Archive for the ‘Cat Breeds’ Category

If you love the Abyssinian cat breed, but prefer longhair cats, then you may want to take a close look at the striking Somali. This cat breed is a descendant of the Abyssinian and has many of the same traits.

While longhair cats occasionally were born in Abyssinian litters for many generations, it was not until the nineteen sixties that a Canadian breeder decided to develop a cat breed from these longhair kittens. The Somali was soon quite popular and rapidly spread to the United States and Europe. Because these cats were developed without using any breed but the Abyssinian, they are also known as Longhair Abyssinians.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat health, cat breeds, cat information, kitten, pet cat

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

For people who like cats with a unique appearance, the Selkirk Rex is definitely a good choice. The curly haired Selkirk has a coat that looks similar to that of a poodle, although it is much thicker and plushier. This cat breed, which has both longhair and shorthair varieties, originated in the United States in the late nineteen eighties when one kitten in a litter born at an animal rescue had a very curly coat. This cat was bred to a Persian cat and produced a litter of three curly kittens and three normal kittens. The breeder named these curly haired kittens after the mountains near her home. Since there were three kittens that carried the Rex gene in the litter, this gene is dominant and outcrossing the Selkirk to other cat breeds still produces Rex kittens.

Since the Selkirk Rex is occasionally bred back to Persians to increase the genetic pool and to keep this cat breed healthy, it is no surprise that these cats need to be groomed frequently. Even shorthairs need to be groomed several times a week to avoid having their coats tangle and to remove loose hair before it ends up on your furniture cushions. These cats shed frequently. As you groom your cat, be careful not to over comb his coat, as too much grooming can straighten the hair. In addition, be especially careful of his whiskers, as they are extremely fragile and breakable.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat, kitten, pet cats, pet cat, cats

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

If you have a fondness for teddy bears, you may want to take a look at the cuddly Scottish Fold cat breed. These cats first appeared in the nineteen sixties, when a Scotsman saw a kitten with ears that folded down and forward to rest against his head. He bred this kitten to a British Shorthair cat to develop the unique looking Scottish Fold.

While the Cat Fancier’s Association recognizes the Scottish Fold as a member of the Championship Class, British cat breed associations will not recognize these cats as a breed, and for good reason. Although the Fold is absolutely adorable to look at, hereditary bone and joint problems can cripple these cats or even cause them to grow in a deformed way by the time they are six months old.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat, pet cats, cat information, pet cat, cat care

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

If you are concerned that a cat could ruin your furniture or make too many messes in your home, then you may want to consider the cat breed that many cat fanciers consider to be the most house friendly, the Russian Blue. These cats, which originated in Russia before the eighteen hundreds, have an undeserved reputation for being unfriendly and withdrawn, because they are so timid around strangers. In reality, the Russian is a very affectionate and intelligent cat, but keeps his affection for family members.

The Russian Blue was originally known as the Foreign Blue, and has also been called the Archangel Cat, the Maltese Cat, and the Spanish Blue. However, no matter what people call this breed, the Russian is an elegant, sophisticated looking gray blue cat with a face that seems to wear a perpetual smile.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cats, pet cats, cat information, cat breeds, cat health

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

These cats are very tolerant of children and other pets and will allow children to play games that would have other cat breeds and even many dog breeds running for cover.

The same characteristics that make the Ragamuffin such a wonderful family pet make it a bad choice for people who are not home for long periods of time. This breed thrives on attention and enjoys ‘helping’ its family do routine household chores, such as putting away groceries or folding laundry. Spending a lot of time alone can make your cat very unhappy. After all, a cat breed that will ride around in your child’s doll carriage or attend a tea party obviously loves plenty of company and attention.

The Ragamuffin is one of the biggest cat breeds, weighing in at a very hefty ten to twenty pounds. Although these cats have larger than normal bones, part of their weight also comes from their tendency to carry a bit of extra fat on their bellies. This breed has a big, solidly built body, a wedge shaped head that is a bit round and large eyes that are so expressive that many people say that their cats seem to talk with their eyes. This breed has a long, gracefully tapered tail that is covered in long hair, giving it a bushy appearance. You can find the Ragamuffin in almost any coat color and any pattern. However cats with points can not be shown.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: pet cat, cat information, cat care, kitten, cat breeds

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

The grumpy looking face and long coat of the beautiful Persian cat are familiar characteristics to most cat lovers. After all, this striking cat breed has been well known since it was first developed in the eighteen hundreds. However, these cats are certainly not the perfect breed for everyone, since caring for the lush coat of the Persian breed can be a bit time consuming.

The Persian’s most well known characteristic is probably it’s face. This breed has tiny, rounded ears, very round eyes that are set far apart, and a short nose that gives the cat’s face a pushed in appearance. A large, muscular body, a short neck, stocky legs, and a short, bushy tail complete the cat’s distinctive look. These cats weigh in at eight to fifteen pounds.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: pet cat, cat, cat breeds, kitten, cat information

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

Do you love the temperament of the Siamese cat breed, but wish you could find a cat with a very different coat color? If so, the exuberantly affectionate Oriental is the perfect breed for you. These charming cats are closely related to the Siamese and are even considered to be Siamese by many cat associations. However, the Cat Fanciers Association considers these cats to be a distinct breed that just happens to be descended from the Siamese cat breed.

The Oriental was originally a shorthair breed, but longhairs are now available, as well. While the Oriental breed is said to have been founded in Great Britain in the nineteen fifties, Siamese with a wide range of colors have been around for hundreds of years. In the early nineteen hundreds, breeders decided they only wanted Siamese to come in the traditional point colors, and the color variations became much less common. In the nineteen fifties, there was a renewed interest in the colored Siamese, and British breeders began to call these cats Foreigns. However, American breeders called them Orientals, and British breeders decided to go with that name to make things a bit less confusing.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat information, cat, pet cat, kitten, kittens

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

Have you always been an admirer of the beautiful and dangerous leopards and ocelots? While these spotted big cats can be lethal pets, there is a domesticated cat with the same exotic appearance, the Ocicat. These cats were actually developed completely by accident when a breeder in the United States was trying to create a Siamese of a different color by breeding a Siamese cat to an Abyssinian cat and ended up with a lovely spotted kitten instead. Of course, while the Ocicat may look wild, this breed actually has a wonderful personality.

The Ocicat is a medium sized cat, weighing in at six to fourteen pounds. Its powerful, graceful body is set on muscular legs. This breed’s head has a distinct wedge shape, which is topped by large, Siamese like ears. These cats have eyes with a slightly Oriental shape that are surrounded by dark color. Many cat enthusiasts say this rim of color makes these cats look as though they are wearing glasses. A long, gracefully tapered tail completes the wild appearance of this breed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat care, kittens, cat information, pet cats, kitten

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

The thick coated Norwegian Forest Cat originated in chilly Norway during the early nineteen hundreds, but its ancestors accompanied the warlike Vikings as they sailed around the world. The cats kept their owners company, but they also had a more important purpose, rodent control. The Norwegian’s exceptional hunting ability enabled it to keep the Viking food supply mouse free during long voyages at sea and at home in the village. These big cats are often thought to be unfriendly and aloof by strangers, but are actually quite loving and affectionate with family members.

Norwegian Forest Cats are solidly built, with big bodies and long, powerful legs. Many cat fanciers say the Norwegian reminds them of the Lynx, a wild cat with a similar appearance. This breed’s graceful, furry tail is as long as its body and covered in long hair that gives it a graceful appearance. The head of this cat is triangular and its brilliant green eyes have a slight slant. Overall, the breed looks very alert, instead of having a traditional placid appearance. This breed comes in a wide range of colors, including white and black. You can find the Norwegian in self, tortoiseshell, smoke, tipped, tabby, and silver tabby patterns.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat information, kittens, pet cats, cats, kitten

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

When you picture a cat in your mind, the animal probably has a long, gracefully tapering tail. However, one cat breed actually has no tail at all, the Manx cat. While tailless Manx cats are the only type of cat seen in the show ring, you can also find cats known as stumpies or tailies. These cats make wonderful pets, but are disqualified from the show ring because they are not tailless.

The Manx cat is a very historical breed that was first established before the seventeen hundreds on the Isle of Man. Because this cat has longer back legs than front legs, it walks with an unusual gait that many people say looks very much like a bunny hop. When these cats stand still, they hold their back legs bent so that their backs are still fairly straight. Despite its small, very rounded body, the Manx is still solidly built and the breed weighs in at a respectable eight to twelve pounds. This breed’s head is wide and slightly rounded, with prominent cheeks. This cat’s long ears are slightly rounded at the tips and its gold or amber eyes are very round. These unique cats comes in almost every color and pattern available, just like its close relative, the British Shorthair.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: kitten, cat health, pet cats, cat breeds, pet cat

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

The La Perm is a cat breed that is probably closely related to the Rex cat breed. These cats have a wavy coat reminiscent of the hair permanents that were so popular in the nineteen eighties, which could be why they received this name. After all, the breed originated in the United States in the early eighties.

The La Perm is not a cuddly house cat. These cats excel at mousing and enjoy romping outdoors. This is not surprising, since they may look like the Oriental cat breeds, but they actually are descended from an American barn cat. If you are looking for a docile, placid indoor cat, you won’t be happy owning a La Perm. However, this breed has a very affectionate and playful nature and is often an excellent choice for families looking for a pet or for multiple cat families.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cats, cat information, kittens, cat health, kitten

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

This breed originated in Thailand well before the seventeen hundreds. The Thai people believed that the silvery blue color of this stunning breed stood for monetary wealth, while the brilliant green eyes of the breed symbolized abundant crops, since this was the same color of immature rice grains. It is no wonder that the Thai believed a newly married couple should receive a pair of Koret cats to ensure a successful marriage.

Today, hundreds of years later, the Koret is still a blue cat with unusually green eyes. While lilac cats are occasionally sighted in European countries, the lilac cats are not currently accepted by breed associations and are not likely to ever become accepted. After all, this breed has a strong tradition behind its spectacular silver blue color.

When you first see an adult Koret, you will probably focus on his enormous, round green eyes. These eyes are a very unusual shade of green, unique to the breed. Surprisingly enough, it can take up to four years for the striking green color to develop, as kittens are born with amber colored eyes. This breed is medium sized, weighing in at six to eleven pounds and has a stocky, compact body, a heart shaped face, and big ears. The cat’s medium length tail tapers gracefully at the tip.

While most cats have keen senses, the Koret is famous for its acute hearing, sight, and sense of smell. Of course, there are plenty of advantages to these heightened senses and this may be one of the reasons these cats seem to be so lucky. After all, it can be hard for predators to sneak up on a cat who seems to see and hear everything. However, there also are disadvantages. Korets do not care for noisy environments, since they have such good hearing. People planning to show their cats need to start accustoming them to the cat show world as kittens or they will not be able to handle all of the noise and confusion that comes along with a show.

People looking for an undemanding and quietly affectionate cat may not want to choose a Koret. These cats are known for their bossy, pushy attitudes. Your cat will demand affection when it suits him and ignore you if he doesn’t want to be bothered. Some people feel that this breed is similar to a grumbling, moody teenager. However, these guys are also very friendly and playful when they are in the proper mood. With these mood swings, the Koret is not the best choice for a family, especially if there are young children.

Since the Koret is so rare, it is not surprising that there are occasional health problems with the breed. If you decide to choose one of these cats, be sure to have your pet tested for neuromuscular problems. Luckily, the disorder is fairly uncommon, but it is best to rule it out immediately.

The Koret may be the perfect breed for you if you are willing to put up with a cat that has a slightly prima dona attitude because you believe it could bring you luck.

Tags: cats, cat health, kittens, pet cats, cat

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

If you love the beautiful, graceful Balinese, but you would prefer to own this cat in different colors, then the Javanese may be the ideal cat for you. After all, this striking cat breed was actually created by crossing the Balinese and the Colorpoint Shorthairs in an attempt to give the Balinese a few color variations.

The Javanese has the silky longhair coat of the Balinese and the striking colors of the Colorpoint breed. You can find this soft coated cat in Tortoiseshell point, Red point, Cream point, or Lynx point colors.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat care, cats, cat breeds, cat health, cat

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

If you love the temperament of the American Burmese, but don’t care for the breed’s exaggeratedly round head, then you may want to take a close look at the European Burmese. This breed is actually descended from the American Burmese, which originated from temple cats in Burma. The temple cats were pure white, but suddenly changed color. According to legends, this color change happened when the cats took on the coloring of the temple’s goddess. However, cat fanciers have a more practical explanation. They think a wandering Siamese fathered a few litters of kittens. The American Burmese first arrived in Europe at the end of World War II.

European breeders were concerned that there was such a small gene pool to work with and decided to crossbreed the American Burmese with the Siamese cat. As they worked with the breed, they decided that they liked the Oriental appearance of these crossbreed kittens more than the appearance of the original American Burmese. As the breeders continued to work with the Burmese, they developed a cat that was distinct enough to have its own name, the European Burmese.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: kittens, cat health, cat breeds, cat, pet cat

Cat Lover

Post a Comment

This cat, which is descended from cats that lived in ancient Egypt, is closely related to the African Wild Cat. When you look at a Mau, you are looking at the same spotted wild cat that the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt domesticated and kept as pets and objects of worship.

Surprisingly enough, this descendant of the Egyptian cat did not reach the United States until the nineteen fifties, when an exiled member of the Russian royalty brought her Maus with her to the United States. For several decades, her two cats were the ancestors of all Maus in North America. However, recently, concerned breeders finally imported additional cats to prevent hereditary diseases and to widen the gene pool.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cat information, kitten, cat breeds, cats, cat

Cat Lover

Post a Comment