Fancy A Fine Feline? What To Do Before Investing In A Purebred Cat To Ensure The Purrfect Match
While any cat can provide the companionship, affection, and fun that makes having one so special, if you're interested in a purebred feline, you've more work to do than if you were less finicky. Since purebred animals cost a lot more and can come with unique issues specific to their lineage, you want to ensure the pet you purchase is as close to "purrfect" as possible.
Get To Know The Breed
Nobody can tell you with 100% certainty that a certain cat will have certain characteristics; however, there are statistical patterns for certain breeds, and you should align yourself with them. For example, the Bombay cat, although sweet, loyal, and affectionate, may take exception to your prolonged absences, perhaps tearing up your house or crying loudly enough to give rise to complaints from your neighbor. This particular breed also gains weight rather easily without sufficient exercise, meaning that if you don't have the time and energy to devote to one, it's not going to be a match made in kitty heaven.
Different breeds align better with different circumstances, making it essential that you know, as best as you can, what a certain feline will be like before setting your heart on one.
Research Your Buying Options
Buying a purebred animal is best done through a reputable breeder, but if you can't find one in your area, you may get lucky through various online classifieds. Wherever you search, though, make sure there's some way to verify the validity of the seller and have the animal examined first. Your new cat should come with papers that prove the bloodline and offer some guarantee of health, likely for the first month or so, with other specifications noted. There should be a veterinarian that you can call who has already seen the animal or, if not, an opportunity for you to bring the kitty to the clinic of your choice.
Get Set With Your Vet
Check with your vet about the source of your new cat. If a seller offers animals that present too many health issues, your vet will likely know about it, from the cats coming in to see them. Your vet may also offer advice on the breed and whether or not they recommend that specific cat for your situation, like if you have children or other pets or are away too much of the time. If the feline you fancy is prone to problems, such as the stuffy nose of a Persian or hemophilia tendencies of a British Shorthair, that should be a consideration in your eventual decision on who to welcome into your home.
Bring Your New Bundle Of Feline Joy For An Exam
Your new cat may need a set of vaccinations and/or to be spayed or neutered unless you intend to breed. Either way, though, it's good to schedule a checkup around the time the animal has adjusted to its new home. Keep a running list of any questions you have or issues that may arise so your investment is protected and the feline is happy and healthy in the new environment.
Once your heart is set on a specific breed of fancy feline, settling for anything else may be out of the question. Just as if you were searching for a new human companion, though, proper vetting is essential to a long-term, successful relationship. Make sure the breed is right for you, your household, and your lifestyle, and make sure a local animal clinic like Clovis Veterinary Hospital P A approves the match. Thereafter, the fancy feline bliss should be yours.
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