Cat Breeds

Are you having trouble with your cat going to the bathroom everywhere except where they are supposed to? They are obviously trying to tell you something and that’s the only way they know how.  Now if you are expecting your cat to use the litter box when they were never properly trained to do so, that is more so your fault then their own.

There are other reasons to consider being that it’s not clean enough… this means changing out all of the litter once a week. It could even be that the area surrounding the litter box isn’t up to their cleanliness standards. Lets say you went from unscented litter to scented, that could be a problem as well. I have heard that cats prefer unscented.  They could be lacking attention from you or maybe they have a medical issue that needs to be addressed right away. Also, moving the litter box to another place can also make them unhappy. These are a few things to keep in mind when experiencing this issue.

The best thing to do in this case is… maybe changing YOUR routine. Whether you have a domestic cats or a rare breed of exotic cats, they usually all prefer the same cleanliness which only you can provide them. Clean the litter box more, use unscented litter, make sure the box isn’t too small and put it in a place that’s not out in the open. Just because they are cats doesn’t mean they don’t need their privacy. It would also be a good idea to take them in for a check up at the vet. You can’t let abnormal behavior like this go on, it could turn into something much more serious.

Cats have been indulging in catnip for many years.  Believe it or not, it’s harmless!  Cats actually know when enough is enough so the chances of them taking too much is very slim.  Catnip is an herb that is a member of the mint family. There are many different kinds of catnip and here are just a few: Catmint, Lemon Catnip and Greek Catnip.

The ingredient that gives the cat that “high feeling” is called nepetalactone and it’s in the stem and leaves of the plant.  Your cats first reaction with the catnip will most likely be rubbing and sniffing.  They will eventually eat the catnip which is also known as “bruising”.  Doing so releases the active ingredient into their system.

The Nepetalactone brings on some what of a hallucinogenic affect that most cats are affected by.  Some may not even be phased by it at all.  You will notice your cat acting different than usual and this is expected.  Some may become hyper and some the complete opposite.  It really just depends on the cat.  Either way you should keep in mind your cats or kitten care, for their health. So don’t worry about harming your cat with catnip, it’s something fun for them to enjoy every once in a while.  You could even grow it yourself!

So maybe you are looking to get a feline companion but you have no clue what kind to get and which breed is fitting for you and your lifestyle.  Before welcoming any animal into your home it’s important to do a little research to make sure you will be compatible and the cats needs will be met.   Many people have chosen a cat or kitten just based on it’s looks alone and that has proven many times to be a bad idea.

A few things to think about before bringing a cat home are do you want it to be an inside or outside cat or maybe both.  You need to make sure your home is ready and safe to bring one into.  Do you want a cat with little to no hair or one with a thick coat?  The breeds with thicker and longer coats need more grooming and may be a bit more high maintenance than what you are willing to do.  Some cats are much more vocal than others like the Siamese… they are one of the loudest cats I’ve ever had but she’s fabulous.  There are just so many things to think about first.  It’s not easy for a cat to settle into a new home and then taken out of it not long after because you aren’t meshing well.

I suggest to anyone who is looking for a cat or kitten to do your research and you will find the right one for you.  I think that going to a shelter or humane society is the best way to go about it.  There are so many cats and kittens out there that are sitting there waiting for a new home and some unconditional love.

If you are not looking to have a litter of kittens then it’s always a good idea to get your cat fixed when it’s old enough or even if you have adopted an older cat.  There are a few signs that can tell you your cats pregnant which are vomiting, increase in appetite, changes in behavior and swollen nipples.  These are just a few of the signs to look for. If you are unsure, then you should take them into the vet for an ultrasound.  It’s important that you know so you can care for your pregnant cat properly.

A cat remains pregnant for around 9 weeks.  Talking with your vet is the first step, ask if you need to change your cats diet. You may need a different food since she will be eating for 3 or more.  You don’t want them to gain too much weight as this can cause complications in the labor process.  Make sure you are measuring out her food just like you normally would, no free feeding.  That is never a good idea.  The proper nutrition and cat care is extremely important during this time… you don’t want her having complications during the birthing process and you want the kittens to be healthy. It’s also a good idea to keep her indoors for the last few weeks of her pregnancy.  It is possible that she could have them elsewhere and then you wouldn’t be able to find them.

You should have a secure and quiet place for her to have her babies.  This should be away from the family and family pets.  Make sure she has a comfortable open box with enough room and some cushion.  Keep her water and food near by so it’s easily accessible.  Having her sleep in this spot is important, this will keep her comfortable, safe and she will want to have her babies here, not somewhere else in the house that will be inconvenient for everyone as you won’t be able to pick them up and move them around. She will be very protective.  They have actually been known to kill their own babies if they feel they are in danger or pick them up and move them somewhere else.

This can be a fun experience if you do everything right and treat your pregnant cat like the princess she is.  If you have any question whatsoever, your vet is always there to help!

Himalayan Cats have a very beautiful coat that requires a good amount of grooming.  The Himalayan came from the mixture of a Siamese and Persian cat breed so you will see many similarities between the three breeds.  They are born with out any markings.  Just like the other two breeds they develop with in three years or so.

The Himalayan cat breed is generally calm and mellow but they aren’t a total couch potato.  They do have a bit of playfulness in them but they aren’t reckless.  They do however demand a lot of your attention and they thrive as indoor cats.  If you are gone most of the time, this would not be the ideal cat for you.

Himilayans do develop tear stains under their eyes if not cleaned often.  They need to be brushed through at least once a day to prevent any kind of matting.  They can get an oil build up on their fur as well so bathing them monthly is best.  You need to clean their ears weekly so they don’t develop an infection in their ears.  These cats are prone to quite a few health problems, here are a few… eye ulcers, teeth loss, joint problems and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is a heart disease that can be fatal.

Persian Cats are very beautiful and they come in many different colors.  Their fur is almost 8 inches in length and thick.  The Persian cat breed is a full bodied cat with good muscle tone.  They are known to weigh around 9 – 12lbs as adults.  The life expectancy of a Persian cat is around 15 to 16 yrs and some have been known to live to 18 yrs.  It just depends on genetics, care  and overall health.

The Persian cat does best with a diet that consists of raw meat, chicken and packaged cat food.  They do require more supplements than some other breeds as they are more sensitive to food than most.  Persians are more of a lazy breed so measuring their food is very important.  Free feeding will definitely lead to cat obesity.

Persian cats make great companions for those who are looking for a low-energy breed.  They will hang on the couch with you all day with no complaints.  Persian cats are very gentle and sweet.

Abyssinian cats have a long and slender build and has a very elegant appearance but are still quite muscular.  They have short thick hair that’s very soft.  There are four different color variations of Abyssinians which are Ruddy, Blue, Fawn and Red.

These cats love interacting with people and make great companions.  Some of their personality traits are compared to a dog which makes them that much more interesting.  The Abyssinian cat breed is very intelligent and full of curiosity.  They will follow you around the house from room to room just to be a part of whatever you are doing at the time.  Since they are very active cats, they do need a good amount of exercise daily.  Abyssinians like to perch above everything else in the room so a cat condo would make them very happy.

Just like with any other cat breed, keeping your Abyssinian inside will keep them in better health and prolong their life.  This particular breed is prone to gingivitis so preventative dental care would be in their best interest.  There aren’t any major health issues related to the Abyssinian cat breed.

The name “Ragdoll” doesn’t come from their looks, they are known for going limp like a ragdoll when picked up.  These cats have gorgeous blue eyes and very distinctive markings.  Similar to the Siamese cat breed, this breed is born white and doesn’t develop their permanent markings until about 3 yrs of age.

Ragdoll cats don’t require a lot of grooming or upkeep.  They don’t shed much but it’s still important to comb through their fur atleast once a week since they do have a coat that can easily mat.  The matting occurs more so under the armpit area so pay close attention to that.

These cats are very large in size and can be compared to the Maine Coon cat breed which is one of the largest domestic cats.  A male Ragdoll can weigh up to 25lbs.

The name of this cat breed somewhat describes their laid back personality.  They are very gentle and trusting which is also a very good reason to keep them indoors to keep them out of harms way.  They really enjoy human company so staying inside shouldn’t bother them one bit.  They do a fascination with water and the sound of it so they may act on their curiosities if you have a sink or tub full of water.

The life expectancy of the Ragdoll is anywhere from 15 to 20 yrs.  The life span does depend on a few things such as genetics, life style, nutrition and overall care.

The Siamese cat breed is very affectionate and vocal.  They are somewhat of a demanding breed and don’t like to be alone.  You should leave balls and toys out for them to play with so they don’t get bored.  To keep them sane, they need play time with their humans so doing so at least once a day is very important.  If they don’t have something to keep them occupied or busy, they may just go on and find something on their own which could be trouble.

Siamese cats have vibrant blue eyes and distinctive markings known as their “points” which are their ears, feet, tail and face.  The points are a darker color than the rest of the body.  They have very big ears and a long slender body build.  When they are first born they do not have their permanent color yet but it develops as they grow.  There are a few different color variations recognized in the Siamese cat breed which are lilac point, chocolate point, seal point, blue point, fawn point and tabby point.

Caring for your Siamese cat doesn’t require too much maintenance.  They need to be bathed once a month if possible and brushed out a few times a month.  Taking care of your cat the best you can will prolong their life.  Siamese cats have been known to live up into the twenties.

Siamese cats are very loyal to their humans and make wonderful companions as long as you don’t mind the playfulness and a little back talk every once in a while.

Bengal cats became a breed by crossing Asian leopard cats with domestic cats.  These cats have a very unique color pattern and have a very striking appearance.  They have very soft fur with an athletic build.  They have beautiful bright eyes that have a mascara appearance that makes them really stand out.

The Bengal cat temperament is playful and gentle but also known as elegant and a bit conservative.  Bengals are intelligent and quite social. They really enjoy being a part of a family and they don’t have a fear of water.  They have been known to swim from time to time and they also enjoy climbing.  They are very good at keeping themselves occupied by playing with and hiding their toys.

The expected life span of  the Bengal cat is up to 13 yrs.  Cat health is the number one key to keeping him/her healthy, happy and long lived.  Preventative care is one of the best ways to keep them from developing serious problems down the road.  The female Bengal can get up to 13 lbs. and the male Bengal can weigh up to 22 lbs.  There are a few health issues that you want to keep an eye out for in your Bengal which are Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Cardiomyopathy.