Cats are cool. Big, small, skinny, chunky, furry, hairless — all of them can bring their owners tons and tons of happiness. Sure, cats have a reputation for being a little bit arrogant, naughty, and even obnoxious, but these characteristics combined with their goofiness, playfulness, and affection make felines truly likable characters. This alone can be a good reason to get a cat.
There are more reasons you or your loved ones may want to have a cat. Some people need to have an emotional support animal, some people would want to get an eco-friendly pet choice, and some people need to keep their house and yard free of rodents.
Despite the reasons that drive your decision of owning a cat, not all breeds will be suitable enough for a first-time owner. If you want to choose a pet that will be easy to maintain and will love you unconditionally, here are your top five choices to consider.
Huge charming blue eyes, long soft bright fur, big size, and a relaxed personality make Ragdoll an awesome first pet for a new cat owner. These cats go really well with other pets if you have any and will love all your friends and family members. But the most important fact is that your Ragdoll will be absolutely crazy in love with you. This breed is sometimes called a “puppycat” because they like to stay around their owner for as long as possible. Yes, including bathrooms. Also, Ragdolls are playful: You can teach them how to play fetch or even walk on a leash.
Ragdolls are quite healthy cats, but you need to know about possible heart conditions and kidney stones. To be aware of what your pet can have, you can use a DNA test for cats. It will quite accurately show you what issues you can expect and help you be prepared for them.
Even though there are plenty of hairless cat breeds, Sphynx is usually the first that comes to mind. There are plenty of people who don’t consider them pretty, but once you get a Sphynx, you will love it with all your heart. Technically, a Sphynx is not completely hairless: They are covered with a downy fur that closely resembles peach skin. On the one hand, your house will not be covered in cat hair 24/7. On the other hand, they need to be bathed frequently since their fur cannot absorb bodily oils properly.
Usually, these cats are lovely and affectionate. They will accompany you in each of our activities from work to greeting guests. Regarding Sphynx's health, they can suffer from a muscle disease called hereditary myopathy. And you need to pay close attention to what their skin feels and looks like.
Even if you didn’t hear that name before, you definitely know this cute little face with folded ears. What is interesting is when Scottish Folds are born, their ears look just like any other cat’s ears. They start to fold somewhere around the second week.
These cats are really, really smart. They can find a way out of almost every situation and can sometimes do mischievous stuff. Scottish Folds also like to solve puzzles, so you can play games that will intellectually challenge them.
Regarding their health, Folds are quite healthy cats, but they can be born with a skeletal disease or develop polycystic kidneys.
This is one of the biggest cat breeds in the world. Despite their sometimes brooding looks, Maine Coons are huge fluffy chunks of love and affection. They will love you, they will love your friends, they will love your dog, they will love everyone. Also, they are quite vocal cats: Besides default meowing and purring, Maine Coons can produce a variety of sounds to communicate with you.
Their hair is long and thick but doesn’t usually matt. As big cats, they can suffer from hip dysplasia which affects hip sockets. It can be painful for the cat, so be ready to buy painkillers or go to surgery.
Almost unnaturally big ears and skinny looks make Orientals very distinctive. These cats are intelligent and not really affectionate to strangers. The most common health issues include crossed eyes, bladder stones, and mast cell cancer.
The list of cat breeds suitable for a first-time owner is not limited to the above-mentioned options. There are more breeds that you can consider, but one of these five will make the best choice. Please note that even though a breed sets specific standards for appearance and behavior patterns, each cat will have its own personality and its own health issues. Also, you will need to decide whether you will be involved in breeding or you will neuter your pet. Whatever your choice will be, love your cat and it will love you back.