77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat. Susan Ewing M.

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СКАЧАТЬ are both independent and affectionate, with a habit of being very vocal. They have sleek coats and are instantly recognizable for having light-colored bodies with dark-colored legs, tails, ears, and faces. Siamese come in four recognized colors: seal, with a fawn body and almost black points; chocolate, with a cream body and milk-chocolate-colored points; blue point, with a bluish-white body and slate-blue points; and lilac point, with a white body and pinkish-gray points.

      

      Scottish Fold

      Siamese

      Siamese weigh between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) and come in show and traditional types. The show Siamese has a muscular, tubular body; long legs; a wedge-shaped head; and large, triangular ears. The traditional, or apple-headed, Siamese has a chunkier body and a rounded head.

      With a life expectancy of eleven to fifteen years, the show type may be more prone to respiratory and dental problems. Other health concerns include bladder stones, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, heart problems, and certain types of cancer. While some Siamese may have a kinked tail or crossed eyes, modern breeding practices have greatly eliminated these traits.

      Sphynx

      Many breeds begin with a spontaneous genetic mutation, and that’s the case with the Sphynx, which began when a hairless kitten was born in 1966 in Toronto, Canada. While a Sphynx may have a bit of hair on the nose, ears, and tail, and may sometimes be covered in a fine down, generally, the Sphynx feels like a suede-covered hot water bottle. The skin is loose, so your Sphynx will look a bit wrinkled. All colors are possible in the breed.

      Sphynx are lovable, energetic, mischievous, and generally happy to meet strangers. They use their toes almost like fingers when exploring new things.

      While there’s no long hair to brush, the Sphynx does need periodic bathing to help remove skin oils that hair would normally absorb. Start out young with your kitten to make sure he gets used to being bathed.

      The Sphynx weighs between 6 to 12 pounds (2.7–5.4 kg) and has a life expectancy of eight to fourteen years. As with many other breeds, there’s a danger of HCM and hereditary myopathy, a neurological disease that affects muscle function. The Sphynx may also develop skin conditions, such as urticaria pigmentosa or cutaneous mastocytosis. While any cat may develop periodontal disease, Sphynx seem especially susceptible, so start a tooth-brushing routine with your Sphynx starting in kittenhood.

      

      Sphynx

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      Rare Cat Breeds

      Maybe you’d like a very different type of cat, one whose breed isn’t easily recognized by most people. A rare-breed cat can be the perfect pet as long as you choose it for the traits it possesses, and not just because it’s rare.

      In alphabetical order, we’ll discuss some rare cat breeds that you might consider: the American Bobtail, the American Wirehair, Balinese, Bombay, Burmilla, Havana Brown, Japanese Bobtail, Korat, LaPerm, Peterbald, Ragamuffin, and Turkish Van.

      American Bobtail

      The American Bobtail is a moderately large cat, with males weighing between 12 and 16 pounds (5.4–7.3 kg), and females ranging from 7 to 11 pounds (3.2–5.0 kg). They come in all colors and patterns, and may have short or medium-long coats. As the name implies, the American Bobtail has a naturally bobbed tail. The tail can range in size, but it never reaches beyond the hock joint of the rear leg.

      

      American Bobtail

      American Wirehair

      American Bobtails are muscular cats whose hind legs are longer than their front legs. They are friendly and intelligent and will happily greet adults, children, and any canine family members. They love to play games, including fetch and hide-and-seek. They are also easily leash-trained, which is a desirable trait if you’d like to take your cat for walks.

      The American Bobtail is a healthy breed, but cats that are totally tailless can have spinal problems that affect their ability to control defecation. Their life span is from eleven to fifteen years.

      American Wirehair

      The American Wirehair is the result of a spontaneous mutation that was first seen in a litter in 1966. While there are some physical differences besides the coat, the American Wirehair is similar to the American Shorthair, and breeding one to the other is allowed.

      The wiry coat defines this breed and comes in degrees of wiriness, from spiked to curly. Individual hairs, including the whiskers, may be crimped, hooked, or bent. They need very little grooming because a brush or comb can damage the coat, but occasional bathing to remove dead hair is a good idea to prevent loose, hooked hairs from irritating the skin.

      American Wirehairs are quiet, loving cats, a bit on the reserved side. They weigh between 6 and 11 pounds (2.7–5.0 kg) and have a lifespan of fourteen to eighteen years. The breed is generally healthy but may develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

      Balinese

      The Balinese is essentially a longhaired Siamese, the result of a spontaneous mutation. Breeders began breeding for this type in the 1950s. There is no undercoat, so the breed’s long, flowing fur is easy to care for and unlikely to mat. The Balinese comes in traditional Siamese colors as well as nontraditional colors such as tabby point and tortie point.

      Like the Siamese, the Balinese is curious and mischievous as well as affectionate. He enjoys talking, but his voice is a bit softer and less insistent than that of a Siamese. This longhaired beauty weighs between 5 and 10 pounds (2.3–4.5 kg) and has a life expectancy of nine to fifteen years. He may develop heart problems and can be affected by lysomomal storage disease.

      Bombay

      This black cat brings good luck in the form of a loving, playful pet who wants to be with his people. If you want a loving companion, the Bombay fits the bill.

      The Bombay is the result of a Kentucky breeder, Nikki Horner, who wanted to produce a domestic cat that looked like the wild Indian panther. She started by crossing a black American Shorthair with a sable (rich solid brown) Burmese. The end result was a solid black cat with mesmerizing eyes. The Bombay sports a gorgeous, sleek black coat and glowing eyes that range from gold to copper.

      

      Balinese

      Bombay

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