Captivating Cat Breeds

Everyone knows how curious cats can be. They're bound to get into trouble -- no matter which of the cat breeds they are -- if left to their own devices. Because of this, it's important that you keep your home safe for kitty to play and relax without the worry that your little friend will come to harm.

We call Fitzy our "Rain Kitty." He's 10 years old, and a very great specimen of American Shorthair cat breed. He's about 20 pounds and his fur is patterned in a swirl, rather than in stripes, but he looks so much like our neighbor's cat, we often got them confused.

Then, one day, Fitz came home and his head started to shake. He started screaming at the top of his kitty lungs and he vomited something pink onto my new mint green rug. I didn't care about the rug. I was just frantic to help my little guy, whatever the problem was. I just wanted him to stop hurting! It was horrible. 

So, we rushed him to the vet, him howling all the way. Apparently, he was poisoned. We live n Florida, and he had been an outdoor cat before that time. It was impossible to keep him in and away from all the critters that live here, like nasty snakes and fire ants and who knows what happened?

Anyway, poor Fitz had a stroke. It about broke my heart. Since then, he's been blind in one eye and deaf in one ear, though everything else about him seems perfectly normal. Yet, we know he had his brain addled, and though he's very smart in many ways, he's terrified of other cats because of his disability. So, he doesn't wait to make friends, he attacks.

This doesn't at all sit well with our 2-year-old cat, Blue, but what can we do? We love them both equally and help them to live with one another. When one is out, the other is in, and Fitz rarely leaves the santicity of our lanai. When he does, he doesn't go far because he knows he's vulnerable.

We take very good care of him, of couse, and he's the big brother. He was about 2 years old when his stroke happened, and he's about 10 years old now. He wants nothing. We give him tons of love, but he's a strange little guy. He prefers to be petted while sitting in a box. He's definitely NOT a lap sitter.

History

The Persian cat breed gets its name from the longhaired cats brought to Europe from the Iranian plateau (formerly Persia) by traders in the 17th century. However, other longhaired cats called Angoras were brought from Turkey, and it is likely that there was some interbreeding with these and domestic longhairs. How much similarity there is between the Persian cats as we know it today and those first cats brought to Europe by travellers, is unknown.

It is well known that Persians were the favorite pampered feline cat breed of European royalty. They are now consistently the most popular breed of cat in the USA.

Temperament And Care

The Persian is known as a placid cat breed, with a quiet, pleasant voice. Owners consider them to be very communicative. They make great lap cats and are happy to live indoors. They prefer a quiet, secure environment and it may take them some time to feel settled and safe in a new home. Once established they are very affectionate and make marvelous companions.

Persian cats must be given a thorough brushing every day and bathed regularly to maintain their coats. This is not just for appearance but to prevent hairballs and other problems. It gives owners a chance to spend quality time with their pets. Eyes must be checked regularly and may need cleaning. It can be a large commitment to own a Persian cat but they are also very easy to fall in love with!

Neutering: A Responsible Thing to Do

There is certainly no shortage of cats in the world and unless you have a pedigreed cat that you intend to breed, most of us, who just intend to keep our cats as pets, should have their cats neutered.

Female kittens should be spayed at approximately 16 weeks of age (four months old), as this is a time before they are likely to come into season. Though some cat breeds take a little longer before they come into season, it's a good idea to be safe and have your female spayed before that time comes. It is uncomfortable for your pet, and can be uncomfortable for you, as well. Female cats don't skimp when it comes to erotic behavior, and if you have guests, it can be embarrassing.

However, in many cases, as when you pick your cat up from a rescue shelter, the spaying will have been done before you are allowed to take your kitten home. Yet, some people prefer to allow their cats to get a bit older before spaying.

Sixteen weeks is generally a good time for male cats to be neutered, as well. Yet, they do a good part of their growing until they are two years old. It's better for the cat, if you can wait. Waiting to neuter a male cat is thought to allay the issue of feline urinary tract problems, which can be quite painful for the cat and may shorten their lives.

However, remember that male cats roam. If they're allowed to maintain their maleness, and you live near a busy street, you probably want to neuter your cat before the age of two. And though male cats can be left for a longer period of time without the same issues as female cats have, they may be contributing to the overpopulation of cats without homes and you'll never know it.

No cat lover wants to see a kitten put to sleep because there is no home for it to become part of. The mere thought is heartbreaking! But we can't be family to all cats in the world, no matter how much we might want to be.

There is the added male cat tendency to aggression and spraying in the house when the pet is unneutered. You have to weigh your own situation. Raising a herd of cats on a farm is great! Trying to keep a male cat pent up in an apartment without it being neutered young is asking for shredded furniture and very strong smells coming from places you never wanted to smell bad.

Both male and female cats that have been neutered have a calmer nature and are more people friendly. The whole thing to remember is to be responsible with your pet.

Cats can get constipated too, and this can happen for a few reasons.

Two years ago, a bundle of grey fur came into our lives. He wasn't expected, and to be honest, though he had a way about him, we weren't eager to adopt another cat.

You see, we have a cat that is about eight years older than this grey cat, and he was poisoned when he was about three years old. Oh, after much pain and suffering that nearly broke our hearts, Fitz (the orange tabby pictured above) survived. Yet, he came away with his right side weak. He doesn't see well out of that eye, and we think he's deaf in that ear. He's a very sweet cat and we didn't want to upset him by adding another MALE cat to the family, but sometimes, there's just no other way.

We tried to find the grey cat's owner. We put flyers up all over town. We called the Vets around town to see if anyone was searching for him. I even put stuff up online at MySpace and in local newspapers. I couldn't imagine that whoever lost this little guy (he was less than 1 year old at the time) because his personality is just well... endearing.

Our search was unsuccessful, so rather than give him to a shelter where he could be put down, we opted to take him in and named him Blue.

Kitty Wrangling

Blue and Fitz DO NOT get along, even to this day. Just when they seem to be friendly, we're breaking up another altercation. It's constant kitty wrangling. We try to keep them apart. Like one goes outside in the daytime, while the other one sleeps, and then they turn the tables. Luckily, it seems that they do have alternate sleeping schedules.

Blue sleeps at night, in my room, on a sofa that he's taken over. (Luckily, it's leather so that it's easily cleaned. You know cats. They do make messes whenever and wherever possible. They can't stand neat and clean.) But every morning he wakes at 7 and insists to be let out. He leaps over Fitz, who's waiting at the door to block him from going out, and goes on his way.

But here's the fun thing...

Mayor Blue

He's the mayor of the condo complex. Yep. He just goes from condo to condo, visiting other people and/or their cats. And people love him! They can't wait to tell us how Blue came into their place and sat down in front of the refrigerator waiting for a handout. Or, how they gave him and their cat a treat so they could just hang together like they do every single morning at 7:02 sharp. (This cat lives just across the street.)

But he's been known to camp out on people's sidewalks waiting for them to wake up so that he can go inside and "visit." He gets in without them even knowing sometimes. One neighbor has changed his name to "Houdini."

Bwana Blue

Blue does serve his purpose, though. He's a great hunter! Today, he was outside chasing a rat off the pool deck. Ugh! We've had birds, frogs, lizards, and snakes among other critters in our unit, so we have to keep the door closed lest we become a menagerie of Blue's victories. He likes to bring them inside so that he has something to do when he's bored. Hmm...

Even people who aren't partial to cats have to love him because he's just such a character.

And heaven knows that he's won my heart. The little guy is just so sweet and smart and funny that I think he must be a gift from the power that be. It's great to know that he's made friends with some of the lonlier older folks in the neighborhood. I just worry that somebody will take him back north when winter is over. (We have lots of snowbirds in Florida, of course.) So, we have to put a note up by our mailboxes that says, "This cat belongs to the Marcellos. If he's annoying, please let us know. And don't encourage him! He's NOT shy and will take advantage of your good heart."

But everyone laughs. They love him almost as much as we do.

History

The American Shorthair cat is believed to be descended from British cats who began emigrating to the New World with the early pioneers. They were carried on board ship to kill the rats that were a constant menace, eating the precious food supplies and spreading disease. History records that cats even came along on the Mayflower.

They were kept and allowed to breed by the early settlers for the same reason, to protect food supplies. Originally they lived mostly as working farm cats, highly valued for their hunting abilities.

In the early 20th century, other breeds of cat began to be imported to the USA as pets. They mixed with the working cats and so kittens were born with different coat lengths and temperaments. At this time, breeders who wished to preserve the original breed began to identify fine examples of what was then called the Domestic Shorthair and breed from them. These breeders have concentrated on maintaining the beauty and affectionate nature of these cats while perfecting their coat patterns and colors. The name was changed to American Shorthair in the 1960s.

Appearance

The American Shorthair is a medium sized to large cat, with strong hind legs and paws. The muzzle is wider than many other breeds, giving a square look to the face. Males have a pronounced jowl. They are full grown at three or four years old. The coat is thick although a little thinner than the coat of the British shorthair. It thickens in winter and sheds in spring.

There are over 100 recognized varieties of color including black, white, silver, cream, red, brown, blue, tabby, calico or tortoiseshell, and bi-colored cats. Their eyes are round. Eye color, nose and pad depend on the color of the coat. Some varieties may have each eye a different color. The silver tabby is the most popular.

The tail must taper to a blunt tip without any kinks.

Temperament

The American Shorthair is a gentle, affectionate cat that makes a marvelous pet. They get on well with children and most other pets, being even-tempered and quiet. For that reason they are always one of the most popular breeds of cat. They are easy to train and are also the most popular choice for film and advertising directors when they need a feline star.

American Shorthairs are happy to be either an indoor or an outdoor cat. If allowed outdoors they will indulge their hunting instincts and often bring home their prey.

They are a healthy, long-lived breed with an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. However, the American Shorthair cat easily gains weight and owners have to be careful not to allow this to endanger their pet's health or happiness.

History

The Bengal cat is a very distinctive spotted cat breed. The breed was developed in the USA in the 1960s and 1970s by Mrs Jean Mill, who crossed an Asian Leopard cat with an American Shorthair and continued producing offspring. They are now also produced from crossing an Asian Leopard cat with an Abyssinian, Egyptian Mau or Burmese.

Males in the first three generations are almost always infertile and a cat must be at least four generations from the Asian Leopard cat to be accepted as a Bengal cat. The name comes from the Latin name for the Asian Leopard cat, Prionailurus Bengalensis. It is not related to the Bengal Tiger.

The Bengal cat has been bred to maintain the unique spots and wild appearance together with the gentle temperament of a domestic cat. However, because of its wild ancestry, the breed is not recognized by some associations including the Cat Fanciers' Association. In the UK, until recently owners had to license their cats under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.

Appearance

Most Bengal cats are of course very easy to recognize by the leopard-like spots or jaguar-like bi-colored rosettes on their coats. A marbled coat is also acceptable but rosettes are most highly prized. Spots and rosettes only appear on the back and sides of the body. The belly is light-colored or white. The legs, tail and head are striped.

They are medium-sized cats but long-bodied and muscular. In terms of weight they cover the same range as the American Shorthair, but their athletic look makes them appear larger.

The head and face retain the wild or feral look of the Asian Leopard ancestor, with small rounded ears and strong whisker pads. Horizontal stripes beside the eyes cause what is called a mascara effect.

Temperament

Bengal cats are affectionate and friendly, often following you around the house, but generally are not lap cats. They are active cats who enjoy play, and will prefer to be played with than held. To create a bond with a Bengal kitten, simply play with it for half an hour to an hour a couple of times a day.

They are intelligent, teachable cats and the best way to train them is through play. They are often described as having a 'dog-like' personality. They will often welcome you home with enthusiasm and you may be able to teach your Bengal to fetch objects, sit and shake hands. Once bonded, an indoor Bengal cat can be taught to walk on a leash outside.

Bengals should not be left alone in the house all day, because they will become bored and possibly destructive. They may enjoy the company of another active cat although they can become jealous if another cat appears to be taking their place in the house or if they are not getting enough attention.

Unlike other cats, many Bengals love water, especially running water. They will happily play with a running faucet and may even jump into the tub to do this.

Most owners find the Bengal cat a unique and very enjoyable pet.