Cat 1: a cuddly lump. Liked everybody, would snuggle up to complete strangers.
Cat 2: a bit of a psycho. Liked to leap out of hiding and bite ankles (I thought it hilarious, my wife, less so…). Was also extremely leery of strangers, and would go into hiding as soon as the doorbell rang. It was a running joke with friends and family that we had an imaginary cat, as virtually no one ever saw him.
Both were neutered males, both were Domestic Shorthair, basic tabby cats.
We’re considering getting a new cat, and would prefer personality type of Cat 1…is there any way to pick out a kitten who will grow into this type of cat?
Cat 1 was orange, Cat 2 grey. I’ve heard that orange males tend to the cuddly lump type…is there any truth to that?
Are you looking at getting an adult cat or a kitten? If adult cat, a visit to a few area shelters where you can interact with the cats, pick them up, cuddle them will tell you what it’ll be like. For a kitten - I think the couple kittens I’ve ever had were fairly well the same then as they grew up - except a bit less wild in play once fully grown. The more time you spend socializing a kitten, the more social they’ll be as an adult - and the more people they meet as a kitten the more they’ll be fine around visitors to the house.
Maine coon are notoriously easy to get along wth, big lumps of love. I love Siamese for personality. They can be the most difficult though. Never boring! And they talk, alot! Don’t know about the color thing.
Drive up to Sacramento and adopt Theodore! He is the bestest cat ever. Super mellow and chill, but doesn’t mind being held like a baby. I would have adopted him myself if I wasn’t already at my limit with two cats and two dogs. I visit with him every time I’m at the shelter (couple times a week). Theodore
I have an orange male and he has an anxiety disorder. We got him when he was three and suspect he was abused. He gets upset when anyone leaves the house or even when we aren’t where we’re “supposed” to be, like me at my desk or Mr. H in his office.
My friend raises foster kittens and socializes them. She takes them everywhere from a young age after getting them used to a harness. The ones she’s had further into adulthood really turn out to be cool cats who love riding in cars. She has horses and takes them to the barn, to Petco, etc. Of course, cats have different personalities, but I think if you seriously worked on socialization your chances of having a cat like #1 are much higher.
Siameses are notorious 1-person cats. They tend to get very attached to just one person in the house, and be kind of “meh” about everyone else. Occasionally you get one who is hostile to other people.
Cats who are very friendly to everyone are sometimes friendly to the plumber, the Mormon missionary, etc., and also try to get out the front door a lot-- and if you are planning on indoor/outdoor cats, friendly cats will cross the street, no matter how busy it is. Homebody cats will stick very close to the house.
Right now, we have a 1-person cat, who adopted me at the shelter as a tiny kitten by jumping on my shoulder repeatedly, and basically saying “I’m going home with you,” when I wasn’t even there for a cat. She tolerates my husband, and doesn’t like my son much, although as he gets older, she gets better. The other cat likes EVERYBODY, and is also an escape artist. She “helps” any workers who come into the house, almost like a dog. She was rehomed to us when she was 4, and I worry that she feels she has to turn on the charm for everyone, because she might get rehomed again. I think we might even have been her third home.
I love Siamese cats. They’re very loud, true, but I like talkative cats. They’re funny. And no, you don’t have to go to a breeder or a pet store if you want a specific breed, either. You can find them at shelters – they may not be pure bred, but you can get them.
Two of ours’ are part Siamese (they’re littermates) and they are friendly to EVERYBODY. Especially Luci*. Her father person is my dad, but she’s the most outgoing cat I’ve ever met. A guest comes to the house and she’s in their lap, purring and rubbing against them.
*The strange thing though is that Luci doesn’t look at all Siamese – the only reason we know is that Annie is, and they’re sisters. Annie’s a flamepoint, but Luci’s an orange tabby. The only trait she has is the crooked tail. (We suspect they have different fathers?)
Within an hour of creating this thread, I got an ad on Facebook pointing me to a listicle on “the most affectionate cat breeds.” Coincidence? Doubtful.
The answers were 8 breeds I’d never heard of, plus Siamese.
My Siamese is very friendly from a distance, but she love, loves me only. She talks to me constantly, unless asleep. All the kids and grand kids want her to play with them, she won’t do it. Just stares and sometimes smiles at them. It is hilarious! Go Meeko!
