Some cat breeds are low maintenance, while others require frequent brushing. Cat breeds are not as different from each other as different dog breeds but there are still some mighty different types of cats out there. Some cat breeds are people-pets and there are other cat’s breeds that prefer to be aloof and independent. Some cat breeds are more prone to spells of silence, but sometimes individual cats of the more vocal breeds are also not very talkative.

Cats Are Unique

Cats have amazing abilities to hear, see and smell. Cats will also turn their ears back when they are playing or to listen to a sound coming from behind them. Felines will also use contact to communicate urgency, from gentle reminders of feeding time to a demanding insistent rub. Cats involved in a conflict may extend their fully bristled tail straight into the air and turn their body sideways to appear larger.

Traits of the Cat Breeds

Some cat breeds require a great deal of brushing and maintenance to keep them happy and healthy and others only shed twice a year. Breeds are more often differentiated by their bodies and faces, and sometimes distinctive physical characteristics such as tailless or folded ears. Remember that no kitten is alike but, much like purebred dogs, different breeds of cats tend to have their own unique traits that may or may not affect your decision. Some cat breeds tend to be better with children or other pets, while other breeds of cat are commonly more aloof and prefer a more solitary existence.

What to Expect In Domestic Cats

Domesticated felines eat fairly little vegetable matter. Domestic cats are usually white, black, yellow, or grey and sometimes have markings of a different color. Domestic mixed-breed cats are generally characterized by long, thin tails, straight ears, and short hair of a variety of colorations. While most domestic felines are not purebreds (only 3% belong to a certain cat breed), there is a wide variety of breeds and most house cats reflect the traits of one or more of the different cat breeds.

Feline Behavior

Knowing what normal cat behaviour is will help in training felines and treating problem cat behaviour. Play-motivated aggressive behaviours are commonly observed in young, active felines less than two years of age. Play incorporates a variety of behaviours, such as exploratory, investigative and predatory, and provides young cats with opportunities to practice skills they would normally need for survival. Treats can help during playtime, but try to limit their use as positive rewards for behaviour modification. Felines are highly social; a primary difference in social behaviour between cats and dogs (to which they are often compared) is that felines do not have a social survival strategy, or a "pack mentality", however this only means that cats take care of their basic needs on their own. With proper training and reinforcement of social behaviour, poorly socialized cats can become more social over time. Hunting has likewise become central to their behavior patterns, even to their predilection for short bursts of intense exercise punctuating long periods of rest. Scratching behaviour seems enjoyable to the cat, and even declawed cats will go through elaborate scratching routines with every evidence of great satisfaction, despite the total lack of results.

Conclusion

Some of the most popular cat breeds are Persians, Himalayans, Ragdolls, Siamese and Maine Coon. The more aloof cat breeds are: Norwegian Forest, Russian Shorthair and Nebelung. Although it is true that most cat breeds are known to have certain traits, felines are very much individuals and a cat of a breed noted for its independence could be in fact very dependent. With a little research, however, you are sure to determine which cat breeds are suited to your own situation.