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.

Admirers of leopards and ocelots will learn that there is a cat with the same exotic appearance that is domesticated, the Ocicat. The Ocicat came about totally by accident back in 1964, when Virginia Daly of Berkeley, MI, bred a Ruddy Abyssinian to a Seal Point Siamese in an attempt to get an Aby- pointed Siamese. The resulting first generations were phenotypically Abyssinian. It wasn’t until one of those first generation cats was again crossed with a Siamese that the desired result of an Aby-pointed Siamese was produced, but the litter also bore another surprise, a spotted cat.

Daly’s daughter dubbed that cat, which was named Tonga, an Ocicat, because of its resemblance to the wild Ocelot. Subsequent breedings, with American Shorthairs added to the mix to enhance size and boning, led to placement of spots and introduced the silver color, which forms the Ocicat that you see today. The Ocicat is distinctively different in its spotting pattern from other breeds of spotted cats. It has thumbprint-shaped spots that are inside a bulls-eye pattern. Compare that to an Egyptian Mau, for instance, which has several bands of color that fall together to form a thumbprint shaped spot.

Like other domestic breeds of cats that resemble their wilder cousins, the Ocicat looks wild and it has all of the characteristics typically found in exotic jungle cats, but their temperament is truly that of a pussycat. While dog-like in its devotion to the people who own it, the Ocicat is not a cat that is clinging or demanding, but they do love to shadow their humans closely. They don’t know the meaning of the word stranger, but simply look upon them as yet another lap to curl up in for a quick catnap. Another endearing quality is that Ocicats love to ride around on your shoulders and will quite literally allow you to ferry them all over the house. Ocicats also love new playmates and are often a source of comical antics, but when they tire out, they search for the nearest person’s lap for a nice long round of purring.

These are very smart animals capable of opening latches and doors, playing fetch and in at least one case, an Ocicat was known to wave ”bye-bye” to its owners. That is truly a picture that would be worth a thousand words. An Ocicat is a superb hunter, lying about in a lion-like pose, seemingly unaware until the prey comes into view. Then like lightening, they will do whatever necessary, even leaping higher than you would think they could to catch the object of their attention, then simply go back to their reclining position giving the impression that they somehow never even moved.

For older cats especially those with arthritis the heated cat bed can provide thermal and therapeutic benefits. It is also very beneficial for pets that constantly sleeping on hard and cold floors. Inside the heated cat bed there is a removable heater unit. You can used the bed indoors throughout the year. The ideal body temperature for cats is 102 degrees and the bed has two thermostats to ensure the bed temperature stays at that level. The heated cat bed has a thick and very soft, orthopedic mattress giving warmth, comfort and excellent therapeutic benefits to your pet.

Heated cat beds come in a wide range of designs, sizes, colors and materials. A larger heated cat bed will be big enough for a big cat or sufficient for few small cats that like to cuddle together. Each design has its own great features and functionalities. The “donut” design heated cat bed is for the cat that enjoys spreading itself all over the bed with its head sleeping on the pillow.

The frame of the heated cat bed is generally built from wood and easy to clean plastic. The structure is durable and has a steel-wrapped electrical cord. The heated cat bed is sometimes reinforced with a metal frame to give it more support and stability. Your pet will be able to relax and sleep in comfort. Some heated cat beds even let you swing and sway your cat to sleep. The cushion or mattress of the bed is usually made from fabrics such as double-sided faux fur or machine washable ultra suede. These cushions are filled with polyester fiber to give long lasting comfort and shape. Warm fleece material is usually for the inside of the heated cat bed.

With a heated cat bed you can help to keep your cat healthy, comfortable and happy. Cats spend a great deal of time sleeping and a cozy bed is most desirable. With a comfortable and correct size bed your cat will have a more relaxed sleep. The elevated heated cat bed can give your cat comfort, support and protection from the cold floor while sleeping. It also stops your cat from sharing your bed and disturbing your sleep.

Cats can be great pets for people who are looking for an animal, but want one that is a little more independent. There are of course many other considerations to take into account before rushing out and buying your cat based on a picture or vague description. A good question that you need to consider is if you are looking to get a male or a female cat. There is a vast difference between the two species just as there is with humans or any other type of animal. Males tend to be a larger cat than females and also boast a more extrovert personality.

If you do decide to get a male you have to make the decision on whether or not the cat is going to be neutered. Just as a cautionary note, when a male cat is not neutered they tend to have a much different personality. You might find that they spray urine all over, will try to roam, and might just pick fights with other cats if there are any in the house or outside. When you choose to neuter them, you will be able to avoid a lot of these tendencies. Females have different traits than males do. They are a more careful and gentle than males are.

Once you have made a decision on whether the cat will be male or female you need to decide how much hair that you want to content with. That is, do you want to get a long hair cat or a short hair cat? Even though you may think that you want a particular breed, it might not match up with what you want in a cat. This is really a choice that depends on your personal taste.

Long haired cats might seem great to one person and a total nuisance to another. If you choose to go with a long haired cat, you need to understand that it will be up to you to keep you cat groomed and looking nice. Just think about your own hair, if you have long hair then you need to keep it brushed or combed on a daily basis, a long haired cat is no different. They need their owner to comb their lustrous locks on a regular basis so they don’t begin to look like a scraggly cat.

Now that you have the first two factors of choosing a cat decided, you next need to decide how much money you really want to spend. The reality when you go to buy a cat you can choose from mixed breeds or purebred cats. When you buy a mixed breed there isn’t quite as much to worry about because you don’t have to worry about all the pedigree issues and such, plus as you might have guessed they aren’t going to cost quite as much.

The last question again is one of preference; do you wish to buy a kitten or a cat? Many might jump to the answer of kitten, but as everything there is much to consider before making such a decision. You need to realize that a kitten is in essence a baby and as such requires a lot more time and attention than a grown cat does. It’s not to say that an older cat doesn’t require time and attention, but normally they are quite a bit easier to care for than a baby kitten.

Once you have all of the questions answered, you feel a little more informed about what type of cat that you want to buy. You can always go to different pet shops or breeders and ask whatever questions about the breed that you can think of. You can also talk to any friends or family members that own their own cats, they will have a wealth of information that they might be more than happy to share with you if you ask.

You also need to pay attention to your cat’s behavior, so you’ll recognize symptoms of sickness and can take her to the veterinarian immediately. Most of the more common ailments and sicknesses are minor, although there are some cases where a vet can be the determining factor between life and death for your cat. Your cat’s behavior will be one of the most critical factors when you are trying to determine whether or not she is feeling under the weather. Acting sluggish, laying around, lack of energy and refusing to eat are all signs that you must rush her to the vet immediately. Her coat is a good thing to keep an eye on also. If you notice that her coat is dull and patchy, or if you notice abnormal shedding, you need to contact your vet as soon as possible.

Diarrhea and vomiting are fairly common, even with basic sickness. On the other hand, if your cat seems to be doing either one of the two for more than a day, you should contact your veterinarian. Coughing is also pretty common, as most cats have hairballs from time to time. If your cat seems to be coughing for another reason, you should have her checked out as soon as you can. To ensure that your cat isn’t exposed to various diseases, you need to make sure that she stays up to date with her vaccinations. There are several diseases out there that require vaccinations, including rabies and feline distemper. Feline distemper is one of most devastating diseases a cat can get, yet it is also one of the easiest to prevent. The disease strikes cats very quickly, and leaves you as an owner very little time to find treatment.

Feline leukemia is another fatal disease, but can also prevented early on with the proper vaccinations. Although the disease isn’t possible for humans to contract, it can be spread very quickly among cats. There are vaccinations that can treat the disease these days, although you’ll still want to be careful to not expose other cats around a cat with feline leukemia.

Another problem, which is very common with cats that stay outdoors, is worms. Cats that have worms will normally have a lackluster coat and little to no appetite. There are several different types of worms, including ringworm and hookworm. Worms can come from fleas, lice, or even the organs of dead rodents that cats consume. Normally, the cat will digest the eggs which will later mature and attach themselves to the walls of the intestines. If you feed your cat garlic frequently during feedings, it can help to protect him against worms.

The temple was raided at the beginning of the 20th century. Two westerners, Auguste Pavie and Major Gordon Russell, came to the aid of the priests. As a gesture of gratitude the priests later sent the two men a pair of Birman. The male cat did not survive the trip but the female, who was pregnant, did. The Birman is an average size cat (males generally ranging from eight to twelve pounds, females seven to nine pounds).

Birmans have a medium length coat that requires very little grooming. The coats are usually a light color on the face and darker over the rest of the coat, with golden shades being the most popular. Their eyes are always blue and their paws are white. Birman coats are long but not very dense, so they are not prone to matting. As the third most popular longhaired cat, Birmans are good pets. They tend to enjoy the company of their human families.

Birmans are considered sweet and because of this, they are able to adapt well to changes and adore their family. They tend to be a healthy breed; Birmans are generally free from any medical concerns, but some are sensitive to anesthetics.

Oriental shorthairs come in every color of the rainbow including tabbies, smokes, tortoiseshell ,etc.. In Great Britain, a few breeders with the approval of the Cat Association of Britain have created a separate breed, The Seychellois, which is slightly longer haired and has a white coat with colored splotches, but is otherwise identical to the Oriental Shorthair. 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 are also known for their loud and expressive voice and will happily chat with their owners using a variety of vocal expressions. Playful and affectionate, they hate to be left alone for long periods. 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. If you are considering acquiring a cat of any of the Oriental Shorthairs breeds the most important thing you must ask yourself, is if you are willing and able to return their absolute devotion.

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 American shorthair is one of the ten most popular breeds of cats. You can buy a purebred kitten from a breeder. Rescue shelters, veterinary clinics, and pet shows may also have cats for adoption.

Birmans have a medium length coat that requires very little grooming. The coats are usually a light color on the face and darker over the rest of the coat, with golden shades being the most popular. Their eyes are always blue and their paws are white. Birman coats are long but not very dense, so they are not prone to matting. As the third most popular longhaired cat, Birmans are good pets. They tend to enjoy the company of their human families.

Coat of this cute feline is medium in length and silky. It is in a single layer and does not get matted nor require regular grooming. Color is light, varying in shades of golden. Tail is medium in length and bushy. It is tipped by markings, as are legs, ears and face. These markings can be blue, chocolate, cream, lilac, red or seal in color. Face is strong with somewhat heavy set jaws and low set nostrils. Ears are low and wide set and eyes are a dazzling sapphire in appearance.

Another pretty feature of the Birman is the color of its four paws. The paws are all white and contrast beautifully against the darker markings on its legs. They appear like gloves and are a source of great attraction even though they seldom are in a perfectly symmetrical pattern. These white gloved paws are a rarity amongst other feline breeds.

An intelligent and playful cat, Birman is a near perfect companion. It is not very demanding and generally communicates in a soft meow when it is in need of something. It is considered a ‘people’s cat’ and goes quite well with children and even other pets. Inquisitive cats, Birmans are quite fond of exploring every thing in their surroundings. They are quick to develop an affectionate relationship with humans and follow them around, adjusting their schedule to synchronize with that of their human companions.

Birmans are considered sweet and because of this, they are able to adapt well to changes and adore their family.They tend to be a healthy breed, Birmans are generally free from any medical concerns, but some are sensitive to anesthetics. Birmans also require relatively little training and will learn to use the litter box on their own. Today, there are many websites that you are easy to get information on Birmans and most other breeds of cats.

1. Cats need protein in their cat food : The cat food you feed to your cat should always be rich in protein. This generally should come from meat, poultry or fish. Many cat food brands advertise chicken, beef, and tuna flavored cat food because they know that cats need protein and cat owners are looking for quality cat food. However, you need to make sure the cat food you buy has a sufficient amount of cat food regardless of what flavor it is.

2. Cat food with taurine : Also check the cat food you typically buy for an amino acid called taurine. This particular amino acid is very important in the overall health of your cat, and your cat will eat as much food as it has to in order to supplement this particular amino acid. So, if you are buying cheap cat food that does not have the proper nutrients your cat will eat a lot. If you buy a nutrient rich cat food then your cat will eat little and save you more money while still getting proper nutrition.

3. Canned cat food or dry cat food : Many people do not know whether they should buy canned or dry cat food, or whether it even matters. Because of this, many people simply buy the cat food that is most affordable or convenient for them. This is actually a mistake. Cats should be fed a mixture of cat food. The dry cat food should be given for free feeding, especially if you are away on vacation or out for the day. Canned cat food should be supplemented at other times as well because it has water in the food and significantly more protein than the carbohydrate rich dry cat food. Not to mention the same food over and over might bore your cat and cause him to stop eating that cat food altogether.

4. Avoid cat food fillers : Cats need to eat a cat food that is rich in protein, so make sure the amount of fillers is kept to a minimum. Carbohydrates are not essential for a cat’s existence, so don’t buy cat food that is full of them. Instead, read labels and buy cat food that is not filled with fillers and other by products.

There are several places to purchase your cat food. Grocery store cat food is usually at the lower end of market quality, but is cheaper. This is probably not the healthiest choice. Premium foods are sold in pet stores and are a higher quality food, although you will still find preservatives, artificial colors and flavors in them. Whatever food you choose and wherever you decide to buy it, make sure you are looking at ingredients.