4-H CAT PROJECT UNIT 2 EM4900

Transcription

1 4-H CAT PROJECT UNIT 2 EM4900

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3 AUTHORS Alice Stewart, Yakima County Nancy Stewart, King County Jean Swift, Skagit County ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Reviewed by State Project Development Committee: Laurie Hampton Jefferson County Cathy Russell, Betty Stewart, Nancy Stewart King County Kathy Fortner, Cindy Iverson, Vickie White Kitsap County Sandy Anderson, Dianne Carlson, Jan Larsen Pierce County Jean Swift, Kate Yarbrough Skagit County Alice Stewart Yakima County Word Processing by Kate Yarbrough, Skagit County WSU Cooperative Extension Curriculum Review Jerry Newman, Extension 4-H/Youth Development Specialist, Human Development Department

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5 4-H CAT PROJECT UNIT 2 Dear Leaders and Parents: A 4-H member will progress to this manual upon successful completion of Unit One. There is no age requirement for any of the Cat Project manuals. The 4-H member is expected to do some research beyond this manual. Pictures of the breeds of cats are available in many books, or cats may be observed at open cat shows. The Book Of The Cat edited by Michael Wright and Sally Walters and The Cornell Book Of Cats edited by Mordecai Siegal are the State 4-H Cat Project Committee s approved resource books. Wherever there is a contradiction between the two books, The Cornell Book Of Cats is the final authority. Chapter CONTENTS 1 Cat Origins Cat Breeds... 4 Cobby Breeds... 5 Moderate Breeds... 7 Foreign Breeds Breed Identification Worksheet Cat Characteristics The Cat s Body...14 Coat Patterns and Colors The Five Senses...15 Other Characteristics Selecting a Kitten or Cat Purebred or Mixed Breed What To Look For When Choosing A Kitten Bringing The Kitten Home Becoming Friends Feeding and Nutrition Word Search Health Care Diseases Parasites Other Common Disorders Spaying and Neutering Declawing Emergencies and First Aid Traveling With Your Cat Vocabulary Websites to Surf Worksheets Word Search and Crossword Puzzles

6 CAT S ORIGlNS CHAPTER ONE We must go back million years in the evolution of animals to identify the cat s ancestors. The earliest ancestors were called Miacis (pronounced my-a-kiss). The Miacis were creatures about the size of a lynx, with long slender bodies, long tails, and short legs with retractable claws that extended from the paws during such activities as climbing trees or fighting. Over the next 10 million years, the Dinictis evolved bringing higher intelligence and greater agility to an animal more like the cat of today. The cat as we know it today probably originated on the continent of Africa and gradually traveled across Asia and Europe, eventually inhabiting all continents except Australia and Antarctica. It was about 4000 years ago that the first evidence of the domestication of cats appeared in ancient Egypt. The cat gained prominence as an object of worship, having gained favor by controlling the rodent population. Cats were worshipped as the goddess Bast, who represented love, fertility and the life-giving rays of the sun. Bast is depicted as having the body of a woman and the head of a cat. Owners often shaved their eyebrows when their cat died. Cats were usually embalmed and were given ceremonial funeral rites and buried in special cemeteries. The cats of today are approximately the same size and shape as the ancient cats. They have retained their keen hunting instincts and selfreliance, make the same purring sounds, display the same aloofness and the same affection. CAT BREEDS CHAPTER TWO Today there are over 40 breeds of cats. These cats have evolved either naturally or by planned breeding by dedicated cat fanciers who had a desire to create an unusual breed or wished to improve upon an already existing one. Only since the middle of the l9th century have cat clubs and cat shows been held. The standards and specification they have set have become popular and widespread. The first country to hold a cat show was England in Cat fanciers in the United States held their first show in 1895 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In 1909, the Cat Fanciers Association began a registry of pedigreed cats in America. Cats may be divided into two categories: the popular house cat of unknown ancestry, or the purebred, (a pedigreed cat), intentionally bred for certain desirable qualities and usually eligible for exhibition in the show ring. Show cats are further classified into two groups, the longhaired breeds and the shorthaired breeds. The various cat associations have prepared written standards so that judges might compare the qualities of competing cats with the appropriate breed specification. A large number of purebreds do not meet the standards and, therefore, may be obtained at lower prices. However, they may still be registered and make excellent pets. The majority of pet cats are mixed breeds. They almost never resemble the standard of any cat breed. However, 4-H has acknowledged the desirability of all cats by allowing household pets to be shown. Unlike purebreds, they are not judged according to a written standard, but on the basis of physical condition, cleanliness, presentation, temperament, and attractive or unusual appearance. Throughout the world, cats of unknown lineage comprise the vast majority of pets, and most of them are mixed breeds. They are, without a doubt, the most popular cats of all. Cats have three body types: COBBY, MODER- ATE, and FOREIGN (or Oriental). Cobby refers 4

7 to a heavy, short legged, compact, broad chested body. Moderate refers to all the breeds that are between cobby and foreign. The foreign body is slim, almost tubular in shape, with a firm musculature. COBBY Persian Himalayan Kashmir Exotic Shorthair British Shorthair Norwegian Forest Cat MODERATE Abyssinian Somali American Shorthair American Wirehair American Curl Birman Devon Rex Egyptian Mau Havana Brown Japanese Bobtail Korat FOREIGN Siamese Colorpoint Shorthair Oriental Shorthair Balinese Cobby Breeds Chartreux Manx Cymric Burmese Bombay Maine Coon Cat Ocicat Rag Doll Russian Blue Scottish Fold Singapura Snowshoe Sphynx Tonkinese Turkish Van Javanese Oriental Longhair Cornish Rex Turkish Angora Persian Considered an ancient natural breed by many, the Persian can also be classified as a modern breed because it is the result of selective breeding begun in the late nineteenth century. The history of the Persian is unrecorded before 1520 and its origin can never be proven. It may have begun with Angora cats from Turkey, which were crossed with other longhairs from Persia (now Iran), Afghanistan, Burma, China, Russia, France, Italy and England, until the modern type was developed. Persians are among the most popular cats in the world and win many of the prizes at important shows. The Persian body is of cobby type, low on the legs, deep in the chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a short, wellrounded middle piece. Persians are large or medium in size. The coat must be long and thick standing off from the body with fine texture. The ruff (mane) should be immense and continue in a deep frill between the front legs. The breed is seen in fifty-one separate colors and color combinations. Persian colors are divided into six divisions for showing. They are: Solid Color, Shaded, Smoke, Tabby, Parti-color, and Himalayan (color-point). Himalayan This hybrid breed was produced by crossing Siamese (for color) with Persians (for type). It has a cobby body with a long, fine coat. Its colors include Seal Point, Blue Point, Chocolate Point, Lilac Point, Flame Point, Cream Point, Tortie Point, Blue-cream Point, Seal-lynx Point, and Blue-lynx Point. A solid-color Himalayan is called the Kashmir by some cat associations. The CFA classifies the Himalayan as a colorpoint division of the Persian breed. Exotic Shorthair Exotic Shorthairs are hybrids. Although they were originally created by crossing American Shorthairs with Persians, this outcross is no longer perrnitted. These cats are of definite Persian type, but with short-haired coats. They have been accepted for registration and championship competition. Their standard is based upon the Persian standard for type. They have massive heads, short noses, cobby bodies, heavy bones and short tails. The breed is accepted in most of the Persian colors and coat patterns. 5

8 British Shorthair The British Shorthair resembles the American Shorthair, but differs somewhat because of the introduction of Persians into its lines by English breeders after World War I. Although this practice is no longer acceptable, its influence on the current look of the breed remains pronounced. British Shorthairs have broader heads with a rounder shape and more developed cheeks than the American Shorthair. The neck is short and stocky with a hint of Persian about it. The body is huskier than the American Shorthair s, and the coat is plusher. Chartreux One of the older natural breeds, these French cats are believed to have existed before they lived with the Carthusian monks in their mother house, Le Grand Chartreux, in the seventeenth century. Their bodies are powerful and massive and they may weigh as much as fourteen pounds, with wide shoulders and a stocky neck. Their short coats are dense, velvety, and glossy. The Chartreux standard permits any shade of blue-gray from ash to slate, with the hair-tips lightly brushed with silver. The preferred tone is a bright, unblemished blue with an overall iridescent sheen. Manx The Isle of Man, situated in the Irish Sea, is the home of the unique cat breed known for its tailless body. This breed is considered to be a spontaneous mutation. Although generally identified by the complete lack of a tail, the Manx is actually seen in three varieties of tail: rumpy no tail at all; stumpy a tail stump of one to five inches; and longie a complete tail. Only the tailless Manx, however, is accepted for show. The Manx is stout in appearance, medium in size, with sturdy bone structure. It is broad-chested and surprisingly heavy when lifted. It has a round look. It has a short, dense double coat, with a plush undercoat and harder overcoat, with glossier guard hairs. The breed is seen in most colors and coat patterns, except color points. Cymric Pronounced Kim-rik, this breed is a spontaneous mutation. The Cymric is a long-haired Manx. The two breeds are virtually identical except for the Cymric s medium-long, double coat. Like the Manx, it should be completely tailless if a perfect specimen, although it is seen with three varieties of tail. Burmese The Burmese is a hybrid developed by Dr. Joseph Thompson in 1930 from one cat imported from Burma. Wong Mau is the foundation cat for almost every pedigreed Burmese in North America. This original cat was bred with a Siamese, Tai Mau. This mating led to the breed now seen. A medium-sized cobby cat, its body is muscular, compact, with a rounded chest. Although related to the Siamese, it must not resemble that breed in any way. Until recently the only Burmese color accepted was Sable Brown. Champagne, Blue (gray), and Platinum are allowed by some associations but only as the Malayan in CFA. Bombay The Bombay is a hybrid, resembling a housesize panther. It was created by Nikki Horner of the Shawnee Cattery, in Louisville, Kentucky, in It is the result of many generations of crossing the sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs. The cross has made the Bombay a stronger breed and it is usually less vocal than the Burmese. It is a medium-sized cat, muscular, somewhat cobby, with a surprisingly solid feel to its body. The mature Bombay must be jet black down to the hair roots. Norwegian Forest Cat Although similar in appearance to the Maine Coon Cat, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a separate breed. Its body is cobby, with longer hind 6

9 legs than front legs, which make the rump higher than the shoulders, a characteristic that differentiates it from the Maine Coon Cat. All colors are permitted except the four Siamese (or Himalayan) colors. References to the Norsk Skogkatt have appeared in Scandinavian poetry, legends, and writings for hundreds of years. It was recognized and shown in Oslo long before World War II. Moderate Breeds Abyssinian Although the Abyssinian resembles cats depicted in ancient Egyptian artwork, its exact origins are uncertain. The breed was developed in England in the late 1800 s, allegedly from ticked cats brought from North Africa. An English military command brought some of these cats from Abyssinia to England in 1868 after the Abyssinian War. The Aby is fancied for its wild look, desert colors, lithe body, quickness, and very spirited personality. The breed came to the United States at the turn of the century. Its body is the lengthy type, medium-long, lithe, and muscular. It strikes a balance between the cobby and svelte. Its coat is soft, silky, fine in texture, but dense and with a lustrous sheen. It is short in length but long enough to accommodate two or three dark bands of ticking. The CFA accepted colors are red, ruddy, blue and fawn. Somali The Somali is a long-haired variant of the Abyssinian. The breed began appearing in the 1960 s. The original Somali came from matings between shorthair Abyssinians with a recessive gene for long hair, which is carried in some Abyssinian bloodlines. The body is a lengthy type, similar to the Abyssinian. The coat is medium in length, but long enough to accommodate ten to twelve dark bands of ticking. Somalis are expected to carry the Abyssinian colors: Ruddy, Red, Fawn, or Blue (blue-gray). Its distinctive tail is bushy, almost fox-like. American Shorthair The American Shorthair is America s own breed. Its progenitors were farm cats and house cats that were large-boned, short-coated working cats. Some naturalists believe them to be the original domestic cat. They are descended from basic European working cats. These everyday cats came to North America on the same ships with the first European settlers in the seventeenth century. Today s purebred cat still bears some resemblance to the typical house cat with its solidly built, moderate body, short coat, and genial temperament. When the breed first became registerable, it was commonly referred to as a Shorthair. For many years, and in several cat associations, it was registered as the Domestic Shorthair. In 1966, its breed designation became the American Shorthair. The American Shorthair differs from all common cats in that it has been bred to meet breed standards, which keep it strong, muscular, intelligent, and lively, with a distinctive physical image. The breed displays a short, thick even coat, which is hard in texture and seen in thirty-three colors and patterns. Its most striking appearance is in the Classic Tabby coat in silver, red or brown. American Wirehair A spontaneous mutation of the American Shorthair, the American Wirehair is best known for its unusual fur, which is crimped, hooked, or bent, reminiscent of a lamb s coat. Its guard hairs are especially springy; even its whiskers are bent or curly. The first known American Wirehair was Council Rock Farm Adam of Hi-Fi, born in 1966 in Verona, New York. The standard calls for a medium to large body, which should be moderate, compact, and muscular. The Wirehair is seen in the same colors as the American Shorthair. 7

10 American Curl The American Curl is a recent experimental breed first reported as a spontaneous mutation. As in the Scottish Fold, the distinctive feature of the breed is the unusual formation of the ears. The ears are firm to the touch, erect and open, curving up in a gentle curl. The body is moderate, not cobby, and medium in size. The coat is moderately long and flowing with a minimal undercoat so it lies flat, not bushy. The texture is silky with a lustrous sheen. American Curls are also being developed with shorthair coats.the American Curl (Shorthair) is identical in every way to the American Curl (Longhair), with the following exceptions: the interior ear furnishing extends beyond the outer edge of the ear; the coat is short and should lie flat but not close; hair on the tail should be the same length as on the body, and the hair texture is soft. Almost all coat patterns and colors are accepted by CFA in both the long and shorthair. Birman Considered an ancient breed, it was smuggled out of Burma around 1919, and developed into a recognized breed in France. Its body is long and stocky with a rounded head and Romanshaped nose. Its coat is medium-long to long, and silky. Birman colors are the same as the traditional Siamese point colorings, but with four white paws. Devon Rex The Devon Rex, a mutation similar to the Cornish Rex, appeared ten years later in Devon, England. The foundation cat was Kirlee, a black male. The Devon is a cat with a mediumfine frame, well covered with soft, wavy fur, with a more relaxed wave to its coat and less of a pattern to the waves than the Cornish Rex. Its coat is longer and somewhat less curly than the coat of the Cornish. The Devon head is a short wedge with a nosebreak as well as a whisker break. The Devon Rex is seen in most American and British colors and coat patterns. Egyptian Mau The Egyptian Mau is one of the rarest registered breeds in North America and is not often seen at cat shows. The breed has been clearly identified in ancient Egyptian artworks. It is the only naturally spotted domestic cat. The conformation is often described as a balance between the compactness of a Burmese and the slim elegance of a Siamese. Its medium-length body is muscular, with the hind legs longer than that of the front, giving the Mau the appearance of standing on tiptoes when upright. The coat is silky and fine in texture, but dense and resilient to the touch. It is long enough to allow two or more bands of ticking, separated by lighter bands. The coat pattern of the Mau is distinctive: a spotted tabby pattern accepted in silver, bronze, and smoke colors. Havana Brown The Havana Brown was originally crossbred in England, around 1950, by mating a black Shorthair with a Chocolate Point Siamese. The breed was later produced in the United States by crossing Russian Blues or black Shorthairs with Chocolate Point Siamese. Named for the rich tobacco color of Cuban cigars, the Havana Brown is a solid brown cat, from its pure brown whiskers to its tail. The body is medium in length, firm, and muscular, and stands with a level back. Although the original English Havana was of foreign body-type, the American Havana Brown is not. It has a distinctive profile with a long face, rounded muzzle, and wide-set, round-tipped ears. The nose and paw pads should have a rosy color to them, complementing the cat s coat hue. Japanese Bobtail This is a natural breed of a type that has been seen in ancient paintings and carvings from Japan. Bobtails are considered to be the indigenous cats of Japan and are believed to bring good luck to households in which they reside, if they wear the most popular and traditional coat colors of 8

11 jet-black and red-orange irregular spots on a snowy-white background. Their most recognizable feature is their bunny-like bobbed tails. Their bodies are medium-sized, with long, lean and elegant torsos, but not tubular (that is, not foreign in type). There is no inclination toward flabbiness or cobbiness. The coat should be medium in length, soft and silky, but without a noticeable undercoat. Japanese Bobtail colors are white, black, red, and any combination of these colors. Korat The Korat is a rare, ancient, natural breed from Thailand. It is greatly loved by the Thai people, who regard it as a Good Luck cat. The foundation stock stems from a male and female imported to the United States in l959. It is a medium-sized cat characterized by its semi-cobby body, medium bone structure, and heart-shaped head. It has a single coat with short, fine glossy hair lying close to the body. It is seen only in solid silver-blue, tipped with silver the more silver tipping the better. It has brilliant green eyes. Maine Coon Cat The Maine Coon Cat is considered a native American breed that occurred naturally in the northeastern areas of the United States and in northeastern Canada. Its transition from farm and backyard cat to show cat was a long, difficult journey. It has a medium to large, muscular, broad-chested body. Some fanciers believe it is the largest of all the pure breeds. The coat should be heavy and shaggy, shorter on the shoulders and longer on the underside and britches, and long and flowing on the tail. Maine Coon Cat coat colors and patterns include a wide range of solids, parti-colors, tabbies, and other colors. The traditional Maine Coon Cat appearance consists of a brown tabby pattern with a long, shaggy coat and tail, creating a slight resemblance to a raccoon. Ocicat The Ocicat is a hybrid breed created by crossing Siamese and Abyssinians. It was the unexpected result of a breeding experiment in 1964 by Virginia Daly. The outcome was kittens with spotted tabby coats bearing a striking resemblance to the wild ocelot. The current Ocicat is a large, well-spotted, agouti cat (each hair has bands of color) of moderate body type. It possesses a solid, long-bodied torso, with substantial bone and muscle development. It is always seen as a spotted tabby, with all hairs banded except on the tip of the tail. The coat pattern includes an intricate tabby M on the forehead. Spots are scattered across the shoulders and hindquarters, extending as far as possible down the legs. Ragdoll This longhaired breed is a hybrid created in California in the 1960 s. It was achieved by crossing a white Persian with a Seal Point Birman, and possibly other breeds. This controversial breed is recognized by several cat associations, but not by the CFA. An extremely gentle and easy-tohandle breed, Ragdolls are big cats with broad chests and large hindquarters. The china blue eyes of the Ragdoll are large, oval, and wide-set on a bias. It is seen in three patterns: Color Point, Bi-color, and Mitted (white paw tips). Russian Blue When applied to the coat colors of cats, the term blue refers to various shades of gray, from pale (bright) to dark (almost steel-blue gray), that are essentially a dilute pigmentation from black to gray. This natural breed is very old, but was first seen and later shown in England in the 1880 s. In the 1960 s, the Russian Blues became popular show cats. They have a fine-boned, long firm body that, without being tubular in appearance, is considered to be a modified foreign type. Their bodies are covered with a double coat, which stands out because of its density. The coat must be short, fine, and plush, with a soft silky quality. The Russian Blue color must be an even, bright 9

12 blue shade throughout the coat. Lighter shades of blue are preferred with silver-tipped guard hairs contributing to a silvery, lustrous appearance. Scottish Fold One of the more recent mutations, this breed was developed from Scottish cats after its unusual ear formation first appeared. The cat s ears are folded forward and downward on the head. The first such cat was a white female named Susie, discovered in a litter of normal-eared kittens by William and Mollie Ross in 1961 at a farm near Dundee, Scotland. The Rosses were given one of two folded-ear kittens from Susie s first litter. They bred her to a normal-eared male and created the foundation stock for all authentic Scottish Fold cats. In addition to its unusual ears, the breed is characterized by a softly rounded head, a short muscular body, and a thick sometimes marbled short-haired coat, which is dense and resilient. The Scottish Fold comes in a wide variety of colors and color patterns similar to those of the American Shorthair. Singapura Considered a natural breed, the Singapura was imported into the United States in 1975 from Singapore. It is a small cat bearing a ticked coat pattern similar to that of the Abyssinian. Both breeds resemble a miniature cougar. All other characteristics of the Singapura are different from those of the Abyssinian. Its coat standard requires that barring be present on the inner front legs and back knees. The body should be small to medium-sized, moderately stocky and muscular. The coat should be fine, very short, lying very close to the body. Singapura color must be dark brown ticking on a warm, ivory ground color. Muzzle, chin, chest, and underside should be the color of unbleached muslin. Each hair must have at least two bands of dark ticking separated by light bands. Snowshoe The Snowshoe is a hybrid cross of Siamese and an American Shorthair bicolor. The origin of this breed can be traced to Dorothy Hinds Daugherty of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the late 1960 s. Her two Siamese cats produced three females with unique, striking bicolored points. Because of their white feet, they were given the name Snowshoes. As a result of promotional efforts in the late 1970 s, the Snowshoe has grown in popularity throughout the United States. The breed standard calls for a medium-sized, Himalayanpatterned cat, with white feet and a white muzzle. The point color may be either blue or seal, with a light-shaded body color. The white markings should go up to the ankle on the forelimbs and up to the hock on the hind limbs. The coat should be medium-coarse, short, glossy, and lying close to the body. Sphynx The Sphynx is the result of spontaneous mutations appearing in several types of cats. After many years and various attempts to stabilize it in breeding programs, it is now basically a hairless cat with very large ears set evenly on the head. It has a moderate body type, which appears as a combination of the Devon Rex and the Cornish Rex. The body should be dense, bulky, and heavy, with surprising weight for its appearance. Although not fat, the cat should give the impression that it has just eaten a full meal. The shoulders must be well developed and strong with the elbows turning out slightly, as on the bulldog. There are few or no whiskers showing on the muzzle. There is no coat, only warm skin with a smooth, soft feel. Small amounts of hair are allowable on the bridge of the nose, behind the ears, on the feet, and on the upper part of the tail. The Sphynx is allowed in all colors and coat patterns that appear as skin pigmentation rather than hair. Tonkinese The Tonkinese is a hybrid breed. It was achieved by crossing a Siamese to a Burmese. The breed 10

13 has been experimented with since the 1950 s. The Tonkinese body is medium in length, striking a balance between the foreign type and the cobby, compact body type. Its coat is mediumshort in length, close-lying, fine, soft, and silky, with a lustrous sheen. Its most outstanding feature is its coat color. Unlike that of the Siamese, the Tonkinese s point color does not contrast sharply with its ground coat color. The Tonkinese ground coat is always a dilution (lighter shade) of the same, darker point color. Tonkinese colors are Natural Mink, Champagne Mink, Blue Mink, Honey Mink and Platinum Mink. Yellow eyes is cause for disqualification at CFA shows. Turkish Van This is a natural breed, native to eastern Turkey, and is a working cat from the remote, snowy regions of Lake Van. It was brought to England in Its body is long, broad, muscular, and deep-chested. The Turkish Van is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, with males weighing from twelve to eighteen pounds and frequently more. The coat should be long, soft, and silky. The tail, or brush, is fox-like and strongly ringed. Coat color should be a pure chalk-white, and its colored markings confined to the head and tail, with one or more random body markings in the shoulder or rump areas. They are allowed any color markings and white. Foreign Breeds Siamese It is impossible to single out the wild or natural species from which this breed is descended. However, many consider it to be a natural breed. The true origin of the Siamese is Asian, possibly from Siam or Burma. Legends indicate the Siamese originated in Siam as prized possessions of ancient kings and priests of Siam and were trained to guard the royal palaces and temples. The first cats exported from Asia sailed from Bangkok to London in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Shortly afterwards they reached American shores where, by the turn of the century, they began to appear in cat shows. Second only to the unpedigreed house cat, the Siamese is considered to be the most popular cat breed in America. Their brilliant blue eyes and pointed (darker) facial mask, ears, tail, and legs have earned them the great favor they enjoy. Once stocky and round-headed, they have been meticulously bred to create the sleek elegant cats seen at today s cat shows. Siamese cross-breeding has resulted in many of the currently popular breeds, such as the Balinese, Havana Brown, Himalayan, Tonkinese, Color Point, Oriental Shorthair, and Oriental Longhair. The ideal Siamese is a medium-sized, svelte, refined cat, with long tapering lines and a tubular body that is muscular but lithe. The head must be a tapering wedge with a long and straight nose that is a continuation of the forehead with no break. The Siamese possesses a short, fine-textured, glossy coat that lies close to the body. Siamese cats are accepted by CFA in only four classic colors: Seal Point, Blue Point, Lilac Point and Chocolate Point. The crossed eyes, kinked tails, and round heads of the past are regarded as flaws in today s show ring, though some fanciers prefer round heads. Colorpoint Shorthair The Colorpoint Shorthair appears to be a Siamese with colors other than the traditional Siamese point colors (Seal Point, Chocolate Point, Blue Point, and Lilac Point). Most cat associations in the United States and in other countries accept Colorpoint Shorthairs as Siamese. Colorpoint Shorthair colors include Red Point, Cream Point, LYNX Point, and Torti Point. Eye colors other than blue will disqualify. 11

14 Oriental Shorthair The Oriental Shorthair was conceived in the 1950 s by English breeders who wanted a Siamese-type cat with a self-colored (solid color) coat. This hybrid was created by crossing the Siamese with various Shorthairs, including the Russian Blue. It was a by-product of the efforts to create a solid-colored brown Siamese, which ultimately became the Havana Brown. The standards for the Oriental Shorthair and the Siamese are almost identical except for color. Coat color the cat s reason for being must be solid (self) or tabby-patterned. The entire coat, as well as each hair, must be of a uniform solid color. The breed is accepted in almost all solid colors. Balinese The Balinese was developed in the United States as a separate breed after it appeared as a spontaneous, longhair mutation of the Siamese cat. It is like the Siamese in every way except that its hair is longer and its voice sober. CFA disqualifies a definite double coat where the undercoat is downy. Its coat colors are the same as Siamese. The eyes are deep, vivid blue. Any other eye color will disqualify in CFA shows. Javanese The Javanese (like the Balinese) is a Siamese with long hair. The difference between a Javanese and a Balinese is the wide variety of coat colors allowed the Javanese by CFA (excluding the four traditional Siamese point colors). Its CFA color standards are identical to those of the Colorpoint Shorthair. Its body type is Siamese. Oriental Longhair The Oriental Longhair is a hybrid breed created in the early 1980 s. The Oriental Longhair is a long-coated Siamese with no color points. Because of its longer coat it appears to have softer lines and less of an extreme Siamese look than its cousin, the Oriental Shorthair. There are five color divisions: Solid, Tortie, Tabby, Shaded (including Shaded and Smoke colors), and Parti-color. Cornish Rex The Cornish Rex is a spontaneous mutation that was discovered in 1950 on a farm in Cornwall, England. The foundation cat for this breed was Kallibunker. The breed is named for the Rex rabbit, which is known for its velvety fur and curly whiskers. A mutation from a white domestic shorthair, the Cornish Rex features a longer, slimmer, more agile body than that of its ancestors. The cat has a small, narrow head, punctuated by large, oval-shaped eyes that slant slightly upward, and a Roman nose. The most striking aspect of this breed is its coat of deep even waves over the entire body, head, legs, and tail. The fur is very fine and soft, short but very dense. The Cornish Rex is accepted in most American colors and coat patterns. The Cornish Rex and its cousin the Devon Rex have much in common. However, they are genetically incompatible. These similar but separate breeds are different, and, when mated to each other, do not produce curly- or wavy-coated kittens. Turkish Angora The true Angora was near extinction in the early twentieth century, as it was being replaced by Angoras crossed with Persians. One of the oldest longhair breeds and long fancied in Turkey, it was first seen in Europe during the Renaissance. Its name is taken from the Turkish city of Ankara. The Turkish Angora is radically different from its relative, the Persian. It has a long head and medium-size body. Its torso is long and lithe, with a lightly framed chest. The body coat is medium-long, long at the ruff, with a full brush on the tail. The coat is silky with a wavy tendency, very fine and lustrous. While the solid white Turkish Angoras are best known, the breed comes in all colors. 12

15 BREED Abyssinian American Curl American Shorthair American Wirehair Balinese Birman Bombay British Shorthair Burmese Chartreux Colorpoint Shorthair Cornish Rex Cyjmric Devon Rex Egyptian Mau Exotic Shorthair Havana Brown Himilayan Japanese Bobtail Javanese Korat Maine Coon Manx Norwegian Forest Cat Ocicat Oriental Longhair Oriental Shorthair Persian Ragdoll Russian Blue Scottish Fold Siamese Singapura Snowshoe Somali Sphynx Tonkinese Turkish Angora Turkish Van BODY (1) cobby (2) moderate (3) foreign Breed Identification Worksheet EYES (1) round (2) almond (3) color EARS (1) large (2) medium (3) small (4) other HEAD (1) round (2) wedge COAT (1) short (2) long (3) other (4) color TAIL (1) long (2) medium (3) short (4) none TYPE (1) mutation (2) hybrid (3) natural 13

16 CHAPTER 3 CAT CHARACTERISTICS Your cat is one of the most intelligent and beautiful of all animals. Understanding its anatomy, temperament and physical characteristics will help you enjoy the unique personality of your cat even more. Scientists classify the cat as a carnivorous (meateating) animal because of its teeth. The teeth have three functions: stabbing (killing prey); anchoring or holding prey; and cutting or tearing flesh. Cats do not have flat-crowned molars so are not able to crush or grind food. The Cat s Body The cat s body has bones while man has only 208. Many of the cat s extra bones are in its tail. A cat s tail can indicate its moods. Carried high, the tail shows the cat s pride and contentment; extended straight, it tells you the cat is stalking; curled against its body says the cat is scared or worried; and thrusting from side to side warns that the cat is angry. A cat s hind legs are longer and stronger than those in front, enabling it to leap with great skill. While most animals move their front and opposite hind legs at the same time, a cat moves its front and hind legs on one side, then the other. Notice how silently a cat moves. This is because of its thickly cushioned paws. The cat is digitigrade, which means it walks or runs on its toes. A cat usually has five toes in front and four in back, but some cats are polydactyl, having more than the usual number of toes. Each toe has a firmly attached hook-shaped claw which is the cat s main method of defense. The retractable claws allow the cat to climb, fight and grip. However, all the claws point forward so a cat can only back down a tree after climbing it. A cat expresses pleasure or contentment by extending and retracting the claws in a pumping motion we call kneading. A cat s beautiful coat is one of its most striking features. The hairs of the cat s coat grow from tiny pits in the skin called follicles. The coarse top coat is formed from primary or guard hairs which grow from individual follicles. The secondary hairs which form the undercoat (underfur) grow in groups from each follicle. There are two types of secondary hairs, the awn hairs which have bristly tips and the down hairs which are fine and crinkly. A special type of follicle produces the sensitive whiskers, or vibrissae, and eyelashes on the cat s face. Some cats also have groups of whiskers called carpal hairs located on the back of their forelegs; the carpal hairs are particularly sensitive to touch such as when using their forelegs for grasping wriggling prey. Coat Patterns and Colors Color Points: Blue Seal Lilac Chocolate Red Cream Lynx/Tabby Tortie Torbie/Patched Tabby Agouti: Classic Tabby Spotted Shaded/Tipped Smoke Silver Mackerel Tabby Ticked Chinchilla Cameo Golden Solid Colors: Black Blue White Red Cream Brown Lilac 14

17 Multi-Color: Bi-color Tortoiseshell (Tortie) Van Torbie/Patched Tabby The Five Senses Tabby and White Piebald Calico/Tri-color Sight A cat s eyes are probably its most distinctive feature, and sight is a highly developed sense. Cats can see in nearly total darkness, yet their sight is keen in bright daylight. Although they do have some special features, cats eyes are basically similar to the eyes of other mammals, including humans. Due to the size and shape of the lens, a cat cannot focus very well on closeby objects, but can see best at distances of seven to twenty feet. Cats eyes are designed to collect the maximum amount of light, which allows a cat to see in light six times dimmer than that in which humans are able to see. Although it may seem very dark to us, there must be a faint glimmer of light in order for the cat to see. Cats eyes shine in the dark when caught in a ray of light. This occurs because a mirror-like structure called the tapetum lucidum lines most of the back of the eye. For a long time it was believed that cats only saw in shades of gray, but research has proven that cats do have the ability to see at least some colors. Newborn kittens eyes are closed and remain that way for seven to ten days. After opening, their vision is still very poor, and kittens do not see as well as adult cats until they are about three months old. From then on, vision becomes their most important sense. Hearing In addition to keen eyesight, a cat also has super-sensitive hearing, a real bonus for a hunter. Not only is a cat able to hear noises too faint for human ears, but they also hear ultrasonic sounds much higher than we can detect. Cats can locate the sources of sounds, being able to accurately locate the squeaks and noises of small rodents which are completely hidden from view. Cats are constantly alert to strange noises which may signal danger; even when catnapping they immediately respond whether the sound indicates danger or is a familiar sound such as a footstep, car, whistle, or their name being called. The source of the sound is easily located, and a cat can discriminate between two sounds as close together as three inches at three feet. Although directing earflaps toward a sound enables a cat to better hear faint sounds, it will not help in direction-finding. A cat s hearing is not accurate enough for it to be able to hunt in total darkness. Some white cats, particularly blue-eyed ones, become deaf at a very young age. Cats also tend to become deaf in old age. Cats compensate for deafness by an increased acuity in eyesight and smell. They also become quite sensitive to vibrations, appearing to hear with their feet. Smell A highly-developed sense of smell plays an important role in the appetite, behavior, protection and reproduction of cats. The sense of smell is the cat s method of recognition and any new object, person or cat will be thoroughly sniffed before being accepted. Food is first identified by smell, then tasted and eaten if the smell is acceptable. The smell of catnip often brings intense interest. Most cats respond to catnip by sniffing, chewing, rubbing, rolling, and meowing. The cat will appear to be in a psychedelic state for a period of five to fifteen minutes. Fortunately, the effect does not last long, nor is catnip addictive. Taste Closely aligned to the sense of smell is the sense of taste. Taste buds are located on the front and side edges of a cat s tongue and at the back of the tongue. Cats are very sensitive to taste and have very definite food likes and dislikes. The 15

18 sense of taste develops very early in a kitten; kittens only one day old can determine the difference between salted and unsalted liquids. Although most mammals can detect sweet, bitter, salt and acid, cats are different because they may not respond to the taste of sweet things. In fact, their digestive system is very sensitive to sugar, and eating sugar may make them ill. That is why many cats develop diarrhea when given cow s milk. They are not able to tolerate the lactose (milk-sugar) in the milk. Touch Touch is the least important sense in a cat. Touch includes the sensations of gentle touch, heavy pressure, warmth, cold and pain. The hairless parts of a cat, the nose and paw pads, are especially sensitive to touch, warmth and cold. A cat uses its paw pads to investigate the texture, size, and shape of anything with which it is not familiar. The pads also are used to help a cat maintain its posture and can detect vibrations, helping a cat hear with its feet. Hair follicles also are quite sensitive, especially those containing guard hairs or whiskers. The whiskers are especially important for investigating nearby objects and may also be sensitive to air currents. The cat s skin picks up the feeling of warmth or cold as well as pain. Other Characteristics Cats are noted for their great ability to sleep; nearly two-thirds of their life is spent sleeping. Cats sleep in a series of catnaps rather than one long period. When a cat is in a deep sleep period, it may appear to be dreaming. We will never know for sure, but it is assumed that cats probably do dream. Self-grooming is not just a cat s way of keeping itself clean. Licking stimulates the skin glands which produce a waterproofing agent for the coat. In addition, grooming is also a method of temperature regulation. Cats are unable to sweat because of the fur, so saliva becomes a substitute for the cooling effect of sweat. That is why cats groom themselves more often in warm weather. A well-known cat characteristic is its ability to land on its feet. When falling, a cat will turn its head to an upright, horizontal position, and the rest of the body will follow. The tail may help in avoiding overbalancing. A cat may still be injured in a fall, because falling from a great distance can still result in broken bones. Likewise, a fall from a short distance could also result in injury because the cat may not have time to right itself. Cats are the only animals that purr. While it was originally believed that the purring sound came from vibrations of the false vocal cords in the throat, it is now believed that it comes from a vibration motion that arises in the wall of one of the major blood vessels in the chest area. These vibrations are readily transmitted to the cat s upper air passages which result in a purring sound. While purring is usually an indication of contentment, it can indicate a cat in pain. Playing is a special characteristic of cats. Kittens begin playing when they are about three weeks old. Although cats will begin to play less often after about five months of age, a cat will continue to play occasionally even into old age. Play is important to the health and fitness of a cat. Two cats of similar age will play together, but if there is only one cat, the owner must encourage play. CHAPTER FOUR SELECTING A KITTEN OR CAT Once you have decided to acquire a cat, there are several things to consider in order to be a responsible pet owner. Some of these were covered in Unit One, including age, coat type, and male/female. 16

19 Purebred or Mixed Breed All cats are enjoyable, but you will need to decide whether you want a purebred cat that may be registered with a cat association, or if you want a mixed breed cat. If a random-bred cat is desired, the local humane society shelter will be able to provide several good choices. Workers at the shelters often will be able to give you the background of the cat you plan to adopt. Cats and kittens are available, usually for a fee, and some may spay or neuter them before adoption. This way, they ensure no litters of unwanted kittens are born. If you prefer a purebred cat that can be exhibited or used for breeding, you will need to visit several catteries to make sure you obtain the best possible animal in the breed of your choice. Show cats and cats to be used in a breeding program can be quite costly. However, not all purebred animals meet the strict show standards and often can be obtained at a reduced price. Although you may not want to show them at an open show, they may do very well in a 4-H show. Generally, the breeder will require you to have the cat spayed or neutered before they will give you the papers on the animal. Begin your search by checking newspapers and cat magazine classified advertisements for catteries in your area. Attend a few cat shows and observe the various breeds before making a final decision on the one you like best. Talk to the breeders and exhibitors at the shows and ask any questions you might have regarding personality and care. This is also a good time to get an idea of the prices of show and pet quality kittens and cats which might be for sale. You could also write to an association that registers cats for the names of catteries in your area that might have kittens for sale. It would be better if you could visit the catteries yourself and select the kitten or cat you want, but there is also the possibility of having one shipped to you by air. The cost of the shipping container and freight would be your responsibility. Reputable dealers can be depended upon to send a healthy cat, and it may be the best, if not the only way of acquiring a cat of the particular breed you desire. What To Look For When Choosing A Kitten Good health is essential when choosing a kitten. The kitten should be active, playful, curious and alert. It should not be afraid of strangers or give any indication of hostile behavior when picked up by you or the breeder, as this could indicate illness or a behavior problem. In addition to an outgoing personality, the kitten should have clear eyes with no excessive watering, no discharge from the cool damp nose, a lustrous shine to its fur with no mats, clean ears with no sign of mites, clean white teeth and pink gums, and no skin irritations or indications of fleas. Check around the rectum for signs of diarrhea or inflammation. The kitten should not be too thin or fat, as this would indicate a nutrition problem or worm infestation. Ask to see the mother so you can determine her general health and conformation, as well as observe her behavior. If she is a friendly, outgoing cat, her kittens will probably be that way, too. If you are buying a kitten for showing and/or breeding, you should examine the pedigree certificate of the kitten. Never hesitate to ask questions; breeders will welcome your interest if they are proud of their litters. Pedigree The pedigree will give the names and registration numbers of the kitten s parents and several earlier generations. It will also indicate championship stock in the background. This is important if you plan to use your new cat for breeding. Once you have completed the purchase, 17

20 make sure a transfer certificate showing the change of ownership is registered. Contract Once you have chosen your kitten and have agreed on the price and method of payment, have the breeder put it in writing. The contract should state the full purchase price, and, if payments are to be made, what they will be, and over what period of time. Include the time you will need (up to two weeks) to take the kitten to a veterinarian of your choice to determine if it is normal and in good health. Reputable breeders should allow this with an adequate deposit. Veterinary Approval Your veterinarian will not be able to give you an absolute guarantee of the kitten s health following a short examination, but should be able to advise you of any serious faults or obvious abnormalities which could cause problems. Let the veterinarian know what vaccinations the kitten has been given and have the kitten tested for internal parasites. Once you have selected a kitten, you should set up a schedule for future vaccinations and examinations. Bringing The Kitten Home Before bringing your kitten home, you should have all the necessary equipment ready and have a supply of food. The breeder can advise you what kind of food and how much the kitten has been eating. Let the breeder know what time you will arrive so the kitten will not be fed before the return car trip. If you pick up the kitten early in the morning, it will have the entire day to get used to its new home. A weekend would be good because the entire family will be home for two full days. On the first day, teach children the correct way to pick up a kitten. A kitten should not be picked up by the front legs. Place one hand on the chest under the front legs with the other hand supporting the hindquarters. Hold the kitten close to your body for additional support. Once the kitten has become accustomed to its new surroundings, let everyone take turns feeding and playing with the kitten. Introduce it to a collar or soft harness, even though they may be a little big for the kitten; the sooner it gets used to the feel of a collar or harness, the better. Housebreaking Housebreaking a kitten is usually not difficult. Start early by showing the kitten where the litter box is located. Also familiarize the kitten with the placement of its food and water dishes, and its bed. Although a kitten will probably choose its own place to sleep, the bed may become a favorite spot. It should be away from the mainstream of traffic in the house, and be in a dry and draft-free location. The Kitten s First Night in Its New Home You may want to leave a nightlight on in the room where your kitten will be spending its first night. It will be happier and more content if it can easily find the food and water dishes, the litter pan, and the bed. Leaving a toy or a stuffed animal the same size as the kitten in the sleeping box or basket will help take the place of the litter mates it has been sleeping with. Make sure the room is warm enough and draft-free so the kitten can sleep comfortably. Becoming Friends Cats will live happily in either the country or the city. All they really want is someone to care for them, give them a warm place to live, proper food, fresh water, a dry bed and provide companionship. It takes some kittens and cats longer than others to get used to their new owners. Do not force yourself on the cat, but let it come to 18