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

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      Burmilla

      Bombays weigh between 6 and 11 pounds (2.7–5.0 kg) and have a life expectancy of twelve to sixteen years. Like so many cats, they are susceptible to HCM and, because of their short muzzles, may have breathing difficulties.

      Burmilla

      The name Burmilla is taken from the names of the two breeds in its background: the Burmese and the Chinchilla Persian. (Note: Some consider the Chinchilla Persian to be a separate breed; others consider chinchilla a silvery color variation.) The result is a medium-sized cat with a silvery coat that may be tipped or shaded with black, brown, lilac, blue, chocolate, cream, red, or tortoiseshell. The coat may be short or semi-long. Burmillas have distinctive black “eyeliner” around their eyes, lips, and noses. Another striking feature is their eyes, which may be any shade of green. Their color changes as they age, so you won’t know your cat’s permanent color until he is fully grown.

      Burmillas get along well with children and other pets and are gentle, playful, and loving. These sweet cats weigh between eight and ten pounds and have a life expectancy of ten to fifteen years. They can be prone to allergies and may develop polycystic kidney disease.

      Havana Brown

      If you love chocolate, or maybe a good cigar, the Havana Brown may be your soul mate. British breeders who wanted to create a brown cat developed this cat. They crossed Siamese with black domestic shorthairs, eventually resulting in the Havana Brown—named, some say, after the color of a Havana cigar. Other distinguishing features are the breed’s green eyes, forward-tilting ears, and a “corncob” muzzle shape. The International Cat Association (TICA) allows a lilac (pinkish-gray) color and, upon accepting that color, changed the breed’s name to simply Havana.

      No matter what you call him, the Havana Brown is a cat who wants to be with you and supervise whatever you’re doing. He explores with his paws and enjoys talking. Don’t get a Havana Brown if you’re usually gone all day; this cat is much too social for that.

      Havana Browns weigh between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) and have a life expectancy of ten to fifteen years. This is a healthy breed but may be prone to developing stones in the urinary tract.

      Japanese Bobtail

      The Japanese Bobtail is a loving, friendly breed that enjoys a game of fetch and is a good candidate for agility. The breed has been known in Japan for hundreds of years but first appeared in the United States in the late 1900s, where it is still relatively rare. Its most distinguishing feature is its bobtail, and no two tails are ever alike. Its hind legs are longer than its front legs, and it comes in shorthaired and longhaired varieties.

      Japanese Bobtails come in solid colors, bicolor, vans, and calicos (called mi-ke in Japan). While more bicolored and van-patterned Bobtails are registered in the United States, the calico is considered the luckiest color in Japan—although any Bobtail is thought of as lucky and able to bring prosperity and happiness to his owner. The popular type of statue called maneki neko, or “beckoning cat,” is a Bobtail, and many Japanese shopkeepers have these statues in their stores to attract good people.

      Japanese Bobtails weigh between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) and have a life expectancy of nine to fifteen years. They have no major health problems, and the gene associated with the short tail does not produce any spinal abnormalities.

      

      Havana Brown

      

      Japanese Bobtail

      Korat

      The Korat of Thailand is another cat that is considered good luck. His fur is said to glisten like silver; his green eyes symbolize prosperity; and his heart-shaped face brings happiness to brides. If there’s a kink in his tail, the luck increases. The Korat can be a real cuddle cat; he likes being with his human family and he has a playful streak.

      The Korat comes in only one color: a silver-tipped blue. The coat is short and lies close to the body. The breed does not attain its distinctive green eye color until between the ages of two and four, and this slow-maturing cat is not fully developed physically or emotionally until he is five years old.

      This gentle cat weighs between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) and has a life expectancy of ten to fifteen years. He is prone to a fatal genetic condition, the GM-1 and GM-2 gangliosidoses (also known as lysosomal storage disease), but breeders can test their breeding stock to identify carriers, so your breeder should be able to guarantee your Korat’s health.

      Korat

      LaPerm

      The LaPerm is a curious, active cat who loves heights, whether it’s your shoulder or the top shelf of a bookcase. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t also appreciate a lap for snuggling, which is lucky for the owner, because the curly LaPerm coat just cries out for you to bury your fingers in it.

      The distinctive coat is the result of a spontaneous mutation first seen in 1982. LaPerms come in any color or pattern and may have long or short hair. The longhaired variety is sometimes called a “gypsy shag.” Both long- and shorthaired varieties have kinked whiskers.

      A LaPerm kitten can be born bald or may go bald at about two weeks of age, with the coat finally growing back by about four months of age. If a kitten is born with a straight coat, either he will shed that coat in exchange for a curly one, or the coat will stay straight. Kittens born with curly coats will always have curly coats.

      Female LaPerms weigh between 5 and 8 pounds (2.3–3.6 kg), and males weigh between 8 and 10 pounds (3.6–4.5 kg). Life expectancy is ten to fifteen years. The LaPerm has no known genetic diseases.

      Peterbald

      The Peterbald is originally from Russia, where it was first named the Don Sphynx. Later developments of the breed in St. Petersburg let to the name Peterbald. This very rare breed was accepted in 2005 by TICA. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) does not recognize it as a breed.

      The Peterbald is very affectionate and friendly as well as a bit talkative. Enormous ears that look as though they could lift the cat right off the ground with one flap top his wedge-shaped head.

      The Peterbald comes in five coat types: straight, naked, chamois, flock, and brush. The straight is a full shorthaired coat, but, while cats with this type of coat may be bred, they are not eligible for the show ring. Naked Peterbalds have no fur—just soft, warm skin. Chamois cats have a suede, or “peach-fuzz,” texture. Flock-coated cats have a fine, velvety coat, and cats with brush coats have sparse, wiry coats that are irregular in texture.

      Like all hairless, or mostly hairless, breeds, your Peterbald may appreciate a sweater or access to a soft blanket in cold weather. Also limit his exposure СКАЧАТЬ