Suggest some cat breeds please the more breeds the better?

Question

i really want to get a cat but my dad is allergic to them. he said that i could get a cat if i pay for ever thing including the cat and make sure he doesn't get an allergic reaction. we have a huge room downstairs that's filled with Windows and fly screens. i want to keep the cat there and the room is big enough for the cat to get lots of exercise. i have 2 dogs so the cat will have to be sociable to dogs or else i wont be able to get a cat. i have a hepa air purifier and vacuum and hypoallergenic cat shampoo. i have even got a specially designed brush that attracts the allergen and picks up hair fibers and dander. if worst comes to worst my dad said he would even get the allergy shots or take medication for it but he would prefer not too. i have heaps of other ideas but my main concern is getting the cat. i don't want to get a completely hairless cat or a semi hairless cat like the cornish rex or the devon rex because they don't have very good temperaments and do not get along with dogs. Can you please suggest a good lap cat that is small, has short fur, has a great temperament (loves to be held and patted) gets along with dogs and doesn't shed much. i know its allot to ask but as many breeds as you can find will be great :)

also is it true that if you handle a kitten allot when its young it will get used to it? thanks.

Answer 1

Try a ragdoll kitten, preferrably a female as males seem to cause more severe allergic reactions than females. Their hair is non-shedding, they are known to be less likely to cause allergic reactions and they are very calm; their laid-back, sweet demeanor is where they get the name "ragdoll" from.  Hand raising a kitten from a young age does help the cat become used to human interaction, but this also depends on the individual cat..when picking out a kitten wait and see which one comes to your first and how it reacts to being handled (purring, hissing, etc.), don't just dive in and pick out the one you think is cutest-you may end up with a very pretty but very bad tempered cat!  Good luck finding the perfect kitten :)

Answer 2

I own an American Short Hair<33

Cutest little guy in the world :]

Ya know what?

He's 13 and going to be 14 in October and he's still the cutest little guy ever!

Answer 3

Domestic shorthairs, which is sort of a catch-all for short haired, medium bodied/sized cats of any color, are great cats. They're usually friendly, playful, and cuddly. The majority of cats are domestic shorthairs.

For pure breeds, I would suggest the Singapura. They're friendly, playful, and affectionate cats, and they're small. A pure breed is going to be expensive though (this is true whatever breed you go for). Pet quality Singapuras are around 600-800, according to wikipedia.

Answer 4

I highly recommend looking into adopting a Bengal cat.

This breed is wonderful! Bengal cats are full of love and affection, love to get attention and give it, and are often called "dogs in cat suits" because they behave much like dogs, and often get along with dogs.

They are short-haired, and are often hypoallergenic (Bengals only have one layer of fur, as opposed to most cats, that have two, so dander doesn't stay on them as much...I think that's why they are good for people with allergies, at least).

I had a Bengal, and she was wonderful. Leash-trained, command-trained, loved to go for walks, loved small dogs (she wasn't great with big dogs, but she tolerated them). She loved to play fetch and loved to curl up against me.

I have a friend who is super allergic to cats (ironically, his nickname is Flea), but whenever he came over to my house while I had my Bengal, he was never bothered by her, even though she sat in his lap and loved on him the entire time he was there (the little flirt!).

Depending on where you live, you may be able to adopt a rescue  Bengal cat or a retired breeder or show cat. Adopting a Bengal is a bit pricier than some other breeds, and definitely pricier than adopting a mixed breed, but I found the $150 adoption fee I paid for my Bengal extremely well worth it, as she was in wonderful health and perfect temperament.

The only concern is that Bengals need lots of attention and lots of socialization...your Bengal would not like to be left in a room by him/herself...(s)he will want to be where the people and dogs are. But because Bengals are often hypoallergenic, your dad may not have any problem with him/her, and so there won't be any need to keep the cat in a seperate room. I would suggest a visit with your father before adopting the cat for sure.

Oh, one more thing...Bengals are GORGEOUS. They look like miniature leopards, and your Bengal will be the envy of the neighborhood for his/her beauty and unique appearance. Check out the link to pictures of Bengals to see what I mean.

Answer 5

Temperament is as different in every cat as it in every person. Even cats of the same breed are each going to have their own temperament. Getting along with dogs or not is all in how they are raised; same to do with a lot of the temperament. I would really recommend that you reconsider the cornish and devon rexes. They are wonderful cats and mine are very friendly.

Answer 6

American Domestic Short Hair cats are very playful.

Answer 7

Get a Bengal or a Chausie cat. These are both Hybrids and I own them both. Males are more affectionate, and neither are really "Lap cats", only when they want to be! But they are very active, intelligent, attentive, social and will get along well with pets. Both breeds are recommended for people with allergies such as myself. Both have short hair with not a lot of shedding. I hope this helps you. BTW, an Abyssinian cat may be good for you also with regard to being a lap cat and easy on the allergies.