You might be surprised to learn that the human population and cats have been linked together for more than a thousand years. Today they are the second most popular pet, with dogs being first. The hardy nature of cats makes them the ultimate pet for people who aren't home for many hours at a time.

The basic food and attention needs of cats are not as large as the typical dog, who needs long walks frequently. These creatures can be a great pet for anyone because they are very adaptable and can live almost anywhere and would even live happily, healthy and comfortably in a small apartment. Many people consider them to be a great pet because their need to play and show adoration of their owners is balanced by a very faithful streak to their family, regardless of the owners' ages.

Since the majority of the cats kept as pets are a mixture of more than one breed, they are not a pedigree. Only 3 percent of domestic cats are purebred, there are no distinct advantages or disadvantages of buying a purebred and they can be very expensive. More than 100 breeds of purebred cats exists, thanks to the classification efforts of global groups.

However, the breeds are definitely not the same, as there are considerable differences in breed body shapes and sizes, coat color and length, eye color, and the way the breed interacts with humans. There are two main categories of cats: short hair and long hair. The short hairs outnumber the long haired varieties.

Long haired cats are harder to take care of, require more daily grooming, and run a higher risk of hairballs. Also, the long fur makes it more difficult to get rid of fleas, and harder to take care any cuts they may have.