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

has a flat nose. Because of the flat nose, show Persians may have sinus problems or have trouble breathing, especially in hot weather. If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, you should give your Persian a cool area to rest, even if it’s just a cool tile floor.

      Health problems in the breed can include polycystic kidney disease, progressive retinal atrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, bladder stones, bladder infections, and liver shunts.

      Ragdoll

      If you’d like a laid-back cat with no interest in climbing your bookcases or jumping onto your countertops, the Ragdoll may be just the cat for you. Developed in the 1960s by California breeder Ann Baker, the Ragdoll is a large cat (males can weigh up to 20 pounds [9.1 kg]) that makes a gentle companion. Ragdolls typically play without extending their claws, and they enjoy being around people. Ragdolls come in three color patterns: mitted, bicolor, and colorpoint, the latter of which allows for no white.

      The Ragdoll matures slowly, taking about four years to reach full size. Because Ragdoll kittens can have rapid growth spurts, owners must make sure that they have plenty of food. If your young Ragdoll licks his plate clean, you should offer a little more food until he is full. Once your cat has stopped growing, you should determine a measured amount of food to keep him healthy but not fat.

      

      Persian kitten

      Ragdoll

      Life expectancy for a Ragdoll is twelve to seventeen years. Health concerns include bladder stones and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). There is a test to check for the genetic mutation that causes HCM, so make sure the breeder has tested both parents.

      Scottish Fold

      The first known Scottish Fold cat was a white barn cat named Susie, found in a litter in 1961 by William Ross, who went on to develop the breed. Susie’s ears folded forward and down, and this trait, along with large, round eyes and a short nose, gives the Scottish Fold a look that somewhat resembles a cuddly owl. The Scottish Fold has a short, dense coat and, in temperament, is as sweet as he looks.

      Kittens are born with upright ears that either stay straight or fold over around one month of age. Cats whose ears remain upright are known as Scottish Shorthairs. A longhaired variety is known as the Highland Fold.

      Although the sweet look of a Scottish Fold is endearing, the upright-eared cats are essential to the health of the breed. When Folds are bred to Folds, the kittens may develop osteochondrodystrophy, a crippling and painful skeletal abnormality. A kitten with stiff legs or a short, thick tail may have osteochondrodystrophy.

      Scottish Folds weigh between 8 and 13 pounds (3.6–5.9 kg) and have a lifespan of between eleven and fourteen years.

      Siamese

      Siamese cats are descended from the sacred temple cats of Siam (now Thailand). The first one in the United States arrived in 1878 when Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy, received one as a gift from the American Consul in Bangkok.

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

      

      Scottish Fold

      Siamese

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

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

      Sphynx

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

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

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

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

      

      Sphynx

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      Rare Cat Breeds

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

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

      American Bobtail

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

      

      American Bobtail

      American Wirehair

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

      The American Bobtail is a healthy breed, but cats that are totally tailless can have spinal problems that affect their ability to control defecation.