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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:

Find the perfect name for your ball of fur. We put together the finest selection of white cat names for you to choose from. Who can resist the soft, snowy coat of a pure white kitty? If you've already fallen for the pristine beauty of a white cat and getting ready to bring home the new ball of fur, you're probably seeking inspiration for someone to give you a name worthy of such a stunning addition to the family. Snowy and Snowball might be obvious choices, but there are tonnes of more unusual choices out there. That's why we've compiled a list of the top 10 white cat names, each name ready to spark that 'aha' moment once you finally find the perfect match. 1. Casper: the friendliest white cat name If your cat is the cuddly, loving kind, here is a white cat name with a friendly ring to it. And if they like to go exploring on their own, making themselves 'invisible' for hours, what other white cat name even comes close to this brilliant choice? Casper the friendly ghost has warmed hearts across generations and his name is only suitable for a cat ready to do just that all over again. 2. Frosty: is it the colour or the personality For those veritable feline ice queens that take a little time to warm to new people, Frosty is the white cat name you've been looking for. You can't go wrong with a name matching both the colour and the personality of your new companion at the same time. 3. Elsa: royal inspiration for an elegant kitten There are some white kitties that exude royalty vibes. If yours is the one to effortlessly move around and truly own the house and everything in it, you need some royal inspiration from Frozen. Elsa the Disney princess of ice and snow is right up your cat's alley.

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

Choosing the perfect cat name for your furry friend can be a difficult choice. If you're struggling to get inspired with your feline's new moniker, check out our top 20. From mesmerising male cat names to quirky female cat names, we've got you covered. Coming up with the perfect cat name that suits your furry companion can be quite the challenge. The moniker needs to be one that fits them throughout their life and one you don't mind yelling when it comes to their dinner time! Whether you've just got a new kitten or have rehomed one from a rescue centre, we've got male and female cat names to suit both young and senior felines alike. Keep reading to discover our top 20 purrfect names. Male cat names 1. Smoky This cat name is the perfect option for a Russian Blue or as a grey cat name as it pays tribute to their wonderfully smoky hue. 2. Oreo If you're looking for a male cat name for a black and white cat, Oreo could be the perfect fit. Taking the name from the delicious biscuit, this is a name that'll fit your adorable kitty throughout his life. 3. Monty This wonderfully versatile cat name suits kitties of all hues and breeds. Usually a diminutive of Montague or Montgomery, the name is actually French for 'pointy hill'! We think it's best for cats with a posh personality. 4. Pumpkin This male cat name isn't just a winter squash, but it's also a common British term of endearment. Consider Pumpkin for a ginger cat that shares the eye-catching orange colouring. 5. Prince It's no secret that our cats are the royal kings and queens of our home, so why not give them a name fit for a king or, well prince? Prince is a great name for the artistocat in your life and one that they're sure to appreciate.

If you're about to welcome a new kitten to your home, you'll need to think of the perfect name for them! That's why we've created this list of the best boy and girl kitten names to assist you on your way to giving your new four-legged friend a name that suits them to a T. Once you've finally got a new kitten, there comes a very important task: choosing a name! While it can be as easy as looking into their big, adorable eyes and the perfect kitten name just pops into your head, sometimes, it's not always straight forward and you need a little inspiration to get you going. Here at Purina, we've compiled this list of all of our favourite girl and boy kitten names to help you find the perfect moniker for your new fluffy tailed friend. Top tips for choosing a kitten name The first step in choosing your kitten's name is to make sure it's not too long. Where there's nothing funnier than a cat called Pawdry Hepburn or Lord Fluffybutt, these can get confusing for your kitty. It's not likely that you'll need to call out their name in a busy park (like you do with dogs), but it's still a good idea to stick to names that are one or two syllables, or if you really want it to be longer, think of what the shortened version for the name will be. If you can wait, sometimes it's best to wait a few days before deciding on your boy or girl kitten name, this way you can take in their personality and breed into account. You may find that after spending a little time with them, the ideal kitten name just materialises based on something they do or who they look like! Girl kitten names Dinah You may recognise this cute girl kitten name from Alice in Wonderland. Characterised as a fluffy red cat with big green eyes in the 1950's film, this name is perfect for kitties with an adventurous personality.

If you're lucky enough to have a new charcoal kitty in your life, find here the perfect name to go with that slick dark fur. We've taken our inspiration from the popular culture, the world of celebrities and we looked into the magic side of things too. Out of all the kittens out there, black cats have the top choice when it comes to picking names. Unique, mysterious and moody, black cats have inspired countless of stories and superstitions. So if you are looking for the best moniker for your black cat, the sky is the limit. With so many cool black cat names from pop culture and mythology, to all the clever word associations you can make based on their dark looks, you're one of the luckiest cat owners out there. Here is a list of the best black cat names you can choose from. Popular Black Cat Names Shadow A perennially popular black cat name, Shadow is definitely here to stay as one of the coolest cat monikers. Symbolising darkness and mystery, here is a name that will match the enticing looks only a black cat can get away with. Olive Olive has won its place on the best cat names list for being the classic female black cat name so many owners choose for their coal kittens. And when you start thinking about all the sweet nicknames you can come up with - from Liv to Livy and Oli - you will love this name even more. Spooky Black cats have the unique ability to almost disappear when you turn off the lights. If it weren't for their gorgeous sparkling eyes, you would completely lose them until the morning. So if your cat has the habit of coming to say hello in the middle of the night (and scaring you out of your wits in the process), it's only fair to choose Spooky as your black cat's name. Lucky We believe that all the bad luck myths and superstitions are just a gross misrepresentation of the fun and lovely nature of black cats. If you agree with us why not choose a name that will show the world just how fortunate you are to have such a ball of joy in your life. Pepper Inspired by the black pepper used to give a spicy taste to food, Pepper is the black cat name you need for a confident kitten that plays by their own rules. If you can't stop your new feline playing games and chasing everything in sight, you've just found the Pepper in your life. Black Cat Names from Popular Culture Sylvester Sylvester is a great black cat name for all the kittens that love the thrill of chasing.

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.

Marmalade, red, orange or ginger - whatever you want to call it, ginger cats are nothing less than extraordinary. Find out everything there is to know from what's responsible for the colouring of ginger cats to the cat breeds that come in this wonderful shade. It's no secret that ginger cats are among the most well-loved and that all who come into contact with them think there's something special about them. This may be due to the fact that they've played such cheeky characters on TV and film, including Shrek's Puss in Boots, Breakfast at Tiffany's Orangey and of course, who could forget Garfield? As they've made such an impact on us in the land of pop culture, we've found ourselves wanting to discover as much as possible about them and wondering if there are any specific ginger cat breeds. Keep reading to find out everything from the reasoning behind their ginger colouring, to the breeds which are more likely to come in this marmalade tone. What's responsible for the colouring of ginger cats? It may surprise you to know that there's quite a lot that goes into deciding if your cat will have red fur or not. There's actually a 'ginger gene' and it has a lot to do with inherited genes and chromosomes. According to The Spruce Pets, the ginger gene 'O', is responsible for producing phaeomelanin (the red pigment), and this pigment is so dominant it will mask all other colours. In order to produce your ginger cat, the gene needs to be carried to the 'X' chromosome - a male cat has one 'X' chromosome, whereas females have two. Additionally, this ginger gene comes in two variants: 'O' which produces red pigment and 'o' which doesn't. If the ginger cat is male and gets the 'O' type from their mother, they'll be ginger, however if they get 'o' they'll be calico or tortoiseshell instead. For females to be ginger they'll need the 'O' chromosome on both 'X' chromosomes, if they have 'Oo' instead, they'll be calico or ginger. Due to the fact females have so many more possible combinations, they're less likely to be ginger and as such only 20% are. A huge 80% of all ginger cats are male, as there are far less variables involved. Also, ginger males can come from red, calico and tortoiseshell mothers, whereas females need to have one fully red father and the mother will have to be red, calico or tortoiseshell. Are all ginger cats tabbies?

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 pedigree 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: