INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Different breeds of cats have distinct characteristics, and it is important to do some research to determine the best breed to fit your lifestyle.  While less than 10% of cats are considered “purebred” to one specific breed, an understanding of the breeding groups in general will be very helpful even if you are adopting a common house cat:  Natural breeds:  These cats have long, thick coats developed in cold climates; heavy, square bodies; and are the most sedentary group of the three purebred groupings.  Common breeds within this group are American and British shorthairs, Persians, and Maine coon cats. Semi-foreign or Hybrids:  Considered an in-between group, these cats have slightly oval eyes; moderately wedge-shaped heads; and a leaner, more muscular body than the other breeds.  They have a moderate energy level in comparison, except for the Abyssinian breed, which is high energy.  Other common breeds within this group are the Russian blues and Ocicats. The Orientals:  These cats originated in warmer climates and so they have very little body fat, lighter coats, and very long legs, tails, ears, and bodies.  This group is the most active and talkative of the three purebred groupings.  Common breeds within this group are Siamese, Burmese, and Cornish rexes. It is important to consider the time you have available to train and play with your cat, as well as your expectations for its behavior.  If you work full time or have young children, it might be best to adopt an older cat since kittens and adolescents are a lot of work to train and watch over. If this is your first cat, try to avoid cats that are very demanding (of your attention, of their space, etc.) as it may be too big a challenge for a beginner. After doing some research to determine the best breeds for your lifestyle, it is important to realize that this is just a “best guess.” Be sure to go and interact with your cat in person a few times before making a decision.  Also, adoption counselors at shelters often have great advice to help you find a cat whose personality matches your own. It is very important that any cat you get feels safe and comfortable interacting with the other people and pets in your life already.  When visiting the shelter or breeder, be sure to bring your kids, partner, or anyone else that will have regular contact with the cat along with you.  If you have existing pets, talk to the breeder or the shelter counselors about the best way to introduce the pets to see if there are any potential issues. A breeder will have a better understanding of the cat’s history and tendencies, but an animal shelter or rescue group will only be able to hypothesize about a cat’s past illnesses and elaborate on its current state.  While no shelter would want to release a sick cat for adoption, it is still important to educate yourself about common signs of illness in cats so you can ask questions and make observations:  Changes in water intake (both drinking more and drinking less) can indicate that the cat has diabetes or kidney disease. Unexpected weight loss or weight gain despite normal eating habits can indicate diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Bad breath can mean tooth decay, dental disease, or a digestive disorder, while sweet or fruity-smelling breath can be a sign of diabetes. Pay attention to the cat’s grooming habits.  If a once well-groomed cat starts to appear unkempt, this is a sure sign of potential illness.  Alternatively, over-grooming can indicate that the cat is very stressed out, anxious, in pain, or has allergies. Before bringing your cat home, pick out a local veterinarian and schedule a visit within the first couple of days of its arrival.  Be sure to ask for any medical records from the shelter or breeder!  Get your house in order and buy everything that the cat will need in your home.  For a list, see "Things You'll Need" below.

SUMMARY: Research the temperaments of different breeds. Consider the cat age that is most appropriate for you. Find a cat whose personality is a great match with yours. Discuss introductions with the breeder or shelter. Check for obvious signs of illness. Start preparing for your cat to come home.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When you bring your cat or kitten home, confine it to one room in the house with his litter box and food and water dishes to allow it to acclimate to its home in a quiet, unhurried manner. Of course, make sure you spend a few hours interacting with the cat to help him feel at home. After a few days, let your cat explore the rest of the house. If you have a kitten, you may want to keep it confined to the main level of the house until he can manage stairs on his own. Most cats are easy to potty train, as long as they know where their litter box is located and they are able to access it easily. One major choice you need to make is which type of litter to use. There are many types of litter available: clumping, clay, silica based, and plant based (such as pine or wheat).  You need to show your cat the litter box immediately when it arrives in your home. Cats tend to have a natural instinct to go to the bathroom in litter and usually are shown how to do it by their mother. By the time you bring home a kitten, it should have a good idea of what it is supposed to do. It just needs to know where the box is and it needs access to the box. Most cats prefer the fine-grained, unscented litters. An unscented scoopable litter meets this standard, as it probably has a softer feel on its paws. However, you may find your cat prefers a different litter type, especially if it has used a particular style since kitten hood.  If you find a litter that your cat likes, keep with that kind or your cat may decide to relieve itself elsewhere. Clean the box daily so your cat has a fresh, inviting bathroom. While training a cat the same way as a dog is trained won't usually work, you can teach your cat some things. Teach it to play simple games and what it should, and shouldn't, scratch on. For example, set up an agility course for the cat in your living room and clicker train it to go through it. You can even teach an Abyssinian to walk outside on a leash! Provide a scratching post. To keep your furniture and wood trim safe from cat scratching, provide your Abyssinian with a scratching post or similar item to scratch. Scratching is a normal, healthy activity to help remove the dead outer part of the claws, to let the cat mark its territory, and to give it necessary exercise. If you catch your cat using a non-acceptable item as a scratching post, do not yell or hit the cat. Instead, pick it up and place it near the scratching post. To keep the cat from using unacceptable items you can use a cat deterrent spray, especially those with the smell of citrus, to keep them away from these items. Abyssinian cats are very smart, and so they need to be entertained and stimulated mentally. This does not mean that the cat will always be in the mood to play with you, but you should try to when the cat acts interested. Laser pointer toys are a great way to exercise your cat. They are also a good way to have some fun with your cat. Have a bunch of toys available to your cat, so that it hopefully plays with them instead of getting into trouble. Provide puzzle feeders and balls and mice to keep your cat occupied.  Place a bird feeder outside your window where the cat can see it. This could potentially entertain your cat for hours.  Get the cat a cat tree to climb. It would be good to place it in front of a window, so it can climb and get a good view at the same time.

SUMMARY:
Introduce a new kitten or cat to its home gradually. Train your cat to use its litter box. Teach your cat basic skills. Play with your cat. Provide stimulation for your Abyssinian, even when you are not home.