If you own a Persian cat, the chances are good that you will own many Persian cat toys as well. If you don’t have any Persian cat toys at this point, it’s definitely time to shop. The thing about Persians, as well as all other cat breeds, is that if you don’t provide entertainment, they will find their own source of entertainment and you generally won’t like it at all.

Persians need toys that they can chase, toys that they can chew, and toys that they can bat. They also require climbing and scratching opportunities. Again, if you don’t provide these things, they will use objects in your home to make up for your lack of provisions.

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So, you have a purebred papered Persian, and you want to breed her? Before you jump into breeding Persians, there is quite a bit to consider. Some people want to breed just for the fun of it, or because they think that the male and female that they have in mind will produce beautiful kittens. This are almost always the wrong reasons to breed Persians.

The first thing to note is that it takes years to become a respected Persian breeder. You must earn the respect of other breeders. Second, you need a pair of Persians that are worth breeding. These Persians will have been tested for genetic problems, and they will have to be purebred, with pedigrees. You must also know what you are doing in terms of matching mates, and in terms of caring for the kittens properly.

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If you have been thinking about getting a cat, and you have decided that a Persian is the cat for you. Before you make that leap, there are several things that you should consider. Read through the information below, and make sure that you are really ready for the responsibility of a Persian.

Consider the cost: Persians are not cheap. Since they are the most popular cat worldwide, they are also the most expensive cats worldwide. Persians cost anywhere from $500 up to about $1200, and that is just the initial cost. There will also be grooming costs, feeding costs, veterinarian costs, and of course the cost of toys and such for the next fifteen to eighteen years.

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Why should dogs have all the fun? Many indoor cats would love to go outside and enjoy the sun but it is often far too dangerous to let them simply wander about as they please. Busy roads, large dogs and careless people are hazards many of us don’t want our cats exposed to. So why not teach him to walk on a leash?

But cats don’t walk on leashes! That’s the sentiment many people have when the idea is first introduced. It’s true that some cats will absolutely have nothing to do with the whole business. They apparently think it is entirely beneath them to be seen out of doors on a leash. What would the neighbors think! Fortunately, there are other cats willing to entertain the idea and some who actually come to like their walks. There really isn’t any way of knowing which way your cat will turn out unless you try. Let’s get started.

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It’s a great day today! Today is the day you go out to find your new friend and companion, your new cat. But where do you go to find her? What will you need to look for? What would you be wise to avoid? Let’s take a look at each question.

Where do I find my new cat? There are a large number of places where cats are available for new homes. The local animal shelter is an excellent place to begin. They always have a very good selection of cats and kittens to choose from. With so many different breeds, sizes, colors, and ages to choose from you’re almost sure to find a new friend just waiting for you to come and pick her up. Farmers frequently have kittens that are available to go to a new home. If you are interested in a particular breed of cat, contact their registry. They should be able to direct you to a reputable breeder in your area.

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Cats as familiars have a long and dark history in western mythology. These cats often found their way into literature. One of the most famous was Grimalkin, the witches’ cat from Shakespeare’s MacBeth. Cats as witch’s companions are still a part of the popular symbology associated with the modern holiday of Halloween.

What is a familiar?

In western mythology a familiar was an animal companion given by the devil to a witch in order to help her with her evil magic. These familiars would have names just like any other pet. In the middle ages, if you were caught talking to your pet (like a lot of people do) you were considered to be consorting with the devil in speaking to w obviously your familiar. The Middle Ages were a very dark and violent period in Europe. Their alternative name “Dark Ages” should come as no surprise. Learning was confined to clergy and nobility. The general population was therefore quite ignorant and prone to superstition.

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It seems strange that there was ever a time when cats were not a part of our lives. It’s been less that 10,000 years since cats swaggered into our lives. Hardly an eye blink in the grand sweep of life on this planet. Why were cats so late to join our team?

The simple answer is they didn’t need us to survive. Cats were surviving just fine on their own. Then, people invented agriculture. Agriculture resulted in large scale storage of grains which attracted the usual and well know group of freeloaders, mice and rats. Grain attracted rodents. Rodents attracted cats who consider them tasty meals. The result was that cats set up housekeeping close to human settlements. Eventually, cats being cats, moved right on in.

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The Ocicat were named after the Ocelot wildcat that is found from southwestern Texas south to northern Argentina. The Ocicat, however, does not have any Ocelot blood in them. They are entirely domestic bred. The first Ocicat was produced as a happy accident in the early 1960s by breeder Virginia Daly who was was trying to breed a Siamese cat with Abyssinian colored points. She did reach her goal, but in her second litter she found a cream colored male with golden spots and copper colored eyes. She named him Tonga. Her daughter called him Ocicat because he reminded her of a baby Ocelot. Tonga was later sold as a pet and neutered.

Fortunately, the same breeding pair that produced Tonga later produced a second spotted male. His name was Dalai Dotson who became the foundation for the Ocicat breed. The first Ocicat, Tonga, was exhibited at a cat show in 1965. The Ocicat registry was established in 1966. The Ocicat was so striking and unique that other breeders were attracted and joined Daley in establishing this beautiful breed. The breeder continued to focus ion Abyssinians and Siamese for their foundation stock, but some American Shorthair was introduced as well. The American Shorthair bloodlines introduced a beautiful silver color to the ocicat.

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This is a special announcement of a new cat book “The Ultimate Cat Lover: The Best Experts’ Advice for a Happy, Healthy Cat,” by Dr. Marty Becker, just published by Health Communications, Inc.

To support release of the book, Health Communications, Inc., is offering an article by acclaimed animal photographer Troy Snow on “How to Photograph Your Pet.” You’ll find the article at:

http://www.authorviews.com/authors/becker/excerpt.htm

*Remember to check out the article above on how to photograph your pet. It is a good article with tips to getting the best photos out of your pet.

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A rare and ancient breed of cat, the Turkish Van was depicted on ornaments as far back as 5,000 B.C. The Turkish Van was so named for its region of origin, central and southwest Asia. The area includes the modern countries of Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Syria, and eastern Turkey. Van is a very common name in the area. There is in fact, a Lake Van which is also Turkey’s largest lake, so it is not surprising that Van was used as part of this breeds name. In fact, this cat is known sometimes in its lands of origin as the “Vancat”. Turkish Vans were brought back to Europe by the Crusaders on their return from the Holy Land. These cats were called several different names during that time including; white ringtail and Russian Longhair.

The first Turkish Van cats to arrive in England were brought in 1955.The breed was initially called the Turkish cat in England but this name was modified to Turkish Van later to avoid confusion with the Turkish Angora. The various names under which this breed was known in Europe created the misconception that is was simply a variant of the Turkish Angora. They are, in fact, very distinct breeds with separate histories. The Turkish Van is very much the new kid on the block in America having been here only since a first importation of a few kittens in the mid 1970s, but the breed only began to take off in this country with a second importation from France in 1983. The Turkish Van has since attracted a loyal and spirited group of breeders and fanciers.

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