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

for snuggling, which is lucky for the owner, because the curly LaPerm coat just cries out for you to bury your fingers in it.

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

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

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

      Peterbald

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

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

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

      Like all hairless, or mostly hairless, breeds, your Peterbald may appreciate a sweater or access to a soft blanket in cold weather. Also limit his exposure to sunlight because he can get sunburned.

      

      LaPerm

      

      Peterbald kitten

      Females weigh between 6 and 8 pounds (2.7–3.6 kg), with males between 8 and 10 pounds (3.6–4.5 kg). Life expectancy is between twelve and fifteen years. The gene that causes hairlessness may also cause feline ectodermal dysplasia, which can cause missing and/or malformed teeth.

      Ragamuffin

      The Ragamuffin is a low-maintenance, gentle cat who is very tolerant of children, loves to be near people, and, like the Ragdoll, may totally relax and go limp in your arms. The Ragamuffin’s coat is medium-long and comes in all colors and patterns. Cats with colorpoints may be registered but not shown. The breed is recognized by the CFA but not TICA.

      The Ragamuffin is a large cat, weighing between 10 and 20 pounds (4.5–9.1 kg), with a life expectancy of twelve to sixteen years. Health issues include HCM and polycystic kidney disease. The Ragamuffin is also prone to periodontal disease.

      Turkish Van

      The Turkish is a strong, agile cat who loves running, jumping (to the highest shelf he can reach), and playing in water. Unlike many cats, the Turkish Van enjoys water and is sometimes called the swimming cat. He’s affectionate in that he will follow you from room to room, and he won’t mind being petted, but he is not a cuddle cat and would prefer not to be held.

      Ragamuffin

      

      Turkish Van

      The Turkish Van is considered a regional treasure and was possibly named after Lake Van in Turkey. The van color pattern comes from the distinctive color markings of the Turkish Van, consisting of color on primarily the head and tail. These patches were originally seen in rich red but can be any solid color. Turkish Vans can also be solid white, sometimes called Van Kedi.

      The Turkish Van takes three to five years to mature, with an average weight of between 10 and 18 pounds (4.5–8.2 kg). Their life expectancy is between twelve and seventeen years, and they have no specific health problems.

       DID YOU KNOW?

      The Exotic Shorthair has a funny nickname—he’s often called “the lazy man’s Persian” because he shares the Persian’s adorable face, but his short, plush coat is not nearly as high-maintenance.

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      Adopting Your Cat

      If you want a pet cat and are not concerned about breed or pedigree, getting a cat from a friend or neighbor can be a good option. If that friend’s or neighbor’s cat has kittens, then you’ll be getting a youngster who will come to you with no bad habits and, hopefully, no diseases. You will have met the mother and will know what her temperament is like. If she’s calm and friendly, chances are that her kittens will be that way, too.

      If you are adopting an older cat from someone you know, some of the same principles hold true. You’ll know how old the cat is, you’ll know what kind of personality the cat has, and you can ask the owner about vaccinations, medications, and health issues. If you have children or a dog, you may also have an idea of how the cat will interact with them.

      Getting a cat from your local animal shelter or rescue is also a very good way to get a cat, and there are always plenty of cats in need of good homes. While a shelter cat’s exact age may be unknown, he will have been checked by the shelter veterinarian and be up to date on vaccinations, free of fleas and ticks, and spayed or neutered. The shelter may also have implanted a microchip for identification purposes. If the cat was surrendered, the former owner may have given the shelter some personality and behavior information, such as if the cat is good around children and other pets. From observing and interacting with the cat, the shelter staff will likely know whether the cat is a cuddler, is very active, is vocal, and other traits.

      If you have your heart set on a kitten, check your local shelter in the spring. Most shelters are inundated with pregnant cats and kittens each spring. You’ll have your pick of just about every color and coat length. Many shelters perform early spay/neuters. If not, they might offer a voucher for a free or reduced-cost spay/neuter when the kitten is a bit older.

      

      Many cats await loving homes in local animal shelters.

      

      You might adopt a kitten from a friend or neighbor.

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      Considering a Stray

      A stray cat usually returns to places where he has found food.

      There are several things to think about if you want to take in a stray cat. First, there are different kinds of stray cats. Feral cats are domestic cats that have “gone wild.” Maybe they were born and have lived their entire lives outdoors, or maybe they once lived in homes but have been in the “wild” for so long that they’ve adopted wild behavior.

      Most feral cats avoid human