First time cat owner? Here's our top breeds for your first pet
If you're a first-time cat owner, how do you choose the best kitty for you? Here's our top cat breeds for an easy pet experience.
Bringing a new pet into the family can be a daunting task for anyone: especially when it's your very first. Many cat breeds can be tricky to tame, whilst others are the cat's meow. So how do you know which breed can be right for you? From Sphynxs, to Maine Coons, to American Shorthairs, we'll help you find your perfect feline match.
Here's our first purr-fect pussycat, a breed that's affectionate, fun-loving, and super for families.
Persian
One of the friendliest and fluffiest pet breeds around is the beloved Persian. This cat breed loves to lounge around the house, and doesn't typically require too much energy to keep entertained. They adore spending time with their favourite humans, and love nothing more than cuddling up on your lap after a long day of naps and playtime. When it comes to socialising with children and other animals, this is a safe breed to choose as they are known for being easy-going and patient with others.
Their beauty can come at a price however, as their long, luxurious coats may need regular brushing, and can leave fluff all over your new sofa or favourite jumper. If you're a cat lover though, this is nothing compared to the kittycat cuddles. Our Chicken Mousse is our favourite choice for Persian pussycats, who need classic flavour and a scrummy texture.
Up for a different friendly breed, with beautiful flowing locks? Here's the cat for you.
Maine Coon
Maine Coons, like Persians, love attention and cuddles, and are definitely one of the friendliest cat breeds. They are also very intelligent, so you shouldn't have much trouble teaching them basic commands (backflips not included). They are great with children and other animals due to their outgoing nature, so make a great addition to a bustling family. As a more playful breed, they take a little more energy to care for, so if you're up for some playtime, this could be the cat for you.
You may think they need regular grooming for their hair to stay manageable and luscious, but Maine Coons aren't too high maintenance and only need occasional brushing. Just be prepared to tackle the brush more often and deal with some shedding when summer comes round. Our Turkey Pâté with Chicken and Squash is developed especially for the refined feline palate, so we recommend this tasty dish for a smart cat (psst...if you'd like to make yourself a Turkey Pâté too, check out our recipe here).
Up next, we have one more beautiful long haired kitty, that is perfect for the more cuddly owners.
Ragdoll
For the owners who want more kisses and cuddles than adventure and playtime, we suggest the gorgeous Ragdoll. Like the previous breeds, this is another cat with fur to die for, although unlike the other's, their coats are more fluff than length. These gentle kittycats love nothing more than spending quality time with their owners and taking a hard earned nap, so are paw-fect for older, disabled, or quieter owners. They also make great pets for families with children, who want a chill and easy-going cat breed to join the pack. Make sure you can devote enough time to your new Ragdoll however, as they can get lonely if left alone for long periods of time, or if they don't get the affection they need.
This breed's purr-fect coat is also fairly low maintenance, and they will take care of it mostly themselves. Just be sure to give them a good brush in those summer months, or if they need a bit more floof in their fluff. Nothing suits a Ragdoll better than our Chicken Chunks meal, as the warm and delicious flavours pair great with your new best friend.
Perhaps the high grooming needs aren't for you, so if you're looking for a cat with a lot less poof, this next breed could be your perfect match.
Siamese
Don't get it wrong: just because these breeds have less fluff, it doesn't make them any less glamourous. Siamese cats are a fabulous shorthair breed, that make for one of the friendliest first-time kittys. They love attention and playtime, and are happy socialising with humans and animals alike. Their trademark trait is their persistent vocals, so you won't have to worry about this cat not communicating to you. If you don't mind a loud and proud kitty, this breed is also highly intelligent, making them more trainable than other cats.
We've got an easy one here: the Siamese's short hair means you won't have to do any grooming, unless your cat just loves a good brush. They will also shed less in the summertime, keeping your home more hair-free. An easy way to help their coats shine and keep tummies happy is to serve up our Tuna with Salmon Mousse meal, as it's full of superfoods and flavour, just superb for your Siamese.
After all these sensational cat breeds, we've got an all-round beloved cat breed to end our list with a bang. Can you guess what it is?
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is a classic and well-rounded breed that makes the perfect first-time addition to most families. They are affectionate and social, as well as playful and curious. They are also usually in good health and have a long lifespan, so can be a great first pet for children. Just make sure you provide them with plenty of enrichment and adventure, as they need ample space to explore.
This cat is exactly as it says: shorthair. This means that, like the Siamese, they don't have any particular grooming needs, and (hopefully) won't trigger allergies as often as a floofier breed may do. Our Chicken with Beef Chunks is the perfect companion to any fun-loving cat, and makes a tasty treat after a long day of play.
If you want to find the paw-fect meal for your pussycat's personality, check out our full range of cat food to find whisker licking goodness, for cats of every shape and size. From grain-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your kittycat will be feeling paw-some and eating like royalty.
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