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Siamese Cats – Is One Right for You?

Posted on June 30, 2009 by admin

The exotic Siamese cat orginates from the country of Thailand. Their original job was to protect royal palaces and monasteries from evils spirits and were thought to bring good luck to their owners. In 1884, the first Siamese cats were brought to England as a gift to a British general and later, the cats were brought to America. The Siamese today is one of the most recognized cat breeds.

A distinguishing characteristic is their bodies which are light in color with dark markings, usually around the feet, legs, tail or face. Weights range from six to sixteen pound. Their eyes are bright and slanted. Their build is muscular and their heads, round.

Siamese cats are known for their excellent communication with their owners. They demand a lot of attention because they believe humans are meant to serve them. Thus, they can become very dependent on their masters. Siamese are extremely playful, noisy, and very social. They want to be with their owners and in the center of the action. These kitties do not like to be left alone for long periods.

While emotionally high-maintenance, grooming needs are minimal. A bath every so often and a monthly brushing are all that is required. Siamese cats have life spans that are comparable to other breeds, about 15-20 years.

Siamese cats make great pets for families that are able to provide lots of attention and enjoy a cat that is active and truly a member of the family.

Tags: siamese cats, siamese cat

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Categories : Cat Breeds

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So You Want To Know About Persian Cats

Posted on June 23, 2009 by admin

photo credit: Between a Rock alt=”persian cat”

Persian cats are an extremely popular cat breed due to the wonderful personalities and beautiful long coats. They are known for being a good companion animal.

Persians do best in quiet homes, although they get along with everyone, including kids. With sunny dispositions, they are wonderful companions. They have melodious voices that are pleasing to hear. These cats tend to know how beautiful they are and love to pose to show off their lovely coats.

The long coats are found in several different colors including silver, gold, solid, tabby, smoke , particolor, bicolor, and shaded. Face types come in two versions – traditional (doll face) with a nose of normal length and placement with other facial features and the Extreme Persian (Peeked-Face Persian) also known as the ‘show’ version that has a nose that appears to have been smashed into a wall and bulging eyes.

Persians have distinctive faces that are reminiscent of pansies along with very expressive eyes. Their bodies are short along with large-boned legs. Their noses are high and ears are low and rounded.

These cats need frequent grooming. Daily combings and face/eye washing along with monthly baths are required to keep their coats looking their best. They need to be kept indoors as a trip outdoors can quickly ruin their beautiful coats.

Persians are generally healthy, although those with the extreme facial features can have respiratory issues and more tearing. The Himalayan variety was bred for the lower nose and decreased tearing. Blue-eyed versions are prone to deafness.

Persians usually live for fifteen years or even more. They are prone to a genetic disease called polycystic kidney disease or PKD. Make sure that any Persian you get has been screened for PKD by the breeder before purchasing.

For those with quieter households and the time to devote to grooming, a Persian can make a wonderful companion.

Tags: persian cats, persian cat

Categories : Cat Breeds

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Is a Chausie Cat Right For You?

Posted on June 17, 2009 by admin

Chausie cats originate from the breeding of a domestic cat with a wild cat (Felis Chaus). The resulting first generation is half domestic and half wild. The males in the first generation are sterile as well as most in the second and third generations.

The Chausie breed has the temperament of a domestic cat coupled with the grace and looks of a wild cat. They are large and really active. Extremely affectionate cats, they are also very alert and intelligent. They are often compared to dogs in behavior. Chausies should not be aggressive. They do well with other pets and are loyal to their human families.

Chausies are assertive and are sure to let their owners know when they want fed or some quality time with their family members. A bored Chausie can get into trouble, so be sure to give your Chausie a large assortment of toys. Another Chausie or other pet companion is also a good idea. This breed does sleep as much as other cats which means that they are constantly ready to play! Chausie enjoy children provided they are shown with kindness and respect. Young children should not be left unsupervised with any pet.

The first three generations of this breed are considered hybrids, so you will need to check your local laws before bringing one home.. The Chausie typically weighs in between 16 and 35 pounds, and the height can be from 14 to 18″ from the shoulders. Generally, females are smaller than males.

The three recognized colors are golden, black and silver-tipped melanistic. Chausies do have stripes or spots as kittens. These markings fade as the animal ages except for those on the legs and face, which can still be seen on the adult cat.

The Chausie is designed for jumping, hunting and running. and has the long, slender, body with small feet especially made for these activities. The coat is short to medium, dense and relatively coarse. The ears are distinctive – lynx-tipped and mobile. They are known for their remarkable speed and the ability to leap vertically over 6 feet into the air.

The Chausie is a new breed registered with The International Cat Association in July of 1995. In May of 2003, the Chausie achieved the “Advanced New Breed” status and can now compete in the Advanced New Breed (ANB) rings in TICA shows. The next step is for the Chausie to achieve “Championship Breed” status.

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Categories : Cat Breeds

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Your Kitten’s Development

Posted on March 21, 2009 by admin

If you have just brought home a new kitten, you may be wondering about the different stages of kitten development. While most cat breeds are only considered to be kittens for their first year of life, breeds such as the Maine Coons actually have longer kittenhoods.

During their first six weeks, kittens grow a rapid pace. This is a critical time as the kitty’s personality is developed during this period. If the mother cat is present, she will teach many of these lessons. If not, humans and littermates will be instrumental in teaching kitty how to get along with others. Socialization with humans must occur frequently in order for the cat to be easily accepting of human contact when older.

Between the ages of seven weeks and fourteen weeks, kittens are at their most active. Coordination has gotten better so that the cat can easily play. Cats of this age are learning the art of tail-chasing and hunting prey. Provide a variety of cat toys to expose your kitty to different forms of play and to further develop coordination.

At six months of age, kittens are the equivalent of teenagers. If they have not been neutered or spayed, they will begin seeking to mate. Be sure to spay or neuter your pet to avoid unwanted litters.

At one year of age, most cats have reached adulthood. If you have socialized him or her properly, you should have a wonderful companion for many years.

Visit cat behavior to learn more about how to socializing your kitten.

Tags: Kittens, kitten development

Categories : Cat Breeds, Kittens

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What Effects Does Catnip Have on Cats?

Posted on March 2, 2009 by admin

Catnip is actually a plant. Many cat toys contain catnip or you can even grow it yourself. Catnip can have different effects depending on the cat.

Young kittens will not respond to catnip. In fact, it’s best not to try catnip until a cat is an adult. Kittens tend to be playful enough without adding more stimulation.

As kittens mature, about sixty percent of them will develop a reaction to catnip. This reaction is actually a genetic trait, and those cats that do not have the right genetics will never react to the substance.

In some cats, the reaction to catnip causes euphoria which may include increased playfulness, purring, and occasionally erratic behavior. A cat given a toy that has catnip in it will often sniff the toy repeatedly, rub up against it, and possibly play with the toy a little more enthusiastically than it would other toys. This is the reaction that owners enjoy since the cat is having fun and is often very entertaining to watch.

Unfortunately, the reaction in a minority of felines is one of aggression or behavior that endangers the cat or humans. For kitties who react this way, catnip should be avoided. Since it is present in so many products, owners will have to exercise caution when purchasing toys and other cat supplies.

Besides the aggressive reaction, catnip is not harmful. If a cat ingests too much, vomiting may result, so limit the amount of pure catnip given at one time.

What effects does catnip have on cats? The answer depends on the individual animal. Try one catnip toy or a little dried catnip and watch your cat’s response to find out if catnip is an enjoyable treat for you and your feline.

Tags: catnip

Categories : Cat Breeds, Cat Health

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