The Wonder of Cats

by Peter Scottsdale

  A mother cat leaves her young shortly after weaning so they have to get food on their own.

  Some mother cats become intolerant of their grown offspring because they are highly territorial. They cannot tolerate threats to food, shelter, and nursing areas. Once the kittens mature, the mother will try to edge them out of her territory.

  Older Cat

  Cat lifespan: a well cared for cat can live to be 20 years or more. But the average lifespan is 12 – 15 years. In the 1930s, cats only lived to half the ages we see now. Some have made it to 30 years with some records have cats living 36 years. A cat with a long life has good longevity genes and has been well cared for.

  Cats reach senior citizen status at nine or ten years, which is 60 in human years, and can start to show signs of old age.

  Cats age at different rates, some acting old at eight years and others not acting old until years later.

  Older cats may call out in the middle of the night for reassurance because of insecurity with aging.

  Older cats get grey fur around their mouths and noses, and most get thinner and their bones get more prominent.

  Older cats can seem stiff and unsteady. There may be a loss in hearing, and because they cannot reach to groom themselves some areas of the body may become matted.

  Temperature, heat and cold, are felt more in old age.

  Older cats tend to eat less, drink more, and sleep more. Sam sez, “Just like Grandpa.”

  Those Fascinating Breeds

  There are different body shapes for different groups:

  1. Persian (& relatives) have cobby bodies set low on the legs

  2. Shorthairs (British, American, and European) also have cobby bodies set low on the legs

  3. Burmese (& Asian) are medium sized with slender legs

  4. Siamese (& Orientals) have slender, svelte bodies.

  Some breeds have longer fur around the neck and chest called a “ruff.” The ruff may be smaller in summer.

  Also cats have varying face shapes, such as round, intermediate, or wedge-faced.

  Face shape is related to body shape; for example, a round-faced cat tends to have a cobby shaped body while a wedged faced cat tends to have a lithe and svelte body.

  The Abyssinian

  The Abyssinian is one of the oldest breeds and may have been kept in Ancient Egypt, as is shown by sculptures and paintings resembling this breed. It is also thought to have originated in Abyssinia, which is now Ethiopia. As well, it is possible the Abyssinian’s origins were found in Southeast Asia and the lands of the Indian Ocean.

  The Abyssinian almost became extinct. During the two world wars, less meat meant little food for these cats. Additionally, in the 1960s and 70s, feline leukemia devastated the Abyssinian population. Today, it is making a comeback.

  The Abyssinian is intelligent and inquisitive and can readily learn tricks. These cats are playful, adaptable, athletic, and agile climbers.

  Abyssinians are not “lap cats” because they like to play and explore from the floor to the highest perch. They are also highly independent.

  Pregnant Abyssinians are active throughout pregnancy and falls are common.

  Abyssinians are slow breeders and usually only produce one or two kittens per litter, rarely having three or more kittens a year.

  The Abyssinian is a popular breed in the U.S.

  The American Bobtail

  Some genetic lines of the American Bobtail have produced sweet and gentle cats with a wildcat appearance.

  Having a tail 1/3 to ½ the length of other cats, the American Bobtail is the result of a genetic mutation.

  The American Curl

  The American Curl made its first appearance in 1981 and has an unusual look from a mutation that curled the tip of the ears back. The amount of ear curling can vary, and cats with the most curl are the most popular. The curl of the ears extends back away from the face, and their ears are firm and large with rounded tips. The ear tips are flexible and can swivel.

  American Curl kittens are born with normal ears until 4-10 days old when half the kittens develop the backward curl. The curls get tighter over a few weeks until they are set for good after about four months. It can take up to six months for the adult ears to be shaped, although they may continue to curl after that and become hard and stiff to the touch.

  The American Curl’s ears can curl at least 90 degrees, and the cat can swivel his ears so they point at one another. These cats seem to develop no ill effects from the ear curl and are friendly and alert.

  This cat is of medium-size (5 – 10 pounds) and takes 2 – 3 years to mature.

  The American Wirehair

  The American Wirehair has unusual hair in that the hair seems to have been crimped with tongs. Its hair is wiry and course and springs back when petted and can also be described as curly or hooked.

  Cats similar to American Wirehairs appeared during WWII on the London streets and made their homes in the bombed ruins of the city.

  The Asian

  Asian tabbies can be bred in many colors and can develop into all four tabby patterns: Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, and Ticked.

  Silvery markings about the eyes of Asian cats are called “clown marks” because of their similarity to a clown’s makeup.

  The Balinese

  The Balinese is a longhaired Siamese, bearing the same markings, body and head shape, and blue eyes with the longhair gene probably being introduced to Siamese from Angoras.

  Balinese are lively and friendly cats but are less assertive and have a quieter voice than the Siamese.

  These felines can have a squint or kinked tail.

  The Balinese becomes sexually mature at a much younger age than other longhairs.

  The Balinese name stems from graceful dancers on the Indonesian island Bali.

  The Bengal

  A new breed is the Bengal. Although domesticated, the Bengal has marble and large, spotted markings, light or white stomach, and rosettes giving it a “wild” appearance.

  Bengals are talkative, will fetch toys, and walk on a leash.

  Despite its wild look, the Bengal is a gentle cat. Popular, they are used for visits in nursing homes and hospices.

  The Bengal has no relation to tigers, being the result of cross breeding between an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic female.

  The Birman

  The Birman has pointed markings like a Siamese but has pure white toes on all four feet called gloves. They are loving companions. They have striking blue eyes and smaller ears with medium length fur that does not mat when not brushed.

  The Birman breed “never grows up” as it acts like a kitten throughout its life.

  Birmans are known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma.”

  The Birman originated in Burma (Myanmar) and came to Europe in 1919 as a gift from temple priests to two Europeans who had defended the temple against attack.

  The Birman almost became extinct in Europe in WWII but thrived in Great Britain in the 1960s.

  The Bombay

  The Bombay breed was bred to look like a small black panther. Intelligent and inquisitive, the Bombay is considered a good pet as he likes human attention and is good with children and friendly with dogs, although the Bombay tends to dominate other cats.

  The Bombay kittens’ eyes are first blue, then grey, and lastly gold or deep copper, changing color as they grow.

  The man-made breed, the Bombay, rarely stops purring and is a great indoor cat that never needs to get outdoors.

  Compared to other breeds, the Bombay adult has little appetite; however, their kittens are voracious eaters.

  The Bombay takes on dog-like traits like fetching.

  They are distinctive talkers and enjoy being on a lap or lying around someone’s neck and shoulders.

  The British Shorthair

  British Shorthairs have broad skulls, round eyes, round faces, short noses, and a massive, cobby body.

  There are three variations of the White British Shorthair differing in eye
color:

  1. Golden-eyed White

  2. Blue-eyed White

  3. Odd-eyed White.

  Unlike the deafness found in blue-eyed whites, deafness in the golden eye is nonexistent.

  Because of the deafness associated with Blue-eyed White British Shorthairs, these cats have a lessened ability to be good mothers.

  The Odd-eyed White British Shorthair has one orange and one blue eye, and the blue-eyed side ear may be deaf. A dark marking on the kitten’s head is said that that kitten will not develop deafness in that single ear.

  Blue-eyed White British Shorthairs are now very scarce, whereas they were popular in the early 1900s.

  Like other white cats, the White British Shorthairs are susceptible to sunburn.

  The Blue British Shorthair almost became extinct in WWII because of few living males, but they made a comeback in the 1950s.

  Black British Shorthairs color will change if they bask in the sun, bleaching their coat from black to a rusty brown color.

  With the Black Smoke British Shorthair, the coat gives off a shimmering effect due to a silver undercoat contrasting with the dark topcoat. This shimmering effect is only noticeable when the cat moves; otherwise it appears to be a solid Black Shorthair.

  The Exotic Blue Point Colorpoint Shorthair are known as “panda bears” because their eyes are large and round and they have a cuddly appearance.

  The Burmese

  The Burmese are known for intelligence and a demanding nature. Burmese can also become aggressive toward their owners when kept as indoor pets.

  Burmese enjoy travelling and watching the scenery go by.

  Burmese is a long-life breed and can reach 18 years of age.

  The Calico

  Calicos, including Longhairs, are mostly female and are known as good mothers and mousers, passing their skills down to their young.

  Calicos can be bred in any pattern or color and have a variety of markings with no two Calicos being the same.

  The Chartreuse

  The Chartreuse is a French breed known for its short water-resistant double-coat. They are great hunters and are valuable to farmers. These cats are quiet and sometimes mute. Some will fetch like a dog, and they are good with families, including children.

  Monks in France bred the Chartreuse breed as early as 1558. Recently, this breed was amalgamated with the British Blue to become the Exotic Shorthair Blue.

  The Cymric

  The Cymric (pronounced KUMRIC) breed is a longhaired version of the Manx and, like a Manx, has little or no tail.

  Cymrics come in three types:

  1. A Rumpy with no tail, just a hollow at the base

  2. A Stumpy with some vertebrae in the tail area

  3. A Longie with a short tail.

  The Cymric is prone to spina bifida and have short forelegs.

  The Egyptian Mau

  Some believe that the Egyptian Mau is a direct descendant of the sacred cats of Ancient Egypt; however, it is more likely this breed was bred to look like those sacred temple cats.

  The Egyptian Mau (where Mau means “cat” in Ancient Egyptian) is a first cousin to the Abyssinian and may be a naturally occurring breed in Egypt.

  The Egyptian Mau does not adapt easily to the changing seasons or the cold, but it is a good mouser and is adaptive to most living conditions except the changing seasons.

  The Mau, a subspecies of the African Wild Cat, is the only known naturally spotted breed.

  The fastest domesticated cat is the Egyptian Maus who can run up to 36 mph. Its long hind legs and the loose flap of skin on the lower abdomen, like a Cheetah’s, give it a longer stride, helping it achieve great speed.

  Egyptian Maus are vocal, giving off chortles, chirps, and other unusual sounds. They also have a musical voice.

  The European Shorthair

  European Shorthaired cats are adaptable, hearty, and healthy.

  European Shorthairs have longer faces and are less cobby than British Shorthairs.

  The European Shorthair is territorial, doesn’t like and can be combative with other cats but is affectionate to people, even new ones. They have strong hunting instincts and are active roamers.

  European Shorthairs have long lives and reproduce faster than other cats.

  European Shorthairs have warm, dense coats, protecting them from the cold.

  With Color Pointed European Shorthairs, the colder the extremities are the darker the coloring. A Color Pointed cat from Northern Europe will have greater pigmentation than one from Southern Europe where coloring will be slightly paler.

  There are many European Shorthair breeds, including Cream, Black, White, Tabby, Tortoiseshell, and Albino.

  There are rare White European Shorthairs with blue eyes that are not deaf.

  The Exotic

  The Exotic is a cross between a Persian and an American Shorthair, resulting in a feline with almost the same body and personality of a Persian but with short, dense, thick fur. However, the Exotic is more active than a Persian, being playful, curious, and quiet. They are great pets for apartment dwellers because of their calm and steady nature.

  The Havana

  The Havana originated in Great Britain through a breeding program designed to keep the graceful lines of the Siamese without its point markings. Sam sez, “Poser!”

  The Havana was named after the cigar because of its color. Sam sez, “Got a light, poser?”

  The Havana is a popular yet rare breed, demanding a high price. Sam sez, “Stick with the original Siamese. We’re cheaper.”

  The Himalayan

  The “Himalayan” gene results in colored points also seen in other animals, such as rabbits and gets its name from the Himalayan rabbit that has the same markings.

  All Himalayans are born with a pure white, fluffy, short coat. The points begin to appear several days after birth and continue to darken for up to 18 months.

  Himalayans mature faster than Persians.

  The Seal Point Himalayans can never be as dark as Seal Point Siamese because the longer fur provides insulation that affects coloring.

  The Lilac Tortie Point Himalayan has five toes on each of her hind feet, more than most cats.

  Dr. Tjebbes, a Swedish geneticist, for scientific study, developed the Himalayans. This breed (also known as a Colorpoint Longhair) is the product of crossbreeding Siamese, Birman, and Persian breeds.

  The Himalayan often has doglike traits in obedience and learning and will follow her owner around the house.

  The Japanese Bobtail

  For over 1000 years, the Japanese Bobtail has thrived in Japan.

  These adored cats have been written about in Japanese literature for centuries, but it was only after WWII when U.S. Service Men brought some home was this cat introduced to the rest of the world. Still, the Japanese Bobtail is scarce outside of Japan.

  This breed has a short, stubby tail about four inches (10cm) long. The joints in the tail are virtually fused, making the tail inflexible. The tail is usually kept curled close to the body at rest and held upright when walking. The fur on the tail is longer than the rest of the body, giving the tail a pom-pom or bobbed look when held upright.

  The short tail, like a bunny’s, of the Japanese Bobtail is the result of a recessive gene. Both parents of a litter must be Bobtails to produce Bobtails.

  Their kittens are large when born and start walking and are active earlier than other breeds.

  The Japanese Bobtail has a soft voice that can reach a whole scale of tones, and some say they can sing. They are talkative and tend to speak when spoken to. They are easy to train and love having people and their family nearby.

  The Korat

  The Korat is an early breed that has its origins in the Malay Peninsula jungles. This breed had bright green eyes and short silver-blue fur. Its name comes from Siam when King Rama V heard the cat given to him was from a northeast portion of Thailand called Korat, he gave the cat its name. The Korat is treasured in Thailand and is said to br
ing good luck.

  Korats have powerful senses of smell, sight, and hearing.

  Both Korat parents are devoted, playful, and loving to their young.

  Korat kittens do not reach full coloring until two years of age.

  The Maine Coon

  The Maine Coon is the first longhaired breed to originate in North America. It originated on the U.S. east coast near Maine. However, its origins are wrapped in myth. One myth is that its eastern seaboard cats bred with the American Bobtail. Another is that the Vikings brought them to North America. Or that Captain Samuel Clough, in an attempt to smuggle Queen Marie Antoinette to Maine, ended up only bringing her six favorite cats, leaving the Queen behind. The best bet is that American settlers brought the Maine Coon with them.