The Abyssinian cat is a companion of the pharaohs with a playful disposition

Companion cat

Curl is a companion cat. In general, very often these animals are considered the soul of the house. And for city dwellers it is very important to have a small but familiar living creature nearby. Some people get dogs, while others prefer cats. They are incredibly affectionate, funny, and unpretentious. According to statistics, a mustachioed friend lives in every fourth city apartment.

But not all breeds are good at keeping. Some representatives are too capricious, vindictive or demanding. Who can become a good friend, companion for city residents? This is a Curl - a cat that has collected many positive traits: a balanced character, beautiful appearance, excellent health, moderate appetite, affection and accuracy. Not every animal can boast of such wonderful qualities. The American Curl is a cat that few people in our country knew about just a couple of years ago, but now this breed has not only become known, but has also gained popularity.

History of the breed

Why is the breed called "American Curl"? The cat (photos are given in the article) first appeared in California in 1981 in a very ordinary family. The animal had unusually curved ears. At first, the good-natured owners decided to simply feed the cute animal, and then the cat remained to live in their house. She was named Shulamith. Later, the animal gave birth to its first offspring; the babies’ ears were completely normal, but in two of the four kittens, after ten days they began to curl. It is these first creatures that are considered the standard, and all American curls originated from Shulamith.

Within a few years, there were more cats with unusual ears in California. Such animals were admired and written about in newspapers. Experts became interested in them, trying to figure out the nature of the phenomenon. As a result, in the late eighties the breed was recognized and its standards were established. The existence of two varieties of Curls was officially recognized: longhaired and shorthaired.

Curl (cat): description of the breed

It is no coincidence that animals of this breed have gained enormous popularity among amateurs. They are incredibly intelligent and smart. The Curl is a cat (photos of the animal show its natural beauty) that is easy to train. She masters any tricks. The animals are incredibly disciplined and go for walks on a leash. Typically canine training methods can be used to train Curls. They can be rewarded with treats for following commands correctly. Animals have a stable temperament, but do not suffer from excessive delusions of grandeur. Therefore, they easily bring abandoned toys and balls to their owners.

Perhaps the American Curl cat breed is not the smartest in the world, at some point the animals lack intelligence, but nevertheless they are able to solve some problems with the help of their natural intuition. Cats are very calm and do not panic, so they are almost always in a positive mood.

The Curl cat breed is completely unusual. Animals are very social. They gain all their knowledge in the process of communicating with a person. Even just by watching a person's daily work, cats learn a lot about their owners. The more time you spend with your beloved pet, the more knowledge the animal will gain. Soon it will be able to please you with completely unusual things. For example, helping you take the laundry out of the washing machine or turning on your laptop.

Does castration affect the activity of cats?

There is a fairly widespread belief that cats who have undergone castration gain excess weight, become lazy and slow. According to veterinary experts, this is not true at all.

Neutered cats actually behave calmer because they stop performing various antics associated with hormonal changes in the body. However, at the same time, they remain active, playful and friendly pets, maintaining curiosity about the world around them. True, if before castration the pet was lazy and lazy, then after the operation it will remain the same.

What to do?

The only thing veterinarians advise owners of cats who have undergone sterilization is to more carefully monitor their pet’s diet and not overfeed it in order to avoid problems with excess weight.

A good solution would be to include specialized foods in the purring diet that help increase the animal’s physical activity.

Character

What is good about a curl (cat)? Reviews about this breed indicate a sweet and balanced temperament. Cats are incredibly playful, but also intelligent. They love being close to people, even large loud companies do not scare them. Curls always willingly respond to affectionate behavior towards them. They get along well in large noisy families. Animals suffer from long-term loneliness, they may even experience a nervous system breakdown, so pets should not be left alone for a long time.

Curls perfectly adapt to any conditions, so they can easily cope with any travel and moving to new apartments. They are sensitive not to the external surroundings, but to the owners. But they value home comfort. These extraordinary cats are incredibly patient, it is almost impossible to disturb their balance, they are always cheerful, playful and optimistic. The easy-going nature of animals is used in the treatment of depression. Sometimes communication with them has a much more effective effect on patients than antidepressants. Curls are very clean by nature, they do not have the habit of causing mischief in the house.

Overweight

The most common cause of laziness and passivity in felines is excess weight. Such animals do not feel well in hot weather, avoid active activities, get tired quickly, physical activity causes them shortness of breath, weakness and a feeling of general malaise.

From the outside, such cats seem like lazy couch potatoes, but this is not the fault of the pet itself. Changing his diet will help correct the situation and save his pet’s health. The animal's menu must include high-calorie foods and foods high in carbohydrates.

Curl (cat): dimensions, weight

The main distinguishing feature of curls is their curled ears. Newborn babies are no different from kittens of other breeds. But after 3-7 days their ears begin to curl. At the age of one and a half months, animals already have tightly wrapped ears, which will gradually begin to straighten, and at four months they will take their final position. Simple cats have soft ears, but curls have cartilage that allows the ears to keep their shape. The breed standard calls for moderately large ears that are open at the base. The curl angle should be 90-180 degrees, and ideally 135 degrees.

According to the standard, the animal must have a rectangular body, silky hair and expressive eyes. The coat can be both long and short. Curls shed little due to their undercoat. The weight of cats ranges from 2.5 to five kilograms. The forelimbs are slightly shorter than the hind limbs. The animals are of average height; they are more likely to be classified as medium breeds rather than large ones. Curls can be of absolutely any color.

Description of the breed

The body of the Abyssinian is medium. It is strong and flexible, with well-developed muscles. The neck is elongated. The cat gracefully carries its body on high, slender legs. The long tail is thick at the base and tapers at the edge.

The shape of the head is elongated, with soft contours. Large ears with a wide fit, one from the other. The ears are always alert and stand straight up. They are wide at the base with rounded tips.

Exterior

Large, shiny eyes are distant from each other. The look is smart and attentive. Eye color is often green. The Abyssinian cat is a short-haired cat. She has a thick and thin coat, with a close fit to the body. The elastic and shiny coat has a small undercoat. Young kittens with fluffier fur.

Abyssinian cats have a very beautiful color. It is evenly distributed throughout the body without additional pattern. Each hair of the coat has dark and light zones, which is called ticking.

White body marks or stripes are excluded. A white spot is allowed only in the chin area. The color of the undercoat is bright. Faded areas are possible at the base of the hair. The weight of an adult is 4-7 kg. The height of the male is about 35 cm, the female is 3-4 cm shorter.

Color

The breed standard provides for the colors of Abyssinian cats in 4 options:

Wild (ruddy) or lion

For a long time it was the only color of the breed. The wild coat is a rich orange-brown color that is associated with a lion. The color of the fur is alternating dark brown and black. The fur on the paws is colored in a basic tone without stripes. A stripe of a brighter shade runs along the ridge. The wild color with a predominance of orange is valued higher. The eyes are most often golden.

Wild color

Sorrel

Until 1979, the Sorrel color was simply called red. The base color of the coat is copper red combined with chocolate brown. The central line along the spine is red-brown, one tone darker than the main color. The tip of the tail is chocolate brown. The tummy and the inside of the paws are apricot-colored. The paw pads and nose are dark pink. The Abyssinian Sorel cat always has bright golden, green or copper eyes.

Sorrel

Blue

The entire body is painted in a gray-blue color with alternating saturation. The undercoat color is pink-beige. There is a darker stripe along the gray color along the ridge. The nose can be blue-gray or brick red. The paw pads are brick red with blue undercoat between them. Blue Abyssinian cat with eyes of bright tones of hazel, copper, gold or green.

Blue color

Fawn

Fawn beige color. Registered as the last color in 1989.

Upon careful examination, alternation of hair color is noticeable from light to dark pink with beige. Eye color is green, hazel or golden.

The inside of the legs, belly and undercoat are lighter. The ridge is highlighted by a beige-pink stripe. Near the light pink pads there is fur of the same shade. The color of the nose is pink.

Faun

The final color formation ends at the age of one and a half years. An adult Abyssinian does not change color throughout its life.

Socialization

The American Curl is a cat (sizes and weight, photos are of interest to everyone who wants to have such a pet), which is created for communication. An interesting fact is that animals are not afraid even of strangers. Such companion cats love their owners very dearly and are ready to follow them anywhere, like a faithful dog. The reason for this behavior lies not in obsession, but in the desire to participate in all household chores. And at the same time, curls are never annoying; they sense the slightest changes in a person’s mood very well. Owners of such cats say that their beloved pets even bring them a newspaper after a hard day at work. It is thanks to these features that Curl cats, whose photos surprise and delight, are considered the best companions.

They love to play with children, but they are also incredibly calm. Curls especially enjoy holidays with numerous guests and noisy parties, since animals need an appreciative audience to demonstrate their amazing talents. In America, the nickname “clowns” has firmly stuck to them.

Curls are incredibly social creatures and get along with other cats easily. Surprisingly, they even find a common language with dogs and willingly make friends with them. This is a very good quality for a pet, because in your absence he can play with other inhabitants of the house.

The benefits of the kindest cats

One cannot but agree that good nature and complaisance in a pet’s character are in some way advantages. After all, people most often get cats precisely with the goal of finding a pet who will not only receive love, but also give it back.

Love for children

Very often, a married couple first gets a cat, and then a child appears in the house. Less often it’s the other way around. But in any case, these events are usually not separated by a large time interval. This is why adults prefer kind breeds. It is difficult to explain to a child from an early age all the intricacies of careful handling of animals - everything comes with time. Therefore, it is better to get a cat that will endure nightly crying and not always affectionate games without much stress.

Important! Parents should pay special attention to the relationship between the cat and the child, and build it correctly at the initial stage. After all, when the child grows up, it will be easier for the cat to show his love for him.

Caring for a pet will teach children kindness

Weasel

Fish are kept for beauty, dogs are kept as companions and helpers. Well, the main task of cats is to give love and affection to their owner and other family members. Choosing a pet with an easy-going and peaceful character is the key to good family relationships, peace and tranquility.

The cat knows how to defuse the situation in time, console or entertain its owners. It is unlikely that today anyone would want to have a pet that is aggressive and unsociable. Of course, you should love regardless of character, because each animal is individual, but at the moment of choosing a breed, such a factor as character can still be chosen.

Peace of mind at home

Not every person can get along with an overly active pet. Breeds with complex personalities are also not suitable for everyone. The same cats that are affectionate breeds are suitable for almost every family. They will bring an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility to your home. A picture of a peacefully dozing pet adds the finishing touch to your home decor.

Education

The American Curl is a cat (you already know the description of the breed) that can be easily trained. For example, animals can not only learn to go to the tray from an early age, but also master the commands “no” and “come.” The education process should be accompanied by all kinds of encouragement. For example, you can give a treat or praise. Cats should not be punished. They are very sensitive, it is enough for them to express dissatisfaction with words. Curls are afraid of upsetting their owners and try to behave correctly.

In the process of education, harshness and aggression should never be used. Not only can animals become incredibly upset, but it can have a detrimental effect on their psyche. American Curls often see training as a game, so sometimes you need to be more persistent while remaining gentle.

Walks

What is good about the American Curl cat breed? The photos clearly demonstrate not only the beauty of these animals, but also their excellent physical natural development. They keep in shape through daily games. Curl, on the one hand, does not need regular walks, and on the other hand, he can easily live in the backyard. For domestic cats, two walks in two weeks are quite enough. The cat will not be afraid if you take it for a walk along a busy street. But it’s still better to use a leash, since a curious creature can rush towards new objects.

It is preferable to walk Curls on grass or soft ground. From time to time it is worth going out with your animal to a park or garden to maintain its emotional mood. For a cat, this is a whole adventure, accompanied by a lot of positive impressions.

Burmese cat

An affectionate cat of the Burmese breed is a real find for those who have long dreamed of a pet, but do not risk getting one for fear of acquiring an animal with a complex character. The owners of Burmese cats note not only the affectionate and good-natured disposition of these cats, but also their devotion. Each family member can count on the pet to love everyone equally.

If a Burmese cat lives in the same house with children, then he will participate in their games and, if necessary, will steadfastly endure all tugging of the ears or tail. Since childhood, neighbors with other animals, representatives of this breed behave friendly and non-aggressive with them.

Burmese cats very sensitively sense the atmosphere in the house and the mood of the owners, so they can either come to cuddle at the right moment or wait it out. They can be called truly intelligent animals, because they often even go out to meet or escort guests out of the house.

Important! An affectionate Burmese kitten will become an excellent family friend and a real talisman for good luck.

Burmese cat

Those who spend a lot of time at home or have enough free time can safely get a purebred Burmese cat. Representatives of this breed are playful and affectionate. But they will be able to share love only if the owner himself gives enough of this love.

The Burmese cat has a very hard time withstanding loneliness and even short separation from its owner. It will be difficult for her to live in a house where everyone works from morning to evening, and only gets together before bed. That is why you should think several times before choosing a Burmese cat.

With proper care, these cats will delight the whole family. An active cat will love playing with its owner or other family members. Does not show aggression towards other animals.

Interesting! The most affectionate cat breed is the Burmese, which is easy to train.

British Shorthair

What cat lover doesn't know about the affectionate nature of the British Shorthair cat! Representatives of this breed are distinguished by their docile and calm character. Unlike Burmese cats, they tolerate long-term absence of their owner without much stress. They can sleep peacefully all day, and in the evening meet their owner from work.

Additional Information! The British are unobtrusive and will not force anyone into their hands. They sense the owner's mood and will not interfere if he is busy. When the owner wants it, the Briton will sit calmly in his arms.

These cats patiently endure children's games and do not show aggression or increased interest in other pets. Even if the British Shorthair runs out of food in its bowl, it will not scream like most cats, but will prefer to silently rub against its owner's legs.

And others

In addition to all of the above, there are many kindest cat breeds. For example, Maine Coons. These huge cats, the size of a small puma, are distinguished by their affectionate and peaceful nature. As they grow up, they unconsciously study the character of each family member and skillfully find an individual approach to each.

Persian

The Persian cat is lazy and playful at the same time. These bed-loving creatures would make good pets for just about anyone. They will not always agree to sit in your arms, but they will follow their owner around the house without stopping. Persians love children and will not get into conflict with other pets.

Siamese cats also rightfully fall into the ranking of affectionate breeds. Why? After all, they are known as unsociable and secretive animals. But in reality, everything is not quite like that. Siamese really don’t bother to fawn on every second person. Once you have offended a Siamese cat, it will be difficult to establish contact with it again. They do not like children because they are clingy, and do not show much affection towards other pets.

Important! A Siamese cat will be loyal to the point of unconsciousness to its only owner, giving him all the affection and love in double measure. Siam finds an owner and remains faithful to him throughout his life.

Other loving cat breeds:

ragdoll;
Manx;
Siberian;
Neva Masquerade;
Russian blue;
Abyssinian;
exotic shorthair;
Nibelung;
Burmilla;
Himalayan;
Selkirk Rex;
oriental;
laperm;
pixie bob;
Dwelf;
York chocolate;
poodle cat;
Devon Rex;
Cornish Rex;
snow shoo.

It is worth remembering that breed is not the first indicator of the character of a future pet. All animals are individual, and the most affectionate pet will be the one that grew up in love and care, and not the one that belongs to the “affectionate breed.”

Animal care

Animals of a breed such as the American Curl are very easy to care for. Moreover, this applies not only to short-haired individuals, but also to long-haired ones. They are easy to care for. It is enough to brush short-haired cats once a week, and long-haired cats – twice a week. To do this, you need to purchase a metal comb with curves.

The most difficult part of caring for the breed is keeping the nails in good shape, as they grow quickly. They have to be cut every week with a special nail clipper. But you need to brush your teeth once every couple of days using cat paste and a brush placed on your finger. Cats should be taught hygiene procedures from early childhood.

Animals' ears are cleaned as they become dirty. To do this, use napkins, cotton pads and a good cleaner (they are sold in pet stores). You must be careful during the procedure, since Curl ears have cartilage. Professional breeders recommend feeding cats good dry food. The main condition for their diet is balance, so you should not give Curls human food. Milk and too fatty foods are also not recommended.

The lifespan of cats is up to eighteen years. However, their weak point is their ears. You not only need to look after them, but also make sure that children do not touch them, because they are very delicate and can be easily damaged.

Curl in the apartment

Absolutely all curls adapt perfectly to any conditions. They feel great in city apartments of any size. They are not at all frightened by the noise from the windows. They find a place to play even in small spaces. The owners only need to monitor safety precautions (remove, for example, wires).

You can set up your own personal place for your cat, even at a meter height. This is even beneficial for the animal, since it will constantly maintain itself in good physical shape. For a curl, both an ordinary natural fiber rug and a real house with stairs and a roof are suitable. The animal’s personal space should not be cold, humid or hot. The conditions must be acceptable. In addition, you definitely need to put a nail sharpener. Curls are very fond of all kinds of toys (balls, bright cubes), they will help the animal have fun in your absence.

How to choose a kitten?

If you are planning to buy yourself a real purebred Curl, then you need to approach the process with all responsibility. To do this, you need to find a bona fide breeder. The number of this breed is small, and therefore there are not many people breeding them. Real breeders have all the documents that confirm the animal’s pedigree, and they will also be able to demonstrate the kitten’s parents. You should definitely pay close attention to the conditions in which cats are kept, this is an indicator of their future health. Animals should not be in cages, they should have their own toys.

You should not purchase a kitten before the age of 12 weeks. Until this time, the baby has not yet become physically strong, and it is psychologically difficult for him to begin communicating with the new owner.

You should pay attention to the fact that the appearance of the animal must fit the standard, the nuances of which should be studied before purchasing. As we already mentioned, all curls are born with straight ears. And they begin to curl on the 3-7th day of life. At six weeks, the ears turn out and are fully formed by 12-16 weeks.

A healthy kitten at the age of 3-4 months is mobile and active. He willingly plays with his brothers. The animal should not be shy or aggressive. And his coat must certainly shine and be clean. Ears and eyes are an indicator of health (there should be no discharge in them).

After purchasing a Curl, the breeder must give you the animal’s veterinary passport with notes on vaccinations and deworming, and a pedigree or a card where the pedigree is subsequently recorded in the club that registered the mating.

Age

It is known that cats are very big lovers of a good sleep. According to scientific research, these animals spend about a third of their lives in a state of sleep, and this is considered the norm. Moreover, the duration of sleep is directly related to the age of the pet. The older a cat gets, the more and longer it sleeps.

In the age category of about 12-14 years, furry pets become more passive and increasingly prefer quiet rest and sound sleep instead of active and active games.

This is not a sign of laziness at all, but a normal manifestation of physiological age-related changes occurring in the animal’s body.

How to determine the beginning of the aging process in your pet? With age, a cat loses the sharpness of its auditory and visual function, gray hairs appear in its fur, it sleeps for a long time in the morning and spends a lot of time in a lying position during the day.