Looking for a Good Cat Breed for Younger Couple With 2 Dogs?
I’m looking into getting a cat. I’m 29 and my girlfriend is 23. We work typical 9-5 hours although I have a little more flexibility in my schedule. We’re mostly past the "party stage" and aren’t always out so I’m not worried about leaving the cat alone for too long. We also have 2 small 15 lb dogs (jack russell mixes). They are a little hyper, but very well trained and only 2 years old and I’m positive I can train them to get along with the cat etc.
My question is what would be a good breed of cat for us? From what I’ve read the Maine Coon seems like a cool cat that is intelligent, friendly, independent, and also fairly large and in the event of a fight would probably put the dogs in their place. I’ve also read a bit about the ragdoll and that seems like it could fit for us.
Are there any other suggestions out there? And do you think the Maine Coon or Ragdoll would be a good cat for us?
Thanks for any help/advice
Ragdoll Cat – Ragdoll Cat Videos – Ragdoll Kittens
Really, any cat would do. From experience, I can say that even a tiny runt would show the dogs just who’s boss. I have a kitten and she slaps the dogs if they get too close, even though she’s only as big as their heads. xD
Look around for a nice cat, and remember that they’re all different, no matter what the breed. Although, the breed may effect some aspects of their nature.
Good luck!
american shorthair. they are the perfect cat for your sisuation!
They are both good breeds, generally laid back, however personalities will vary.
Perhaps you should consider adopting a cat from a rescue that is already good with dogs. If the cat doesn’t run from your dogs it’ll make the transition easier. You’ll be saving a life.
I wouldn’t bother with a breed of cat unless you have one in mind that really does it for you. Just get an ordinary cat-type cat, which is what almost every cat out there is and the shelters are full of them. Size, or gender either, isn’t much of an issue when it comes to cats asserting themselves around dogs. The claws do that and they all have effective claws. A young cat will adapt better to the dogs than an older one. There is no way of predicting exactly how any cat will react to dogs. I have one very large male cat who simply avoids my dogs, one somewhat smaller who asserts herself so firmly that my dogs won’t go through a doorway or up stairs if she’s in the way, and one tiny cat who treats them like buddies.
As long as you make it clear to the dogs that they’re not allowed to bother the cat, and don’t leave all 3 in the same room when you’re gone until you’re very sure how they get along, all should be well regardless of the type of cat you get.
I’ve never had a cat who wasn’t intelligent, they are all independent compared to dogs though some appreciate company more than others, and friendly comes from how you treat a cat as much as anything else.
Ragdolls thrive on human affection and companionship. They act more like puppies than kittens because they will follow you around the house and want to be with you constantly. This may make your dogs jealous. They’re a great cat if you have time to spend with them.
Also, ragdolls and maine coons are large cats — at full size they will be bigger than your 15 lb dogs.