Cats’ personalities, energy levels and preferred environments can vary tremendously. If you want a quiet “lap fungus” cat, an Abyssinian may not be the breed for you. If you live in Alaska, you may want to reconsider adopting a Sphynx, as their lack of fur makes them very vulnerable to cold climates. If you don’t have the time for daily grooming, you might not want a Persian.

Fortunately, there’s a lot of information available about what you need to know before you adopt a purebred cat. If you take an honest look at how your lifestyle meshes with your potential pet’s personality and special needs, you’ll have a much better chance of having a long and wonderful relationship with your feline friend.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

The most beautiful feline gesture, though, is the slow blink, also known as the “cat kiss.” A cat sending you a kiss will slowly close her eyes, leave them closed for a second, and slowly reopen them.

Try giving your cat a kiss with your eyes and see how she responds. Usually if you give an eye-kiss and your cat is paying attention, she’ll give you one in return.

When you visit a home with a cat, you can try giving the resident cat an eye-kiss. He’ll probably be quite impressed with your good behavior and may even show you some affection.

Most cats won’t respond to eye kisses when there’s a lot of noise and commotion, so it’s best to practice your new kissing skills in a calm and quiet environment.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

To get your cat out of the habit of charging outside at any opportunity, be sure not to greet your cats at the door. Instead, walk over to a place a few feet away from the door before you greet or pet your cat. If you keep doing this, your cat will realize that this is the official greeting location.

To prevent escape as you’re on your way out, say goodbye to your cat in a specific spot like his favorite bed or his cat tree. If your cat insists on following you to the door, toss a ping pong ball or similar toy. This will distract him.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

A cat tree works towards fulfilling the kitty cat’s need for different vertical levels and hidden spaces and provides climbing, chasing and scratching opportunities.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

Some cat owners would say it’s shameful to own a cat who does these things but those of us with such cats know differently. These cats tend to be very affectionate and trainable and have a good sense of humor. Not that there’s anything wrong with the traditional feline. The seriousness of their dignity is often good for a laugh. Among the breeds that tend to act more dog-like are the Burmese and Siamese.

If your cat acts like a dog, you are not alone. There’s even a group here at Catster for those people. But, we must ponder: how do we know it’s not actually dogs that act like cats?

Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

The “Danger List” is so long (it’s in “The Cat Bible,” if you’re curious) – and cats are naturally drawn to greenery – that the only way to be really safe is to make sure that you designate your potted plants as “off limits” to your cats.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

This was new behavior and I had to research it. Turns out cats sucking on cloth isn’t just annoying; it can indicate several things. First, if a cat is weaned too early, he may develop this habit. If he’s bored or stressed, that could lead to it. Or it could even signify a dietary insufficiency. Obviously, more exciting playtime could help as could a food change. Personally, I think Ed was: 1) complaining about the cutback in his food and 2) demanding an increase in adoration.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

It may seem obvious but sometimes we don’t consider the safety issues surrounding fire and cats. The fact is that cats are often drawn to flame for its warmth and flickering motions. If you have a fireplace, make sure you have a well-fitting screen in front of the opening and keep your cat out of the room when starting a fire.

If you’re a candle fiend, make certain all candles are out of reach of your cat or place your cat in another room while having a candlelight dinner. It’s also wise to keep cats off stoves – electric stoves can produce a lot of heat slowly resulting in burned noses and toes. With a little forethought, you can have your crackling fire and romantic evenings and keep your cat safe too.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

Cats will jump into the refrigerator when the door is open and the person, who is oblivious, will shut the door without realizing their pussycat is inside. Learn to be aware of where your cat is when you’re opening the refrigerator and always check inside before you shut the door.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.