My Cat and the 'Possum!

By Bob Alexander

A 'possum with his back to the wall is a fearsome thing when he's decided that you're going to harm him. After all, we're a lot bigger than him and he's probably going out of his mind with fear, but he won't show it. He'll snarl and hiss and spit until you back off and leave him alone. If that doesn't work he'll resort to his last line of defense; "playing possum".

This was the situation a few nights ago when my cat Spike came to the front door meowing. As soon as I let him in, he promptly went to the garage door and stretched his front leg out and touched his paw on the door knob. He's learned that this is the way to get someone to let him out. This was certainly strange behavior.

As soon as the door opened he shot inside the garage, leapt upon a chair that acted as a spring board to the chest freezer, where he hopped to the top of the refrigerator, then from there to the top of an old cabinet. By this time he was close to the ceiling, but it was also a great perch from which to see everything that was happening in the garage.

Spike was looking intently at the shelves containing partially filled cans of house paint that had been stacked there for several years. As I looked to see what my cat's stare was fixed on, one of the paint cans moved!

Actually the can didn't move but a scared and mad 'possum was pushing it out of his way! How he had made room for himself on those tightly packed shelves, I didn't have a clue. I couldn't figure out how he was going to get down without dislodging some of the paint cans. I just knew that this situation was not going to end pleasantly. I was right!

As I stood watching, with no warning, no screeching of nails being pulled out of the wall or any other indication that there was about to be a calamity, the whole thing broke and fell to the floor! The bracket holding the shelf, which was holding the paint cans and 'possum, succumbed to the added weight and collapsed! With a crash that alerted the neighbor next door, paint, shelves and possum all hit the floor at about the same time.

All this didn't seem to disturb Spike, for he was still peering down from his perch on top of the cabinet next to the ceiling. While I was looking at the cat, the 'possum took this opportunity to dash behind the refrigerator, hiss and show his teeth at me whenever I got too close.

My neighbor stuck his head through the door and asked if I was all right. He thought the whole thing was funny until he saw that two of the paint can lids had come open. There were splotches of bright yellow and sky blue paint on most of the contents on that side of my garage. He didn't ask if he could help clean up the mess.

For the last four years Spike and I've had problems with families of raccoons who had developed a taste for cat food. My cat is not a finicky eater; he'll eat any brand available and evidently so will the raccoons. One or two of them come by every night for a snack out of Spike's food dish. Now I had both a 'possum and a family of raccoons vying for the food in the cat's bowl.

I handled this varmint eradication problem the same way I handle the raccoon invasion. I turned off the light in the garage, opened the door to the outside and then went back to my favorite television show! The next time I checked on the 'possum he was gone!

There are many kinds of opossum repellants but none of them really work; my favorite is predator urine. This works on the assumption that if you spread the urine of an animal larger than the one your trying to run off, then that will strike fear in the heart of your unwanted varmint and he will leave! That didn't work with the raccoons so I don't have much faith that it'll work for the 'possum.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at: http://www.bluemarlinbob.com | http://www.redfishbob.com

How to Stop Your Cat's Urination Problems

By Katherin Towers

Having your cat urinating all over your home can be extremely troublesome. Especially when it happens after you thought you had successfully litter trained your cat. Rather than getting angry, it may be more appropriate for you to be worried. You should strongly consider taking kitty for a check-up at the vet. There are a number of diseases which can cause your cat to suddenly start urinating uncontrollably. One of these diseases is a urinary tract infection which could be potentially fatal if left untreated. As a matter of fact, any sudden change in kitty's behavior merits a visit to the vet, just in case.

While kitty peeing outside the litter box is an obvious clue, you should also be on alert about your cat's urination habits. If you notice kitty making more trips to the litter box than normal, or releasing a greater than usual volume of urine, or its urine having a different smell, etc, all these are warning signs of illness. If you truly love your cat, then you need to be vigilant about its health.

Once ill health has been ruled out, you need to look into environmental factors. The most obvious one is moving house. There are one or two cat owners who somehow failed to realize that their cats became confused and could not find the litter box in their new homes. Or simply did not like the new location of the litter box. In any case, if you move house, be prepared to litter train your cat all over again.

Any number of factors could cause stress to your cat and cause it to urinate away from its litter box, even something as subtle as a change in your working schedule. On the one hand, this is rather inconvenient to you. On the other hand, a part of me would be happy, because this shows that kitty misses me and cares about me. It's nice to know that you are more than just the person who fills kitty's food dish, isn't it? Anyway, if you cannot remove the cause of kitty's stress, you will just have to toilet train your cat again. Besides this, you may want to learn cat massage. Just like for humans, massage can soothe away some of your cat's stress. If all else fails, you may need to get a something from your vet to help soothe kitty. However, I strongly advise against aromatherapy or the use of massage oils unless your vet can recommend a safe brand. Cats are often sensitive to such oils and scents. There have been cases of poisoning reported.

Something that few people think about is the litter. Just because you still buy the same brand does not mean the manufacturer is still making the litter exactly the same. There could be major or even just minor changes to the final end product, and it could be noticeable to your cat. Remember that its sense of touch and smell is much better than yours.

The problem could even be the litter box. Are your cat still using the same litter box as when it was a kitten? Or has your cat grown old... You may need to try a different-sized litter box.

Did I mention that smell is important? Did you change the cleaner you used to wash the litter box? Are you cleaning the area around the litter box with a different cleaner? Perhaps kitty hates the smell of the new cleaning product and that is why it is urinating elsewhere. Or did you use a different cleaning product for your house. The new cleaner could be confusing kitty.

Your cat is a sensitive creature of habit. First, you need to eliminate health problems as the cause of your cat's urination problem. After that, it takes time and patience and loving care to investigate the cause of the problem. A case study published by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (JAVMA, Vol 224, No. 10, May 15, 2004) reported that they took several years to resolve the problem. Partly it was because the cat in question had health problems. The vet needed to try different medications which would both clear up the medical conditions as well as not cause the cat to urinate uncontrollably. At the same time, there was no stability in the home environment. The owner got a divorce, and found a new boyfriend. And apparently some stray cats moved into the neighborhood.

Click here and learn how to solve your cat's urination problems.

The Bombay Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A shorthair felid, Bombay was created in nineteen fifties in United States through crossing of American Shorthairs with Burmese cats. The idea was to creature a small Indian 'black panther'. After a number of attempts, finally an all black cat was developed that would consistently produce black colored kittens with 'copper penny' eyes. It was named 'Bombay' after the famous Indian coastal town of the same name. It took a further two decades for the cat to be formally recognized. The modern Bombay shares majority of its attributes with the Burmese since American Shorthairs are no longer used in the periodic outcrossing of the breed.

A lithe yet muscular cat, Bombay is surprisingly heavy for its appearance. It has a medium slender physique with a shiny coat. Head is well rounded with gold to copper colored circular eyes and slightly tilted ears. Both the eyes and ears are big and widely set. Muzzle is short with a minimal nose break. Legs are long with round paws. Tail is medium in length. The highlighting feature of the Bombay is its stunning lustrous coat. It is short and close lying and yet has an unparalleled shine. It is black throughout, including at its roots. Sable colored kittens are often born in litters, though they are not formally recognized by cat fancies.

Some Bombays share a hereditary skull disorder with the Burmese in their lines. The result is an abnormal craniofacial presentation in kittens who are unable to survive and thus have to be euthanized at birth. This is an issue of some controversy around breeders today of the traditional Bombay and Burmese cats.

Affectionate and calm, Bombays are famous for being total lap cats. They follow their humans around everywhere and try to supervise all their activities. They are outgoing and active cats and keep themselves and their companions busy. Temperamentally they are quite good. Bombays readily accept other pets, particularly dogs, into their household. They are cool with children and are social cats in general.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Bombay cat.

The Brazilian Shorthair Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Native to the country of Brazil, Brazilian Shorthair is a shorthair feline breed. The cat is still in relatively initial stages as an official domestic feline breed and is still not formally recognized by many registration bodies of cat fancies. In fact its discovery began as recently as the mid nineteen eighties when officials of Brazilian Cat Federation realized the need for a native cat of Brazil. They began comparing and surveying alley cats across the country and found that they were remarkably similar in their appearance and traits. Thereafter the preservation and maintenance of purebred Brazilian Shorthairs was started in earnest.

Mid-sized felines, Brazilian Shorthairs have a strong physical built. Their body is slender in comparison to shorthair cats of Europe and North America. Head is somewhat long with almond shaped slightly oblique eyes and medium sized ears that are rounded at the tip. Fur is short and close-lying to the body. A variety of colors and patterns are documented. Legs are well muscled. Tail is medium in length and tapering at its end.

The most significant threat facing the Brazilian Shorthair cats is pollution of their genetic pool. There is widespread crossbreeding and purebred felines are quite rare. Even though authorities in Brazil have encouraged people to come forward with cats that are closest to the true genome of the breed, there remains a shortage in number of purebred Brazilian Shorthairs. As a result few dedicated breeding programs exist for these pretty cats at the moment.

Brazilian Shorthairs possess a very pleasant temperament. They are easy going and adoring cats that take no time in establishing affectionate bonds with their humans. They are good with kids and other pets and enjoy company of people. Brazilian Shorthairs are known for their ability to develop loving relationships with all members of the family, staying attached to people all the while.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Brazilian Shorthair cat.

The British Shorthair Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Shorthair felines, British Shorthairs belong to Britain. The cats evolved centuries ago when Romans brought cats from their homeland and those cats mated with wild cats of Britain. With time the British Shorthairs came to being. However, it was not until the later half of nineteenth century that these felines started appearing in cat shows and began to be formally recognized. Originally they were accepted only in blue color and were thus known as British Blue. With time though other colors were given formal recognition and the name changed to the current one.

British Shorthairs are somewhat large sized with a muscular physique. They have strong chest, shoulders and legs and are known to possess significant strength relative to their size. Body is stout overall. Head is round with chubby cheeks, big round eyes that are usually copper to golden in color, and short widely set ears. Well developed whisker pads give rise to a very sweet 'smiling' facial expression. Tail is tapering at its end and paws are rounded. Apart from blue, which is the most common color, other colors and patterns include black, chocolate, cinnamon, fawn, lilac, red, white, bicolor, colorpoint, tabby and tortoiseshell.

British Shorthairs are healthy and sturdy felines. They don't suffer from any persisting health ailment in their lines. They are relatively heavy as a breed and not very agile. They are active though and have been reported throughout history to be quite capable hunters in their natural environment.

Easy going and calm, British Shorthair cats have a very good temperament. They are independent and playful and not very demanding. Their lustrous coat doesn't shed nor require daily grooming. As kittens they are quite playful. As they age, taking nearly four years to reach their full size, they become relatively sedentary and overweight in some cases. Still they maintain their loyalty and affection towards humans.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on British Shorthair cat.

The Burmese Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A medium size domestic cat, Burmese is said to have originated in Burma, though records of its early existence have been discovered in Thailand as well. The cat was first introduced in United States in nineteen thirties. It was bred with Siamese cats in its development and thus shares certain physical and behavioral similarities with the latter. Evolution of the Burmese was quite different in the United Kingdom. Indeed the Burmese is often classified into two groups, namely the American and British Burmese. Both have certain physical differences, with the British variety being more oriental in appearance and the American Burmese having a somewhat cobby physique.

Burmese are medium sized cats with a muscular, athletic body. Coat is short in length, silky in texture and shiny in appearance. Originally only sable colored cats were given formal recognition. However, other colors are accepted as well now, including blue, brown, cream, chocolate, lilac and red. Eyes are large and copper to golden in color. Their brightness and expressive appeal are a source of great beauty for the Burmese.

Healthy and active felines, Burmese have no significant medical ailment in their lines. They are very gentle though and even though reports exist of them being able to defend themselves, many believe that they should not be left outdoors unsupervised for fear of conflict with feral and wild cats, coyotes and automobile accidents.

Burmese are a very affectionate and tender breed. They are very people oriented and almost dog-like in their loving attitude towards people. They are deceptively heavy when picked up and are cuddly and adoring in nature. The lustrous coat doesn't shed nor require daily brushing. Less vocal than the Siamese, they have a very soft voice. Playful and intelligent, Burmese take no time in establishing their presence in the house, taking care to supervise all the activities.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Burmese cat.

The Burmilla Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A new cat breed, Burmilla is thought to have originated in United Kingdom in the early nineteen eighties through accidental mating of a Burmese female with a Chinchilla male cat. The resulting kittens were so attractive and pleasant in temperament that a formal breeding program was initiated. Even as they are not universally recognized, their development continues, with occasional outcrossing to their parent breeds in order to maintain certain physical and behavioral traits. They are accepted in Britain though, with championship status and official recognition coming in nineteen nineties.

Medium sized felines, Burmillas are similar to the Burmese in their physical structure. Body type is foreign. Though traditionally shorthaired cats, Burmillas also have longhaired and plush coats. Recognized colors include brown, chocolate, blue, lilac and black. Both shaded and tipped patterns exist. Ideally there should be minimal tabby or tortoiseshell markings. Eyes are pretty and occur in varying shades of green. They have a lining around them, adding to the facial beauty of the cat.

Burmillas have a personality that is between those of their parent Persian and Burmese breeds. They are loving and placid like Persian Chinchillas and outgoing and active like the Burmese. The combination is a unique cat with a near ideal temperament and attitude.

Active cats, Burmillas are not overly demanding. They spend lots of time daily playing with their toys and enjoying themselves. They are independent and confident cats. At times they can be a little destructive towards house furniture and for this reason it is best to provide them with scratching posts and other feline friends for company. Burmillas are extroverts by nature and go along well with all members of the family including children and other pets. With their easy going and fun loving way of life, they make perfect companions for most ailurophiles.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Burmilla cat.

The California Spangled Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A shorthair cat breed, California Spangled originated following a fateful visit by Hollywood script writer and animal lover Paul Casey to Tanzania, Africa, in the early nineteen seventies. Casey was shocked by rampant poaching of leopards there for their skin and after motivation by famed anthropologist Louis Leakey, decided to develop a breed that would resemble the spotted big cats in appearance and generate awareness among people regarding conservation of great cats in the wild. The idea was that if people own a spotted cat of their own, they would desist wearing of furs of other spotted cats. It was not until the mid nineteen eighties that Casey was finally able to develop the breed from a number of different cats including American and British Shorthairs, Abyssinians, Angoras, Manx and Siamese. Though the resulting Spangled cats gained initial popularity, they were not enthusiastically received by many cat fancies who were not so keen in adding another spotted cat to their registry at that time. Today very few of these purebred cats remain.

Medium sized cats with short hair, California Spangles are well muscled felines. They are lean and sculpted and move like their wild cat cousins even as they have entirely domestic genes in their heritage. Fur is short and velvety and occurs in a number of colors including black, blue, bronze, brown, charcoal, gold, red and silver. Spots are dark, well defined and preferably rounded or blocked. At times they are arranged into rosettes. Triangular and oval markings are also accepted. Tabby-like stripes often exist on head, chest, throat, legs and tail. Head is round with prominent cheek bones, almond shaped slanting golden to brown eyes and high set ears.

The pretty cat, also known as American California Spangled Cat, has two other variants as well. These include the Snow Leopard Cat and the King Spangled Cat. The Snow Leopard Cat is named after the big cat Snow Leopard of Asian mountains. It has a light background and dazzling markings. The King Spangled Cat derives its name from the King Cheetah. It has stripes and markings that resemble those of the rare King Cheetah.

Healthy and active animals, California Spangles resembles the wild African cats as they move about in a crouched low-slung posture during play. They are very fond of their toys and spend hours stalking and 'hunting' them. Like leopards, they like to perch on high places and survey their domain from above.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on California Spangled Cat.

The Chartreux Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A pretty shorthair cat, Chartreux has lived in French towns and villages for centuries though there is some controversy regarding its origin. Some believe it was brought over to France by Carthusian monks while others trace its ancestry to Syria. Even as it was widespread in its native territories since seventeenth century, Chartreux numbers plummeted during the first half of twentieth century owing to the two World Wars. It was only through concerted efforts of breeders that the felid was revived and the breed sustained even though the wild populations were lost by the mid nineteen forties. The breed was brought to United States in early seventies and gained recognition a decade and half later. It is still not accepted in United Kingdom.

A large yet gentle cat, Chartreux has a compact build with a deep chest and strong shoulders. Coat is double layered, dense and water repellent. It exists solely in shades of blue and gray. Head is round with broad cheeks and a narrow muzzle, giving the cat a 'smiling' expression. Eyes are rounded and occur in shades of gold, orange or copper. Ears are medium in size.

Chartreuxs are quite rare in the rest of Europe and North America. Majority remain as prized possessions of French breeders and are thus difficult to obtain. Some lines have a genetic defect amongst them that leads to dislocation of knee cap in the young, leading to varying degrees of disability. This trait is being bred out though and apart from the occasional teeth and gum disorders, there are no serious medical concerns with this cat.

Quiet and calm by nature, Chartreuxs are easygoing cats. They are not very demanding or vocal. They don't meow, and express themselves with a chirping voice. Some are even mute. As with other natural felines, Chartreux cats are skillful hunters. They have a good temperament and don't engage in physical conflicts with other pets.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Chartreux cat.

The Colorpoint Shorthair Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Similar to the Siamese except for the contrast in the color of markings, Colorpoint Shorthair is a pretty cat breed. The cat originated in the nineteen forties when breeders in United Kingdom and United States set out to develop a cat that resembled the Siamese in every aspect but had points in colors other than the traditional blue, chocolate, lilac and seal. For this purpose the Siamese at that time were crossed with Abyssinians, American Shorthairs and red colored Domestic Shorthairs to produce the ideal result. The new cats were somewhat different in appearance to the Colorpoint Shorthairs of today and were bred several times with the Siamese over the years to produce the elegant feline that we see now. In the early stages of their evolution, they were seen as a pollution of the Siamese gene pool by many cat fancies and breeders and even though they were given formal recognition in the sixties by Cat Fanciers' Association, they are still not recognized as a separate breed by most bodies in the United States and Europe and are considered a part of the Siamese.

A lithe and slender cat, the Colorpoint Shorthair has a tubular physique. Coat is short, shiny and looks stunning on its finely muscled body. A number of colors and patterns are recognized for the markings on ears, face, legs and tail, including cream, red, lynx, tabby and tortie variants. Rest of the body is usually in shades of cream and white. Head is triangular with big widely set years and almond shaped slanted blue eyes. Tail and legs are long. A finely built feline, the Colorpoint Shorthair weighs in the range of five to ten pounds.

Though healthy animals, Colorpoint Shorthairs share certain ailments with their ancestor Siamese in some of their lines. Amyloidosis of liver is one genetic condition afflicting them. Other is dilated cardiomyopathy even as the incidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is quite low in this breed. They also are prone to gum and tooth disorders and require periodic dental assessment.

Intelligent and active cats, Colorpoint Shorthairs are very lively and energetic. They spend the majority of their time playing with their toys and supervising household affairs.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Colorpoint Shorthair cat.

The Egyptian Mau Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A shorthair cat breed, Egyptian Mau is thought to have lived for thousands of years in Egypt where it was once the object of worship, 'Mau' being the Egyptian term for 'cat'. It was adored, protected and buried alongside Pharaohs in their tombs as mummies. Over the years, the cat continued to be cherished in its native lands as an object of fancy as well as a remarkable hunter. Even today farmers keep crossbreeds from Egyptian Maus as pets to keep their fields safe from rodents. The modern recognition of this elegant feline came in the nineteen fifties when a pair was brought over to United States. They were given championship status in the seventies.

A sturdy yet finely built cat, the Egyptian Mau is a medium sized animal. It has a well muscled and graceful presence. Hind legs are longer than the front, enabling the cat to reach speeds of up to fifty kilometers an hour. Mau is the only naturally occurring domestic cat that is spotted. The spots run underneath the fur to the cat's actual skin. They are present on the whole body, with the legs and tail being striped. Recognized coat colors are bronze, silver and smoke. Eyes are in shades of dazzling green.

Egyptian Maus are healthy and active felines and don't suffer from any recurring hereditary medical conditions. Owing to their love for the outdoors and excellent hunting skills, many owners are tempted to let them outside. Though the cats are surprisingly adept at avoiding any accidents and mishaps, it's still not a good idea to leave these rare treasures outdoors unsupervised.

Athletic and playful, the Maus are always alert. They are very protective of their 'territory' and are quite prepared to defend it against any intruders. They don't accept other cats and pets well and fare best in a single animal household. From the beginning, they develop a close affiliation with their humans and maintain a very loyal relationship with them throughout their lives.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Egyptian Mau cat.

The Abyssinian Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Abyssinian is a shorthair feline. It is said to have been brought from Africa to England in the nineteenth century and bred selectively thereafter, though there is no conclusive supporting evidence in this regard. And even as experts consider the Abyssinian to be an ancient cat, there are conflicting opinions as regards its origin. Many believe it was a wild cat originally owing to similarities in its markings with the African Wild Cat.

A medium sized sleek feline, the Abyssinian is a slender, yet muscular cat. Head is triangular with almond shaped expressive green or gold eyes and pointed ears. The long tail tapers at its end. Fur is short and bright with the most popular coloration being reddish brown, also referred to as 'Ruddy' or 'Usual'. Other colors and patterns include blue, cream, lilac, silver, tabby and tortoiseshell.

In general Abyssinians are very healthy and active cats. They often reportedly live beyond twenty years of age. As with other breeds, care of teeth is important as the cat ages. Occasionally Amyloidosis of kidneys occurs along some Abyssinian lines. Believed to be a hereditary ailment, it is not very common though.

Playful and intelligent, Abyssinians are inquisitive cats. They are very fond of exploring everything and are always on the move in the house. Reported to be very understanding, these cats are affectionate and develop special bonds with their humans. They accept other pets readily too though some female Abyssinians are reported to be a bit edgy in this regard. Athletic and active, the cats like to reach atop high places in the house and play with water. Other attributes include their loyalty and expressive nature. These elegant felines are objects of great beauty and admiration in many parts of the world and are highly valued as loving and sweet pets.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Abyssinian cat.

The American Shorthair Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A shorthaired felid, American Shorthair is one of the commonest house cats in United States. It traces its origin to British Shorthairs who were brought over on ships with European settlers owing to their good hunting skills. With time these adept hunters moved into cities and started being bred for their good looks, health and temperament. Initially they were known as Domestic Shorthairs. However, with time as issues of pedigree and pure breeding started taking ground, they were given the name of American Shorthair to distinguish them from non-pedigreed alley cats.

Well built felines, American Shorthairs are muscular and strong. Males may weigh around fifteen pounds with females reaching ten pounds on average. It takes these robust cats nearly three to four years to reach their full size. Fur is short and glistening. They are recognized in over eighty colors and patterns. Perhaps the most well known is a dark tabby pattern on a silver coat.

Athletic and active, these pretty felines don't require extensive maintenance and grooming. They are quite healthy and free from any recurring genetic ailments. American Shorthairs are known for their longevity and normally live for fifteen to twenty years. All they need is good food, love and periodic medical assessment.

Playful and adoring cats, American Shorthairs are ideally suited to a large variety of households. They are quiet and not overly demanding. They go along very well with all the family members including children. Tolerant of other pets, they have a loving personality and good temperament. No significant persisting health conditions run in their lines. Establishing and maintaining good relations with everybody from the start, these easy going cats soon make themselves a part of the family. Owing to their many wonderful attributes, these pretty cats are greatly admired by proud pet owners across United States.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on American Shorthair cat.

The Australian Mist Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A new shorthair feline breed, Australian Mist was developed in Australia in nineteen seventies from three different cat breeds, namely Abyssinian, Burmese and Domestic Shorthair. As a result the Australian Mist shares its physical and behavioral features with all these three felines. It is said to have inherited its intelligence, ticking of coat and certain colors from the Abyssinian. Burmese gave rise to the cat's placid personality, dilute colors and some patterns. And finally the Domestic Shorthair contributed to the robustness and pretty spots of the modern Australian Mist.

Medium sized felines, Australian Mists have a balanced physical makeup. Head is round with big bright green eyes and largish ears. Chin, whiskerpads and nose are wide, giving rise to a beautiful expressive face. Tail is well plumed. Coat is short and dense and was previously accepted only in a spotted pattern, leading to the earlier name of 'Spotted Mist'. Thereafter cats with a marbled pattern were also recognized, and the nomenclature thus revised. Recognized colors are blue, brown, chocolate, gold, lilac and peach that occur in delicate patterns of spots and swirls on a 'misty' background.

Australian Mists were developed to create perfect pets with a very affectionate temperament. Their breeding has been quite successful to this end. Another goal was to produce cats that would not have an adverse influence on their native ecosystem through hunting. It is unclear at the moment if this goal has been met.

Overly adoring and sweet cats, the Australian Mists are much loved in the continent of Australia though they are not found in all territories currently. Their relative recency in origin means that they are not quite widespread as pets in Europe and United States at the moment. In their native areas, they are known to be predominantly indoor pets. They are completely people oriented and love their humans alot. They are tolerant of other pets and get along well with all members of the family including children.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Australian Mist cat.

The Korat Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Korat is amongst the oldest and the few natural cat breeds around currently. It traces its origin to the land of Siam, or Thailand, many centuries ago. There it has been revered for a long time and is considered an emblem of good luck. It is known as Si-Sawat cat in the native language. Korat was brought over to the western countries by the end of nineteenth century. However it was not until the beginning of later half of twentieth century that Korat was formally introduced as a breed in United States and United Kingdom.

A medium sized feline, Korat is surprisingly heavy for its size. It packs a lot of energy in its muscular, somewhat stout physique. Coat is single layered and seldom sheds or tangles. It occurs in a uniform bluish silver color and is not seen in any other color or pattern. Hair are bluish at base and become tipped with silver, giving rise to a unique glow from the shiny fur. Head is famous for its 'heart-like' shape, with beautiful amber eyes that become brighter as the cat ages.

Korats are greatly valued in their land of origin. They are seldom commercially sold and are given the status of a national treasure by Thai government. They are therefore very hard to import from Thailand and as a result quite rare in most parts of the globe.

Gentle and sweet cats, Korats are well suited to a house with other pets and children. They are quiet and not overly demanding. Korats have very well developed senses and are startled by sudden loud noises. They are alert and active cats and take little time in developing strong bonds of affection with their humans. Cuddly and adoring felines, Korats are very people-oriented and enjoy company of their owners very much.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Korat cat.

The European Shorthair Cat

By Omer Ashraf

European Shorthair is a recently recognized breed of cats that was created to distinguish the Scandinavian cats of Europe from those of United Kingdom. A shorthair feline breed, it is distinct from the British and American Shorthairs. The cat's origin dates back centuries. It is said to have descended from Egyptian cats and then brought over to Europe. Since then it has been widespread in towns and villages of Europe. The point of origin here is believed to be Sweden. With time the European cat developed a physical structure somewhat different from its English cousin. Therefore after much deliberation it was given official recognition in the early eighties though it is still not recognized by most bodies around the world.

A sturdy and well built feline, European Shorthair is a muscular animal. Chest and shoulders are broad and strong. Coat is double layered and somewhat coarse and thick, in possible adaptation to the cold winters of Scandinavia. A number of colors occur though blue and black are most frequent. Head is rounded and so are the widely set eyes and ears. Eyes are also accepted in a variety of colors including blue, green or yellow. Jaws and neck are well developed. Tail and legs are relatively long.

European Shorthairs are quite similar to the average street cat in Europe and are thus often confused with alley cats. Theirs is a pure breed though that has been developed over the years and has established attributes. They are not all alike though in many ways since they have been developed from so many different individuals and often have varying personalities and behavior.

Temperament of European Shorthairs is thus somewhat unpredictable owing to their diverse ancestry. They are generally calm and easygoing cats overall. They are well behaved normally and go well with all members of the family, including children and other pets.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on European Shorthair cat.

The Domestic Cat Ocicat

By Omer Ashraf

Ocicat is a spotted feline named after its resemblance to the wild cat Ocelot. The creation of the breed was quite accidental and relatively recent, occurring in the mid nineteen sixties, during the crossing of an Abyssinian male with a Siamese female. The spotted cats with a striking appearance rapidly earned widespread appreciation at that time and were selectively bred to propagate the new breed. Initial recognition came in the late sixties but it took two more decades for the new breed to gain championship status. Abyssinian and Siamese outcrosses were employed initially to add to the genetic variety and traits of the Ocicat. With time, American Shorthairs were also added to the mix to give the cat its supple, muscular body type.

Ocicat is a well built, somewhat large breed with a good musculoskeletal frame. It is slightly fuller than the Siamese and has a strong, graceful profile. Surprisingly heavy, the cat weighs in the range of six to ten pounds for females and ten to fifteen pounds for males. Coat is short, close-lying, shiny and occurs in twelve recognized colors including six variants of silver. Other colors include blue, chocolate, cinnamon, fawn, lavender and tawny. Head is triangular with big ears and slanted almond shaped eyes that occur in shades of green, copper and gold.

Renowned for their intelligence, Ocicats are very easy to train. They are often compared to dogs for their ability to play fetch games and move about on a leash. They often show a fondness for water and respond to verbal cues from their owners. While the overall appearance of the Ocicat is of a truly wild, exotic cat, in reality these pretty cats are totally gentle and domestic pets.

Ocicats are quite active and playful and at times can even be a little destructive. They love to play and be around their humans and follow them everywhere. Totally lap cats, Ocicats are very people oriented. They are not shy of strangers and respond well to other pets and children.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Ocicat

The Exotic Shorthair Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A shorthair house cat, Exotic Shorthair was developed in United States during the middle of twentieth century by mating longhair Persian cats with certain shorthair breeds. The idea was to create a cat that had all the adorable external features of the Persian apart from its long hair. For this purpose American and British Shorthairs, Burmese and even Russian Blues were used to create the perfect shorthaired Persian. The resulting cat had a distinct exotic look about it and owing to its short hair, was named thus. Formal recognition came in the sixties when it was accepted by major registration bodies. Today the Exotics resemble Persians more than the shorthair breeds that were used in their initial creation, in temperament and appearance. Indeed Persian is the only breed with which occasional outcrosses of the Exotic are currently permitted.

A shorthaired feline, Exotic is a muscular cobby cat that mimics the Persian in its heavily built musculoskeletal frame. Body is low-set with strong chest and shoulders and short powerful legs. Head is broad with well developed jaws and chin. Ears are short and widely set. Big bright eyes occur in a number of colors, varying with the coat. The coat itself is short and plush, not requiring frequent grooming and combing. For this reason, Exotic Shorthairs are often referred to as the 'lazy man's persian'. The tail is short and thick and paws are big and round.

Like their ancestor Persians, the Exotic are subject to similar health problems owing to their short flat nose and overly broad jaws. Nasolacrimal duct, that allows tear drainage, gets compressed leading to watery eyes that require daily wiping. There are ensuing eye and sinus problems. Disproportionate jaws lead to biting trouble, hindering the cat's eating ability and leading to frequent dental problems in some lines.

Exotic Shorthairs have a very calm, pleasant temperament. They are quiet and peaceful like the Persians and yet are lively and playful like the shorthairs. They are not overly demanding and express themselves in occasional shrill meows.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Exotic Shorthair cat.

The Oriental Shorthair Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Oriental Shorthair is a feline breed that has occurred in Thailand, alongside the Siamese, for a long time as a self-colored cat and was brought over with other cats from the Orient to Britain in nineteenth century. Even as it was initially just considered a non-pointed version of the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair gained formal recognition only in the twentieth century when, in the fifties, development of the cat was started through breeding with Abyssinians, Domestic Shorthairs, Russian Blues and Siamese. The cat was termed as 'Foreign' in United Kingdom and 'Oriental' in United States. It was another two decades before official recognition and championship status was given to the graceful cat. Today it is registered and recognized as a distinct entity in nearly all cat fancies around the world. Occasionally, as in the case of Cat Fanciers' Association, it is coupled with its sister breed, the Oriental Longhair, into a single breed called simply the Oriental.

A svelte and finely built animal, the Oriental Shorthair is amongst the most attractive of all domestic cats. Its lithe, tubular body appears slender but is in fact quite well muscled. Head is wedge shaped with large pointed ears and slanted almond shaped eyes that occur in blue or green colors. Legs and tail are long. Coat of the Oriental Shorthair occurs in an amazing array of colors and patterns, with over three hundred variations recognized. Combinations include bi-color, parti-color, shaded, smoke, solid and tabby.

Like their longhair counterparts Oriental Shorthairs are prone to certain ailments in some of their lines. These include dental disorder, Amyloidosis of liver and dilated cardiomyopathy. These conditions are rare overall though and generally the cats live a long healthy life of fifteen years or more.

Oriental Shorthairs are very curious and intelligent. They like to explore everything and are not shy to open cabinets and get on top of cupboards to satisfy their natural inquisitiveness. They are athletic and maintain their active, playful lifestyle even as they age.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Oriental Shorthair cat.

The Havana Brown Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Havana Brown is a pretty feline breed that was brought over to Europe from the East in nineteenth century and gained much popularity for its self-brown color and bright emerald eyes. However, in the early twentieth century formal breeding of all but blue-eyed Siamese was discouraged in Britain and thenceforth interest in Havana Brown dwindled. It took another three decades before interest in this breed revived in the fifties. After that it took only a few years for the cat to be formally recognized and given championship status. Still the breed remains quite rare and is hard to acquire in most places.

Havanas are slightly sturdier than the Siamese in appearance. They are more sleek though than some of the cobby breeds. Body is long and finely muscled. Head is long and narrow and tapers off in a slightly rounded muzzle. Ears are large, rounded at the tips, and slightly tilted forward, giving the cat an expression both sweet and alert. Eyes are in beautiful shades of green. Coat is short, close-lying to the skin, and occurs only in shades of chocolate. In fact even the whiskers are brown.

There is some controversy over the origin of the name 'Havana Brown'. Some believe it derives from the tasteful cigars from Havana while others attribute it to have originated from the well tempered Havana Bunnies. In either case, the cats have no direct connection with Cuba. They are known simply as Havana in United Kingdom, whereas the full name is retained in United States.

Less vocal than their relative Siamese, Havana Browns have a pleasant voice. They are playful and intelligent and are famous for using their paws to express themselves and explore objects. Affectionate animals, these adoring cats cherish the company of their humans and fare best in a loving interactive environment.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Havana Brown cat.

The Russian Blue Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A beautiful feline breed, Russian Blue is said to have originated from Archangel islands in Russia a long time ago. There it was highly valued for its lustrous fur and unique personality before it was brought over by sailors to Britain in the later half of nineteenth century. Formal recognition was received by the Russian Blue in coming years and soon it was found all over Europe, including Scandinavia where the cat had a slightly different physical appearance. In United States though formal breeding was undertaken nearly a century later, when breeders started crossing Scandinavian and British variants to produce the modern Russian Blue. As it has moved through time and places, Russian Blue has had several names including Archangel cat, Foreign Blue and Maltese.

A graceful animal, Russian Blue has a regal appearance. It has a long and sleek body, giving it a svelte look. Its lustrous double layered coat makes it stand out from other shorthair felines. The beautiful coat, that is quite dense, is seen only in blue color and has silver tipped hair that give it its sublime sheen. Head of the Russian Blue is often compared in shape to that of the mesmerizing cobra, with large widely spaced ears and bright round emerald eyes adding to the cat's charm. Prominent whisker pads give the face a sweet, smiling expression.

Owing to their beauty and elegance, Russian Blues have been used at times in creation of certain artificial breeds. Their traits are highly valued for inclusion in the gene pool of prospective breeds. They are also known to shed less than most cats and are quite suited to living with people who are allergic to feline fur. Many consider them to be a sort of hypoallergenic animal though there is some debate regarding this issue.

Russian Blues are very calm and gentle cats who get along well with all members of the family. They are not overly demanding or vocal and in fact produce a very soft sweet voice when they wish to communicate with others.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Russian Blue cat.

The Sphynx Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Sphynx is one of the most extraordinary felines. It is remarkable for its appearance which comprises of a supple and hairless body. The singular appearance is owing to a mutated gene that renders the Sphynx into its individual morphological form. It is quite a rare mutation and has been seen for the last few decades in Europe and North America. However, the first known breeding program initiated in Canada in the mid nineteen sixties after a hairless kitten was born in a litter of regular domestic cats. Its remarkable appearance was noted and presence of hairless cats in subsequent litters led to the development of the breed in earnest. For its country of modern origin, the felid is also known as Canadian Hairless. Today Sphynx cats are universally recognized and greatly admired by cat fanciers.

A well built cat, Sphynx possesses a strong musculoskeletal framework. Body is long and so is the head, with large ears. Tail and legs are also long and slender. There are very small short hair present on the surface in the form of the down coat. They yield a leathery texture to the Sphynx's skin. Whiskers are often completely absent though. Skin is seen in all sorts of colors and patterns, the colors and markings being the same of their furs - were they to exist. Wrinkles are often present and serve to insulate the cat from outside temperatures.

Owing to lack of hair, Sphynxes are prone to hot and cold weathers and should be best kept indoors. In winter they are often seen snoozing under bed sheets and lying next to humans and each other to keep warm. Their skin feels warm to touch and is often oily since the hair that absorb skin's natural oil production are absent in Sphynx. Thus it is appropriate to periodically bathe and groom these cats. Despite popular belief they are not hypoallergenic cats.

In many parts of the world, Sphynx are outcrossed with Devon Rex cats even as experts discourage this practice these days owing to risk of acquiring some hereditary illnesses from the Devon gene pool. Generally though these are very healthy and robust cats who love to play and enjoy themselves.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Sphynx cat.

The Russian Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A shorthair feline, the Russian resembles the classic Russian Blue in every aspect apart for coat color. Russian is the term used to include cats of white, black and tabby color. Genetic and anecdotal evidence dictates that Russians used to exist alongside Russian Blues in their native lands many centuries ago. However, the modern breeding of Russians in non-blue colors started in nineteen seventies in Australia when a domestic shorthair female of Siberian origin was crossed with a Russian Blue male. The resulting litter included white kittens of great beauty. These were developed with time to create the modern Russian White. Today Russian Blacks and Russians in tabby color also exist. Though not recognized universally, Russians are registered in Australia and many countries of Europe as a distinct breed.

Physical appearance of Russians mimics that of the Russian Blue. The sleek elegant body is supported by graceful legs. Coat is double layered and silky with a remarkable sheen. Head is triangular with widely set big alert ears and almond shaped emerald expressive eyes. Puffy whisker pads render a pleasant expression to the face. Russian Whites are believed to have an underlying color beneath their coat and as kittens they often have some dark colored hair on their forehead that disappear with age to give an all white fur.

Russian Blacks possess great appeal owing to their luxurious coat and regal overall appearance. They have the same finely built structure as other Russians but their shiny fur and bright green eyes add a certain majestic touch to their refined presence. Russian Tabbies are blue or black Russians with tabby markings. Tabby patterns occur on Russian Whites too, however they are hidden underneath the dense white coat.

Russians are a sweet and peaceful breed. They dislike loud noises and prefer a calm and quiet environment. They are unassuming and intelligent and bond strongly to the one person in the family who feeds and looks after them.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Russian cat.

The Scottish Fold Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Scottish Fold is a cat breed that is made remarkable by its unique ears. As the name suggests the ears of the cat are folded forward and downward. In earlier cats there was only one fold, however, newer members of the breed often have two to three creases. The ears are a result of genetic mutation and the first cat of this type was reported in Scotland in early nineteen sixties. The kitten was born in a litter of otherwise normal house cats. Ensuing breeding of the female cat indicated the dominant nature of the altered gene and thereafter it was formally developed for the purpose of creation of a unique breed. Scottish Folds were imported in United States a decade later and were recognized by major feline breed registration bodies in the coming years. They are still not recognized in the British Isles though.

Even as the modern Scottish Fold was created primarily through crossing with American and British Shorthairs, it is seen in both short and longhair versions. The coat is generally accepted in all colors and patterns except for the pointed variant. Build is medium with an average weight of eight to ten pounds. Head is rounded and flat on top with widely spaced big bright eyes, a short nose and the characteristic folded ears. The ears begin to fold within the first month of life. Not all kittens have folded ears. Some are born with straight ears and retain this trait. This is owing to the fact that if two 'folded' cats are used for parenting, the resulting kittens invariably suffer from a joint anomaly that can be both painful and debilitating. Therefore 'folded' and 'straight' eared cats are crossed for breeding purposes and as a result litters usually are mixed.

Scottish Folds are not accepted by major British cat fanciers to date. This is owing to the above mentioned hereditary disorder as well as the unusual anatomy of their ears which leads many to believe that these cats are prone to development of ear infections and hearing deficit. Generally though the Folds are healthy and compact cats who live well into their teens if provided with normal health care and affection.

Sweet and quiet cats, Scottish Folds are blessed with a very pleasant personality. They are gentle and tolerant of other family members. They love to play and are energetic but prefer to cuddle next to their humans the most.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Scottish Fold cat.

The Selkirk Rex Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Selkirk Rex is a feline breed that is quite unique in its appearance. It is not slight in its physique like other Rex cats nor is its fur sparse and short. Instead Selkirk Rex is a well built animal with a very soft and long fur. The coat rather resembles that of the American Wirehair. The pretty Selkirk is a result of a genetic mutation and was first seen in late nineteen eighties in United States. It was born in a litter of otherwise normal domestic cats in Montana. The unique looking female cat was recognized as having an individual appearance and bred to a Persian male. Presence of kittens similar in appearance to their mother in the litter confirmed the dominant nature of the transformed gene. Thereafter these cats were developed with intent and are now given the formal status of a distinguished breed in a number of cat fancier bodies.

Selkirk Rex is a very well built cat with good musculoskeletal development. It was bred from British and American Shorthairs as well as Persians and thus shares the physical and behavioral attributes of all these breeds. Head is round and overall body is heavily built. Coat is seen in both short and longhair formats and is arranged in a series of curls. All colors and patterns are accepted. In general it is quite dense and consists primarily of ringlets.

Selkirks are different from other similar cats in both their appearance and genetic makeup. They are different from Cornish and Devon cats in that their fur is longer and thicker. The coat is more lustrous than that of the LaPerm and softer than the hair of the American Wirehair. Also the nature of their genetic mutation differs.

Adoring and sweet cats, Selkirks quite resemble the British Shorthairs. They retain the calm and peaceful attributes of Persians and yet are energetic and playful like the Shorthairs. Cuddly and yet active, Selkirk personality is a near ideal combination of desired qualities. They are tolerant and patient cats who accept all family members into their adoring companionship.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Selkirk Rex cat.

The Pixie-Bob Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A recent breed of cats, Pixie-Bob is rumored to have a wild heritage with breeders claiming that they originated from mating of Bobcats with domestic felines. There is some controversy over this even as many locals in certain parts of North America claim the phenomenon to be a usual occurrence. Genetic testing has revealed no evidence of wild cat roots in Pixie-Bob's chromosomal make-up. It is therefore not certain as to how exactly these cats came about. They were first reported in mid nineteen eighties and are currently in the process of gaining recognition from cat fancier registration bodies.

Pixie-Bob is a largish cat with well developed musculoskeletal structure. They are quite strong and of an impressive build relative to most domestic felines. Healthy adult males are known to reach twenty five pounds in weight, making them one of the biggest cat breeds. Coat is silky and double layered. Both short and longhair versions are seen. Face resembles that of the Bobcat with slanted almond-shaped eyes and tufted ears. Overall appearance is that of a wild felid rather than a house cat.

Pixie-Bobs are made remarkable by their short tail that resembles that of the Bobcat. It can be either totally absent or grow up to reach a short length. The cats are also unique in the sense that they frequently have extra toes on their paws. In fact they are the only cat breed that is allowed into competitions with polydactyly. Despite their reputed wild cat origin, Pixie-Bobs are not crossed with Bobcats for development of the breed.

Pixie-Bobs are highly intelligent and affectionate cats. They are said to be very sensitive and respond to even slight changes in their environment. They are like dogs in terms of their loyalty and some of their habits. Like dogs they tend to fetch toys and objects, and prefer to sit next to their humans and follow them around everywhere.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Pixie-Bob cat.

The Peterbald Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A relatively new feline breed, Peterbald has emerged from Russia. It traces its origin to St. Petersburg in the mid nineteen nineties when a Don Sphynx male was crossed with an Oriental Shorthair female. The resulting litters contained kittens of an individual and distinct disposition. They had inherited attributes from both their parents and yet were unique in their appearance. Their breeding was thereafter started and the development continues to date. With time they are gaining gradual recognition by international registration bodies. However, it is one of the newest feline breeds and requires time before universal acceptance by cat fanciers is achieved.

Peterbalds have an elegant and slender physique. They are finely built and have a long and sleek body type. Head is triangular with bright almond-shaped eyes, well developed cheek bones and big high-set ears. Owing to a genetic transformation, Peterbalds have very short down hair in their coat. All fur colors and patterns are currently accepted. Tail and legs are thin yet strongly built. Overall appearance is that of a lean well muscled cat.

Peterbalds are still quite recent as a breed and not much is known about their health and the presence of any hereditary recurring medical conditions in them. They have an oriental look and are bred variously to Siamese, Orientals and Russian Blues to maintain genetic diversity and incorporate desirable attributes into their gene pool.

Owing to their short fur, Peterbalds are prone to losing heat quickly in winter and thus should be kept indoors. They have a very rapid metabolic rate and eat more and heal faster from their injuries than most other cats. Friendly and active animals, they adjust well to all members of a household. They shed little and don't require excessive grooming. Not overly vocal or demanding, the graceful Peterbalds are very calm and adoring by nature.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Peterbald cat.

The Ojos Azules Cat

By Omer Ashraf

One of the most recent feline breeds, Ojos Azules is a very pretty cat. Little is understood about the origin of this cat except for the fact that it was first reported in New Mexico in the mid nineteen eighties. The cat is known for its dazzling bright blue eyes. In fact the name Ojos Azules has been taken from Spanish words meaning 'blue eyes'. The unique eye color of Ojos Azules is a result of a genetic mutation. It is a very rare and pretty cat and exists in hands of limited breeders worldwide. It is not widely recognized at the moment and is still looking for global acceptance as a distinguished breed.

Ojos Azules is a cat of medium build. Head is triangular in shape with big round eyes and angular muzzle. Coat is short, silky and occurs in a variety of colors and patterns. Prior to the appearance of Ojos Azules, blue eyes were seen only in white or Siamese cats. However, these pretty felids display blue eyes in all types of fur presentations. In fact the first Ojos Azules in record - the founding member of the breed - was a tortie.

The mutant gene responsible for the Opus Azules' eyes is dominant in character. If present in homozygous (paired) form, it leads to skull defects and mortality in newborns. Breeders therefore outcross these cats to other breeds, often domestic short and longhairs, in order to maintain healthy litters. The gene has proved to be harmless if existing in heterozygous formation.

Not much is known about the overall behavior and personality of Opus Azules owing to their rarity. Only a handful of the cats existed a decade or so ago. Furthermore their development was halted when it became clear that the 'blue eye gene' was potentially fatal. It took a period of dedicated genetic analysis to resume the breed's development. Therefore little conclusive data exists on the long term health, temperament and behavioral profile of these pretty cats.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Ojos Azules cat.

The Munchkin Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Munchkin is a domestic cat that is made unique by its short legs. The short limbs are owing to a genetic mutation and thus there is debate as regards the origin of this cat, since the mutation could have occurred at any point in time in the past. Notable cases though, existed in Europe around the middle of twentieth century. Like so many other pet breeds, the Munchkins also went into obscurity with the advent of Second World War. It was not until nineteen eighties that Munchkins were again reported, this time in United States. The short-legged creatures were seen with great intrigue by observers and named 'Munchkins', after the dwarfs in the Oz series of books by Lyman Frank Baum. The short leg size, or hypochondroplasia, was soon established as being a result of the genetic mutation. Since the gene is lethal in homozygous formation, Munchkins are outcrossed with other cats including domestic felines, Abyssinians, Persians, Siamese etc to produce healthy litters, with kittens having heterozygous alleles for the said gene.

Aside from their short legs, Munchkins have a normal physique. The rest of their body is not miniature and they are compact, sturdy animals. They are medium in size with normal musculoskeletal development. No restrictions exist on color and pattern of coat or eyes. Hind legs are longer than the forelegs and the medium length tail narrows towards its tip. Even as the short limbs don't allow these cats to jump high, they are said to be good at moving and turning at a rapid pace.

There is lots of controversy over the continued breeding of Munchkins. Many believe that doing so is propagation of a genetic defect and malformation (achondroplasia/hypochondroplasia). As such Munchkins are not recognized by most cat fanciers and are not eligible for registration in most bodies around the world as a distinct breed. Some think though that Munchkins are normal apart from their short legs and can lead a life like other regular cats. Some select organizations accept them and claim that their following is growing with the passage of time.

The cats themselves are quite sweet in their nature. They are gentle and loving and often behave like kittens even as they age. Since they can't evade and defend themselves properly in encounters with stray cats and dogs, they should be kept indoors. They are social and intelligent cats and prefer to be around people all the time.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Munchkin cats.

The Manx Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Made unique by its small or lacking tail, Manx is a cat breed that belongs to the Isle of Man, next to Britain, where it has resided for many centuries. A number of legends afloat as regards the origin of this cat, with many stories being part of the local culture. Some believe these cats were brought to the island by one of the many ships that passed through that region, whereas others consider the animals to be native to that part of the world. The most widely accepted theory is that Manx cats originated from a genetic mutation in the local felid population. Owing to the island's isolation and the dominant nature of the altered gene, the trait spread among cats and perpetuates to this day. They continue to be formally bred in many parts of the world and are recognized widely by cat fanciers.

Manx cats have a round stocky physique. They are medium in size and weigh around ten pounds on average. Hind legs are longer than fore legs and flanks are deep. Head, eyes and cheeks are all circular and alongside the furnishings on the tapering ears, give the cats a very sweet expression. Coat is double layered and short. Longhaired version of the Manx is called Cymric - essentially the same cat but with a longer fur. Not all registration bodies accept Cymrics though and they are often grouped alongside the shorthair felines in the Manx breed.

The tail, or the lack of it, is the hallmark feature of the Manx. It is either completely absent, in which case there is a small rump or indentation at the termination of spine, or occurs in differing lengths. Not all Manx have a short tail, except for the ones allowed in competitions. In fact breeders cross tailless cats with the ones having normal tails to produce a mixed litter. This is owing to the fact that if two 'rumpy' cats are allowed to continuously breed, they eventually produce litters with severely deformed kittens. Vertebrae are often missing or fused and lead to severe pain, neurological problems or death. This was seen quite often some decades ago, however breeders today have been able to eliminate this tragic anomaly to some extent. Even still it is always best to wait till four months of age before adopting a Manx kitten, to allow time for the development of the 'Manx Syndrome'. Many breeders continue to dock kitten tails in infancy owing to cosmetic reasons and the belief that they may lead to arthritis and severe pain for the slowly maturing cat as it reaches full development by five years of age.

Generally though Manx are healthy cats who lead a normal life of a fifteen to twenty years span. They are balanced and agile despite the absence of tail and are actually fairly adept hunters.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Manx cat.

The LaPerm Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Unique domestic cats with a singular appearance, LaPerms originated in early nineteen eighties when a very distinct looking kitten was born in a litter of barn cats in Oregon, United States. The baby was bald at birth and began to grow a wavy fur within the first few weeks of her life. Over the following years the cat gave birth to several curly haired kittens on the farm and it was not until some time later that the true uniqueness of the pretty cats was realized and breeding started in earnest. The cat was received quite well by cat fanciers owing to its beautiful appearance and affectionate nature, receiving widespread recognition to date. It has also been exported to various European countries.

LaPerm is described as having a foreign body type. It is elegant and finely built. Both long and shorthair versions exist. Longhaired cats have a bushy tail while the shorthaired ones sport a tail that resembles the bottlebrush flowers. Head is triangular with big expressive eyes and widely spaced ears. Neck often has a prominent ruff. Legs are elongated. The pretty coat is accepted in all colors and patterns, with tabbies and torties being amongst the commonest variants seen.

The striking fur of LaPerms is in form of ringlets with a soft and springy character. There are few guard hair and an established undercoat is lacking. Kittens often shed hair after birth and regain it as they age, the fur changing constantly during the first few months. It is the result of a mutant gene that is dominant in nature. The wavy hair can vary in terms of their length and curvature, with each individual cat displaying a slightly different fur type.

LaPerms are known for their friendly and adoring nature. They are gentle cats who usually shower their humans with lots of affection during their lifetime. Quite and patient, LaPerms are not overly demanding and usually express themselves in a very soft voice.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on LaPerm cat.

The Japanese Bobtail Cat

By Omer Ashraf

Made prominent by its short tail, Japanese Bobtail is an ancient feline that is thought to have resided in Japan for many centuries. There are numerous interesting legends associated with the beautiful feline, which is considered to be a symbol of good fortune in Japanese folklore. Japanese Bobtails were first imported to United States in late nineteen sixties. Following some years of formal breeding, acceptance of its status as a distinct breed came in the seventies. Both long and shorthair variants of the cat are recognized. Registration came late in United Kingdom, only at the turn of twenty first century.

Japanese Bobtails have an elegant semi-foreign build with good muscular development. They have a square rather than a rectangular profile and are not tubular like some oriental breeds. Head is triangular with slanted, oval eyes, well developed cheek bones and large, widely set ears. Coat is seen in a number of colors in van, tabby and tortoiseshell patterns. Both short and semi-long hair versions have a smooth, silky feel to them. Longhaired cats' tails are fluffier and are like pom-poms. Legs are long, with hind legs being longer than fore legs.

Though they also have a short tail, Japanese Bobtails are quite different from the Manx and American Bobtail cat. Their genetic mutation is different. Body structure and profile is also unique in case of the Japanese cat. Even the short plumed tail is distinct, with each individual cat having a singular tail size and appearance.

Japanese Bobtails are reputed to be very brave and fearless creatures. They are not afraid of other animals and mingle easily with dogs and other large pets. Energetic and active, these sturdy cats are good athletes and spend lots of time daily playing with their toys. Quick to mature and develop from birth, Japanese Bobtails are among the most confident and self-assured feline breeds..

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Japanese Bobtail cats.

The German Rex Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A domestic cat breed, German Rex is perhaps the oldest of the Rex cats and is said to have existed in Germany during the first half of twentieth century. Perhaps the earliest German Rex was a tom cat that lived during nineteen thirties. He is believed to have transferred the curly hair genes to numerous offsprings. It was in the late forties that distinct Rex cats with their characteristic fur were noticed. Formal breeding followed some years later. All of this was before the first Cornish Rex kittens were seen. Even as the cat has been bred for the past few decades, it is still relatively rare and not universally recognized. Many registration bodies group them with Cornish or Devon cats rather than granting them the status of an individual breed.

German Rex are stockier than their sister breeds. They have a round head with prominent cheek bones. Eyes are big and shiny and go along with the coat color. Ears are large and widely spaced. Nose has a slight break. Chin is well developed and whiskers are short and curly. Fur is short and lacks guard hair. It is wavy in character and very soft and smooth in texture. Nearly all colors and patterns are generally accepted. Tail is long and tapering.

Heavier than the Cornish cats, German Rex bear a close resemblance to European Shorthairs when it comes to physique. Their whiskers also curl less than those of the Cornish Rex, at times even being nearly straight. Even as their mutation lies on the same gene, the two cats are distinct in their appearance.

German Rex are very lively and active cats. They are quite athletic and are capable of surprising feats of agility and speed. Friendly and tolerant by nature, they go along well with everybody in the family and accommodate new pets well.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on German Rex cat.

The Devon Rex Cat

By Omer Ashraf

A breed with a very curly, soft coat Devon Rex resembles the Cornish Rex in many ways. In fact it was discovered just ten years after the latter, in the same British Isles. Devon Rex was first seen in a litter of kittens in Devonshire. The cute baby was thought to be a Cornish Rex and initially bred with Cornish females to supplement their limited population at that time. However, it soon became apparent that the gene responsible for Devon's hair was different. Plus Devon had guard hair that the Cornish lacked, even as they were often sparse and easily breakable. Devon Rex cats moved to United States in late nineteen sixties, after their discovery early in that decade. By the mid eighties they had gained general acceptance amongst cat fanciers. As part of their development they were outcrossed with Burmese and American and British Shorthairs. Today they still remain one of the less common feline breeds.

Devon Rex cats have a deceptively slight body. They are well muscled and strong, weighing between six to ten pounds on average. Head is triangular and flat on top. Ears are big, low set on the skull and rounded at the tips. The big bright oval eyes are widely spaced and slope towards ears. Nose is slightly upturned. Fur is soft and curly and is seen in a number of colors and patterns including tabby, tortie, calico, smoke and solid. Hair break off easily and there are often bald patches seen on the body. Even the whiskers are curly and sometimes completely absent. Overall they are slender cats with an ethereal appearance, leading to them being called 'pixie' or 'alien' cats.

Devons often accumulate oil on their skin owing to their stunted hair that fail to absorb it. This alongside the accumulation of dust can lead to skin problems, and therefore requires periodic grooming and bathing of the cat. Also their large ears trap dirt readily and should be swabbed regularly. The short hair are beneficial in the sense that they don't lead to a lot of shedding and are suited for people allergic to cats. However they do mean that the cats catch cold easily and look for warmth in the winter by snoozing on electronic equipments and cuddling under blankets. Owing to past inbreeding, some Devon lines carry occasional hereditary illnesses including cardiac myopathy.

Devon Rex's personality is often considered to be a combination of a cat, dog and monkey's attributes. They are more curious and inquisitive in their nature than most cats, are affectionate and easily trainable like dogs, and are athletic and possessive of an unusual fondness for high places like monkeys.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Devon Rex cats.