Mary Allen
If you want to get a cat as a pet, you can choose from a wide variety of breeds. It is important to take special properties and characteristics into account. So that the animal feels comfortable in the new home and stays healthy, species-appropriate husbandry is essential.
Cat species
Today’s cat breeds are mainly descended from European, Oriental and Asian domestic cats. The origin of our house cat can be traced back to North Africa, the Middle East, the Caspian Sea, and also to Sardinia and Corsica.
Domestic cats – origin
Contrary to what many assume, our domestic cat is not descended from the European wildcat, but from the African wildcat, also known as the wild cat. (scientifically “Felis silvestris lybica”). Around 10,000 years ago, the wild cat sought the proximity of the now sedentary people and they appreciated that the cat fed mainly on mice. Because mice constantly threatened the granaries of the farming population. Cats were therefore often kept as pets on farms. She was able to live out her original wildness here for a long time, unlike most domestic cats today, which are often kept in apartments. The farm cat, which was still somewhat distant and independent, has now become a pet cat, and there is often even talk of a social partner.
Wildcats – Characteristics
Wild cats (Felis silvestris) belong to the cat family. The Felis silvestris is divided into subspecies, such as the European wildcat, which also lives in Germany, and the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). The African wildcat is also often referred to as the wild cat. Our domestic cat descends from her. Brown cats are most active at night and sleep during the day. They are usually solitary, but they are occasionally found in larger groups. Like our house cat, the wild cat hunts by very patiently stalking, combined with quick attacks. The main foods are mice, rats, and voles. But birds, insects, fish, and martens are also sometimes on the wildcat’s menu.
Domestic cat: nature and temperament
Whether a domestic cat tends to be clingy or shy depends on its imprinting phase in the first two to eight weeks. If the puppies have good contact with people, mostly set by the mother, then they will remain trusting for the rest of their lives. However, if the little cats were born in a hiding place and raised there, one can assume that they will not develop into tame companions of humans. When cats are strays, they tend not to raise their offspring in the immediate vicinity of humans. The kittens adopt a fearfully aloof and cautious demeanor.
House cats that live with humans can be very affectionate. Despite this socialization, they continue to live out their instincts. The tame house cats now imitate the earlier behavior when hunting – sneaking up and chasing after the prey – when playing. Nonetheless, when the opportunity arises, they catch mice and devour them. Like their ancestors, the wildcats, domestic cats are still so-called hide hunters. They wait for hours in front of a mouse hole and then attack at lightning speed.
If the kitten’s instincts get the better of him, things can get dangerous. With the DFV cat health insurance, your velvet paw is well protected. The DFV animal health protection provides up to 100% reimbursement of costs in the event of illness and surgeries.
What should be considered when keeping a cat
If you are getting a cat for the first time, you should find out about its specific living conditions beforehand, so that the new roommate is also doing well. However, if the cat is ill, you should consult the veterinarian. While many ailments are harmless, cats can also suffer from serious medical conditions. If an operation is also pending, this can quickly become expensive. The best way to protect yourself against this is with suitable cat health insurance. They can cover the cost of treatment up to 100 percent.
Many factors play a role in the harmonious coexistence of humans and cats. In order for everyone to feel comfortable, there are a few things to consider:
Nutrition
Cats should be given small portions of food several times a day. Many cats like to choose when to eat. Then you can simply fill a portion of dry food into the bowl and the cat eats as it wishes. However, you should not offer more than two bowls a day, otherwise, the cat could become overweight. If you feed moist food, you can also use an automatic feeder with a sensor-controlled lid. The wet food stays fresh for longer because the lid only opens when the cat approaches and closes again as soon as the cat leaves.
Cats like to be kept busy and this preference can also be catered for when it comes to feeding. Playing and eating can be easily combined by setting up food labyrinths or filling so-called fumbling boards with dry food. If you would like to give additional wet food, you can do so.
Drinking enough water is not only important for humans, but also for cats. If a cat is given wet food, it can already cover part of its fluid requirements. However, she still needs to drink water. If the cat does not want to accept the usual water offer, you can also try a special drinking fountain: the rippling of the water makes the cat curious and encourages it to drink.
Cats without freedom
For cats that are only kept indoors, it is important to design the environment appropriate to the species. The cat should be able to withdraw. If several cats live in an apartment, there should be at least one room per cat so that the animals can avoid each other. Equally important are hiding places, space to romp, climbing furniture such as a scratching post, shelves or free window sills. There must be a sleeping place for each cat, and cats also love it when they can lie on a blanket on the windowsill. It is best to secure windows that are open more often with a cat net. The same applies to a balcony because cats like fresh air. Both the litter box and the food bowl are ideally placed in a quiet place where the cat is undisturbed. Cats love variety, so special intelligence toys can provide new sensory impressions. Cardboard games are also very popular with them. Cat grass can be offered more often to animals that are exclusively indoors. This is helpful in regurgitating indigestible hairballs. Cats in the wild simply eat grass on their own.
Dangers for cats
In order to be able to offer cats as much safety as possible in the apartment, you should not leave any pointed or sharp objects lying around. Poisonous plants, cleaning agents, or cleaners should also not be accessible if possible. Windows and balconies can be secured with a cat net. The cat could get tangled in cords lying around. These should be kept safe. Curious or hungry cats like to rummage in the trash can. The content can be dangerous for cats, for example, if there are sharp bones in it. A tight-fitting lid or storing the trash can behind a cupboard door provides the necessary security.
Cat toy
Cats love to play. The more variety and attention they get, the happier they are. It’s not just about having fun, but also about deepening the bond between humans and animals. As a cat owner, it is best to have a few toys in stock. It starts with the exciting food labyrinth and doesn’t have to end with the classic mouse toy. Caves or tunnels made of simple cardboard boxes are also popular with cats. Safety is important with all toys. Swallowable or sharp objects should not be used. ¬– If a cat is not offered a playful challenge, it is more likely to damage furniture or other furnishings by scratching.
Castration and sterilization
Whether a cat should be neutered or spayed is not an easy decision. When castrating, the cat’s gonads, which are responsible for hormone production, are removed. These are the testicles in cats and the ovaries in cats. During the sterilization process, the tomcat’s spermatic ducts are severed, and the cat’s fallopian tubes are severed. In this case, the animals are no longer able to reproduce but retain their sex-typical instincts and behavior. These disappear completely with castration. As a rule, cats are therefore mostly neutered instead of sterilized.
Reproductive control
If a cat only lives indoors, the first signs of sexual maturity are the right time to have the animal castrated. A cat that is allowed to roam should not remain unneutered for long if possible. Sexual maturity is otherwise only noticed when the cat escapes or is pregnant. Castration is usually carried out when a cat is sexually mature. The development often differs between the individual breeds, but also between the sexes. The procedure can be performed as young as six to eight months for some cats and as young as eight to 14 weeks for others. The best time to discuss this is with your veterinarian.
Diseases
Cats can suffer from a variety of diseases. Therefore, one should always be very alert to changes in behavior, as they could indicate an illness. Even if many diseases are mostly harmless, you should always consult a veterinarian.
Vaccinations
Cats can become infected with pathogenic pathogens in many situations. For example, when sniffing each other, licking each other or when playing and fighting. Timely and consistent vaccinations help against bacterial or viral infections. In addition to basic immunization from the eighth week, repeat vaccinations against certain pathogens are also indicated. Depending on the life situation of the cat, different vaccinations can be useful. It is best to seek advice from your veterinarian.
Cats as disease vectors
Cats can transmit diseases to humans. These are often unspecific bacterial infections of the skin due to scratches or bites. The pathogens can also lead to more serious diseases, especially in people with a weakened immune system or during pregnancy. These are, for example, toxoplasmosis or the so-called cat scratch disease, also known as “cat scratch disease” and cat pox.
Legal
As the owner of a cat, you are liable for damage caused by the animal. For example, if someone is bitten by the cat, they can claim damages from the cat owner. To do this, however, it must be possible to prove beyond a doubt that a specific cat really did the damage. If you live in a rented apartment and keep a cat there, you may also be held liable for the damage caused to the rented property. In the event of damage involving a cat, it is best to seek advice from a lawyer or your insurance company.
Insurance coverage
As the owner of a cat, you quickly notice when the animal feels uncomfortable. The cat often no longer goes to the food bowl, crawls into the apartment, or shows other noticeable changes in behavior. Then you should take your cat to the vet. It’s good if you’ve made provisions and have cat health insurance. With DFV animal health insurance, you can choose between different insurance classes. Starting with the “Comfort” tariff, through “Premium” to “Exclusive” with a reimbursement of up to 100 percent at the veterinarian.
Popular cat breeds
Every cat has its own character. For example, she can be shy, trusting, cuddly, or wild. That depends, among other things, on how she grew up or how she was socialized. However, their behavior and appearance are decisively influenced by their breed. Depending on the specific breed of cat, an animal will require different training and care.
Maine Coon
Origin:
Domestic cat from the state of Maine, USA.
Was probably brought to the northeastern United States by emigrants from Europe or Asia Minor in the 19th century.
Maine Coon was internationally recognized as a separate breed in 1982.
Character and Essence:
Sociable, friendly, and sociable animal.
Often referred to as the “Gentle Giant” among domestic cats.
Cats have a strong fixation on humans and get along just as well with other cats.
Is intelligent and alert. Don’t like to be alone.
Also nicknamed “dog cat” because you can walk it like a dog. She also fetches diligently.
Ideal cat for families with children.
Attitude:
Life in the apartment is enough for her. From time to time she likes to be in nature.
She acts so skilfully with her little paws that she is quickly able to open doors or faucets.
Upbringing:
The Maine Coon is very intelligent and easy to train.
If you guide her accordingly, she is quickly housebroken.
As a rule, she does not become an adult until she is three years old or later.
Care and Health:
The Maine Coon needs to be brushed regularly. This can become a pleasant and binding ritual between humans and animals.
Nutrition:
The cat is not demanding in this regard.
If the origin is due to strong inbreeding, it can be prone to allergies. A diet is then required.
Life expectancy:
If the Maine Coon comes from a healthy breed, it usually reaches an age of twelve years. Otherwise, hereditary diseases and inbreeding can drastically reduce life expectancy.
Norwegian forest cat
Origin:
It is first mentioned in literature in the 1930s.
In 1977, the Fédération Internationale Féline officially recognized her.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is believed to have emerged from a cross between native domestic cats with the Turkish Angora or the Persian Cat.
The Norsk Skogatt (Norwegian Forest Cat) is often referred to as Norway’s national cat.
Character and Essence:
Thanks to its attractive appearance and friendly nature, the species is very popular.
She is cuddly, playful, intelligent, and very social.
Doesn’t like being alone. She is friendly towards children and animals living in the household.
Needs lots of exercises. But does not have to live as a freelancer.
Attitude:
An ideal house cat for an apartment.
Attention: She quickly learns how to open doors.
She loves shared experiences with her people.
Every now and then a trip to the garden or the surrounding area is welcome.
Upbringing:
Can be raised well, as it is very intelligent.
Fits in quickly with family life.
The feline species is housebroken with ease.
Only matured at the age of three.
Care and Health:
The fur needs to be brushed regularly.
Sensitive fur brushing strengthens the relationship at the same time.
Nutrition:
Trouble-free boarder.
Can be prone to allergies if heavily inbred. Must then be fed on a diet.
Life expectancy:
Bred healthy, the Norwegian Forest Cat can reach an age of 12 to 15 years.
Bengal cat
Origin:
The Bengal cat, a breed of domestic cat, is the result of a cross with an Asian wildcat.
After numerous crossings, the wild cat, which was originally thought to be untameable, became a domestic cat, which outwardly still resembles the wild Bengal cat.
In 1986, the USA’s All-Pedigree Cat Registry (TICA) recognized the new breed. Later it was also recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline.
Character and Essence:
The nature of the Bengal cat is very different: Some cats are reminiscent of a normal domestic cat, others of a wild cat.
Even after many generations of breeding, the wild animal can always reappear. It expresses itself in great shyness. Many animals react with stress in the vicinity of people or want to escape from the cramped apartment.
If a Bengal cat is tame (as a variant of the domestic cat), it retains the impressive jumping ability of its wild predecessor.
Attitude:
Keeping a Bengal cat indoors can only be successful if the animal is not too wild. The tame house cats among the Bengal cats can be kept quite normally.
From time to time, the animals do not use their litter box consistently.
Upbringing:
A Bengal cat that has been socialized by the breeder is easy to train.
Then living together in an apartment can also be successful.
Care and Health:
Only the fur of the Bengal cat needs to be brushed from time to time.
Nutrition:
The Bengal cat’s food requirements are similar to those of other domestic cats.
Life expectancy:
Due to the still very short breeding history, there is no data on the life expectancy of the species. In the case of inbreeding, however, a shortened lifespan must be assumed.
British Shorthair
Origin:
The British Shorthair (also known as British Shorthair) is one of the oldest domestic cats that was bred for a specific appearance and personality.
As early as 1871, the cats were presented in London’s Crystal Palace.
Today they are available in different colors. The blue cat, also called British Blue, is the most popular pedigree cat in Germany.
It is also known here as the Carthusian cat.
Character and Essence:
She’s really calm. Not a trace of nervousness.
The British Shorthair can develop a close bond with its people.
As a family cat, she is very suitable. Stress tolerance is high.
She likes to exercise in nature and even catches a mouse once.
She is playful, loves to be cuddled and enjoys being petted.
Attitude:
She is undemanding and frugal, but needs a close relationship with her owners.
The British Shorthair is ideal as a house cat for the apartment.
She really likes being outdoors and hunting games.
Upbringing:
The cat is easy to train and is usually housebroken quickly.
The cats are only two years old.
Care and Health:
Brushing the fur is part of regular grooming.
Nutrition:
Actually, the British Shorthair is an easy boarder. However, she can be quite fussy and demanding at times.
Life expectancy:
If the cat is bred healthy, it can live to be 12 to 15 years old. In the case of inbreeding, she does not reach this age.
Siamese
Origin:
Siamese cats are the oldest domestic cats bred for a specific appearance.
According to tradition, its typical form originated in Thailand, which was formerly called Siam.
Starting in England, Siamese cats were bred as pedigree cats after 1884.
Along with the Persian cats, they became one of the most popular noble cats in Europe.
Due to the constant breeding of pedigree cats, their appearance has changed in recent decades: the Siamese cats have become slimmer, more graceful and longer-legged. In order to quickly obtain the desired characteristics, inbreeding was used. As part of this development, the so-called “New Type” came about. The shape of the skull is triangular, tapering to a point.
Character and Essence:
She is known for her gentle and friendly nature.
She develops a close bond with her people.
The Siamese cat is a real family cat.
Siamese cats often follow their owners like a dog.
Attitude:
Siamese cats are good to keep indoors.
They don’t like being alone. They are happy to have a suitable second cat nearby. They also get along well with other pets. After a certain period of getting used to, they can even get along with a dog.
Upbringing:
The Siamese cat is easy to train and, with a little guidance, is quickly housebroken.
Care and Health:
Every now and then the fur brushing is on.
Nutrition:
She is an easy boarder.
Life expectancy:
If the cat was bred carefully and healthily, it can live to be over 15 years old. When inbred, the Siamese cat has a shorter life expectancy.
Ragdoll
Origin:
A still very young noble cat breed from the USA.
In the 1980s, the breeder Ann Baker probably specifically selected Siamese and Angora cats in order to achieve the special coat colour.
The term ragdoll acts as a pun and means something like “rag doll”.
It is considered the largest domestic cat in the world.
Due to a genetic defect introduced during breeding, acromelanism (partial albinism) developed. Numerous hereditary diseases also plague some of the cats.
The breed was recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline in 1991.
Character and Essence:
The Ragdoll is very friendly, sociable, intelligent and people-oriented.
She does not like to be alone and is open to children and other animal roommates. She is very talkative.
The Ragdoll is a real family cat.
You can often take her for a walk like a puppy.
Attitude:
A ragdoll is easy to keep indoors.
The species is undemanding, but needs an intimate relationship with its owner.
The occasional stay in the garden or small hunting trips do her good.
Upbringing:
The Ragdoll is easy to train and, with a little guidance, is quickly housebroken.
If it comes from a reputable breeder who has taken good care of both the parents and the kittens, the Ragdoll will quickly adapt to the habits of the new family.
Care and Health:
When she sheds her fur, her fur needs to be brushed daily.
Otherwise, it is sufficient to care for the silky fur with a brush at regular intervals. Cat and owner can often enjoy this very much.
Nutrition:
She is usually an easy boarder. However, if it comes from severe inbreeding, the Ragdoll may be prone to allergies and then need a diet.
Life expectancy:
If the cat was bred carefully and healthily, it can live to be twelve years old. With inbreeding, hereditary diseases can significantly reduce life expectancy.
Savannah cat
Origin:
The Savannah cat comes from crossing the African wild cat Serval with different breeds of domestic cats.
The cat can usually only be kept as a pet from the fifth offspring generation after crossing. The hybrid cat is still too wild in the fourth generation.
The Savannah is recognized by the TICA in the USA. Other renowned pedigree cat associations such as the Fédération Internationale Féline do not do this.
Character and Essence:
The nature of the Savannah varies: it can resemble a house cat, but in many cats the wild animal is also dominant.
After only a few generations, a wild animal cannot be fully domesticated.
Even if the young animal behaves like a cuddly cat, it may be that the wild animal character comes to the fore with sexual maturity. This can manifest itself in extreme shyness, aggressive behavior, and the urge to break out of the home.
Attitude:
It is not recommended to keep a Savannah cat if you cannot meet the requirements.
When keeping a cat of the F1-F4 generation, special keeping regulations apply and in many cases the keeping is notifiable. The rules differ in the individual federal states.
Even with a Savannah of generation F5 and following that was bred as a supposed house cat, the wild animal can still determine the behavior.
Upbringing:
Due to the wild animal-like behavior that still frequently appears, no generalized statement can be made about the possible training of this cat species.
Nutrition:
The diet of the Savannah cat should be based on the needs of their ancestors. So she should either be barked like the servals or given dead rats or chicks.
The dead food animals can be bought frozen and then thawed at normal room temperature before feeding.
Life expectancy:
In the zoo, the serval can live up to 20 years. There is no data about the life expectancy of Savannah cats because of the very short breeding history.
Persian cat
Origin:
It is one of the oldest pedigree cats in the world.
For a long time, it was called the “French cat” because a Frenchman introduced it to France from Persia.
By the mid-19th century, the British were at the forefront of Persian cat breeding. Up until about 50 years ago, they were also known as “Angora cats”.
Progressive breeding led to an ever shorter nose and the associated deformation of the skull. The cats suffered from serious respiratory and eye problems, among other things. That is why so-called torment breeding is often spoken of.
To be considered a real Persian cat, the animal does not need a malformed skull. This erroneous development of recent years is to be corrected in the future.
Character and Essence:
The Persian cat is very friendly, gentle, and people-oriented.
She is a real family cat: sweet, attentive, and very intelligent.
A quiet life is most comfortable for the Persian cat. She feels comfortable in an apartment. From time to time she also likes to be in nature.
Persian cats are very laid back and affectionate. But they can also be stubborn and proud at times.
Attitude:
A Persian cat is ideal for keeping in an apartment.
The intimate relationship with her people is very important to her. She doesn’t particularly like being alone.
She also gets along well with other animal roommates. But getting used to it between cat and dog requires a little patience.
Upbringing:
The Persian cat is easy to train because it is intelligent and attentive.
If she comes from a reputable breeder who has taken good care of both the parents and the puppies, she will easily adapt to the habits of the new family.
Care and Health:
A Persian cat’s coat requires careful grooming. It needs to be brushed every day.
Most cats enjoy being brushed because it gives them extra attention. When brushing, you should pay attention to possible knots in the long coat and carefully untie them.
Nutrition:
The Persian cat is an easy boarder.
Life expectancy:
If the cat was bred carefully and healthily, it can live up to twelve years or more.
FAQ about cat breeds
How many cat breeds are there in the world?
Different breeds were created by breeding cats. They resemble each other more than the known dog breeds. Cat breeds are divided into short-haired, long-haired, and semi-long-haired breeds. The category of the long-haired breed belongs solely to the Persian cat and its color variants. There are around 100 cat breeds in Europe. It is not possible to say exactly how many there are worldwide, since the criteria of the international associations are not uniform.
What are the smartest cat breeds?
Generally speaking, a cat breed is said to be smart or intelligent if it can be trained well. The animals are very attentive, turned towards humans, and motivated to imitate their behavior. Intelligent breeds also always adapt well to their environment. Living together with other animals is mostly harmonious. – The abilities of cats can be encouraged if you spend a lot of time with them and play with them. Intelligent cats are also curious and interested in what is happening around them. Among other things, the following breeds of cats are included: Abyssinian cats, Siamese cats, Bengal cats, Burmese cats, Cornish Rex, Savannah cats, and Scottish Folds.
Which cat breed for allergy sufferers?
There are so-called hypoallergenic cats, i.e. cats that rarely trigger allergies. They include Balinese, Javanese, Oriental Shorthair, German Rex, or Selkirk Rex as well as Sphynx and Siberian Longhair cats. However, since every allergy sufferer can react differently to the individual breed, it is best to try out for yourself which breed is most suitable.
Which Cat Breeds Go Together?
Cats tend to be social and sociable pets. But they don’t go together with every one of their own kind. If you want to get a second cat, it should be compatible with the type of cat that already lives in the household. A calm-loving, rather shy cat and a wild, playful cat do not harmonize optimally. In addition to the character, the age of the two four-legged friends should be about the same. Based on the specific characteristics of a breed, there are some that go particularly well together. These are, for example, Norwegian Forest Cat and Abyssinian Cat or LaPerm, Oriental Shorthair and Exotic Shorthair Cat or Scottish Fold Cat. The Persian cat gets along with all cat breeds that are not too lively. Thai cats and Sphynx, Selkirk Rex, or Persian cats also go well together. If you take into account the characteristics of the cat already living in the apartment when choosing a second cat, harmonious relationships can develop. Strong contrasts in character should be avoided as much as possible.
Which breeds of cats are suitable for indoor keeping?
Before you buy a cat, you should find out whether the cat species is also suitable for keeping in the apartment. A breed that needs outdoor exercise will suffer from being kept indoors only. However, there are some breeds that are easy to adapt to indoor living, for example, Abyssinian, Balinese, Bengal, British Shorthair, Chartreux, Devon Rex, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, Persian, and Ragdoll.
Which cat breeds shed little?
There are some breeds that shed very little hair and at the same time require little grooming. However, grooming becomes more and more intensive when a cat has longer fur. Then an animal also sheds more hair. The Maine Coon cat is an exception to this rule. The following breeds also shed little: Siamese cats, Oriental shorthair cats, European shorthair cats, Burmese cats, Bengal cats.
Which cat breed is best for children?
Being allowed to play with a cat can mean great happiness for children. Cats are often playmates and comforters in one. However, children must be made to understand from the outset that a cat is not a toy. Some breeds of cats are particularly fond of children. These include Ragdoll, Siamese, Siberian, Maine Coon, Turkish Angora, and Persian cats.
All statements are without guarantee.