Know the Types: the Beta

Having a Beta cat is like having a Dr. Watson to our Sherlock Holmes. They are boon companions, best buddies, and always interested and admiring of our efforts on their behalf.

Beta cats see us as the way to get their environment the way they want it. So they are great talkers, or if not, big on the “Lassie Move” where they catch our attention and try to get us to follow them to the object of interest.

They want to please us, so a few corrections is usually all it takes for them to leave things alone, but they have a lot of energy and playfulness, especially as kittens, so it’s best to put Grandma’s hand blown vase somewhere safe until they grow up.

Betas will come when called, sit on your lap when invited, and have been known to fetch. They are the cat type most likely to be praised as, “My cat is like a dog!” But of course, they are cats, and obedience still has the caveat of, “Is there a good reason for me to do this right now?” The Beta’s favorite toys tend to be prey facsimiles, such as fuzzy mice and small stuffed animals, but they are also fond of any toy that scuttles, bounces, or otherwise acts like something worth stalking.

Betas love companionship, whether it be respectful dogs or properly coached children. They are the most likely cat to meet strangers, especially if the guests are sensible enough to admire them. If our business needs a “greeter cat,” look for a Beta. This outgoing quality makes them especially easy to care for, because if the food dish is getting low or the litter box isn’t being kept up, we will know about it right away. Always be swift to correct problems, and Betas will shower us with love and attention in return.

Encourage our Beta’s communication skills by talking to them often, with a lot of dramatic body language. This will appeal to the ham in them, and even if they don’t understand the words, they will pick up so much of our body language that their comprehension will be the next best thing. So always make a point of telling our Beta if we will be gone overnight, that the store was out of their favorite flavor, or that the cat pillow needs to be washed, but it will be right back. In multiple cat households, Betas will be our translator, able to convey requests and news to the other cats.

Betas are known as “Supervisors.” They love watching us do things. They especially love watching us do things which concerns them, such as litter cleaning, planting kitty grass, or putting the windowsill shelf on the correct window. Betas are the best cat for newbies, because Betas love the chance to train us properly, and are forgiving when we mess up.

Some breeds known for their Beta qualities are the Tonkinese, Manx, Scottish Fold, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cat. The last two breeds are long haired, but “natural,” so need less grooming than other long haired breeds. Which is so Beta of them. Betas tend to have muscular, rectangular bodies and a calm, inquisitive expression.

Any cat can be a Beta. In kittens, look for the thoughtful ones who pause a millisecond before they attack a new toy. They make eye contact easily, and are usually the first in a litter to show interest in people. In the shelter, they are often the ones who rub their faces on the cages or make polite noises to draw your attention. Ask the shelter folk for a friendly, playful cat, and soon you will have your own “Dr. Watson.”

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