CRITTER CHATTER by Dr. Phil It’s Saturday night What could be better?Than crocheting cat names all over my sweater Granger Smith I Happen to like Cats

Cats are often depicted as being “cool” or aloof, choosing what they prefer to do while ignoring what you want them to do.  Still cats do offer companionship, unconditional love, comfortable silences and are often perfectly content to play by themselves.  They can also improve your mood and help fight depression.  With over 42 million households in the United States owning at least one cat according to a 2019/20 pet owners survey by Statista, is there a consensus on which breeds are the most intelligent, loving, hypoallergenic or affectionate?

Some breeds seem distinctly friendlier and more affectionate than others.  These are the ones that enjoy human companionship, greet you at the door and get along well with dogs and other cats as well as children.  Although quite energetic at times, they can appreciate a quiet environment and being left alone for long periods of time.  The top 10 affectionate cat companions include Ragdoll, Siamese, Sphinx, Ragamuffin, Scottish Fold, Persian, Tonkinese, Burmese, Birman and Maine Coon.

There are certain breeds of cats that are more suited to the busy goings on of family life.  This group is great with kids and can help teach them important social skills like responsibility, respect and patience.  The top seven “cats with patience” include Abyssinian, Burmese, Maine Coon, Manx, Ragdoll, Siamese and Persian.

While there are no 100% hypoallergenic breeds, non-shedding cats don’t drop as much hair and dander as other breeds, although proteins secreted by the skin and present in cats’ saliva may cause more allergic reactions than the actual hair.  The seven best hypoallergenic cat breeds include Sphinx, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Oriental short hair, Russian Blue, Balinese and Siberian.

Intelligence in a cat is gauged by how rapidly they can be trained, how they interact with other animals and how readily they adapt to new environments and unusual situations, such as travel or frenetic households.  This group of cats is generally confident in themselves, often exhibiting an air of superiority and happiest when they’re mentally stimulated.   This group includes Abyssinian, Siamese, Bengal, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Savannah and Scottish Fold.

I was the veterinarian in attendance at the CFA International Cat show for many years as well as a clinician for 20 years and have experienced both purebreds and non-pedigreed felines.  I love both groups, but there are differences.  The variation in their genetics means non-pedigreed cats often tend to be healthier, stronger and have a reduced risk of health problems than their purebred cousins.

Don’t worry (or feel insulted) if your favorite breed isn’t listed.  All cats are different with distinct personalities.  Just enjoy them for what they are because they are fun, entertaining and can teach us a lot about life.  I really like cats, although I still can’t bring myself to start crocheting cat names all over my sweater.

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