abyssinian cats

Cat Breed - Abyssinian

The Abyssinian cat is commonly believed to date back to the 1860s, originating in Ethiopia, yet some people claim that the breed can be traced back to the ancient cats of Abyssinia, now called Egypt.

It is one of the oldest known breeds, the first one being brought to England in 1868. The Abyssinian was officially recognized as a distinct breed in 1882.

They are known for their sharp intelligence, litheness and a refined, pleasant demeanor, often becoming very attached to their owners. Abyssinians are extroverted and willful with a curious and adventurous nature being the norm; they are active, playful and inquisitive!

This cat has a medium length body with well-developed muscles, and short, silky, fine, close-lying coats; their faces have round, almond-shaped eyes, green, hazel or amber in color. They have legs of moderate length; size-wise they tend to weigh between 4-7.5kg (9-16lb).

The tail is fairly long, broad at the base and tapering to a point. Abyssinian's have fine bone structures and their paws are small and oval-shaped.

The cat's ears are alert and relatively large, broad and cupped at the base; they have an M-shaped marking found in fur on the forehead.

The Abyssinian has a "ticked" coat, meaning that each hair, light in color, has several dark bands which are evenly spaced. This coloring results in an ideal camouflage for the dry desert lands of North Africa.

These days, the Abyssinian comes in a range of different colors. Anything from red through fawn, lilac, cinnamon, cream and chocolate, amongst others.

They are a popular cat breed and are generally healthy except for occasional blindness, especially an inherited form called retinal atrophy. Although making good companions they can be suspicious of strangers.

Abys, the term used fondly by owners, are hardy and adaptable as pets and are a popular breed for showing; a good choice for any prospective cat owner!

For other great cat articles, please visit: http://fatherspirit-catablog.blogspot.com

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Bengal Cats

Bengal cats are a new breed, cross-bred with a wildcat. Their spotted or marbled coat is soft and thick, they have a large, sleek muscular build, rounded slighted long face, oval eyes and thick tail. They have an enviable, exotic appearance without the wild temperament of their much larger untamed ancestors.

Characteristics

Bengal came from the taxonomic name of the Asian Leopard Cats (ALC) and not from the more widely known Bengal Tiger species, which is unrelated to the Bengal Cats ancestry. These cats have a series of horizontal stripes on their faces, known as mascara, which extend along the eye to the back of the neck. Their back and sides are marked with spots like those of a jaguar, and the rest of the body, legs and tail, are marked with symmetrical stripes. The spots sometimes have a marbled appearance and are generally made up of two colors. The following colors and patterns are recognized as Bengal Cats and therefore eligible for competition; Brown Spotted Tabby, Brown Marbled Tabby, Seal Mink Spotted Tabby, Seal Mink Marbled Tabby, Seal Sepia Spotted Tabby, Seal Sepia Marbled Tabby, Seal Spotted Lynx Point, and Seal Marbled Lynx Point. These pets are the only variety that sometimes have a pearl or gold dusting, sometimes called glitter, and the texture of their fur is rich and silky-smooth. Bengal Cats even have a different sound in their voice and tend to be very vocal.

Temperament

Originally some of the Bengal Cats inherited the unpredictable temperament of the wildcat, but breeding programs concentrated on breeding a gentler nature. The domestic feline is very lively and active, but also quite self-contained and quiet.

Brief History

As the story goes, Jean Sugden Mills, around 1982 bred a domestic cat with a feral Indian Mau. At about the same time, Greg and Elizabeth Kent started their own breed of Bengal Cats using an Egyptian Mau. Both Jean Mills the Kents worked hard to popularize the this breed, and in 1986, The International Cat Association adopted the first written breed standard. Today Bengal Cats are the most popular registered cat breed.

Care and grooming of Bengal Cats ought to be kept up as any other housecat; frequent combing of fur, good nutrition, regular play and veterinary visits. For more information on the care and feeding of our favorite furry pets, visit: [http://lovefatcats.com]

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siamese cats

Siamese Cats - Do You Really Want One?

Are you ready and able to welcome Siamese cats into your heart and home?

Where should you start?

With personality plus. Siamese cats can be high maintenance, more so than most house cats. Don't let this put you off, because when it comes to pure breeds, they are no higher maintenance. In fact, they are a lot less trouble than some of the long haired breeds like the Persian cat, which requires brushing and combing every day.

What does 'high maintenance' mean? Unlike the Persian cat, Siamese cats have a close short coat and although many like a brush they can look after their own coats. This also applies to the long-haired Siamese, called the Balinese or Javanese - they have an easy to manage longer silky coat.

Where they do require more attention is in the mental and psychological area. Without that attention, they will become unhappy, and an unhappy Siamese cat spells trouble. Picture this: shredded furniture and curtains, territory marking and self harming by pulling out their own fur, just for starters.

How does this affect your decision to buy that most tempting, cute and naughty Siamese kitten bundle?

If you are out of the house for hours on end, plan on either more than one Siamese or make real efforts to keep your cat entertained: that means special toys, treats hidden around the house, or special sleeping places by the window.

When you come home, plan on spending some quality time together. It will allow you to re-bond and your cat will forget your time apart.

Another option is a Balinese or Javanese, which also belong to the family of Siamese cats. Some breeders say that with a Balinese or Javanese, you get the character of a Siamese, but generally a more easy-going nature. If you plan on being at work all day, you might consider the longer-haired Balinese over the standard Siamese.

Take some time to think about what you want from your cat.
If the idea of a cat always hanging around, wanting attention, and mewling loudly with that piercing Siamese voice gets on your nerves even as you read this, then this truly might not be the best choice for you.

Do you have a hectic family life? Do you really have the time, energy and inclination to take care of the emotional needs of your Siamese? Remember, a lonely and ignored Siamese will be anti-social and get on your nerves even more - and that's a cruel thing.

Finally all cats cost money, vet bills, food and boarding costs soon add up. It would be so sad to end up having to give your cat away because you could not afford to keep it. If your job takes you away all the time having a Siamese is probably not a good idea. Take some time to think this through, before you buy your Siamese cat!

If you still think you can care and provide for this most special and striking of cats, then read on - because Siamese cats are truly different.

Most owners agree that Siamese cats are special. They look different, with their darker paws and faces and blue eyes. And they have such a distinctive voice - even those who don't love cats can recognize a Siamese.

Siamese cats are on average more clever than most cats, although you can get exceptions.

You will be enchanted with their antics. While elegant in appearance, they can often be quite clumsy. Take care to bolt down all ornaments! Who knows - they may choose to be clumsy just to get your attention. They feel warmer than other cats when you cuddle them, and they love the heat. Those radiator beds are very popular in colder climates. And if you can provide them with the entertainment of a safe outdoor run they will love you for it.

Siamese cats cannot see as well as other cats at night though so watch that they don't come to any harm. Nor are all Siamese noisy, though some can howl the house down. Make sure you have easy-going neighbors who don't wonder why you're torturing your cat!

If you have more than one Siamese you will probably see that unlike the more independent breeds they will love to sleep in a great heap together, another good reason for having more than one. Occasionally, like any other cat, they'll take a dislike to their house mates and will never sleep close together, but this is rare.

Still fascinated by Siamese cats? Still convinced this is the perfect match for you?

That is good news, because a Siamese is truly a special friend.

A word of caution before you buy though: it's the same for all breeds, you should choose your kitten carefully. To avoid heartache, do your research properly and buy from a reputable breeder. After all, the last thing you want is a sick or weak kitten.

Still not put off? Then you will be rewarded with a wonderful special relationship this breed is rightly known for.

Anne Sterck, 'The Siamese Cat Lady', has never been without a cat or two or three! She is presently owned by Cumin, the cutest and naughtiest Siamese cat in France.
Obviously she couldn't include as much information about Siamese Cats and Siamese Kittens as she would have liked here. To get more help in finding your special Siamese Cat friend go to http://www.loving-siamese-cats.com
Choosing your new Siamese cat just got a whole lot easier.

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All breed pedigree

Different Cat Breeds Pedigree or Mongrel Cat?

Cats are prehaps the easiest of all household pets to look after and the simple reason is because they are very independent, undemanding and very self sufficient, but which cat should you go for? Pedigree Cat or a Mongrel Cat?

Different Cat Breeds Pedigree Cat:

Pedigree cats are usually acquired deliberately, rather than accidentally, and tend to be more carefully supervised than most mongrels. They are perhaps more prone to suffer from over feeding and lack of exercise.

Their character is an important consideration. The foreign and Oriental breeds, particularly the Siamese, are untypical of cats in that they are loyal to one person, from whom they demand a great deal of attention in the most vocal way. Some are notorious for being very noisy cats, especially the females when calling, but their undoubted grace and intelligence outweighs this disadvantage for most people.

Orientals are also unusual in so far as they will allow themselves to be exercised on a lead. Longhaired cats, whether pedigree or mongrel, are demanding in that they should be groomed at least once every day. In fact, devotees of longhaired breeds often groom them two to three times a day.

Different Cat Breeds Mongrel Cat:

Most household cats are mongrel, and very often they have been adopted by a family on impulse. Such easily acquired cats may not have been inoculated against the infectious diseases, or may not have been wormed.

As soon as you acquire one, you should take it to your veterinary surgeon to be examined, and then neutered. It should be understood that although they may cost nothing at all to adopt, once taken into your household they will cost just as much as any other cat.

There is no reason, however, why these mongrel cats should not make delightful companions for us. Many of mongrel cats are beautiful and all are graceful in there own ways. You will find that nearly all mongrel cats are very easy to care for. Mongrel cats tend to be stronger than highly bred cats, mongrels are a product of immature parents and what you will find is that their kittens tend to be undersize.

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