Tips Of Breeding Cats
Cat breeding is not as easy as just letting cats mate. Breeding is not just about choosing cats to produce adorable kittens to earn money. To breed cats is not the same as to produce them. Breeding encompasses that stage.
Breeding cats involves scientific and systematic concepts. Producing cats involves only common sense. Breeding cats has an emotional aspect to it. Fulfillment does not come from mere moneymaking. Sacrifices have to be made to achieve the breeder’s goal: to safeguard the welfare of the cats.
A lot of things must be taken into consideration before breeding cats. Here is a guide to help us better understand the dynamic process of cat breeding.
- A cat breeder’s concern is the preservation or improvement of cat pedigree.
This is a serious matter. Selection of the parent cats is done on the basis of health, quality traits and reproducing capability. A breeder will never pair cats carelessly.
- A cat breeder is dedicated to learn more about cats.
A lot of things must be learned regarding cat breeding. Latest researches must be employed to properly select the cats to be bred. The welfare of the cats depends on how much the breeder knows.
- A cat breeder makes plans.
Breeding does not involve hasty actions.
- A cat breeder has to follow rules set by the government.
Breeders are obliged to register their cats to their respective breeds. Certain taxes are imposed to hobbyists and to businessmen alike.
- A cat breeder’s primary motive is to take care of cats. Monetary motives come after this.
A cat’s life is more important than money. And it is more rewarding to see the kittens grow. The money earned is just an additional reward.
- A cat breeder’s responsibility to the cats does not end.
His care for his cats does not end when the kittens were sold.
- A cat breeder holds the future of the cat’s offspring.
Whatever a cat breeder does affects the life of the kittens, thus extra care must be given by cat breeders when making decisions.
- A cat breeder knows when to stop breeding.
Breeding is not just about having many cats. It is about taking care of all of them.
After learning about these things, it can be concluded that breeding is an arduous task indeed. However, for those who are cat breeders at heart, all these hardships are worth the kittens they bred (not produced)!
Choosing a Cat
Before you decide you want a cat or even before you buy a cat take a good look at the other pet information on the internet. You may change your mind and discover that a different pet would better suit your lifestyle. If you have read about other pets and still want a cat read on. When choosing a cat there are a few questions you need to ask yourself and/or family members.
1)Do I want a male or female cat? Generally male cats are more aggressive than female cats and they hunt more. Female cats are more playful and affectionate but have a chance of getting pregnant by a male cat. If you do not want a rough and aggressive cat and don’t want a litter of kittens there is always the option of spaying your cat. It is a good idea to spay (female) or neuter (male) your cat not just to prevent pregnancy but they tend to fight less, they are more affectionate and they do not get obese and lazy. The procedure can be done at a pet hospital or most vegetarians and it costs around $85 for a female cat and $55 for a male cat (note that these prices are in American dollars and can vary from pet hospital or veterinarian).
2)What breed of cat do I want? Cats are placed in two categories, long haired or short haired. Long haired cats require much more work cleaning up hair and brushing and grooming your cat. There are hundreds of different breeds of cats not including crossbreeds also known as mongrels. For more information about cat breeds ask your local vet or pet shop and they will give you all the information you desire. It all depends on what is available in your local area.
I would recommend to do some research and come up with a list of preferred breeds. To find out what breeds are available in your area check with your local pet shop, look in your local newspaper in the classifieds section, check your local pet shelter and ask your friends and neighbours if they could recommend anyone. When you visit your local pet shop don’t just look at what the pet shop offer, ask the pet shop manager if they know anyone who breeds cats or look on the noticeboard for advertisements.
3)Do I want a adult cat or a kitten? A kitten is another name for a baby cat. The advantages of buying a kitten are that you can watch it grow, it will bond with you and family members better and the most obvious it will be a part of your family for a longer period of time. You guessed right with these advantages also comes many disadvantages including that they are very playful, you have to train them and teach them wrong from right, they do not have set eating patterns so they can overeat and become sick, they can be destructive to furnishings, carpet, curtains etc and last and defiantly not least they need to be toilet trained.
The advantages of buying an adult cat is obviously the opposite of the disadvantages for kittens and the disadvantage is that you don’t know how the cat has been looked after. This can cause the cat to develop a wild instinct and become very aggressive. If you don’t know how the cat has been treated you should not buy it. On the other hand if you do not have the time or patience to raise kitten you could either buy an adult cat or buy a kitten and get someone to look after it while you are away.
Cats can be a great pet for anyone because they are very adaptable and can live almost anywhere and would even live happily, healthy and comfortably in a small apartment. Cats are very affectionate, playful and loyal to people of all ages, to many people a cat makes the perfect pet.
Various Breeds of Cats & their Food
When you buy a cat food for your cat you should know the type of cat food that will be perfect for your cat as they tend to be quite finicky regarding their tastes.
Cat breeds & cat food complement each other. Cats are quite popular pets and there is an estimated 57 million pet cats in the US only and this includes the various cat breeds in the world. Each of the cat breeds has a different characteristic & personality. Persian cats are one of the most popular breeds and one of the oldest too. Also known as longhair or Persian longhair in Britain, they actually arrived in Britain from Iran and can be found all over the world today.
Show-quality cat breeds have started to become quite popular and the Persian cat is one of the best show quality cat breed. They have long thick coats, wide head with ears that are set quite far apart, short legs, large eyes, and an a fore-shortened muzzle. If you have a Persian cat then you need to clean her eyes on a daily basis as it can often become gooey. Persian cats can be quite fussy about their food and hence you need to provide her with top quality cat food. The cat food should contain healthy amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals.
You’ve probably been there before – standing in front of shelves loaded with dozens of cat food packages. Dry or canned? Senior, Growth or maintenance? Premium or maybe super-premium? And if you manage to get past all of these mind boggling questions – what about selecting a flavour for your gourmet of a cat?
Most vets will advise you to provide her with meat based cat food. Cats love fish, meat and milk and hence, you should provide your lovely Persian cat with enough of the above so that it helps her to grow stronger. There are several brands of cat food that offer healthy and nutritious food. If you are not aware of the type of cat foods that you need to provide your cat then consult a vet for guidance.
Cat food should primarily consist of the following ingredients: Chicken, rice, chicken meal, corn gluten meal, corn, chicken fat (naturally preserved and mixed with rosemary extract, tocopherols, and citric acid), pea fiber, dried egg powder, natural chicken flavor, rice hulls, salmon oil, beet pulp, ground psyllium, sodium silico aluminate, soya oil, potassium chloride, L-lysine, fructo-oligosaccharides, DL-methionine, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, borage oil, sodium tripolyphosphate, brewers yeast extract (Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles), taurine, inositol, Vitamins (dl-alpha tocopherol-source for vitamin E), niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (vitamin C), biotin, riboflavin (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), thiamine mononit vitamin A acetate, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, Trace Minerals like zinc oxide, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, marigold extract and potassium citrate.
One of the important things that you need to keep in mind is the quantity of certain cat food items like the following:
·Crude Protein should be =/>30.0%
·Crude Fat should be =/> 22.0%
·Crude Fiber should be =/< 7.6%
·Moisture should be =/< 9.0%
·Magnesium should be =/< 0.09%
·Taurine should be =/> 0.28%
·Vitamin E should be =/> 600 mg/kg
·Vitamin C should be =/> 300 mg/kg
·Omega 6 should be =/> 5.35%
·Omega 3 should be =/> 0.85%
American Longhair Cat
American Longhair or Domestic Longhair is a breed of long haired felines. It has long beautiful hair and a well structured physique. It is one of the commonest breeds of cats found in America today and is often bred along selective lines to create other cats. It is said to have been brought in ships to America initially for catching mice.
As its popularity grew among sailors, more and more were brought over and many left on shores from where they moved into cities. Owing to their good rodent catching skills, they become quite popular among town and village dwellers and moved gradually inland into more and more places. Thereafter the pretty feline was bred to create and preserve the long-haired trait.
American Longhair are beautiful felines. They occur in various colors and patterns. The long fur is their main attraction and requires constant care and grooming on part of both the cat and humans. Those felines that are not enthusiastic groomers require particular care by their owners. They need to be bathed at least once every week. The hair at times acquire infection and lead to the cat’s illness in case proper care is not taken. Owing to this, these cats are not suited to have an outdoor lifestyle.
Apart from the above, the American Longhairs are generally quite healthy animals. They make good pets and are social and adoring. They seldom fight and usually get along quite well with each other and human beings. It is reported at times that these cats are somewhat prone to gaining weight. Therefore the weight of these cats needs monitoring. If they lead an indoor lifestyle it is important that they engage in daily exercise to maintain their fitness. On the whole, these gentle and beautiful cats are free from illnesses and lead a long healthy life.
Exotic Cat Breeds
To some people cats may all seem alike, despite differences in color or size. Certainly cats appear more similar than dogs, which range from the towering Great Dane to the tiny Chihuahua. But cats do have their own breeds within the species just like dogs, and each has its own unique characteristics. Imagine a cat that likes to swim, or one that’s related to a tiger! Sounds unreal, but it isn’t. Many domestic cats have been interbred with wild species to produce gorgeous and extremely intelligent pets. If you are thinking about a cat why not try one of these breeds?
Bengal
The Bengal breed originated when cat fanciers mixed a domestic cat with the Asian Leopard cat. The result was an extremely intelligent and beautiful pet. Bengals are often gray with striping or rosettes, and sometime have a gold dusting that looks like glitter. Bengals can mature at anywhere from 10-14 pounds, but some males reach larger sizes. Bengals are a very vocal cat, and will chirrup at things that interest them, and yowl when they want something. They also defy the idea that cats hate water. Bengals love water and some will even swim. Like a dog a Bengal will chase his tail, fetch for you, and walk on a leash.
Chausies
The Chausie is a result of mixing a domestic cat and the wild jungle cat (Felix chaus). Chausies are also known as “stone cougars†because their solid light brown hide and head shape are reminiscent of a cougar. These cats are also larger than their fellow domestic cats, getting up to twenty-five pounds in some cases. Like Bengals, Chausies are very intelligent and like to play and walk on leashes. Chausies must be at least four generations removed from their wild ancestors to be legally owned, and some cities have restrictions beyond that. Check with your local government to make sure a Chausie (or a Bengal) would be legal and welcome in your town.
Toyger
Imagine having a tiny tiger of your own! With the Toyger breed, it’s now becoming possible. Toygers are actually the result of selective breeding of tabby cats; they have no wild stock in them. The reason the breed was developed was to create a domestic cat that resembled the wild tiger and would remind people about the plight of the great feline. Toygers are still being developed, but the choice members of the breed have dark pumpkin colored fur mixed with horizontal black stripes, just like a tiger! For the most part Toygers will act like other domestic cats.
Ocicat
The Ocicat is another example of breeding domestic cats to achieve and aesthetic look like a wild cat, in this case the ocelot. Ocicats come in also shades, from silver to chocolate, but they all share the spotting that makes them look so like their wild cousins. Some say Ocicats look a lot like the Bengal. Unlike the Bengal however they do not have wild ancestors, and behave more like your regular domestic cat, albeit with a gorgeous coat!
There are many other varieties of cats, some with long hair, some with no hair, and some with just enough. But whichever kind of cat you choose for a companion, remember that you are their guardian and provider. Good luck finding the exotic feline of your dreams!
The Different Kinds Of Domestic Cat Breeds
Have you always wanted a cat, but heard some breeds make better pets than others? Maybe you have always wanted a cat, but do not know anything about them? There are plenty of ways to learn about cats and what breeds fit your personality. The choice can come from having an indoor, outdoor or indoor and outdoor cat. The tough and smart survive in the out of doors. Small cats are often pray for birds and other wildlife and should be kept indoors. Tomcats, a mixed breed, are great at surviving outdoors and mousers. So let us look at a few breeds of cats and then you will be able to choose which one may be right for your lifestyle.
Siamese: The Siamese cat can be a fickle creature. They often require a lot of attention when they determine it is necessary. They tend to meow quite a bit and can tear up a home if left alone for too long. These are the downsides. Siamese can be great pets, especially when raised from infancy. They are often white with brown ears and blue eyes. You may recognize them from Lady and the Tramp? Those two were a little mean and not the typical portrayal of a Siamese. Siamese are generally very affectionate. They are also one of the most intelligent of the cat species. They tend to be very social, which is why they meow or “talk” a lot. A sign for attention is usually a very vocal meow much like a babies cry. Siamese typically bond to one person very strongly and are territorial of that person.
Persian: The Persian cat breed is one of the oldest cats around. They are longhaired cats with beautiful shinny coats. They are very soft and friendly; however, they are prone to health problems such as allergies. The Persian does not always play as much as other breeds, but they do enjoy a bit of fun for exercise especially in a social situation. They love to have other cats around to play with as well as have a lap available when they are in need of a lap. Persians are a variety of colors from solid black, white or a mix of white and browns around the face. A popular Persian is the Himalayan.
Manx: The Manx is known for its stubby tail or having no tail. The downside to Manx cats is the lack of tail. Often a Manx can suffer from worms and other parasites due to improper cleaning and not having the protection of a tail. This does not mean you should discount the Manx as a breed. The Manx breed is extremely intelligent and playful. They are a lot like dogs in the play area because they can fetch when you through toys and bring them back to you. They are very social animals and depend on human care. They don’t like to be left alone for too long, so it is wise to have other cats to play with when you are gone during the day. The best home for a Manx is one filled with children.
These are just three of the more popular breeds of cats. There are over a dozen cat breeds to choose from and finding the one to fit your lifestyle is important. Cats are very social and intelligent, but some breeds can be loners. Most often, a cat chooses when the time is right and what type of attention they want at the time. The phrase “you do not own a cat it owns you” is very true.
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