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When adopting a cat, don't automatically count out older cats. There are numerous benefits to adopting an older kitty, they're much better suited to those with a busy lifestyle, among other things! Keep reading to learn more reasons why you should consider adopting an older cat. If you're thinking of rehoming a cat, don't automatically opt for the usual cute, fluffy kitten. Although we all love these tiny bundles of fun, there are so many benefits to adopting an older cat that many have never considered. A more senior cat may very well be a better fit for a busy lifestyle and will come home with an established, unique personality already fully formed. In shelters, black cats take around 13% longer to find a new home than other cats. It isn't fully understood why this is the case, but the statistics speak for themselves: cats that are black in colour are less likely to find their forever home. Here's just some of the exclusive benefits that come with adopting an older cat, and why and whywelcoming a senior feline into your home could be so much more rewarding for owners looking to rehome a pet. Why adopt an older cat? Just like humans, cats take some time to establish their personality: their likes and dislikes, particular behaviours, preferred routine and adorable character quirks. When adopting a kitten, it will take over a year for the full strength of their personality to shine through. After all, they need to get through those troublesome teenage 'years' too! On the other hand, ashelter will be able to tell you all about the personality of their senior residents. Finding the right fit for your own family and lifestyle will become so much easier when adopting an older cat, as both parties already know what they want out of the relationship. So,if you’re still debating whether to look forsenior cats for adoption, here are some of the reasons why cats in their golden age might make the perfect pet:

If you suffer from allergies you may have given up hope of ever owning a cat, but did you know that there are certain hypoallergenic cat breeds that might not provoke your allergies? Keep reading to find out more. If you have a cat allergy, you may have completely given up on the hope of ever owning a pet cat. Some people find that the presence of a cat is enough to bring on itchy eyes and sneezing. But did you know there are actually hypoallergenic cats that might not provoke your allergies? It's important to understand that there's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat, probably because there's no such thing as a typically allergic person! Different people are allergic to different things, so some cats that set off your allergies may not affect other people. However, there are certain cat breeds that provoke fewer reactions in people, which may be suitable for those of us who have allergies. Keep reading to find what commonly causes these allergic reactions and discover if any of these hypoallergenic cat breeds are for you. What causes cat allergies? There are many different causes of cat allergies: some people are allergic to cat hair, while others have an allergy to the household dust that is carried within the fur. But it's thought that many people are allergic to the 'Fel d 1' proteins found on cat hair, skin, saliva and dander (dried flakes of skin). All cats produce this protein and male cats actually produce more than females, especially if they're not neutered. Because there are technically no anti-allergy cats, it's recommended that if you suffer from allergies, you should spend some time around your chosen breed to find out if they trigger your allergies or not. This will give you peace of mind and then you'll safely be able to commit to share your life and home with them. Keep reading to find the most common hypoallergenic cat breeds.

If you've always wanted to have your very own mini-tiger to snuggle with, the cat kingdom has plenty of friendly alternatives ready to purr the day away in their owner's lap. Here are some of the most popular tiger-like cats. Although they parted ways with their larger feline cousins millions of years ago, cats haven't completely forgotten their wild side. Whether it's little "gifts" in the form of mice casually left on our doorsteps or witnessing their expert-level stalking routine during playtime, every so often we get a reminder of the skilled predator hiding behind all that cuteness. Thanks to distant relatives such as tigers, the hardwired hunting instincts are present across all cat breeds. But if you want a pet that also comes with looks to match, these cats that look like tigers differ from their undomesticated siblings in one big way. They will love nothing more than to move into your home and be part of the family. Cats that look like tigers, leopards and other wild cats Bengal With a name derived from its wild ancestor and a beautiful coat that mirrors the leopard's spotted look, the Bengal cat might as well have come straight from a grassland savanna. Their coat has distinctive brown rosettes, but can also have stripes, turning the Bengal into a stunning tiger-like cat. Created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat, the Bengal is an agile, energetic and quite vocal companion. It's a great match for owners who love exotic-looking cats and have the energy required to keep up with this miniature leopard.

We're often relieved to see the friendly side of our feline companions, but did you know that some breeds show it off more often than others? Here are some of the friendliest cat breeds you can wish for. "Does my cat love me?" Many cat owners have asked themselves this question, feeling slightly apprehensive to find out the honest answer. But while the mystery of a cat's true feelings is likely to endure, we know that they do have a friendly, affectionate side. Felines might not win the dog's long-time title as "a human's best friend" anytime soon, but some cat breeds come pretty close. Whether you're looking for the friendliest cat breed you can bring into your life or you already have a lovely cat to come home to and want to see how they measure up against other feline friends, here are some of the most affectionate cat breeds. Abyssinian - the "You Only Live Once" cat

With so many cat breeds in the world today, have you ever wondered which one you'd be? Take our quiz here to find out which cat breed matches your personality. Many people don't realise that there are so many different breeds of cat. There's a huge amount to choose from and each have their own unique characteristics and personality traits. Some kitties are friendly and affectionate, while others are aloof cats that prefer spending time alone. There are even cats that act a little bit like dogs! Have you ever wondered what cat breed you are? Well now you can find out! Take our cat breed quiz below, add up your results as you go along and find out what cat breed you are at the end! 1. How do you feel about other people? a) They're great! b) I like people, as long as I'm the centre of attention. c) My family are the only people who matter. d) I don't really mind them. e) Eww, other people. 2. How would others describe you? a) Playful. b) Charming. c) Kind. d) Chilled. e) A loner. 3. Your friends want to hang out, what do you suggest? a) Let's party! b) Shopping, of course. c) I don't mind, I'll let someone else decide. d) Going for a walk somewhere in nature. e) Ugh, no thanks. I'll pass.

Discover some of the most amazing-looking cats and see what makes them so unique. These rare cat breeds might be hard to find, but they're a must-know for any cat lover. Cats are about the most familiar furry companions we have. After all, we've had thousands of years of co-habitation to get ourselves accustomed with every little quirk and different coat pattern of these lovely creatures. We recognise their sleek fur, the long tail or the pointy ears straight away. Their looks, no matter how distinguished they are, come as no surprise to us. Yet if we start to look closely into the huge feline family photo album, we will discover that not all kittens seem to have gotten the cat dress code memo. These are the rare cat breeds. For these felines fur seems to be optional, the familiar pointy ears just a cliché and the eye colour is a description not a shade. Thanks to selective breeding or just good old genetics, we have a bunch of unusual cat breeds we can admire and fall in love with. Here they are! Sphynx Their nearly hairless body has made this rare cat breed a superstar among kittens.

Deciding to get a new cat is so exciting, but also can raise lots of questions. For example, what breed would you like? Can you handle the challenges of a cheeky kitten, or would a calmer senior cat suit your lifestyle more? You've probably imagined all the cuddles you'll have and the games you'll play with your new fluffy friend, but remember that your cat will be a big part of your life for a long time to come, so it's important you do your homework before you fall in love with the first cat you see. You'll need to make some decisions such as whether you want a cat or a kitten, whether they'll be an indoor or outdoor cat, who will have what responsibilities for them and what type of cat will fit in with your lifestyle. So, where do you start and what can you expect from a feline addition to the family? The benefits of adopting a cat? There's no doubt about it, cats make great pets. After all, what's better to come home to at the end of a tough day than a contented purr from a loving bundle of fur?

Buying a kitten can be a bit of minefield. There's so much to consider such as how to find a reputable breeder to begin with and what questions should I ask? At PURINA, we've created this guide, complete with handy checklists to give you all the information you need. If you're looking to buy a kitten from a breeder, there are numerous factors to consider. Before even beginning the search, you'll need to make sure that you have enough time in your busy schedule to dedicate to a new kitten from this day onward, as they mature into a wonderful adult cat. For those that are seriously considering buying a kitten from a breeder, we've created this guide to lead your through the entire process, so you can come out with a healthy and happy four-legged friend to cherish for many years to come. Buying a kitten checklist Before you start thinking about buying a cat, you'll need to consider your own personal circumstances before. You need to ask yourself the following questions: • Are you ready for a cat? • Are you prepared to deal with the costs? There are vet fees to bear in mind, such as neutering/spaying and vaccinations. If you choose a long-haired breed there may be grooming costs. Additionally, there will be daily costs such as feeding to consider too. • Are your circumstances right for a cat? This includes your current working hours and your home environment - if you work long hours, is there someone else at home to care for your cat?. • Can you make a lifelong commitment to a cat? On average an indoor cat's lifespan will be between 13-17 years, so you'll need to be able to commit for this amount of time. You'll need to ensure that you can answer yes to all of the above questions, otherwise a cat may not be suitable to you. Which cat breed is right for me? Whilst you may already know what cat breed you want to get, you may find yourself unable to choose (which is hardly surprising as there are so many cute cats out there!). Each breed of cat has their own characteristics and care requirements to bear in mind. These are some good questions to consider:

You've decided to give a cat from a shelter a forever home-a fantastic thing to do! There are so many pets in the world that have been abandoned, abused or simply had owners that were no longer able to take care of them. All of these animals are looking for a second chance at a loving home. Whether you're looking to adopt a kitten or an adult cat with a fully formed, unique personality, there are many things to consider before bringing your new family member home. Find out how to adopt a cat and what you'll need for your new arrival with this guide. How to adopt a cat When considering how to adopt a cat, the first thing you need to do is locate a suitable shelter or charity with an established reputation. You can easily find plenty of these by searching for your local centres online. Once you've located a rescue centre, most have online directories of the cats they currently have up for adoption, alternatively you can speak to the staff at the centre for advice on the kind of cat which will suit you.

Cats with blue eyes have captured the hearts of people all over the world, but which cats actually have blue eyes? Keep reading to find out more and discover what can cause them. There's something special about a cat with blue eyes. Dazzling baby blues are a fairly unusual feature in the feline world and it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to them. Blue eyes in cats are generally caused by a lack of pigment, and all kittens are born with blue eyes because cats don't develop eye pigmentation until they're around six weeks old, when the production of melanin kicks in. Some cat breeds with blue eyes (especially pointed breeds) have a recessive albinism gene, which means that they'll always have bright blue eyes. Whereas other breeds have an extra gene which also blocks the coat colour, so these cats will not only have blue eyes but they'll also be white in colour. Here at Purina, we've created a list of cat breeds with blue eyes for all you blue eyed admirers. Balinese This blue eyed cat breed is a longhaired variety of the Siamese. The Balinese has a silky, flowing coat and gorgeously deep blue eyes. The breed's long and elegant body makes the cat incredibly graceful, and it's thanks to this elegance that they're named after the exotic dancers of Bali. The Balinese are known to be an affectionate breed and are extremely friendly toward their owners. They are willing to shower anyone who gives them attention in lots of love. Birman The Birman is a cat breed with blue eyes that's hard to resist. Their glossy blue eyes gives them a sweet appearance which will have you bending over backwards for them. Their common characteristics are gentle, affectionate and playful, making them ideal as family pets.

Big cat breeds just means that there's more kitty for you to love! Find out more about the largest domestic cat breeds with PURINA. Many of us often dream of having our very own tiger or leopard to snuggle up with, as their large toe beans and big stature just means there's more cat to love! Though it's not be possible to have these big cats as pets, there are actually quite a few big domestic cats which will quite happily share your residence. You may be wondering what cats are bigger than the average moggy, which is why we've done all the hard work for you and picked out our top 8 large cat breeds. 1. Maine Coon If you're looking for a big cat breed, you'll find everything you want with a Maine Coon. Weighing up to 20 pounds and with big, fluffy coats, they're a lot of cat to love. The Guinness World Record holder for the longest cat was actually a Maine Coon called Barivel, and measured an impressive 3ft 11.2in from head to tail tip.

Boasting super soft coats and a teddy bear-like appearance, fluffy cats are guaranteed to melt your heart and make perfect snuggle companions. Find out more about our top 8 fluffy cat breeds in this article. With their cuddly appearance and super soft fur, fluffy cats are almost like real-life teddy bears. There's nothing more comforting than when they're lying on your lap and you get to run your fingers through their silky coats. But, with great coat comes great responsibility, and it's important to know that there's a price to pay for a long, luxurious coat - and that's regular grooming! If you have enough time in your schedule for a fluffy cat breed, we promise they'll make the perfect cuddle companion. How does a cat's coat work? Cats can have up to three layers of coat which can be made up of the following: • Topcoat - these are the guard hairs on the surface, they're the thickest type and will protect your cat against the elements. • Undercoat - the undercoat is also referred to as 'down' and these are the incredibly soft and fluffy hairs which act as insulation. • Awn hairs - the awn hairs will depend on your cat's breed, but usually they make up your cat's normal coat. Not all cats will have all the layers and some will only have the one. 8 Fluffy cat breeds If you like your kitties with a little more fur, then you'll probably be wondering about the fluffy cat breeds you can get. This list of our top 8 has everything from Persians to Ragamuffins - keep reading to find the perfect fluffy cat for you. 1. Persian Most commonly seen as white fluff balls in television and film (think Mr. Tinkles in Cats & Dogs), the Persian is one of the best loved fluffy cat breeds. Their coat is long and thick all over, with an impressive ruff around their neck and a dramatic tail which would put your feather duster to shame. Due to their amount of fur, it should come as no surprise that they'll require daily grooming to ensure their coat's kept in tip top condition. 2. Maine Coon You'll probably know the Maine Coon as one of the largest cat breeds, and believe us when we say that they have the coat to match! Boasting long bushy tails and a thick, silky coat which was adapted for Maine's climate, this fluffy cat even has paws with thick fur, bred to help protect them against snow during the winter months.