I am a very responsible teenage girl looking for a new kitten! My dad is the problem person who is debating with me why I should or should not get one. He is debating over if my brother will torture (or be tortured) by the little cat.

But... there is more. My grandmother has a cat and my brother is very gentle, careful and loving toward the cat. She used to run but now she likes stays when my brother comes (she really isn't very fond of visitors so...).

But of course a kitten would be different. A little more frantic, and smaller, so she would be more afraid of my bro. So some tips one getting them along, showing my bro how to play with a kitten and how to tell him when not to play with the cat.

Then we have a really old, slow, small/medium dog that really just lays there unless she poops or eats. *zzzz* of course I love her, just I am a total cat person.(You all should know!)

So what kind of breed of cat would be appropriate for my lifestyle?

^{_{Cats are treasures but we treat them like kings.}}

I'd also suggest an older kitten, like one about 6-8 months old or a young adult cat.  Or even two kittens - they'll keep each other company and will be more likely to leave your dog alone. 

Cats_Dolls

You said earlier "I'd also suggest an older kitten, like one about 6-8 months old or a young adult cat.  Or even two kittens - they'll keep each other company and will be more likely to leave your dog alone."

Well... thanks! But it really wasn't what I was worried about. My dog really just lives in one room (we are really unsure why) and I will help protect him.

And getting two cats is just not an option...as I meantioned before the problem arguer (my dad) will barely alow one kitten, and two would just be a direct "No, and don't ask again."

And I really did want to get a younger kitten, but I could consider an older one.

Thanks,

iwannakitty

^{_{Cats are treasures but we treat them like kings.}}

Only select a long haired cat if you have time and patience to brush every day and even then they shed!  Short haired cats are way easier in that respect.  Even if a kitty has "medium" length hair it might grow into a long haired cat.  If you don't brush them every day their fur gets matted.

Bring a teaser kitty toy with you and go and look at the kittens.  Pick out one you are interested in and go and spend time in the visiting room with it.  Is it cuddley? Or does it try and get away?  If you put it on the floor does it run away from you and try to hide? Does the kitten hiss at you?

Stand up and walk towards the kitten, does it get really scared and try to hide?

You want to pick out a well-adjusted kitty -- one that doesn't hiss at you, doesn't try to get away from you, doesn't freak out if you clap your hands, etc.

After a bit, try and play with the kitty with the teaser toy (a stick with a string and usually a feather tied to the string)

Does the kitty take a couple of swings at it?  Kitty seem curious about it? Or does kitty get scared and try to hide?

After visiting with a few kittens, you'll find "the one".  If you are a teenager and this is your first kitty - you will probably have this cat until you are in your 20's or later!  My son was 7 years old when he got his cat and she passed away when he was 27!

This will be a great companion and friend for you!

How old is your little brother?  If you are worried he will hurt your kitty, never leave him alone with it and try to teach him how to pet her gently.

One last thought, if you adopt from a shelter you are saving a kitty's life!

Hope this helps!

SuperCat

^{_{Cats are treasures but we treat them like kings.}}

But still plannin' on adopting mine from the pound!

^{_{Cats are treasures but we treat them like kings.}}

Ragdolls -- cuddley laid back

Siamese -- talkative, curious, might be trouble makers - smart

Maine Coon - big lunker cuddley mischievious - part dog - med to long haired.

Siberian -- kind of the same as main coon long haired winter medium summer

Look at their basic personality traits.  Pure bred cats run anywhere from $200 and up,  A friend of mine paid $460 for her tonkinese.

The more common the purebred the lower in cost.

When you get a purebred they usually come with kitten shots but it is up to you to get them fixed and adult shots, etc.

Some people turn in purebreds to the shelter if they are problem cats, or? But you don't get paperwork with them.

My Rusty is a Siberian who was turned in at about 8 mos old because the person who bought him was moving and couldn't take him.  I didn't get any paperwork but I got a super cat who was vaccinated and neutered.

Go to Yahoo or google and enter a breed name and look at the characteristics of each breed. 

 But I must remind you that all cats no matter what their breed have their own unique personality.  Even though Ragdolls are known to be cuddley, I'm sure there is a Ragdoll owner out there somewhat that will beg to differ with you.

Kitten Rusty 8 mos:

Rusty Now:

SuperCat

Look at these two sites to get you started researching breeds:

www.cfa.org - Cat Fanciers Association

www.breedlist.com - good site with lots of info on breeds and also a listing of numerous breeders.

But unless you just fall in love with a specific breed - and that's OK too - I'd recommend a shelter kitty, especially if you've got to convince a reluctant dad.  Pet-quality purebreds (meaning they don't quite meet show standards, not that there's anything wrong with the cat) can start at $200 and may actually go up to $1200.  And the thing is, the cat never knows the difference - the $50 shelter kitty considers himself to be the equivalent of the $500 purebred, and the $500 purebred agrees!

Happy kitty-hunting!

Cats_Dolls