for you. If my health was not so perilous I would get a cat. Both my husband and I would love to get a cat but he hasn't a clue how to care for the dogs or a cat. That is a burden for me thinking what will happen if something happens to me.

[danniko]

I am so sorry about Stacie. My husband and I unexpectedly lost our 4 year old cat due to a heart condition that went undetected in February and it was devastating, my heart is definitely with you guys.

I know you said you didn't want long hair but my husband and I have a Turkish Angora and she is so much like a dog that we often joke that she is more of a dog than Sophie! Her body hair isn't as long as the rest of her, the longest part of her hair is her beard and tail. She follows us around, she gives kisses, greets us at the door, knows her name and comes when she is called and she even begs for people food sometimes! She even prefers dogs over cats to play with!

We find that she doesn't shed any more or less than our regular domestic cats and she doesn't have an undercoat like some long haired cats, so her shedding isn't too bad.

We have had her for 6 years and she is likely around 12 years old now. She has slowed down - but that is understandable as she had a pretty rough go for the beginning of her life and she did unfortunately have a stroke this year, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her. She is currently running around with our youngest cat playing and loves to play with all of the stereotypical cat toys!

Sometimes though the SPCA will know cats well enough that they could help you find one with a perfect personality, if you ended up not knowing what breed or couldn't find a breed that was perfect!

[chachi]

I like the idea of going to a shelter to find a cat. In my experience with cats the males are usually sweeter than the females

[MarkFromSea]

Right up until I read you wanted a short hair breed, I automatically thought of a Maine Coon. I believe I've had two Maine Coon mixes. Loved em both. Both were more of a dog's temperament, not aloof, one of them retrieved just as a dog should, better than the three dogs I have now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon

RIP "Big Bad Meow" and "Scooby Doobie Doo"

[Wylie's Mom]

I've always found Rag Dolls and Persians incredibly affectionate!

But maybe just head to one of your shelters and interact w/ some of the babies there who need a home. At the shelter where I volunteer, there are sooooo many countless super affectionate kitty cats!

[Yorkiemom1]

Thank you for all your suggestions....I am not a cat person and know NOTHING about all the different breeds....I did contact by email, a breeder of American Shorthairs that is in the Dallas area.....her set up for cats is almost identical to my set up with the Yorkies....even down to the contract!!! I emailed her and am waiting to hear from her. Her site says they wont have any kittens until April/May, which is great for us....

[SirTeddykins]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Thank you for all your suggestions....I am not a cat person and know NOTHING about all the different breeds....I did contact by email, a breeder of American Shorthairs that is in the Dallas area.....her set up for cats is almost identical to my set up with the Yorkies....even down to the contract!!! I emailed her and am waiting to hear from her. Her site says they wont have any kittens until April/May, which is great for us....

Good luck! I don't know much about any breed of cat apart from Persians who don't shed but you do have to maintain their fur. A lot like Yorkies from that point of view, I guess! They are docile, loving and easy going. Kinda lap cats, I guess not demanding in the slightest but definitely entertaining when they play.

[Cha Cha]

Bless your sons heart. I literally grew up in a barn with hundreds of cats. I was known for bringing all the strays I found along the roadsides home and prided myself in that I never met a feral cat I couldn't tame. No matter where momma cats hid their kittens I always found them. We called them barn cats but as hard as my mom tried to keep them out many came in the house with me. I was never without a cat in my arms. I got ringworm from playing with the darn cats when I was very little.

I don't have any experience with exotic breeds, but if you really want to go with a pure breed I think the Egyptian Mau sounds awesome! But, I would also love a Bengal cat too. Gotta love a guy that loves cats. Wish my husband did. Good luck in your search.

[Yorkiemom1]

Thank you all for your kind words for Jimmy....I will find him a cat he will love....I see people have an aversion to declawing cats....his first cat was playing with my yorkie, and she scratched her eyeball....my poor baby had to have eye drops in that eye twice a day, for the rest of her life (12 years)....I have always gotten these cats declawed to save my dog's eyes, as well as furniture and drapes....seems like declawing is now passe'.....I guess like cropping tails on Yorkies....any other time, this stray female that hangs around the neighborhood would have a litter of kittens she hides in old planter pots behind my garage.....of course, no such luck with that now....this lady I am talking to about this Egyptian Mau is a shower/breeder/judge....her kittens are on a waiting list...looking at maybe a year and half for a kitten...just like MY breeding business!!! Dont know if I can get Jimmy to wait that long.....He does know from our business, it is better to wait for quality, so maybe I can convince him to wait....he is still grieving for Stacie....to be expected.....

[sophie31]

I have had a few cats and always found ginger / orange are the friendliest and love to be around people

[chachi]

Originally Posted by sophie31

I have had a few cats and always found ginger / orange are the friendliest and love to be around people

It is funny but the two cats I have had that have been the sweetest were orange males and my neighbor has an orange male that is her sweetest