Cat Breed Recommendation For My Neigbor?

So my neighbor is disabled (as is her husband) I very quickly talked her out of getting a bengal! That said she asked what breed I would recomend. I told her mutts/mixed breeds are good and temperament is most important .....but my mom’s ragamuffin kitten mix seems great so a ragamuffin might be ideal for being docile, sweet, liking companship and letting you carry them around.

My question is, being aware of physical limitations, what kind of breed do you think is best for laid back extra cuddles cat companionship?

*Bengals are not a bad breed but they do require lots of physical and mental stimulation .... the reason I do not own one. I’m not bagging on bengals and might be partial to meezers .... though I do think bottle babies are the greatest!

Yeah, I would suggest that they go to shelters and look around instead of focusing on a particular breed. You aren't guaranteed that one Cat from a particular breed is going to act like another, so in their case it's probably best to just look at Cats in general until they find one that works for them.

She should go to the shelter and just observe. Some cats are reserved because they are so scared of change,that does not mean that they would not be loving, devoted pets. I hope she is aware that any cat she brings home will be frightened and will most likely hide for maybe a week, and only come out at night. As long as they are eating and drinking at night, everything is fine. I would NOT get a young kitten, they are way too active and need way too much time and care. Bold, friendly cats may be too active, you would just have to observe them for a while to see how they act when they are not excited about a visitor. Cats from different backgrounds, like Siamese and Bengal and many others are more demanding and require more stimulation and care, she must do her homework and learn what the breeds look like to avoid. Those breeds are better suited for active families with children and lots of stimulation and attention. There is always THAT ONE that will stand out, the eyes lock and the heart opens up. She will know, it just takes time! Cats make wonderful companions and great company with little upkeep. All the luck and keep us posted!

Hey I love my mixed boy and have always adopted kittens from mixed lineage in need of a home. (Points to my avatar pic of Dante as adult (R.I.P.) and my new kitten Jackie..... both mutts/mongels/mixed/beloved.) She seemed interested in a pure bred cat that would let her cuddle it and would not require tons of play when she can't get out of bed. Hence my suggestion.

I will suggest to her that she adopt a 3-5 year old cat so she can skip the kitten crazies. I already told her that individual cat's temperment is the biggest factor. I agree do and Bob, the right cat will find you.

danteshuman said:

So my neighbor is disabled (as is her husband) I very quickly talked her out of getting a bengal!

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Glad you talked them out of a bengal. A lot of people are just want a cat that is unique, exotic, something that no one else has so they can be the envy of others, etc. They don't care if the cat fits into their lifestyle or not. A super active breed like a bengal isn't ideal for someone who is disabled. Or any kitten. Kittens are too active and curious and can drive anyone bonkers, even for able-bodied people

Every cat has its unique personality, even breeds that are known for being more laid back. The best thing for your neighbors is to spend time at the local shelters and rescue and talk with the staff about exactly what they are looking for in a cat and their lifestyle. Or maybe they can foster for a shelter for awhile to see taking care of a cat works for their lifestyle and isn't too cumbersome because of their disabilities.

Here's a questionnaire that might help:

Animal Planet :: Guides :: Cat Breed Selector

danteshuman said:

So my neighbor is disabled (as is her husband) I very quickly talked her out of getting a bengal! That said she asked what breed I would recomend. I told her mutts/mixed breeds are good and temperament is most important .....but my mom’s ragamuffin kitten mix seems great so a ragamuffin might be ideal for being docile, sweet, liking companship and letting you carry them around.

My question is, being aware of physical limitations, what kind of breed do you think is best for laid back extra cuddles cat companionship?

*Bengals are not a bad breed but they do require lots of physical and mental stimulation .... the reason I do not own one. I’m not bagging on bengals and might be partial to meezers .... though I do think bottle babies are the greatest!

Click to expand...

As "rescued" is my family's and my favorite "breed" and mixed-breed cats are, in general, healthier and more robust than "purebred" cats, I would strongly, strongly suggest rescuing an ADULT cat from the street, shelter, ACC, rescue or sanctuary. Well cared for cats live into their late teens and twenties, and make wonderful companions, giving unconditional loyalty and love. A calm, sweet adult cat (or better yet, two! as cats ARE very social and two bonded cats will curl up together, entertain one another, and give twice the love!) would be a perfect family member for this couple, IMHO.

I would not focus at all on a breed as most cats are Domestic long or short hair and not any particular breed or breed mix. It isn't even accurate to call them a Ragamuffin mix for example, as they just typically aren't unless you know for sure a purebred Ragamuffin escaped and produced an accidental litter of kittens which would then be appropriately called Ragamuffin mix. Otherwise, cats are a result of generation after generation of domestics mating with domestics and producing more domestics, which is also why breed tests are not accurate either. I am only choosing Ragamuffin because you mentioned that. Domestic cats share a HUGE variety of unique, quirky, individual traits and may resemble a specific breed in that sense, but they just are not.

So now you can educate your neighbor on how cats are not any particular breed and that is why it is a great idea to just go to the shelters in your area and meet all the cats, and find one that clicks with her!

What are their disabilities? Are they able to physically pick up a cat? They might want to consider a smaller breed. A shorthair cat would be a lot easier than a longhair for grooming.

If she really wants a purebred cat, the Burmese I've seen at shows are generally very cuddly. A semi-longhair cat that requires minimal grooming is the Turkish Angora. However, they are fairly active cats, so your neighbor would need to be able to provide enough stimulation.

I’m going to be honest, apparently the housing of my county built a building in rather small city full of snooty people very concerned about the environment. Since her mom lives locally and has 3 Bengals I can only assume that is why she is so focused on a breed. I already told her that my cat that she loves is a mix and that mix cats are great. I also told her that temperament is the most important thing. However I can’t change people and I barely know her (honestly I’m just happy she realized a bengal was a bad idea!) You guys are preaching to the choir here, all my cats have been mixes and I think they are fantastic!

So working within the parameters of her mind that she needs a purebred what breed would you recommend? The only thing I can say for sure I have bias for is getting a bottle baby if you can .... and that is just because the bond is so strong when you raise them. (I also would not suggest she foster a litter because their care is intensive!)

I would look for a full-grown adult that is past the teenage stage, either a rescue kitty, or if she really wants a purebred cat, a cat from breed rescue or retired breeder cat. An adult cat has calmed down and already has its personality set, so if you are looking for a specific personality, such as a very cuddly and laid-back cat, it's easier to make sure you are getting the personality you want. Kittens of any breed can be wild and unpredictable.

If she has her heart set on a purebred, you could contact breeders and ask them about retired adults. Shorthairs are easier to groom. I agree with @abyeb that the Burmese breed has a reputation for being very physically affectionate and not too high energy... related breeds include European Burmese, Burmilla, Bombay, Tonkinese.

I agree on getting an adult cat, both because kittens are nuts, and, because their temperament is better known.

Some breeds of cat do have a bit of a different personality, although that may or may not be a good thing. Siamese (and related breeds) are super smart and social, but are also loud and high maintenance, for example.

I can't speak to other breeds, because the only pedigreed cat I've had is a Siamese. To bastardize the words of Charles Dickens, "They are the best of cats, they are the worst of cats."

danteshuman : I agree with Ragamuffins, Ragdolls and Persian mixes. And the Burmese seem to be very mellow. A good route to consider is a breed rescue because being in a foster home, IMO, provides a better assessment of the cat's normal temperament. Maine Coons are uniquely adept at adapting to individual personalities (my MC loves everybody and adjusts his behaviors according to the human's needs, from toddler to frail elderly - I think he reads interspecies body language as well as a Border Collie) but they do need lots of mental stimulation.
If they get an older cat, they can foster an intense bond with comfort grooming. Earlier this past winter, I snatched my dad's elderly, mostly feral cat inside (she hid under the piano bench all night but with true feral wisdom, realized a warm livingroom was better than thevbelow freezing outdoors). Now, 4 months later, she had graduated to comfort grooming a couple of weeks ago and just this past weekend slept on the foot of the bed with me in it! This cat is about 11 years old! (thank you to Jcatbird's fluency in "cat speak" in helping this happen ).

I had a friend who had a ragdoll. It was indeed very friendly, mostly because its instinct toward self-preservation seemed to be entirely missing. It was also not the sharpest crayon in the box if you know what I mean. I would add that it had very thick fur and was prone to matting; I believe she wound up having it shaved regularly.

Totally agree with everyone that an older rescue would be the best way to go. My Gwen, who I got as a kitten and who grew into a lovely, calm, sweet cat, was a little terror as a kitten and got into absolutely everything, unravelled the toilet paper daily, etc. We got Juniper at 8 months, and she has been perfectly behaved, except for occasional forays onto the dining room table. Going to a larger adoption center or event where your neighbor can meet the cats and evaluate their tolerance for snuggling and lap sitting is really the most reliable way to get an affectionate cat and evaluate energy levels.

Thanks I will tell her an older 3-5 rag doll, Burmese, tonkenese, and Persian mixes. I will also mention foster to adopt
The kitten that looks the most like a ragamuffin well she isn’t to good at realizing she rolls off things! She has super soft rabbit kind of fur, needs her but hair trimmed and extra brushing. She also is obsessed with water! She loves to run up and greet people, tolerates being held like she is sedated but isn’t a lap cat. She moves to a few inches away from you (we think because of the extra fur, she over heats.) The other two kittens also tolerate and like to be held belly up. (the fluffy gray kitten looks like her mom and sister .... which were found later. The other three kittens were placed in a foster home shelter thing in their city and the mom was TNR’ed.) She has that longer over coat with really soft fur that makes her look like a dust bunny and her tail look constantly poofed. This is her plus other pics attached:

She is adorable! I would describe her as a blue-cream (dilute tortoiseshell) domestic longhair. It's extremely unlikely that she would have any Ragamuffin ancestry, so I wouldn't make any assumptions about that breed's suitability for your neighbor based on the personality of this kitten. Most cats do not have specific breed ancestry.

Persians and Persian mixes can have wonderful temperaments, but they have very high grooming and care requirements. On the other hand, some people actually enjoy having a cat that needs lots of grooming every day, and for those people, Persians can be a good choice. Some Ragdolls are easier to groom, while others tend to mat more. If your neighbor wants (or needs) a cat that doesn't require much grooming, a shorthaired cat is a better bet.

Note that purebred cats of all breeds are not common... especially if you are looking for an adult cat, it can take a while to find one that is available and appropriate for a given family. So, even if your neighbor thinks that she wants to get some particular breed, you can encourage her to go and check out rescue or shelter cats "in the meantime." She's likely to find someone she falls in love with.

EVERY cat and kitten is unique, precious and beautiful. There's no such thing as an ugly cat IMHO. And each one is a treasure. The agility, grace, style, softness and elegance of cats is legendary throughout history. So matching the person/people to a cat of the demeanor/activity level/personality is important, right?

The breed-specific rescuers that I have seen are very good at promoting the mixes. I have been astonished at the pedigrees pets put away, especially in the "swankier" areas Some of the owner surrenders occur when the person dies or institutionalized and the family doesn't want to "inherit" a cat Other surrenders are because the cat stops being a kitten or has "behavior" issues (often in response to a negative home environment or improper training).
But I agree that the kill-shelter may have some good candidates. Perhaps you can do a few field trips and video some likely candidates. I have quite a few special needs people in my life and know how very difficult and tiring a field trip can be for them.
Please keep us updated!

danteshuman said:

So my neighbor is disabled (as is her husband) I very quickly talked her out of getting a bengal! That said she asked what breed I would recomend. I told her mutts/mixed breeds are good and temperament is most important .....but my mom’s ragamuffin kitten mix seems great so a ragamuffin might be ideal for being docile, sweet, liking companship and letting you carry them around.

My question is, being aware of physical limitations, what kind of breed do you think is best for laid back extra cuddles cat companionship?

*Bengals are not a bad breed but they do require lots of physical and mental stimulation .... the reason I do not own one. I’m not bagging on bengals and might be partial to meezers .... though I do think bottle babies are the greatest!

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All of the TCS members have given great info, but there's also another very important thing the owners need to be aware of and that is financial responsibility. As we all know, trips to the vet are not cheap but check ups, shots, etc are mandatory. Other than that, hope they find the perfect cat for them and have lots of happy years together!

calico man makes very good points. Some areas have financial support for the elderly and disabled who are on limited income.