To different people, owning a cat can mean different things. Others are content to live with a very independent cat who spends most of its time outside and doesn’t want a lot of human interaction. Some people want a cat to cuddle with them and sit on their laps.
It’s crucial that you look for a cat that will engage with you if you ask it to. Since no two cats are exactly alike, how each one interacts with you will depend on its innate personality and its early experiences—or lack thereof—which may make it fearful or confident around people and in general.
A cat’s environment is also very important; for instance, if it lives with many cats that get along poorly, it will be stressed and behave differently than if it were living alone.
Even though there is no surefire way to select the ideal cat for you and your lifestyle, knowing what you want in a cat and how cats think will help you find one that can adapt to your home and fulfil your expectations for a pet.