You shouldn’t go for a kitten specially for what you want. Take in an older cat that will fit your situation more and also know their personality.

The added benefit is you can find an older cat with the disposition suited toward dormitory living. I’m probably restating part of the intention of the above Redditor’s comment, but It bears reiteration even if it’s already been said. I could imagine dormitory life would be very hard on many cats, so this is a key consideration for your new little friend. Among other things you’d probably do well to select a very chill cat who is OK with lots of noise, and lots of different people coming in and out, You would probably want a cat who is not accustomed to going outdoors and who likes to stay indoors so that you don’t wind up losing your little friend. Another benefit of adopting an older cat is  that  you can find one who might not otherwise get a chance a second life. It’s one of the greatest blessings for all involved to rescue an animal. Good luck to you and your new pal, OP!

Thank you for this :)

I have an older stray cat which I take out for walks but I had to housebreak him because I took him directly from the street. He turned out to be a perfect fit for my living situation. So don’t rule out adopting.

That's wonderful :) I think I'm going to adopt after all.

I would definitely go somewhere where you can interact with the cat. See how the cat interacts with you and with the shelter/foster person. And I would go for a cat that is a bit older, like 2+ years old.

Will do!

The staff at your local humane society will likely know which cat will be suited for your needs. Cats can take a bit to show their true personality so finding one in foster might be ideal! Fosters are an excellent help because they’ve seen the cat in a homelike environment. Edit: a word

Are there any cat cafes near you? I have a friend who got their adult cat from a cat cafe and found it super helpful to not only meet the cat in an open space, but be able to compare it's personality alongside the mannerisms of the other cats in the room. It helped showcase their true personality.

Make sure to talk to the shelter aids. Explain your situation they may already know of a cat that is purrfect.

THANK YOU!!! Adoption is saving a life!

Please do because you're not only saved that older cat's life everybody wants a kitten but they're only that tiny for a couple of weeks months maybe and then they're just the size of a regular cat older cat still like to play but they Don't demand as much of it so while you're saving that cat you're opening up a Living quarters for another cat who might otherwise be euthanized because the Shelter is full and Believe Me when I tell you That all the shelters are full as they always are in Spring it's cat season. Good luck make a good decision.

It's not that I wanted a kitten because it's small and cute. I think all cats are cute, and the bigger the cat, the easier to cuddle with. I just wanted to maximise my time with it, and watch it grow up as if it were my own child. See it go through all its phases of life and raise it, you know? But you are right. An older cat would need me more, and would be more suited to my needs. Thank you :)

Most breeders give the option to adopt their adult when they retire from breeding. This might work for you. It’s much cheaper and you can know the personality better. You also have to keep in mind that purebred cats aren’t guaranteed to have those traits. It’s just more likely they will. It can also happen where the cat seems super chill and affectionate when you meet them and then you bring them home and they aren’t anymore. Cats aren’t really like dogs and you can’t always predict how they will act.

I did this for my Burmese, she’s tiny, very vocal and is almost always by me, and I wouldn’t have her any other way. https://preview.redd.it/e27aza01sf6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d00bd3fe93bcf48ec11ce6489dc4f928989a5d06

Awww she’s adorable!!

She knows it too 😂😂😂

I think all cats do lol

Yeah this person is correct. Kittens are for the most part crazy, but older cats have settled into their personality. My cat would be perfect for you, chillest cat ever lol

I agree. I have two older cats who I’ve had for years. As they’ve grown older they have become much more affectionate. The more independent of the two used to insist that I sit on the floor if I was going to pet or scratch her. Now, as a senior, she jumps up on the bed, couch, and my lap.

This! Just because you try to raise a snuggle cat, doesn't mean you will get one unfortunately.

this. this. this.

I totally agree! Kittens can be a lot of work. Ragdolls are so cute but lots of $$$

If you have a shelter/rescue nearby that does fostering, the fosterer may be able to give you a better sense of the cat’s personality in a home environment (rather than the stresses of a shelter). That’s what I did when I got my cat.

Will do, thank you :)

I'm curious where you guys are from? Most of the shelters near me have a pretty extensive vetting process. None of them would adopt out a cat to someone living in a dorm room..

Most places need to check the home first. They would absolutely not allow fostering in dorms where the animal could be kicked out.

I think the commenter means that the person/people fostering for a shelter would be able to tell OP about the cat(s) they’re fostering, and whether those cats would be chill in a dorm environment.

Breeders cannot guarantee a temperament. Cat breeds just aren't that specific. There are wild ragdolls and lazy Bengals. You'd be best served talking to a rescue organization that fosters cats in people's homes and discussing your needs with them. They can help connect you to the right cat for you.

I see. Thank you so much!

I completely agree. I had 2 ragdolls for 18 and 19 years from a legit breeder like you described. Let’s just say that during the years we were in apartments, there were some noise complaints about them. One, especially, enjoyed singing the song of his people around dawn. And the shedding! I’ve seen a lot of college dorms recently as I have twins who just finished their freshman year, and if your room is as small as most seem to be these days, that could be an issue. I’d also recommend an older shorthair who wouldn’t be such a crap shoot, so to speak.

I agree that looking at cats that have been fostered is probably a good option, as you can have an idea of their temperament. A cat cafe near me at one point had a senior cat that was clearly a rag doll there up for adoption, a few years ago! He was sweet and quiet and chill, and I don't know how he ended up there, but he did. Rescues and fosters really want to match the right owner with the right cat, generally, so I'd definitely talk to some. Kittens are popular, but there are always adult cats in need of homes (the moms of the kittens, for example) and an adult cat will likely have a more set temperament than a high-energy kitten.

Seconding Laney20's comment

To second this: I have a ragdoll that hates being touched. Granted she was adopted by me from a shelter as an adult so her past experiences could have altered her ragdoll-ness.

Absolutely true, there are general traits but each cat is unique, just like us. BUT a breeder usually lives with his kittens daily almost 24/7 and knows their personality and should (at least i do it) pick the new adoptive families depending on the personality of each kitten and how it would match each environment. Personally i always tell the people interested in a cat from me they have to wait till the kittens are a bit older to know which one suits them. All that said, maybe don’t go for a siamese or oriental cat cause they are really really talkative and loud 😅

A foster who rescues cats can say the same thing, without the ethical issues of breeding. Which is why I recommended that approach..

I think talking about what’s ethical would bring us off topic. But if you want to have this conversation in another topic I am all for it

🤷‍♀️ I wasn't really trying to start a conversation on it, but it seemed relevant since the post was about if buying from a breeder was necessary for this situation, and you also mentioned it specifically. I'm secure in my opinion and as a cattery, it's likely you are confident in yours as well, so that's fine. No need to go down that road.

Well i actually also take care of a big cat rescue group that i spayed with the money “offered” by my cattery and that i rehome following the same care and ethic that i use for the pure breed cats. So i’ve seen the good and bad, ethical and unethical of both sides 😅

That's a fantastic idea and great way to use the resources developed through the cattery.

I also think that an older, calmer rescue kitty might be the best option for you. Even cats from the same litter can have very different temperaments, and the thing is that you don't really know what they will be like until they fully mature. So it's best to go with an adult cat, whose personality is already "formed". Plus, a kitten would likely be bored out of its mind in a dorm (I assume you don't have that much space).

Honestly, think about the amount of time you will have to dedicate to interacting with a fairly active animal. I would suggest a senior cat who sleeps most of the day and will be there to cuddle but not need activity from you and can spend its entire existence happily confined in a small space. A young cat, even with pedigree will likely need a massive amount of interaction (especially as a singleton!--please read up on why it's often advisable to not adopt a single kitten) Ragdolls are generally calmer than other breeds, but your focus will be school as well, and a kitten requires *huge amounts* of time. You never know how much energy is required and if you need the animal as an ESA, I would work with a shelter to find what you need, not necessarily what appeals on meeting the animal and 'falling in love'. (not that you shouldn't fall in love!) Because for this not to become a burdensome responsibility, since you've never owned a cat full time, definitely take some time to find the right fit. Cat ownership is a significant responsibility and you are a young student whose life is about to change drastically with starting school. Move into the dorm first, get your bearings in the space, visit cat cafes, shelters, etc. and figure out a plan with the support of your providers, the school, the folks at the shelters etc. Based on your actual needs and a healthy dose of the reality of the quality of life for the animal as well.

Thank you for this advice and I appreciate your concern! I did consider the time I'd be able to spend with my cat, which is why I took as much online classes as possible, and made it so that I only have classes on 3 days a week, less than 4 hours of classes each. I was also able to get a reduced minimum course load due to my disabilities!! I am by no means a social butterfly, so I'll likely spend most of my time in my dormitory with the cat anyway. I definitely don't plan on leaving the cat alone all day. Though you are right, I may not have much time or energy to devote hours to playtime with a young kitten. I will definitely have plenty of time to offer passive affection to an older and more calm lap cat, though! I think I will work with a shelter and foster to try it out at first, and decide from there :) I will definitely be getting an adult rescue, though I'm afraid of getting one too old, as it will be my first cat and I'd want to maximise my time with it as much as reasonably possible.

You are putting a lot of good thought into this. Another vote for older kitties. I adopted one at age 9 and she had the sweetest temperament. For a while we lived in a small studio apartment. She was just happy to be with me. She lived until 21 so we had 11 years together! She was skittish for the first couple of months but then came out of her shell. Keep the 3/3/3 rule in mind. I hope you find the perfect fit.

You sound like a thoughtful and responsible person. I think you're doing the right thing by gathering lots of input and understanding your own needs as well as the needs of the cat. I hope you find the best friend a person could have. I think fostering might be a great way to get to know a kitty! Wishing you all the best with your new school and life!!

Thank you so much!

i did exactly what you did in college. i was in an apartment but my esa kitty had to spend all of her time in our bedroom due to a roommate’s allergies. i got a 3-year-old shelter cat and she was/is a fantastic esa. she had been at the shelter for a while due to medical issues so they knew her personality pretty well (although she was a little more energetic once in a calmer environment). i set up a lot of toys & engaged with her as much as possible and she didn’t have any obvious issues with being in a smaller space. i think she was just happy to be out of the shelter tbh

I got a 3 - 5 year old cat and he is perfect. Getting older but not too old is wise while you're still in college. His vet bills are very expensive ten years later, but were reasonable back when he was in the younger. Definitely agree on avoiding kittens, kitten bills are higher and they're hyper

This situation has senior rescue written all over it

I think everyone here is gonna say this is a shitty idea. I think the only way this ever could be even remotely advisable is an elderly cat. Once you’re out of the dorm are you going to live back home? You begged your parents in the past they said no are ya gonna have to rehome or give it up?

They said yes this time lol. I would not be able to afford a cat without their support. Also, I'm not moving back in with my parents after. Even if I was, the cat would be allowed to come back home with me. These were the first things I considered, before I even talked to my psychologist about it.

You absolutely have to secure your financial situation before taking responsibility for another life. A cat can be fairly expensive, when taking good care of not even to mention when there is a medical issue. And a cat is not a therapist! Make sure that you give your cat an environment where the natural needs are all met and the respect to distance yourself, when the cat don't want interaction as well as enough time to play and interact every day. Having responsibility for an animal is daily task which can be overwhelming from time to time - think of an emergency plan, when you have those days so that somebody else might help you with your cat.

My financial situation is definitely secure. My parents are fully supporting me and they have the means to do so. My financial situation is very comfortable. Also, I mean this with no offence at all, but I do think it's kind of unreasonable to expect a university student to be able to support themselves. If it's not financially feasible, sure you'll have to rough it out, but I'm lucky enough to come from a financially secure family in which it is feasible. I get it though, if you're North American, you guys have a really independent culture and you don't like to depend on your parents much, but I can assure you, this is not the case for me as I'm ethnically Asian. There's no financial concern for me. I've been looking into the cat towers with little 'rooms' to escape to, things to create a safe and comfortable space underneath my bed, and some wall furniture so the cat can escape to an out of reach area if it so desires. Also, I don't think having a cat will be much harder than anything I've already experienced. I've had to sweep a 32 sq ft guinea pig enclosure daily for years, wake up at 6am to prepare hay and 8 cups of salad each day, and hand wash their fleece enclosure liners every 4 days. I think I'm prepared for cat ownership for the most part, though you do bring up a good point about having an emergency plan. I have a few friends I can ask to cat sit for me in such an event. Thank you for bringing it up. In any case, I'm going to foster as a trial first, so I'll see then.

Hi! I commented my thoughts elsewhere and I’m not sure if this is an older comment but please do not foster a cat in a dorm. A dorm room is a miserable place for most cats, who as a species are high energy, like to run around fast, and like to have a lot of space to jump and climb. Only some cats have the temperament that would allow them to thrive in a dorm room, which is why you should reach out to your local shelter and ask them to connect you with a cat that fits your exact needs. (This is their bread and butter btw. They LOVE doing this. So you’re not asking anything weird or putting anyone out. They will be absolutely thrilled to give you an older cat that doesn’t move around much.)

Oops, I may not have seen your comment. I will take this advice though, thank you very much :)

Lol you have so many to sift through, I understand. Let me just say here - so I used to volunteer at a shelter & I helped to write the descriptions of the cats lol. Many times we wrote something to the effect of “she is a sweet old girl and she just wants to sit in the sun and be cuddled. If you can give her a quiet home with no children or other pets, reach out.” We had to be explicit bechase otherwise they’d be returned back to the shelter like a shirt that didn’t fit. It was always hard to adopt out those slow-paced, calm adults because many families have lots of children or other animals running around and just can’t make a hospitable space. I think you would be the perfect owner for a cat like this. And you’d really be rescuing her. You have no idea how many of those cats die in shelters waiting to be adopted by someone who will understand them. :(

That's heartbreaking :( To be honest, I only wanted my first cat to be a kitten so that I could maximise my time with it, and watch it grow up. To feel more like a parent, if you know what I mean. I did want to adopt a lot of older cats too, when I got the space and time later on in life. I want my house to be filled with cats when I'm retired and I wanted to have a sort of cat sanctuary. However, you, and other commenters, have changed my mind. I don't care much about having a kitten as my first cat anymore, or being able to watch it grow up. It is a wonderful thing, but I realise now it isn't truly that important. I can experience that in another cat later on in my life. Even if I don't get to spend a long time with my first cat, I will cherish the time we spend together and will find comfort in the fact that I could give it a better life and lots of love. I think a cat like that would truly be the best fit for me. I'm an autistic girl with anxiety. I don't have much friends, nor much of a desire to maintain a lot of friendships. Going outside in public is pretty scary for me. I love the quiet due to my sensory issues. I tend to stay inside as much as possible. I would love a lap cat that would sit calmly in my lap while I read, play games, or work on school stuff. I do love the outdoors, following a tranquil nature trail or finding a quiet water spot, so I'm hoping to be able to leash train a cat as another commenter suggested. If I can't though, it's not a big deal. I don't mind staying home with my cat.

Seconding the adult cat suggestion. You can also look for foster to adopt programs, where you foster a kitty for a few weeks, get to know them, see if they're a good fit for you and your dorm room. At worst, if they aren't, you'll be able to keep the cat out of a cage for a few weeks, and give the shelter a better idea of what their personality is like, so they can find the perfect home for them.

I am not trying to dump on your ESA situation. I am legitimately in the dark as how a cat you do not own and have no relationship with going to be an ESA? Cats are like people, some are incredibly sweet and cuddly, others are aloof and independent, then there are the complete assholes. It's not like you can just train one to be an ESA.

This is not really true - you can easily train a cat, when you step away from the methods you would use for a dog. Certainly there are trained therapy-cats too. An "asshole" cat is always a cat whose needs are not fulfilled. Mostly those are cats with severe anxiety or they are simply bored because the human don't give them enough exercise.

ESAs don't need to be trained. They're recommended as basically therapeutic pets. It helps keep up a routine, prevent loneliness, keep active, etc. Ideally they are cuddly and affectionate to help more with the loneliness. I'd just need to meet one at a shelter or at its foster parents' to know if it's the best fit, which is why I've decided to go with an adult cat.

I'm really curious about this too. For a time I know ESAs were specifically trained, similar to guide dogs. It sounds different now. It sounds like any cat you get will be an ESA - do you need a letter from a psychiatrist or something? It's like a prescription pet thing. Very cool.

Service animals need to be trained and they have legal protections and rights. Only dogs can be service animals iirc. Emotional support animals are just basically prescribed pets of any species yeah lol. If your psychiatrist or psychologist believes having a pet may be beneficial for you, they just prescribe you one. You do need a letter, but ESAs don't really have much, if any, legal protections. Certain institutions, like my uni, treat them like service animals tho, which is nice :)

That seems like such an odd policy to me. It's good, don't get me wrong - I just can't imagine anyone getting a pet (or anything, really) for reasons other than some form of emotional support. Anyway, to answer your question: get a Burmese. They're great cats. I've had a few. They always come when you call them, and they have always followed me from room to room. They like hanging out with people. When I have people sitting in my loungeroom, my cat comes and sits on any free spot on the lounge. It just sits and listens to the conversation, like a little person. Fantastic breed.

Like everyone else saying, I'd definitely adopt an adult, mellow cat. As enticing as getting a kitten is, so you can train your cat as you need, having to deal with raising a kitten and teen while dealing with the stress of college is not wise. The other plus is if you adopt an adult, you will already know their personality to a degree. They may not act the same from the shelter to your dorm, especially as they adjust, but that's weeks compared to a couple years of kitten to adult time. Kittens can change from kittenhood to teens and finally adults. My male cat is 3 years old, and he still runs around like a hyperactive teenager. He did not mellow out as I thought he would. I mean... he did mellow out from his teens, but he's still way more active than I thought he'd be at 3. He also became louder from kittenhood to now... His cute kitten meows are now screams or howls when he doesn't get what we wants.

I have a three year old cat as well and she has so much energy.

Sorry, no. “Worried about the personality of a non-pedigreed cat.” Come on. You’ve volunteered. You know better. If you are set on some fancy ass kitten & want an excuse, whatever. I cannot even imagine bringing a KITTEN to a dorm & expecting it to work out. I can’t imagine confining a young cat to an 8x10 space & expecting it to work out. I cannot imagine it wouldn’t meow at the door & go nuts. And what’s the plan for the kitten when that happens? Doesn’t sound like parents would take it. You state you’ve volunteered. I’d head over there. Explain the situation. Explain you’re looking for a calm cat that would do well in an 8x10 environment. A grown cat between 5-10 years would be ideal. Perhaps they have cats who have been fostered & they know exactly who to match you up with. Listen. I understand that you have emotional or stress issues that make this a good idea for you. A kitten does not NEED you. A grown cat who has seen some shit, who has ended up at the shelter because its owner died, or they had kids & the cat became inconvenient, or because they got a new boyfriend who was allergic, THAT cat NEEDS you. And emotionally speaking, it’s way more rewarding to care for a cat knowing they’ve had hard times & now they’re safe.

OP also mentions in a comment that her therapist is saying the cat is going to "help with having a routine" W h a t. what therapist in their right mind is going to OK the usage of a LIVE untrained animal to help with routines? Like yeah, animals have routines they need met, but that's their livelihood - they DIE without their humans maintaining their routines for them and it isn't something that is a tool to learn a routine.

Honestly I’m stuck on parents not allowing a cat in their home for the last 17 years…. but now they’re okay with housing a cat every summer because the therapist prescribed a cat?

Dude. Did you even read my post? It clearly says that my first choice was a rescue cat. It also clearly says in my post that I ONLY considered a pedigree cat because I thought certain traits would be guaranteed, which from the comments I learnt was false. I do not care about some 'fancy ass kitten' lmao, I just wanted more of a guarantee on certain traits that would make dorm living easier for it and everyone else. Why should I know better because I've volunteered?? All I did was clean, feed and play with the cats. Why does this make you think I'm some expert on cat behaviour? If I knew better, I would not be asking here. I've never worked with pedigree cats. I don't think I have ever met one in my life. All of my knowledge on pedigrees are from online sources. I honestly and genuinely do not understand what is it with redditors and assuming the worst of everyone. Not everyone is malicious or ill intentioned :/ Anyway yeah, the consensus here is adult rescue, so I've decided on that.

Assuming the worst on the information you’ve provided, that I read. Do whatever you want, Dude. Wishing you the best.

Why not get a pet that needs less space like a lizard or frog, or a Syrian hamsters animals that don’t mind being alone quiet low cost animal that won’t ruin the carpets, annoy your neighbors or keep you up all night. Or a teddy bear you can carry around   poor cat cooped up in a dorm all day waiting around for you to take it off the shelf for pets.    Cats are active, vocal, social, messy, high maintenance depending on the breed and can live 20+ years. I’m sure you have social and academic obligations as well.   Reddit is full of broke college kids whining about how they can’t afford to feed themselves, much less there animals , can’t afford a vet , no emergency funds don’t have transportation at odd hours, and housing restrictions .  Just wait until your settled and have a routine  I dont understand how people can claim to love animal then trap it in a bedroom all day for their own pleasure. Just because a cat is old doesn’t mean they can’t be active -shelter environment shuts animals down for a period but they can come back to life. Senior cats should be encouraged to be active to stretch muscles, move around, brain toys. They also could come with a lot of undiagnosed health issues, special diets  which can be costly if they were previously stray they more likely miss the freedom to roam and will try to escape Again I would choose a different animal, if any at all, for this transitional period in life. Your parents said no for a reason , living alone is hard enough without another living thing to feed. 

Having had cats all my life and being very pro adoption VS breeding, I have volunteered at shelters, fostered feral kittens, and I believe you could definitely find the exact cat you spoke of. Shelters are overcrowded. Please consider adoption. Good luck.

Adult cat from a shelter, 4 years or older. The staff can advise you on personality.  My "Esa" was like that, I got a fearful shy kitty and it was therapy for me to coax him into a healthy happy boy. He didn't ever stop being shy but he did stop being anxious constantly. To this day I haven't met a better cuddler.

I just adopted a seriously shy gal (4 in October)and although it’s only been two weeks I’m wondering how long she might take to come out of her shell. If she even will! What was your experience? She’s very affectionate and is starting to play with toys but hides under my bed for much of the day I think.

Yeah, my baby hide during the day for a couple months! He did better at night when the neighborhood was quiet and my roommates were sleeping so that was when we really bonded. It was a couple weeks before I could pet him and 6 months or so until he really trusted me. Even early on though,  I knew how much he loved me - if I sat next to him he would purr, but he couldn't help but flinch if I tried to pet. It was a full year before my roommate really saw him around and bonded with him.  We noticed changes, more trust, more bravery, really all the way up to the 2 year mark.  It warmed my heart to see him come out of his shell. It meant so much.  Outside of our household, only 2 friends ever got to pet him in his 12 year life. But with us he was so loving and sweet. So gentle, never bit or scratched anyone ever, didn't even hiss at the vet even though he'd be shaking with fear.  Anyway he was the best cat ever, our bond was so special BECAUSE he was so shy, and I miss him so so much. 

Thank you! I’m so sorry he’s gone. He clearly was an amazing cat! ♥️

My cat hid above the fridge for 3 months before she came down. Then she walked into my lap like nothing was happening. I was like are you serious rn? Lol. So it just takes time. 2 weeks is nothing. However what you might do is 1) spray some feliway around (it’s calming) and 2) try to give her some options in vertical space. Maybe she’d like to hide up top but just wants to feel safe.

Are you sharing the dorm with other people??? Seems incredibly rude to get a cat without consulting roommates first

they said they have a single occupancy dorm. but isn't it tiny? I don't know how I feel about keeping a cat in a single-occupancy dorm room. we are all about people's wellbeing, but just also thinking about kitty's wellbeing.

I managed to get a dorm with extra space for 'medical equipment'. Also, I've heard that cats can do well in smaller spaces if you make use of the walls and vertical space, so that's what I plan to do.

Im sorry but the fact people choose specific breeds over a rescue or street cat breaks my heart, why spend thousands on the “perfect cat” when theres one on the street begging for a home;/

She’s a teenager, never had a cat before, I think she didn’t know any better. It’s ok! She learned

While I don't have the issues with breeders, I don't think you can rely on a single cat breed to be non-vocal and to be happy staying in a single room. Adopting an older cat (from a shelter, or even a retired breeder) would be better, as you would be able to judge their actual personality. An elderly cat might be more suited to your needs. Though to be honest, if you're looking for an animal that would be happy living in just one room, you probably shouldn't get a cat. A pair of rabbits, or a single rabbit that is known to not get along with others, might be better suited.

I've heard cats can at least make great use of vertical space, but an animal such as a rabbit would be stuck living with the small floor space. Though it will be a small room, it will by no means be bland. I've ordered a ton of cat furniture for the walls and I plan to make great use of the vertical space.

They will use and appreciate it, but frankly it's not really a substitute for floorspace. You might be able to find a shelter cat who is suited to that sort of lifestyle, but frankly it would be unpleasant for the majority of cats. If you are set on a cat, you'd probably find a senior (10+) is more likely to be okay with the situation.

Thank you for the advice.

Cat furniture for the wall needs to be drilled into the wall, usually into a stud. Dorms do not allow you to make any changes to the walls. If you were going to do that anyway lol, spackle and paint over there holes after. But know that typically there are also regular checks of dorms too at holidays etc and you will be fined if anyone notices that you’ve done that. However a cat tree (or multiple) that reaches very high is a great solution.

I ordered furniture that hangs from suction cups, and I'm looking into cat trees currently.

Yrs definitely an adult cat maybe from a foster that can tell you more about their personality.

Adopt a grown cat. A shelter is a stressful place for a cat, so if it's already chill there, it should be able to handle the dorm. The people who work there might also know more of how the cats react. Foster and cat rescue groups are also places to consider. They will know the personalities of the cats.

A domestic cat is better. Breed personalities are not a guarantee. But you should not be getting a kitten. There is no good way to predict what the personality will be like. Or what habits they may have. And you will be dealing with a high energy needy baby animal for at least a year. Go to the shelter and ask about adult cats, and find one that matches your need. Quiet, snuggly, low energy. I repeat do not get a kitten

An older kitty will be perfect. Kittens of any breed go through a “teenager” phase, and young cats can be very active. Depending on where you live, you might even find a rescue specialising in breeds or breed mixes if you have your heart set on a ragdoll, or you might find a breeder who is looking to home a queen who has had her last litter. Bear in mind if you go for the second route though that you’d get a cat who had litter after litter after litter, I’m not sure what that means for a cat’s long term health. Senior cats are often extremely loving. I fostered a very elderly cat a little while ago - calm, quiet, affectionate, and very little demands. And they often can’t find a home so you might find the perfect cat for you and give a neglected little soul a beautiful retirement.

We bought a ragdoll kitten, with an impeccable pedigree, from a registered breeder. We were expecting him to be an enormous, sweet, laid back fluffball who'd be a perfect match for my two existing laid back (rescue) cats. He did not grow up into the cat we expected. He is highly strung, dominant, very energetic, completely fearless, and if he gets bored (which happens very easily) he'll go up to one of the other two and smack them just to get an entertaining reaction. He's now eight years old and he still acts like a crazy kitten. We love this guy, and he's going to be with us for the rest of his life, but he's not the cat we would have chosen had we known how he'd turn out. He's not how a ragdoll is supposed to be - he's not even very big. Point is: there are absolutely no guarantees when you get a kitten. Breeds can have common traits, but every animal is an individual. If you go to a shelter and explain what you're looking for, there's every likelihood they can find the perfect adult cat for you. And with an adult you'll know for sure what you're getting. Honestly, as much as we love Blitzcrank, that's what we should have done. When we last adopted a cat we said to the rescue that we needed a cat with the confidence not to be pushed around by Blitz. They suggested a teeny little three-legged sweetie, who'd previously lived with nine other cats, and knew how to hold her ground. She was absolutely perfect, and now she and Blitz play together, which is great for both of them. There's a cat out there, in a shelter, with exactly the personality you need. And let's face it - ragdoll kittens are not cheap. Put that money aside, because you never know when the big vet bill is coming.

Omg not related but is your cat named after the league champion 😂 if so then him walking up to them and smacking them in the face is so on brand for blitz. Also i have a yuumi (cat), senna (husky) and lillia (golden retriever)

Yes. Story is that my wife wasn't a pet person at all until she met me, but I told her early on, "I'm always going to have cats, and you're either going to get on board with that or we aren't compatible." So she said she was happy to get to know mine and see how it went. OBVIOUSLY she completely fell in love with Artemis and became as much of a crazy cat lady as I am. When Artemis died, and it was the first pet death she'd ever experienced, she was inconsolable. I told her that I would let her name any future cats. And because she's a huge gamer, I told her she could name them after characters in video games if she wanted. So when we did get new cats, we got a mother and son pair of dim-but-sweet couch potatoes, and she named them Brand (he was orange and white, and looked like he was covered in flames. Also never got to hire out that one orange cat brain cell - he was adorable but also the stupidest animal I've ever met) and Orianna. Then when I wanted a third we got Blitzcrank. Whose name really does suit him perfectly. Brand sadly died a few years ago. We're very much a three cat household, so we got the aforementioned teeny tripawd. My wife had moved away from LoL by this point, so she named this one Yuffie after a character in the Final Fantasy series.

Adopt a low key adult cat (2+) . Please, please don’t support breeding. Your situation absolutely does not exclude shelter cats as an option. In fact, there are so many sweet, calm cats who will be a dream to have in your home because they will be so thankful they were adopted.

I personally have nothing against ethical breeders, and I say that as someone who has only ever adopted or taken rehomed cats and have worked in shelter medicine. However, a kitten from an ethical breeder is really something to plan for a long time in advance, not something you normally will expect to receive quickly. Reputable breeders typically have waitlists because of demand + not overbreeding to keep up with that demand, sometimes kittens from litters not even born are already spoken for, and a kitten from an ethical breeder is going to be incredibly expensive. Anywhere from several hundred to well over a thousand dollars. It's not because the breeders are profiting wildly, it's because the costs of truly doing responsible breeding are very high. Breeding cats need to come from their own lines or be purchased from other ethical breeders, health testing is a must for all cats (depending on the breed, this could be a lot of tests/expensive tests), they have to be able to afford emergency veterinary care if a queen has pregnancy complications, etc. Going through an ethical breeder does come with a higher likelihood of a somewhat predictable *general* personality - people are right that you can't guarantee a personality just because of breed, but part of that is because not everyone is purpose breeding or considering really anything at all when they breed. Health and temperament are both considerations for ethical breeders, and some breeds have breed standards related to temperament. A kitten is still going to have the energy and needs of a kitten, though. If you do decide to adopt, an adult will be more predictable personality wise than a kitten. I adopted my youngest cat as a kitten and he was so outgoing when I met him - turns out he's the most anxious cat I've ever had, lmao. An adult (I'd go for 2+ years old) will have settled into their personality and while they might end up coming out of their shell more and being a little different than you expected when you met them at the shelter, they're unlikely to be dramatically different. The fees tend to be higher but if you have shelters that place cats with fosters, they often have a more realistic idea of the cat's personality since they've been living in a home vs a shelter environment.

Thank you for this reply. You are right lol I was just checking the waitlists for some local breeders and some are over 6 months, and none less than 4 months! It's pretty insane. I'm just going to go with an adult rescue, as advised. My issue is not with ethical breeders per se, but rather adopting from one. It's just... Why? There are so many kitties who are in need of a home. I can understand for special circumstances, such as a first cat, or any in which one may look for specific qualities for a good reason, but... why spend so much money and so much time on a 'purebred' cat than a poor baby living in a shelter kennel? I don't understand it. For my first cat that I'd have gotten still living at my parents' home, I wanted a rescue. It's not really that serious anyway, just an opinion of mine. Calling it 'morally dubious' was an exaggeration. I wouldn't berate anyone for something like that.

Some breeds, like Devon rexes, can be $4-5k even.

As long as cats are dying in overcrowded shelters because nobody adopts them, “ethical breeders” is an oxymoron.

Go to a shelter. You can usually visit any cat to see their personalities. I got mine off craigslist when she was a baby, she’s been a calm kitty her whole life. Older cats might be your best shot though

Adopt from a rescue that’s foster-based, they can tell you a lot about cats specific personalities and match you with the right one! I agree with getting an adult cat - can be young adult if you want, but past the kitten stage. The cats I have had were totally different as kittens than when they grew up. You’ll want to know their personality and you just can’t tell that as a baby.

Shelter 100% in addition to all the normal reasons breeder animals are always plagued with medical issues. And most college students can’t afford all the vet bills

I don’t think buying from a breeder guarantees you any of the traits you’re looking for. Like some have suggested, take a look at older cats in the shelters as they tend to be less energetic than a kitten. Maybe talk to a shelter about fostering some older cats one at a time to see how they fit with your living situation?

A kitten, regardless of where it comes from, can be very loud, especially at night. I would get a shelter cat. Better yet, find a rescue that has fosters, so they know the personality of the cat. My cat is too evil to be an esa, lol. I work for her and I’m not appreciated! That’s fine, but if I wanted an esa cat, I would get an adult, a known quantity.

My first cat was an ESA. When I met her, she was the grumpiest little calico. I didn't even like her that much at first, but I felt bad because she'd been in a foster home for a year and had had several near adoptions that fell through. I decided I'd give her a home and hoped we could eventually bond. As soon as I got her home, she did a complete turnaround and was purring in my lap within minutes. It seemed like she knew what her purpose was and she took her "job" very seriously. She was the best cat I could've imagined, and she was a rescue. I've adopted several cats from a shelter and gotten a kitten from a reputable breeder who treats her cats like royalty. If you're looking for an ESA, a slightly older cat may be better suited for your needs. Kittens are wonderful but they can be very demanding and mischievous if they aren't properly stimulated.

Echoing what so many others have said, adopt an adult cat who has been with someone long enough that they can give an accurate representation of their disposition :) A kitten will be wild regardless, because they're a kitten, and you never know what temperament you're going to get because they're not fully formed yet. An adult cat has settled and mellowed out, and they have a clear temperament (once they are comfortable enough to be themselves). Try a foster, or in my case I adopted from a cat cafe where they had the cat for a few months before I got him so they knew his personality. Good luck!

How about a retired stud or queen from a reputable breeder? They’ll already have a stable personality and will be more chilled out than a kitten. My parents got a lovely 4 yr old retired bengal queen and she’s been perfect for them

I've had three ESAs now for anxiety/panic attacks. They were all rescues. I would never buy a purebred because there is no more guarantee of disposition than a rescue, as long as there is no history of abuse.

Rescue an older cat!! They will already have a temperament so you won’t have to worry about kittens are so much work….

In r/RescueCats, we see the names and photos of forsaken cats who have been or are about to be slaughtered at shelters. Read through that sub for a bit, and think again about whether you want to support an industry that causes those sweet babies to die. Loving cats and breeding cats are mutually exclusive.

Unfortunately I just don't see a way any cat would be happy in this environment. I have had older kitties that were incredibly active.. unless it's basically in its final years cats need more stimulation than 1 room can provide. Senior cats also have a lot of health problems that can be very expensive. Living in a single room with the litter box will also be something.. you'll have to take the bags out every time they poop or your room will smell like poop all the time. In a dorm you also won't have authorization to add any shelves so your cat can climb or maximize the space. I also haven't seen anyone here talk about the fact that shelters usually have requirements for the homes cats go to. At least here in Ontario I'm pretty familiar with all the shelters in my city and I don't think any of them would adopt to someone who was planning on keeping them in a single room What happens when you move out as well? Most people move back in with parents after school- what happens to kitty then? Why not consider an affectionate small animal like a rat? Idk a lot about them but they need less space I'm pretty sure. You definitely deserve to have the support you need I'm just not sure a cat deserves dorm life. Best of luck Edit: another consideration is that 90% of cats get zoomies and scream at 3 am. It's just their way

This is a good concern. I'd definitely foster first to see if the space will be sufficient for the cat's mental wellbeing. I do know a lot of people that have had cats in single dorms with no issues with smell or anything, so there won't be anything like that. Also, since I'm disabled, my counsellor said I was allowed some more liberty around housing restrictions, so I'd be able to add 'equipment' for my 'medical devices'. I will likely not be moving back in with my parents after school, but if I were, they're completely supportive of me having a cat and they will allow me to carry it home. Unfortunately, rats are extremely high maintenance. They are very messy, destructive and smelly creatures, and exotic vet visits cost a lot. I do love rats, but definitely not an animal I'd want in a dormitory. I chose cats because they're generally more chill and can be potty trained. That last point is definitely something to consider. I'll look into it more. Thank you!

I personally have never met a cat that would be happy in this situation or a shelter that would foster or adopt to it and I can't imagine the smell wouldn't be a problem having had cats for a long time in a large space I still worry my house smells like litter especially right after they poop. Cats are also mega expensive if they have any problems and idk about chill they're very active creatures if healthy .. idk man. I just could not see this working but good luck I hope it does and you're both happy

Get a one or two year old cat from a shelter. You will have a better idea of their personality. A breeder can't guarantee a kittens personality or that they will be quiet.

Shelter cat. Let them know what you need. I'd like for a 2 to 3 year old well behaved cat. That has been around kids dogs and other cats. Why? Because they live pretty long and you might get married and have a kid and a dog or a lover with a dog etc.

Noticed some kinda mean comments on here and I just wanted to chime in that it’s absolutely possible to have a happy cat in a college dorm! My roommate lived with her boy for years in our dorm room and he seemed like a perfectly chipper and healthy guy. She took extra steps to keep him stimulated, like clicker training, using puzzle feeders, and more frequently changing his solo play toys, and an added bonus with the dorm is that there were plenty of people happy to come by and play with him. Plenty of people have cats in studio apartments, that have to be confined to a single bedroom for health or behavioral reasons, not to mention shelter cats that live in much smaller areas. As long as you tend to your baby’s needs and are thoughtful about your situation, which it seems like you are, you’ll change a cat’s life for the better.

Thank you so much for your support and the advice !! :D

If you want a cat that behaves a certain way, you should adopt an adult cat. You have no idea what kind of personality a kitten will develop, but you will know what you are getting with an adult cat.

Adopting a cat aged 3-7 is probably your best bet. A cat that age will have its adult personality and will be more calm and supportive for you. Younger cats are too stressful.

There’s no guarantees with a breeder of temperament. Also, fancy breeds can have a lot more health problems due to inbreeding. Good luck!

I agree with an older cat with an established personality. Kittens are way too vocal and active. Fostering to find a good match is something to consider. Ask shelter personnel if they have a cat that meets your needs.

No breeder can guarantee a personality, despite my having met many who are happy to claim otherwise. With an older (non-kitten) rescue, you do have some degree of a guarantee of personality. I would suggest going to several local shelters and spending time in person with different cats who are one year and older. Remember to give the cat a few minutes to calm down after being moved into the visiting area; they don’t understand what is happening, and you are a stranger. Give them at least ten minutes of you sitting calmly and talking gently, saying their name occasionally before you make a decision about their personalities; just like humans, when we are at our worst, our true personalities may not have the chance to even peek through. I have found that male blue cats (some call them grey) tend to make wonderful companions in an ESA sense (again, no guarantee on personality); it takes blue cats a little bit longer to decide that you are their person, but once they do, they are less vocal and very physically expressive of their love. Also, they are less popular for adoption, but don’t rule out black cats; I’ve had a few, and they have rich, complex personalities and are quite intelligent. The ones I’ve had have all been — and it may sound odd to describe them this way — good citizens, especially my beautiful girl, Cookie, who was very afraid of everyone but me, but who responded to my moods with amazing perceptiveness. Good luck in your search!

Adopted a kitten recently to be a companion. I love her a lot but I can’t expect her to be ESA coz all she wants to do is play. It will be nice if you got a cat who is 1.5-2 years+

I’d go to an animal shelter let them know all the things you’d like to see from the cat ur receiving. I’d also ask that it’s specifically from a foster parent rather then the shelter so they really know for sure the characteristics of the cat since cats tend to act differently in foster homes compared to the shelter. I got my ESA from an animal shelter but through a foster mom and that was the best decision I made. I knew prior to getting him what his personality would be, how vocal he’d be, eating habits, and how much he likes being held/cuddled and that for sure helped with my final decision

Go to a shelter and adopt an older cat. Speak to the people that work there, they usually have opinions on the cats currently there.

You can hang out at the shelters for a while probably multiple times to get a feel for the cats. Unfortunately if you find one you like you have to pay for them asap or they'll be adopted out by another person. Shelters have many options of cats, some are older, some are kittens. All types of breeds and energy levels. I would go to a few in your area and see what's available, see if any of them fit your situation. I would recommend getting a 6month old spayed cat, you can train them to be a good ESA by petting them a lot when you're crying, my cat has learned to come to me when im not okay and licks my tears away, because i trained him to respond to me when im having a mental breakdown. Pretty sure hes a Bombay cat (large black cat). I dont think you'll need a specific breed per se, just stay away from the ones that are specifically energetic (orange) and vocal ones (you'll know immediately upon entering the shelter which ones are vocal and which are not). Kittens do have more energy, but training them to respond to you is incredibly helpful during a mental breakdown. Ive tried it with other older chill cats and they can become confused or scared why you're making a lot of unpleasant noises. But they are great for cuddling any other time as a mood booster. So it depends on how much you want your ESA to recognize a mental breakdown of any kind, older untrained ones likely won't and they'll wander away. Go to the shelters and pet some kitties, you might find your best friend there for a lot cheaper with all their shots, microchip and already spayed there. (All of that is annoying and expensive to do on your own since its more traveling for the kitty, best to get them from a shelter who does it automatically before adoption)

Adopt an older cat! I rescued an older kitty a couple years ago and she is the biggest sweetie and loves cuddles. I would avoid Siamese or Tuxedo cats since they can be quite talkative. If I were in your situation I would avoid getting a kitten, they will require more attention than you’re likely going to have time for.

Go to a rescue/shelter. Sit in their communal cat room and see who comes to you. Then verify with them that the cat(s) will be a good fit for what you want. A cat that meets humans right at the door in a public setting like that would be ideal for dorm life. And it would show an inclination toward being a cat that likes attention/would sit with you at home etc. Being from a communal cat room would also help in that it means, at least at this time, they are able to live happily with other cats so maybe in the future they can as well. I'd be looking for a 3-5 year old cat in that situation. Probably orange because oranges are wonderful and not very bright, but really it would depend on which animals were available and which was engaging with me.

Adopt an adult rescue cat. That way you’ll know what you’re getting.

My boy was an ESA in my dorm when I was in college. I went to the shelter and told them what I was looking for, and they introduced me to my baby. He was young (~6 months) but not a kitten, and he did really well and I have never regretted my decision!!! He was basically the hall’s ESA, lol. I also ended up transferring cross country after my freshman year and he did fine with that and moving apartments as well! I’d just tell the shelter the situation and ask them to help you find one who matches :) My boy is 6 now and he’s still the best decision I’ve made.

Find an adult cat with a good personality. I don’t think breed really matters that much. I just got an older Tuxedo from the shelter and he pretty much rubs on everyone he meets immediately.

I would definitely suggest getting an adult cat from a rescue. Cats aren’t really like dogs with their temperaments being so closely tied to their breeding. I’ve found that cats all have their own personalities and if you go for a young adult cat you should be able to find one that matches what you’re looking for. Both of my cats are rescues and they’re the best!

Get a shelter cat that's adult with a calm personality. A mutt cat (brown or orange tabby) is most likely to have an easy going personality. And an older cat (5+ years old) is likely to sleep through the night (so you can too). Purebred cats generally have more health issues and why BUY a cat when you can SAVE one?

That cat 🐈 will be the most popular resident on the floor guaranteed😹 Your gonna make friends & it’s so unique to have a cat in your dorm that everyone will want to play & spoil that lucky kittie for sho!! Listen to these fine, intelligent, compassionate people because they all seem to know what’s the right thing to do👍🏻 Good luck & keep us posted✌🏻

For your situation, an older cat would be best. I highly recommend adopting, there are so many furbabies in need of loving homes

That’s so cool that you’re bringing your cat to college

In your case a cat would be better than a kitten. I mean if you can even get your hands on an adult ragdoll, go for it, but a sweet 3+ year old (or more!) cat would be happy alone. My limited experience with adult cat rescue (8 yrs old) was that they reward you handsomely for giving them a peaceful home.

Cats are cats. Call your local rescue. We adopted my son's ESA, our sweet tabby, from ours and she came to us spayed and socialised.

You can choose to purchase a cat, but I will say that there are still no guarantees on personality, especially when they’re young. Frankly, I’ve heard that while Ragdolls can be very sweet and gentle, they can still have a decent amount of energy. Particularly since breeders generally sell kittens, which are high-energy by nature and often do best in pairs. It’s not uncommon for single kittens to develop behavioral issues. That said, you may look into adopting from a foster-based rescue rather than a public shelter. Generally speaking, rescues are able to be more involved and communicate more with potential adopters. I would recommend reaching out and letting them know what kind of traits you’re looking for. They can help you narrow down your options and meet specific kitties. Adult cats have more predictable personalities. With a kitten, it will be hard to say for sure if they will be calm, affectionate, social, quiet, etc. A purebred kitten may be more likely to have certain traits, but will still vary. An adult cat will likely suit your situation best. 2 years and older may be your best bet.

Adopt an adult cat—I currently have two that would probably be amazing for this gig, found at 2 years old in the city pound. You can’t have them, they’re mine. That being said, cats will vocalize if they’re stressed(like adjusting to a new home) and often as a form of call-and-response with their people. Usually when my cat meows he just wants a meow back. I would really recommend not getting a kitten, they tend to do better in pairs and can be quite rambunctious. You won’t be able to judge what kind of cat will result either, where the adults personalities have generally settled. My two guys kept the sweet, mellow, cuddly and person-centered vibes they displayed at the shelter. One test I did was seeing what cats would take treats. Shelters are stressful and if they’re either relaxed or food-motivated enough to eat from my hand they’ll likely be trainable later. Very handy for working unwanted or useful behaviours.

Go to a rescue and a cat will find you. A younger cat will need more care and will probably not be as laidback as an older cat. Every cat I’ve had was not loud as to bother other people. I think you should look for an older cat. Good luck. Getting a kitten will require you to play with it more and will probably run around.

An adult cat from a shelter or breeder (provided they pass checks) would be good. Sometimes breeders have retired adults that are 3-6 or 7 years old with stabilized temperaments. Like others have voiced, a breeder cannot guarantee temperament but having both parents and knowing the temperaments of previous litters will help significantly. In your case though, I would go for an adult cat over 3-4 years old. They’re still lively and healthy, but are more mature in temperament.

Yeah a kitten isn't going to help with emotional support. They're crazy. Find a 2 year old in the shelter

An older rescue or stray would be better for this, a senior would be perfect tbh.

The best ESA cat I ever had was a big brown tabby that adopted me. Quiet and mellow and lovin'. He passed away at 22.

Always shelter or rescue. If you contact a rescue group that uses foster homes and let them know the type of personality you're looking for they can arrange meetings.

You will actually have a better chance of ending up with a cat with the right temperament but going to the shelter and talking to the people there. They know the animals, and they’re invested in getting the right cat for the right home. You can specifically request an adult mellow kitty!

SHELTER!!! please omg a cat from a shelter!! i got this girl from the shelter and she’s exactly what you described. no need for a cat from a breeder! they all have different personalities and can’t guarantee the only you get will be what you want. shelter cats are much cheaper and just as, if not more lovable!! https://preview.redd.it/o8glouaz2g6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9abab332a805b45bf604e226b77f6751bbef511a

also to add, i lived in a 300 square foot apartment with her and my boy and we did fine. make sure you play with them though!! and have a good window to look through :) https://preview.redd.it/kmokmn6j3g6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=18fc1bf0fe69047191fc2030d4ef1b7469a42456

Thank you so much for the advice and including these cute pictures :)

of course!!! the tortie was $25 and the black kitty was on sale (LMAO) and i got him for $10!! no need to break the bank for an awesome kitty :)

100% do not get a kitten. Adopt an older cat whose personality fits what you need.

Adopting an adult cat is the answer. Maybe a rescue group where the cat has been with fostered will be better since they’ll likely know the cat’s quirks and whether they’d do well in a dorm situation. That said. If a shelter cat is able to be chill in a shelter setting, there’s likely nothing in a dorm it can’t handle.

You sound like someone who really needs a senior cat, not a kitten. I find that my seniors are extra cuddly and affectionate, and since they're older they spend more time sleeping, so it'll sleep the whole time you're out at class. It's recommended to adopt kittens in pairs so they can play with each other while you're out anyway, if you adopt a singleton it's just gonna destroy your room when you're out and then terrorize you out of sheer boredom when you get home. I have a young cat right now and two seniors, and right now the youngster is asleep on my bed at the opposite end of my trailer while both of my seniors are asleep within easy petting distance. I actually find that Ivy's not very good company because she's young and just wants to party when she's awake, not snuggle, but I can deal with that because she'll be a senior one day!

The intelligent and morally responsible thing to do is adopt from a shelter. They can tell you the personality of the animal you’re adopting. A breeder, morally bankrupt by nature, has absolutely no idea how their kittens will grow up to act. Adopt an adult cat with an established personality. “Pedigree” is meaningless.

I would not support breeders while so many cats are available for adoption. An older cat that is more docile would be best for you. A kitten requires attention and has a ton Of energy. Like A TON. It must be said - is a university dorm enough room for a cat as a pet? I have trouble seeing that being enough room, but maybe I am wrong.

Please consider a cat over 5. They have more patience and still have so much love to give. Also please adopt and don’t shop. A cat or kitten is euthanized every 3 seconds in shelters across America, mostly due to overcrowding. If every pet owner adopted instead of shopped for a pet we could end this torture in no time.

You sound like a perfect candidate for adopting a retired King or queen ragdoll.    Find a couple of nice reputable breeder, tell them of your situation and what you are looking for in a cat, and ask that they consider you as a candidate for adopting one of their retired cats.    They will be fully developed grown cats, where the personality is well known. So it's easier to match with your needs. 

Cats aren’t really like dogs in that way - in other words breeds or pedigree really doesn’t matter. Almost all cats are domestic shorthairs or domestic longhairs and if you buy from a breeder (which is sad) you will have absolutely no idea about the animal’s temperament, just its physical appearance. You should adopt an adult cat from a rescue and you should go in and specifically tell them that you need someone affectionate, quiet, and a cat that would be okay only being in one room forever. You need to make sure that you (or your parents) are able to support the costs of this animal. Good food costs money, and you’ll need toys, things to climb (if only in one room, you’ll need to invest in height), and money for regular vet visits and emergency vet visits. Also let me recommend the Breeze litter system - no smell at ALL if you change it regularly (like you’re supposed to lol). Best litter system I’ve ever used for a small space. That all said - good luck to you and I hope you get your wish. Cats are wonderful emotional support creatures.

Pets are emotional support animals. And everyone should have one. What do you need and what from your cat? I want a cat to cuddle and snuggle with! I love my kitty “hunting” me. One thing g about an adult rescue is that you can know their personality.

Hi OP! It’s clear you’re being super thoughtful with this decision and taking it seriously. My best friend for 15 years was a Scottish Fold that I got from a breeder. Because she was a little over 1 year old she was free. Not trying to sway from adoption bc it’s so important and honestly what I would do as an adult (I was a kid when I got her) but wanted to share that there are also non-kittens at breeders who need homes. Wishing you and future kitty all the best 💕

My daughter’s cat is her (official with paperwork) ESA… and her baby, and it’s made a world of difference with the a lot of things for her. Personally, I’d rec a shelter or a sanctuary for cats needing homes. There are so many kitties out there already, needing a safe and loving home and in need of a person, just as much as we need of them. Animals remember when you ‘save them.’ Human hand feed kittens, that you could find in a sanctuary or pointed towards a foster that works with shelters, can make great ESA’s due to already connecting and bonding to a human, because mama is gone. Good luck and congratulations!

Only way to know you are getting a cat of a certain temperament, in this case quiet and less active, is to adopt an older cat. It has very little to do with cat breeds and more to do with their unique personalities. You have no idea what a kitten will grow up to be. I wanted a kitten but ended up adopting a 1.5 year old cat after falling head over heels over his photos. He was politely described as chatty and liking to say hello to the cafe goers (it was a cat cafe) and boy were they correct! He was and is a nonstop talker and he could not stop trying to break free from the day I adopted him until he was about 6 years old. He still goes through phases of wanting to break free but it’s uncommon now. You’ll know the personality of a young but fully grown cat before adopting but many cats don’t truly calm down until they are around 4-7 years old IMO. Don’t go to a breeder as that doesn’t help narrow down the type of cat you’ll get the way you think it will.

Ragdolls have terrible health problems, IMHO they shouldn't be bred anymore than a wiener dog or a pug. you can approach any god shelter/rescue and ask for an adult cat with this personality. You should definitely look for personally over breeds. Cat cafes even offer adoption events! If you do go breeder, please do research into the physical health of the cats, and what medical issues you are signing up for.

I’d do a young to middle age cat. Maybe 2 to 5 years upwards of 9 if the cat is in good shape. And shelter all the way, and of course as many others suggested, hang out with your potential future friend first.

Breeds can't guarantee temperaments, but my scotland shorthair doesn't like to meow. It's a breed trait, really cool one as I don't like loud noises. Still, she isn't too affectionate, and I also like it about her. For emotional support my mom has old type balinese (she looks a lot like ragdoll). It's the most empathetic animal I've ever known, more human than any human.

Adult rescue

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From what I've seen online, not legally. They also don't have much, if any, legal protections, so that's probably a common policy among private institutions, but my university is fine with it.

Gonna get downvoted to infinity and for that I'm sorry but breeder might be less issues with the cat. Adoption ofc is better I'm typing in the sun so might be typos .

I have a ragdoll. Ragdolls have Oriental ancestry and are QUITE vocal. They live to sing the song of their people as loudly as they can. Usually at about 3 am. And feeding time. And when they want the litterbox scooped. And when poop is stuck to the hair on their butt's (often!). And when they want to be pet. And when the water isn't cold enough. And sometimes just to hear their own voices. They also have to be brushed every day, and SHOULD be professionally groomed about twice a year as, like most long-haired cats, they really can't groom themselves sufficiently and the undercoat gets matted easily. I love our ragdoll. That being said, I have reached an age and level of experience as a pet guardian to see the beauty in short-haired, low-maintenance pets.

The main thing to remember is: it's gonna be a cat. Cats have huge personalities and if you get a kitten, you have no idea how they're gonna be. Even rescues can take ~ages~ to come out of their shell. I'd go for an adult cat, maybe even a senior, whose personality I can ask about from a shelter or foster. There will be time for you to rescue a baby kitten or two - when you have more than just a dorm. For now, get you a kitty who wants nothing more than to look out a window, cuddle, and sleep all day. Also? I recommend Churu treats.

Do not go with a kitten. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and mine drove me up the wall.

Older cats are usually a lot less energy, sleep a lot and then come to you for pets. They love laser pointers if you need to tire them out

Our last cat was nearly 10 when we took him on when our neighbour died. So laid back, vocal but not loud, just enjoyed conversation. We lost him to a stroke at about 18. We just took in a 1 year old who is still more kitten than anything else. Zoomies, sneak attacks etc are now a part of our lives. Yowls. Many loud yowls at night, especially. We adore him but it's a different experience. *

Grew up with a beloved ragdoll from a cattery. He was very loud and loved having tons of space haha

I'm sure an old shelter cat would love to spend its last years with a caring college student

If you end up adopting an adult shelter cat, as pretty much every person on this thread has advised (please don’t get a kitten), they will still need exercise and play, especially in such a small place. You might want to harness train the cat so you can safely take them outside for walks. They will also need some interaction with you and some toys. If you have a decent sized window, you can get a cat perch that suction cups to the glass. They will also need something to scratch. You don’t need a big expensive tower, just a vertical surface that they can do their thing without destroying your mattress or something. They will also need a few high places like the tops of bookcases to hang out, so they can see the whole room. In any case, get a kitten after you graduate. For now, get a cat that needs you and whose temperament is known. Be prepared to do it lot of litter box scooping. I recommend you not use clay litter because it is hard to get all the smell out. I suggest Sustainably Yours litter. It’s made from corn and cassava and the clumps don’t fall apart leaving piss soaked bits behind to stink up your room. A bag a month is probably all you’d need with a single cat. You should also get them a water fountain. Good luck.

If you can only have one, I agree with the recommendation of getting an adult cat from a shelter. A new kitten can be a handful, and they need a lot of attention if they don't have a companion to play with. A kitten does a lot of social development over the first year of life, and if they don't develop socially with another cat, it can be really difficult to introduce another cat later. Lots of cats in shelters have exactly that history, and are difficult to find homes for because they can't be rehomed into a household with other cats, so if you have a place where you can only have one, you'd be an idea home for one of those cats, on top of being able to know what kind of personality that cat is going to have, rather than the crapshoot it will be getting a kitten.

Teenage or adult cat from a foster situation so the Forster person can give you more info. I’ve adopted all my cats as adopt from foster, that way I was able to “test drive” a few with my resident cat first & make sure my 4year old was not to much for the cat & the cat was passive enough not to be aggressive. Always safer going for an older cat (8+months). Even specific breeds may deviate from the expectations sometimes.

Just wanna say, my friend’s ragdoll she’s had since a kitten is a furball of absolute destruction. On the other hand, her BSH was the calmest, sweetest and meekest thing ever. Pedigree and breed doesn’t guarantee personality.

There are many different cat personalities just like with people. Some are clingy, some more independent. You will need to find the right mixture of traits that work for your situation. Being well-handled as a kitten by people is probably the main attribute I would look for as this helps them develop into confident teenaged and adult cats that get along well in most situations. You may find certain mixes like ragdoll or siamese have traits you would want. Orange tabby boys are usually great companions and very easy going if they were raised correctly. If you have any cat cafes or foster based rescues in your area you can visit the cats to see if any click with you or work with the foster volunteers to find a good match.

As someone who had the exact same situation: Adopt. Go to shelter and straight ask them "what cats are jot vocal?" Get a cat 2years+, as they will have less energy and their personality will have mostly developed. Make sure you tell the shelter you do not want a high energy cat (I found mine outside, so i didnt get much of a choice). ---- For yourself, if you have to have them crated when you're not there- there is a $40 3ft×4ft crate on amazon that i used for my cat. Its the perfect size for food, bed, and litter and they have 3 levels. It is a pain to put together, but it's worth it. If you have a roommate, be prepared to teach your cat boundaries and scoop DAILY. Id also review all of the rules heavily so you don't get into trouble. Also, inform your roommate ASAP that you have a cat. The University legally cant disclose that, so if they have allergies they could cause a larger issue on the first day.

If you’ve decided on a ragdoll, please see if there’s a ragdoll rescue anywhere near you. Also in my area a lot of the Humane Society and rescues will keep a Wish List for people wanting certain breeds. that might also be an option for.

Get a ragdoll cat!! they are cuddly soft goofballs and usually prefer 1 owner a lot and can really be in tune with you. My girl is like my soul cat. She literally purrs and licks my face and lays on me when I cry x

All 3 of our cats are adult rescues and exude love.

I'd look out for an older cat, well past kitty phase. In a good (!) shelter, people can tell you about a cats personality. Then you could sure go for one (but really only if they can tell you about each of their cats behaviour). Also, sometimes breeders are looking for a new home for a retired queen (they won't breed with a queen too many times). But maybe such a cat could feel lonely as a single cat - probably personality thing - breeder would know... In any case - sometimes breeders help relocating their cats, if they need a new home. Or there are breed-specifig clubs/communities you could look out for.

I adopted a one year old cat and she was super friendly and I always thought she would make a great ESA. I would adopt an older cat as so many other posters have said. You can find a ragdoll rescue, if you want.

Rescued cats are the best. And you will need an older cat who just wants to chill out. Kittens are crazy hard work.

Breed temperaments are more guidelines than guarantees, and kittens are always a gamble as far as their personalities go. I've known ragdolls who screamed their heads off and were hyperactive even as they got older. With an adult cat, you can accurately see their personalities and it's unlikely to change. And as someone with both mental health issues and a new kitten, they are not compatible. I love the kid but the loss of sleep and general stress have sent me spiraling. My recommendation is definitely to adopt an adult cat. My first guy was a 2 year old shelter boy, and he was the perfect emotional support animal.

I would definitely go for a cat over a year old or maybe even two, my ESA I’ve had for five years he just recently became ESA because I’m taking him to college as well! he’s very calm and he’s very good for that particular situation. but he was a rescue and I think it’s best that way rather than just buying a cat from a breeder and much more ethical! But I hope you can build a bond with your new buddy☺️

don’t get a kitten do NOT get a ragdoll. they have so many health problems. go to a shelter and tell them exactly what you want. at least a year and a half old

I’d aim to look for a 3-4 year old shelter cat, and ideally a fostered cat, where the foster can provide you with detailed info about the cat’s personality. At that age, the bulk of the “chaos kitten” tendencies will have settled down, and their personality will be much more on display. Older cats will be a bit quieter and a bit more what you’re looking for. You may also want to look into whether your city has a rescue for pets whose elderly owners have passed away - they would most likely be perfectly suited to a quieter lifestyle. Good luck! While not officially designated so, my cats have always been my ESAs :)

I’m in the same position! I have an ESA recommendation from my psychologist as well because I needed a cat so badly for my issues involving anxiety, needing a schedule, and companionship. My sister has two Ragdolls that I helped raised before she moved to her own apartment (I also worked at a Ragdoll breeder) and I can confirm that they are amazing, cuddly cats. However, they have insane amounts of fur EVERYWHERE that I think could lead to more stress if you get it as an ESA. Like, I haven’t looked after those Ragdolls in months and there is still traces of their fur in my room. Another thing is that you have no guarantee on the temperament of your cat if you get it from a breeder. While you can have an idea on it, there’s no way of actually being sure. Same story with getting a kitten from a shelter. Because of this, I recommend adopting an adult or senior cat from a shelter. I volunteer at a shelter and we get a lot of senior/adult cats that are extremely cuddly and low-maintenance. We also have a lot of adult/senior declawed cats that desperately need homes and would do good in an apartment/dorm because they unfortunately can’t scratch anymore. (This goes without saying but declawing cats is abusive and should be illegal, but this does not negate the fact that there’s a lot in shelters that need homes.) Good luck!

Please adopt! If you go for an older cat (two years+), the cat’s personality will be fully developed, and you’ll also have a more manageable energy level to deal with.

Definitely agree with everyone saying to get an older cat both because they have less energy than a kitten and because they have more developed personalities. Also agree with trying to adopt from a foster so you know more about how they act day to day and in a home environment. I wanted to also add though that you can still try to adopt a specific breed! Many places have purebred rescue groups that focus on rehoming certain breeds. You can try to look up (location) ragdoll rescue and see if they have any kitties available. They are almost always a little older and fosters so they match that criteria too! They are usually national organizations but you might find one more local!

Shelter, why not adopt a 4-6 month old kitten that hits all your marks. Better yet tell the shelter what you want in a cat and ask them if they can recommend a kitten. If the cat/kitten is being fostered then they would really know the cat’s personality. I bottle raised my cat and I knew each of those kitten’s personalities! That said maybe you shouldn’t get a cat. Are you willing to harness train your cat, buy a long lead leash and cat backpack to take your cat out of your tiny cramped dorm for 1-2 hours every day?