Sandra Cox's Blog, page 191

A-Z: Japanese Bobtail

By jonny-mt - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...



Like our domestic shorthair, Japanese Bobtails are considered domestics in Japan. Though, after America jumped on the bandwagon to consider them a breed, Japan followed.
In Japan, they are associated with good luck.
There isn't a record of their origins but the legend is that one cat slept too near the hearth and its tail caught on fire. It ran through the city and all the houses burned down. Angry, the emperor ordered that all cats' tails be bobbed so there would be no more fires in the city.
These cats were quite prevalent in Japan by the seventeenth century. They could be found in the streets and were used to protect the silkworms from rodents.
Bobtails come in nearly any color but the most popular are the tricolored, red, black and white. These are the kitties that are considered good luck. The Bobtails'  tails more resemble a bunny rabbit's than a lynx. The average length of the tail is four inches, but it appears shorter because it curls up.
These cats are medium in size with lean bodies. Their eyes are large and beautiful. They have a long nose, high cheekbones and a triangular head.
The Japanese Bobtail is intelligent, affectionate, gets along well with children and other animals.
They 'chirp' and like to ride on shoulders. The average weight is around seven pounds. It has little to no health issues and is easy to care for. The average age is fifteen-eighteen.
Japanese Bobtails' claim to fame: It's the inspiration for Hello Kitty.
This is another kitty that is prone to overeating and won't hesitate to beg for more food.
Even though these cats are rare in the states, if you think you might want one, please check out petfinder.com or your local rescue or shelter.

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A-Z: Inbreeding

Inbreeding is  the mating of animals that are closely related, mother and son, sister and brother and is sometimes used to get desired characteristics in a particular breed. When the animals are related but not as closely, i.e. cousins or half sibs, this is considered line breeding. Inbreeding occurs not only in the pedigree world but in small, feral colonies as well, and is responsible for many genetic healthy issues, including the breathing problems of Persians. 

A-Z: Himalayan

This is one of my favorite breeds. They are gentle and social. Himmies are a cross between Siamese and Persians.  From the Persians they receive their sweet temperament and long hair. From the Siamese their blue eyes and points. Himmies are the only Persians with points. These points are the darker colors on the tips of their fur and come in flame, lilac, chocolate and seal colors.
They do need some upkeep. Unless you plan on lion cuts, Himmies need constant grooming and their eyes washed daily.
Himalayans have short heads and flat faces, and prone to hairballs. On the plus side, they are  wonderful with children and good with other cats. If you don't mind the maintenance, they're a great pet.
Interested? Check out petfinder.com or your local rescue or shelter.
Jo Bu, who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge

A-Z: Goofy Cats

My sister is hiding behind one of those mustaches. Figured out which one?

A-Z: Fat Cat

Fat cats are not limited to any specific breed, though some are more susceptible than others. High energy cats tend to remain lean, while the more placid can easily put on pounds if their diet and exercise aren't regimented.
I highly recommend just feeding your pet twice a day and not leaving a full dish out twenty-four seven. Most cats, like most people, are grazers.  If the food dish is available they'll keep coming back.


What's the problem?  Like people, cats can have heart issues and diabetes.  Have you ever given a cat insulin? It can be done, but why put yourself and your feline through it if a healthy diet can help avoid it? Hopefully watching his diet will help give you and your furry friend many long years together.




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A-Z: Egyptian Mau

Mau's are descendants of wild African cats. The term Mau means cat. These felines are built like cheetahs. An extra skin flap makes them one of the fastest breeds and allows them to run up to thirty miles an hour. Their coats are naturally spotted but the spots are only on the edge of the fur. Their coat colors are silver, bronze and smoke. A black rim around the edge of their eyes accentuate their beauty and gives them the look of wearing mascara. Their moon-shaped eyes change as they mature.
These wonderful felines are very loyal and possessive of their owners (and toys).
They do shed. To help keep this down, stroke them with the foot of an old pair of pantyhose on your hand.
They have few health issues and can live past fifteen.
Want one? Check out petfinder.com and your local rescues and shelters.

A-Z Domestic Shorthair

Here's a favorite for almost all of most. How many domestic shorthairs have you had in your lifetime? I can't begin to count. We had cats when I was growing up and I've had them ever since. At one time I ran a small cat rescue and I've fostered on and off for years.  But back on track. Domestics are great cats with varied personalities and weigh between six and sixteen pounds. They're healthy, friendly and come in all sizes and colors. There's eighty million in the U.S. and 600 hundred million in the world.  Two unaltered cats can be the forefathers of eighty million cats.  That is why it's so important that people spay and neuter their pets. I can't stress this enough. For most of the blogsters out there, I'm preaching to the choir, but when two can turn into eighty million, EVERYONE who has a pet needs to make sure their kitty is altered. Many shelters are on a spay/neuter program and have special prices for seniors or low income.  If you think you'd like to add one of these sweeties to your household, visit your local shelter or rescue.  Someone is just waiting for you to take him/her home.

A-Z: California Spangled

Flamingice007sg, Wikipedia


This exotic kitty was created by Paul Casey when he heard that one of the last breeding leopards in the territory of Olduvai had been killed by poachers. He felt that if he could develop a domestic that looked like the leopards it would draw attention to their plight and people would relate to the conservation problems. Casey had an eleven generation plan in developing the Spangles starting with the Siamese and a spotted Angora in the first generation and ending with street cats from Egypt and Malaya. Casey worked from the 1970's to 1985 to develop his California Spangled.
Like the leopard he was bred to emulate, it has a strong body that's long and lean.
The Spangled has wide cheekbones, round tipped ears, and wide almond-shaped eyes. It has a medium length tail and short coat. The coat colors are silver, blue, red, black, gold, brown and charcoal. There is also a Snow Leopard with blue eyes that develops spots as it matures.
In spite of their wild appearance they're a friendly, social cat. They like to play and they're very intelligent. They like children. And for the most part get along with other cats and dogs.
Their average weight is eight to seventeen pounds. Average life expectancy is nine to fifteen years.
If you are interested in adding one of these exotic beauties to your family please try rescue first.

A-Z...Balinese

An offshoot of the Siamese, this cat has brains as well as beauty and is considered one of the smartest longhairs in the cat world.  With this intelligence comes unquenchable curiosity.  Translation: They're into everything. Balinese are recommended for seasoned cat owners and folks that don't mind brushing their felines a couple of times a week. If you don't want an animal that sheds all over the furniture, you probably don't want a Balinese.

The outstanding characteristics of the Balinese are their plumy tails and blue, almond-shaped eyes. 

These beauties can live past twenty and have very few health issues. Interested in one? Please start with petfinders, overstock (Yes they do have an adoption center) or your local rescue.

A-Z: Abyssinian

free-pet-wallpapers.com


Abyssinians Abyssinians, or Abys as they are known by their fans, are short hairs whose looks hark back to their wild ancestry. There is some confusion on whether Abys originated in Ethiopia or in Egypt. Regardless they're beautiful, fascinating creatures. These cats have a ticked coat. i.e. lighter at the root and darker at the tip. Some folks claim that wild Abyssinians can still be found in North Africa.
These cats come in different colors including Fawn, Silver, Sorrel, Blue, Lilac, Tortieshell, Chocolate, Red, Cream and the ever popular original Ruddy: a brownish-red with black tipping and black feet. The kittens are born with dark coats that lighten as they get older.Abys have long muscular bodies with long tails, wedge-shaped heads, almond-shaped eyes, large ears and petite feet. The dark marking on their foreheads is shaped like the letter M.
If you want a couch-potato this probably isn't the cat for you. These cats are very active and when they aren't playing demand attention. They like their toys. They are also extremely affectionate. They love people and are gentle. If you don't keep them active and give them a lot of time and love they can become depressed. They are highly intelligent and can often be taught basic commands, such as fetching.
They are tolerant of other cats but prefer dogs.
These cats are prone to retinal atrophy.
Their average life expectancy is anywhere from nine to fifteen plus years.
If you are interested in adding one of these exotic kitties to your home, please first try your local rescue, look for an Abyssinian rescue or go to petfinder.com.
~*~Akasha is a pretty little calico who, along with two of her kittens, has drowned and passed on to Catarau. Now she must journey back to earth to save the kitten left behind.