Fabulous Pets House: June 2011

11 SEBAB SAYA MENYAYANGI KUCING

Labels: About Cats by Fabulous Pets House

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Mungkin kita semua tidak menyedari banyak faedah yang dapat diperolehi dengan membela dan menyayangi kucing. Jom kita sama-sama review manfaat membela kucing terhadap manusia.

1. Menurunkan risiko penyakit kardiovaskular dan serangan jantung

Sebuah kajian dari University of Minnesota mendapati bahawa mereka yang tidak mempunyai kucing adalah antara 30 dan 40 peratus lebih tinggi untuk meninggal akibat penyakit yang melibatkan sistem kardiovaskular daripada mereka yang mempunyai kucing. Risiko untuk seorang pemilik kucing mati akibat serangan jantung juga adalah sangat rendah

2. Meningkatkan fungsi sistem imun (Daya Tahan Penyakit)

Membela kucing dapat membantu meningkatkan fungsi kekebalan tubuh anda. Hubungan antara kucing dan pemilik kucing dapat meningkatkan sistem kekebalan tubuh seseorang pemilik kucing.

3. Mencegah Alergi

Jika anda akan mempunyai bayi, mungkin anda patut mempertimbangkan untuk membela kucing . Membela kucing dapat membantu anda mencegah alergi pada anak anda. Ada beberapa kajian yang baru lahir yang hidup dengan haiwan kesayangan dapat mengelakkan alahan berkembang.

4. Membantu mencegah asma pada anak

Selain membantu untuk mencegah alergi berkembang terhadap anak anda, ada beberapa bukti bahawa hidup dengan kucing juga boleh membantu mencegah asma pada anak-anak. Memiliki kucing pada usia awal anak anda dapat membantu mereka untuk mengelakkan risiko menghidap asma. Ini kerana sentuhan antara anak anda dengan kucing dapat membantu mengatasi masalah pernafasan.

5. Mengurangkan Tekanan Darah

Percayakah anda dengan hanya dengan mengusap-ngusap kucing dapat membantu menurunkan tekanan darah. Mereka yang mempunyai haiwan kesayangan, menurut State University of New York di Buffalo kajian, lebih cenderung memiliki tekanan darah lebih rendah daripada mereka yang tidak mempunyai haiwan peliharaan.

6. Menurunkan Kolestrol

Berdasarkan kajian pemilik kucing memiliki kolestrol lebih rendah daripada mereka yang tidak mempunyai kucing sendiri. Sebuah penelitian 2006 di Kanada menunjukkan bahawa memiliki kucing sebenarnya lebih berkesan dalam menurunkan kolestrol daripada memakan ubat-ubatan kimia.

7. Mengurangkan risiko Mendapat Stroke

Prospek mempunyai stroke adalah menakutkan. Jika anda prihatin tentang mengalami serangan stroke, anda boleh mempertimbangkan untuk membela kucing. Memiliki kucing dapat mengurangkan risiko stroke. Sebuah kajian di Universiti Minnesota mendapati bahawa pemilik kucing dapat mengurangkan risiko mendapat stroke.

8. Mengurangkan stress (tekanan perasaan) dan rasa cemas

Memiliki kucing boleh membantu mengurangkan stress dalam hidup anda. Banyak manfaat psikologi jika kita membela kucing, dan salah satunya adalah menghilangkan stress. Dengan menjaga binatang atau berbicara dengan kucing anda, boleh membantu anda merasa lebih tenang dan mengurangkan tahap stres. Kehadiran seekor kucing bersama anda dapat membantu anda menenangkan diri anda kerana anda menikmati cinta tanpa syarat dari seekor kucing.

9. Menjadikan mood anda dalam keadaan “cool”

Dalam banyak kes, berinteraksi dengan haiwan kesayangan boleh membantu memperbaiki mood anda. Ini termasuk kucing. Memiliki kucing dapat membantu anda merasa lebih baik secara umum, dan meningkatkan mood anda.

10. Dapat membantu pesakit-pesakit Autis

Mereka dengan autisme mempunyai kesulitan berkomunikasi dalam cara yang sama seperti orang lain. Memiliki kucing benar-benar dapat membantu dalam kes ini. Ada kejadian di mana kucing telah berperanan dalam terapi untuk anak-anak autis.

11. Mengurangkan Kesepian

Hubungan persahabatan antara manusia dan kucing dapat membantu mereka yang kesepian. Hanya dengan memiliki kucing di rumah dan menghabiskan masa bersama boleh membantu mengurangkan rasa sunyi.

info: http://mritechnicianschools.net

Fabulouse Pets Haus @Puchong Utama 8

Is My Cat OVERWEIGHT?

Labels: About Cats by Fabulous Pets House

What To Do When Your Cat Is Overweight

Perhaps the most common malnutrition problem with cats is obesity. To be considered obese, a cat has to be at least 20% heavier than what is considered to be its optimal weight, and the excess weight is due to fat accumulation. A cat that is 1-19% over its ideal body weight is considered to be overweight. To maintain health and to ensure a long and happy life, cats should be neither obese nor overweight.

Determining If A Cat Is Overweight Or Obese

There is no magical body weight that is appropriate for all cats. The breed, general size, and age of the cat all have a factor in how much it should weigh. To determine the optimal weight of a specific cat, it is best to consult a veterinarian. In general, however, a cat whose ribs are hard to feel because they are covered with a layer of fat is overweight or obese, depending on how thick the layer of fat is.

A cat is also considered to be obese if it has a moderate or thick layer of fat that covers all of its bony areas. Some obese cats even develop a bulge under the abdomen, which is sometimes referred to as a “skirt.” If the cat doesn't have a visible waist and if the back appears broad when viewed from above, the cat is obese.

Risks Of Obesity

A cat that is overweight or obese runs the risk of developing a variety of health disorders. Some disorders that are common for obese cats to develop include: diabetes mellitus, lower urinary tract disease, joint stress, aggravation of osteoarthritis, non-allergic skin diseases, decreased stamina, and Hepatic lipidosis, which is fat deposited in the liver.

In addition, a cat that is overweight or obese has develops a decrease in immune function, can have difficulty giving birth, and can develop breathing problems.

Obesity Risk Factors

Some cats are more likely to become overweight or obese than others. In general, however, cats are just like humans. If a cat takes in more calories than it uses, it will gain weight. The excess energy it gains from the calories becomes stored as fat.

Purebred cats, however, are less likely to become obese than mixed breeds. In addition, cats that are neutered have a tendency to gain weight more easily than those who are not, probably in part due to the fact that non-neutered cats have the tendency to roam in search of a mate. In addition, the metabolic rate of a neutered cat decreases by about 20%. Therefore, a neutered cat needs less food in order to maintain its ideal body weight.

Cats under two years of age are less likely to be overweight or obese than cats that are between the ages of two and ten. This is because cats between these ages require less energy. On the other hand, geriatric cats, which are older than ten, have a tendency to be underweight. In addition, certain medications can make a cat more likely to gain weight, as some medications will cause an increase in appetite and other medications cause a decrease in metabolic rate. Some medications that commonly lead to weight gain in cats are cortisosteroids, cyperoheptidine, and amytripyline.

Treating Obesity In The Cat

It is not healthy for an overweight or obese cat to lose weight too quickly. In fact, rapid weight loss increases a cat's likelihood of developing hepatic lipidosis, which is a fatal liver disease that causes fat to be deposited in the liver. Instead, an overweight or obese cat should lose weight steadily and gradually. In fact, it can take up to a year for a severely overweight cat to reach its ideal body weight in a healthy manner.

To best help a cat lose weight in a healthy manner, a veterinarian should be consulted. He or she can help create a healthy eating plan. It is important to note that cats are carnivores, which means they must have meat in their diets in order to survive. Therefore, cutting out meat in an attempt to lose weight is not a good idea. In fact, it can prove to be fatal to the cat. Furthermore, since a cat's natural diet consists of meat, which provides high protein and low carbohydrates, the diet should contain similar foods. This type of diet actually helps the cat lose fat and still maintain lean body mass, such as muscle.

To help an overweight or obese cat lose weight, it also should be encouraged to get plenty of exercise. This is particularly true for older cats with slower metabolisms, neutered cats, indoor cats with restricted activity, and cats on medication that affects weight. Pet owners can encourage exercise by playing with the cat often. For more direct exercise, a cat harness can be purchased to walk the cat around the house or up and down stairs. Feeding bowls can even be moved to areas that require more walking and, of course, cut down on the portions of food an overweight cat receives.

Maintaining Weight

Once the cat is down to its optimal weight, its weight can be maintained by purchasing special “light” or low calorie formulas of food. These formulas are specifically created for cats who are less active or who have decreased metabolism.

http://www.cats.alpha.pl/overweight.htm

Fabulouse Pets Haus @Puchong Utama 8

Cat Behavior

Labels: About Cats by Fabulous Pets House

Cat Behavior

Please note:The information provided here is meant to supplement that provided by your veterinarian.
Nothing can replace a complete history and physical examination performed by your veterinarian.

Cats can be major stinkers. We're not talking about smell, but rather their “catty” behavior towards their humans. Cats believe they are superior to all other living things. Don't you feel that sometimes they are just humoring us humans? Sometimes, their behavior can go to extremes and make us all crazy. Whether it is caterwauling, stalking, pouncing or displaying their dual personalities and schizophrenic tendencies, sometimes coexisting with your cat can be nerve-wracking and almost not worth the trouble. However, with a few basic tips, you can live with your cat peacefully. Ok, peaceful might be a relative term, but you get the idea!

Co-existing tip #1 –

Take your cue from your cat. Many times, us humans do not know when to stop petting. Usually your cat will instigate a petting session, but they can only put up with so much petting and become over stimulated. Since they cannot turn around and tell us to back off, they let us know in their own way that “enough is enough” by nipping at us. This does not indicate that they are being malicious, but rather that they need their own time-out from the petting. By cueing into their behavior moments before they nip, you can avoid their sharp little teeth. Tensing of the body, tail flicking, and even pinned back ears are all signs leading to the cat's nipping behavior.

Co-existing tip #2 –

Stalking and pouncing are all part of a cat's innate nature. Hunting and stalking prey are ingrained in their genes. That is just what cats do. Don't take it personally when all of the sudden, out of nowhere, your cat decides you make for a fun plaything and pounce. Luckily for most cats, this playful aggression is just a phase that they eventually grow out of as they enter into their adult cat roles. It is up to you to know how to avoid conflict with your cat during these “playful” times. One way is to deflect this playful aggression away from you before it actually happens. Pay attention to where your cat is and learn the body cues that tell you when they are about to make their move. Another way is to divert their attention to another activity.

Co-existing tip #3 –

Digging is another cat quirk ingrained in their genetic makeup. This quirk shows up predominately during bodily waste elimination. Just picture them in their litter box. They are always scratching around so that they can cover up their “evidence.” Cats also dig for recreation and can make short work of your garden or houseplants. It doesn't pay to get upset with what is usually normal behavior for a cat. Instead fight back with citrus products. Cats absolutely hate any citrus smells – orange, grapefruit, lemons and limes. Bury the rinds from these fruits in the soil of your houseplants or outside in your garden's perimeter.

Co-existing tip #4 –

Scratching can be beneficial for cats. Using their claws offers up several benefits for cats. For one, scratching helps eliminate dead cells from the claws. Secondly, when cats claw on things, they are marking their territory, both in a visual and scented way. Cats need a sense of their own domain and clawing helps your felines feel more secure. Before scheduling surgery to remove their claws due to their destructive ways, you can help them by providing scratching posts and pads for their use. Use catnip as an incentive by rubbing it on the scratching post.

Co-existing tip #5 –

All that meowing has a purpose. Sometimes, it seems that your cat's mission in life is to drive you up the wall with all their caterwauling. However, all that vocalizing is how they communicate. And since we are mere human beings, we just don't get what they are telling us. However, through a little trial and error, we can determine at least what some of that cat calling is all about. One of the reasons for the incessant meowing could be hunger or boredom. If there is no food in their bowl and it's close to dinner time, put food in their bowl. If they shut up and eat, you got lucky and figured out that particular meow. Other times, all that meowing could mean that your cat is ready to mate or they are fearful of something. If there is a storm outside or one is about to start, that might be a good indication of why your cat is meowing.

Cats are complex creatures and these five basic co-existing tips aren't even close to deciphering the moods and quirks of your feline. It could take a lifetime to figure it all out! However, just remember to take your cue from them and always assess a situation before administering punishment to your family feline.

http://www.cats.alpha.pl/behavior.htm

Fabulouse Pets Haus @Puchong Utama 8

Dangerous To Your Cats

Labels: About Cats by Fabulous Pets House

Plants and Other Substances
Toxic to Cats

Please note:The information provided here is meant to supplement that provided by your veterinarian.
Nothing can replace a complete history and physical examination performed by your veterinarian.

We use to keep various substances at our homes and we are often not aware of their potential threat to the cat's heath or even life. Many plants we grow and many materials we use everyday may be poisonous for our pets. Even if we do not want to get rid of these items, it is good to know where the risk comes from.

Common Household Poisons:

acetaminophen (Tylenol)

antifreeze, coolants

bleach

boric acid

brake fluid

carbon monoxide

carburator clearer

cleaning fluid

deodorants, deodorizers

diet pills

disinfectants

drain cleaner

dye

fungicides

furniture polish

gasoline

hair colouring

herbicides

insecticides

kerosene

laxatives

lead

lye

matches

metal polish

mineral spirits

mothballs

nail polish and remover

permanent wave lotion

phenol

photographic developers

rat poison

rubbing alcohol

shoe polish

sleeping pills

snail or slug bait

soaps and detergents

suntan lotion

tar

turpentine

windshield washer fluid

wood preservatives

Poisonous Plants:

Holiday and Seasonal Decorative Plants
Amaryllis spp.

Celastrus spp. Bittersweet

Chrysanthemum spp.

Colchicum autumnale Autumn Crocus

Euonymus japonicus Japanese Euonymus

Euphorbia milii Crown of Thorns

E. pulcherrima Poinsettia

Helleborus niger Christmas Rose

Ilex spp. Holly

Phoradendron spp. American Mistletoe

Solanum pseudocapsicum Jerusalem Cherry

Common House Plants
Alocasia spp. Caladiums

Azalea spp. Weeping Fig, Creeping Fig, Mistletoe Fig, Rubber Plant

Dieffenbachia spp. Dumb Cane

Hydrangea spp.

Hedera helix spp. (many indoor ivies)

Ligustrum spp. Japonicum texanum

Narcissus spp. Paperwhites and other winter forced bulbs

Nicotiana spp. Ornamental Tobacco

Philodendron spp.

Rhododendron Ficus spp. Weeping Fig, Creeping Fig, Mistletoe Fig, Rubber Plant

Common Outdoor Plants
Abrus precatorius Rosary Pea

Actea spp. Baneberry

Allium spp. Onions, Chives, other related plants

Ampelopsis quinquefolia Boston Ivy

Atropa belladonna Deadly Nightshade

Aconitum spp. Monkshood

Aesculus hippocastanum Horse Chestnut

Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Bulb Flowers: Star of Bethlehem, Tulip, Hyacinth, Iris

Buxus spp. Boxwood

Cestrum nocturnum Night-blooming Jasmine

Clematis viginiana

Conium maculatum Poison Hemlock

Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley

Cyclamen spp.

Daphne mezereum Daphne

Datura spp. Jimson Weed, Thorn Apple

Delphinium Larkspur

Descurainia pinnata Tansy Mustard

Digitalis purpurea Foxglove

Dicentra cucullaria Dutchman's Breeches

D. spectabilis Bleeding Heart

Ipomoea purpurea Morning Glory

Hydrangea spp.

Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel

Laburnum spp. Locoweed

Lantana camara Lantana

Lathyrus spp. Sweetpea

Ligustrum vulgare Privet

Lily spp.

Lobelia spp. Indian Tobacco

Lupinus spp. Lupine Bluebonnet

Lycopersicon esculentum Tomato(only the vine is toxic)

Melia azedarach Chinaberry

Mushrooms (all outdoor varieties have potential of being toxic)

Narcissus spp.

Nerium Oleander Oleander

Papaver spp. Poppy

Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper

Physalis spp. Ground Cherries

Phytolacca americana Pokeberry

Prunus spp. Wild Cherry, Wild Peach, Wild Apricot, Chokeberry Almond, Black Cherry

Ranunculus spp. Buttercup

Rheum rhaponticium Rhubarb (only the leaves are toxic)

Ricinus communis Castor Bean

Robinia pseudoacaria Black Locust

Sambucus spp. Elderberry

Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot

Solanum spp. Deadly Nightshades (including potato vines, green spots, and tubers)

Taxus spp. Yews (especially the berries)

Triglochin maritimun Arrowgrass

Toxicodendron Poison Oak, Poison Ivy

Urtica spp. Stinging Nettle

Veratum viride False Hellebore

Wisteria spp.

Symptoms of Poisoning
Some signs of poisoning are:

continual vomiting

diarrhea

refusal of food

pale gums or tongue

swollen tongue

abdominal pain

convulsions

What To Do
If your cat is displaying any one or combination of these symptoms it is possible it has injested a poisonous plant or other toxic substance. Poisoning is dangerous and medical attention should be sought immediately. Try to identify the poison. This information will provide for a quicker diagnosis and treatment of your pet.

info: http://www.cats.alpha.pl/toxicplants.htm
Fabulouse Pets Haus @Puchong Utama 8

Labels: Breeds That You Want To Know by Fabulous Pets House

Maine Coon

Country of origin: United States
Breed standards: CFA, FIFe

The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its high intelligence and playfulness as well as its distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America specifically native to the state of Maine (where it is the official State Cat)[1]. This cat is known as "Maine Coon", "coon-cat", "Maine Cat" or (colloquially) "the gentle giant."

Origin

The Maine Coon is a natural cat breed that originated in Maine. A journal article was published about the coon-cat of the late 1800s stating: "... all of them come from Maine, simply for the reason that the breed is peculiar as yet to that State." "Coon-cats have been recognized as a distinct breed in Maine for so long that the memory of the oldest inhabitant runs back to their beginning." "You will find them in almost any village in that part of the world."
The Maine cat was recognized as a distinct breed of cat long ago and known as the "coon-cat" in the mid 1800s prior to the Civil War in recorded history and documented early descriptions of the Maine cat by a well known and celebrated Maine author who lived in that era prior to 1850^.In the 17th and 18th centuries, domestic cats brought over on ships faced very severe winters in Maine, where only the strongest and most adaptable cats survived. "Natural selection (and climate) has had a significant effect on (longhair/Maine Coon) gene frequency in the 200-300 generations since domestic cats were introduced to America." The Maine Coon developed outdoors into a large, rugged cat with a water-resistant, thick, longhair coat and a hardy constitution. The fur coat developed outdoors into a coat that is particularly unique and distinct from other long-hair breeds.

Folklore

The origin of the breed (and its name) has several, often fantastic, folklore surrounding it - all coming from Mainers' story-telling and dry sense of humor. One tale comes from this journal account of actual story-telling in 1901 by the down east locals.
"Strange to say, there are comparatively few people south or west of New England who know what a coon-cat is. If you ask that question `down in Maine,` however, the citizens will seem surprised at your ignorance, and will explain to you, in a condescending way, that the creature in question is half raccoon -- the descendant of `a cross between a 'coon and a common cat.` Though biologically impossible, this false story, was the result of Mainer's good old leg-pulling and gullible tourists. According to that 1901 account (as you can see), these cats were still referred to as "coon-cats".
A related story is that the cat was named after a ship's captain named Coon who was responsible for the cat reaching Maine shores. This story comes from a Mainer named Molly Haley (prior to 1820) as her oral historyof the cat’s name that was published in this 1986 Maine newspaper article.
(Born 1911 Lida Tarbox) "Her father's account of the Maine Coon goes back to his great-grandmother, Molly Haley, who lived on the Haley farm next to the Tarboxe's, just up from the `pool,`or gut where the Saco River and the Atlantic Ocean meet. This was before Maine became a state (1820) and when the four-masted schooners hauled cargo to Maine from around the world.
A cabin boy named Tom Coon, from which the `coon` cat purportedly gets its name, worked aboard the sailing vessel Glen Laurie. One of his jobs when ashore was to collect cats, which were then used to rid the sailing vessel of wharf rats. On one of these rat-catcher expeditions, Tom smuggled in a beautiful longhair. The safe harbor for both the first coon and her subsequent litter was the Tarbox farm at Biddeford Pool, where the Glen Laurie anchored to take on supplies at the Cutts store at the Pool. When the cabin boy became a captain, he continued to bring the exotic long-hairs to the farm during his ocean voyages." (Documentation of a whaling Captain Coon and his ocean-going family exists in the Maine State Library.)
Another story is a legend from an island dwelling mainer that the breed sprang from pet cats that Marie Antoinette sent to Wiscasset, Maine when she was planning to escape from France during the French Revolution. This story is told in "The Legend of Rosalind of Squam Island".
Nevertheless, most breeders today believe that the breed originated in matings between perhaps pre-existing shorthaired domestic cats and overseas longhairs, perhaps Angora types introduced by New England seamen, or perhaps longhairs brought to America by the Vikings. Maine Coons are similar in appearance to both the Norwegian Forest Cat and to the Siberian.

Physical characteristics
Maine Coons are very large and energetic cats, sometimes weighing up to around 11-12 kilograms (25 pounds); the average weight is 6 to 9 kilograms (13-20 pounds) for adult males and less (7-11 pounds) for females. Male Maine Coons may grow to a length in excess of 1 meter (40 inches); as of 2006, the longest cat on record is a male Maine Coon measuring 122cm (48 inches) in length. Growth to full size often takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age four or five.
The most common color/pattern in the breed is brown with tabby markings. Maine Coons are recognized in all colors, including tortoiseshell, except for chocolate, lavender, ticked tabby, and the point-restricted ("Siamese") pattern. Eye color also varies widely. All patterns may have green, green-gold, or gold. Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats. Some share similar facial markings, for example, a distinct "M" shape on the forehead.
Maine Coons have medium-long, dense fur, with longer hair, or a ruff, on their chests similar to the mane of a lion (which is why the breed is sometimes humorously called the "Mane Coon"). Their fur consists of two layers - an undercoat and an additional layer of longer guard hairs, which gives the breed their key physical feature. The fur is generally very soft. Maine Coons have long hair on the backs of their legs (called pantaloons or britches) and between their toes which helps to keep them warm in the cold. They also have bushy plumed tails and broad, angular heads, squared-off muzzles and wide-set ears topped with tufts of fur (known as 'Lynx-tips'). Their tails can be so bushy that the Maine Coon has earned the nickname the 'tail with a cat attached to it'.
Most Maine Coons keep their fur in good order without the need for additional human grooming. Maine Coons have large ears, which can be tipped at the end with fur. This is a common trait of a Maine Coon, giving them their Lynx-like appearance. Some Maine Coons may have tufts of fur growing from behind their ears on the sides of their heads. The appearance of these tufts can change over time, sometimes appearing quite large and sometimes being not all that noticeable.
There have always been a lot of polydactyl Maine Coons. While the Maine Coon may be polydactyl (having one or more extra toes on their paws), this trait, enjoyed by many, is not yet available in show cats - only in pet cats. This trait is finding a world-wide resurgence and is increasingly popular, as it seems to some, that the polydactyl Maine Coon exhibits even more dexterity and intelligence than the normal-footed. They are nick-named "snowshoe cat" because they can walk through snow more easily, but most often though, they are simply called polys.
Polydactyl bloodlines have long been and continue to be registered to preserve these bloodlines of the breed. Modern show types are rarely polys. However, polydactyls are indeed behind many show champions around the world. The show type "breeds" still ignores the Maine Coon Polydactyl Standard and has culled this vast poly portion of the original gene pool (characteristics and features) from the show types.
The original poly incidence was estimated to be around 40%. Centuries ago it was highly likely that a poly cat from Maine would be a Maine Coon. Polydactylism was (and still is) a distinct visible indicator of a coon-cat's original, natural Maine heritage. Native Maine origin coon-cats still exist and are essential to the health and survival of the breed.
In a mating of heterozygous parents the kittens are 25% normal-footed, 50% heterozygous for polydactyly, 25% homozygous for polydactyly on average.

Behavioral characteristics
Maine Coons are a breed distinguished by high intelligence, dexterity, and playfulness. They have a tendency to use their front paws extensively (often curling the paw round to pick objects up) and as a consequence will easily learn to open cabinet doors, turn on water faucets, flush toilets, or pick up small objects. Some Maine Coons will eat, or even drink, from their paws, rather than from the bowl itself.
Due to their above-average intelligence, Maine Coons are known to be one of the easiest cat breeds to train. Maine Coons are noted for their ability to trill their meows, which sounds like a combination of a purr and a meow, and they tend to make this sound when happy or startled. When they do meow, it tends to be very high in pitch, in comparison to other breeds. They are noted for rarely eating alone, preferring to eat in the company of other cats or humans. Maine Coons are not known to be "lap cats" but of course, this may depend on the individual cat and some may prefer laps.
Some Maine Coons enjoy playing with, but not usually in, water. They may dip toys in their water bowls before playing with them, or just tip the water bowl over. They may also skim their paws across the surface of their water bowl or dunk their paw in and drink water from their paws.
Maine Coons can be very dog-like in their behavior. Playing fetch is a favorite game. As with dogs, they will bring their ball, drop it at the feet of their intended playmate and wait for the ball to be thrown. They will often accompany their owner on chores like getting the mail, walking the dog, and may also come when beckoned, even if outside. Maine Coons are typically very calm and listen to their owners.

Health topics
Maine Coons are as a generality, very healthy and hardy. They thrive on better brands of cat foods and sometimes adding fish oils to the diet helps keep their coat and skin in top health,they are often quite picky. Maine Coon breeders have worked hard over many years to produce hardy, healthy and beautiful kittens. Almost all knowledgeable Maine Coon breeders are able to avoid health problems because of significant new advances in veterinary medical testing in recent years. Past problems did include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, for a brief time: polycystic kidney disease (continues to be rare), and typical feline conditions such as gum inflammation or luxating patellas (are non-breed specific, and may occur in any feline.)
Mutation in the gene that codes for cardiac myosin binding protein C has been shown to cause Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in one particular genetic line of the Maine Coon cat population. Because this line is very popular with show-hobby breeders, approximately one third of Maine Coon cats tested for the mutation have tested positive, and have been removed from the breeding population, although this population sampling is most likely biased, because the high percentage of cats tested were related to that particular line. Breeders now use the latest DNA sampling methods to improve the breed and ensure its excellent future. Many healthy and hardy Maine Coon lines now exist and the future of the breed is extremely bright.
Until 1988, taurine deficiency was a common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in all cats, including Maine Coons. Since the pet food industry started adding more taurine to cat food in the late 1980s, this kind of cardiomyopathy is rare. Taurine-related cardiomyopathy can be cured with the addition of the nutrient to the diet, but genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes a permanent thickening of the left ventricle and is not curable.
As with all breeds, well outcrossed pedigrees that are outcrossed in the early generations and outcrossed further in later generations are important to vitality, disposition, and longevity.

info: http://www.cats.alpha.pl/english/mainecoon_en.htm
Fabulouse Pets Haus @Puchong Utama 8

BENGAL CAT

Labels: Breeds That You Want To Know by Fabulous Pets House

Bengal Cat

Country of origin: United States
Breed standards: FIFe

The Bengal is a relatively new hybrid breed of cat developed to have a gentle and friendly temperament, while exhibiting the markings (such as large spots, rosettes, and a light/white belly), and body structure reminiscent of the wild Asian Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). In other words, a Bengal cat has a desirable "wild" appearance with a gentle domestic cat temperament, provided it is separated by at least 3 generations from the original crossing between a domestic and Asian Leopard Cat.
The name Bengal was derived from the taxonomic name of the Asian Leopard Cat (ALC), as shown above, and not from the more widely known Bengal Tiger species, which is unrelated to the Bengal's ancestry.

History

The Bengal Breed was created by geneticist Jean S. Mill who wanted to produce a "tame toy leopard". She started by hybridizing Asian Leopard cats from as early as 1963 but, modern Bengal cat originated from Jean’s breeding programme of 1975. The first Bengal Cat was registered with The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1983. The Bengal has been welcomed as a pedigreed breed by several cat associations — most notably TICA, Fédération Internationale Féline and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy — but has been refused acceptance by the more traditional Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) of the USA, the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats. The CFA is reluctant to accept wild/domestic hybrids, as stated in its position on its website. [2] American registries which accepts the Bengal includes the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) and the American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE).

Characteristics

The Bengal is a large breed - weighing between 7 to 20 pounds (lb) (3.2 kg to 9.1 kg). Male cats are generally larger than females.
The face of a typical Bengal features a series of distinct horizontal stripes, popularly known as "mascara", which extend from alongside the eye to the back of the neck. The sides and top of the body are marked with spots, usually rosetted like those of the jaguar. The remainder of the body - including the legs and tail - consists of symmetrical stripes.
Bengals can have either spotted or marbled coat patterns. Spots with at least two colors present (rosettes) are particularly desirable. The following colors and patterns are recognized and eligible for competition: Brown Spotted Tabby, Brown Marbled Tabby, Seal Sepia Spotted Tabby, Seal Sepia Marbled Tabby, Seal Mink Spotted Tabby, Seal Mink Marbled Tabby, Seal Spotted Lynx Point and Seal Marbled Lynx Point. Silver was also recently accepted as a color variation eligible for championship status. Blue and Melanistic (black) are additional colors that occur, but are not yet recognized by most associations that accept the Bengal breed.
Bengal cats are the only breed of cat which displays the gold or pearl dusting effect usually called glitter. Its pelt has a rich smooth satin or silk feel. Even the voice of the Bengal is different from that of other domestic cats. Males and females are extremely vocal. Life expectancy is 12-16 years.

Genetics

Bengal cats are a hybrid breed developed over several generations through a program of selectively crossbreeding domestic cats, possessing desired features, with Asian Leopard Cats and ALC hybrids. In the first three generations, males are almost always infertile (by Haldane's rule), though there have been the occasional, but rare F3 studs capable of reproduction. Early generation females are typically fertile, and responsible for continuing the genetic contributions of the ALC to the next generation.
The modern SBT Bengal gene pool contains genes sourced from many varieties of domestic cats - mainly Egyptian Maus, American Shorthair, Abyssinian, Ocicat, and domestic shorthaired cats. It is commonly accepted that the breed was developed by Jean Mill of California in the 1970s; today, Bengal breeders exist throughout the world. Many breeders are presently working to develop specific characteristics in the breed, often by backcrossing foundation cats with particularly vivid markings. The ALC comprises several subspecies, and consequently, they can have considerable variations in their appearance.
The first three filial generations (F1 - F3) of these hybrid animals are referred to as the "foundation" generations. A Bengal cat with an ALC parent is called an F1 Bengal, short for first filial. An F1 then bred with a domestic male yields an F2, or second filial. Kittens from an F2 female and another domestic cat are then termed F3. Kittens from a subsequent F3 mating with a domestic are F4s. The F4 and later generations are considered domestic cats, are designated as Stud Book Tradition (SBT) Bengals, and can be shown and registered. Any SBT Bengal is at least four generations removed from the ALC. Founders (F1-F3) are typically reserved for breeding purposes or the specialty pet home environment.

Info: http://www.cats.alpha.pl/english/bengal.htm

Fabulouse Pets Haus @Puchong Utama 8

TURKISH ANGGORA

Labels: Breeds That You Want To Know by Fabulous Pets House

Turkish Angora

Country of origin: Turkey
Breed standards: CFA

Turkish Angoras are one of the ancient, naturally-occurring cat breeds, having originated in central Turkey, in the Ankara region.

Physical characteristics

They mostly have a white, silky, medium-long length coat, no undercoat and fine bone structure. There seems to be a connection between Ankara Cats and Persians (see below), and the Turkish Angora is also a distant cousin of the Turkish Van. Although they are known for their shimmery white coat, currently there are more than twenty varieties including black, blue, reddish fur. They come in tabby and tabby-white, along with smoke varieties, and are in every color other than pointed, lavender, and cinnamon (all of which would indicate breeding to an outcross).

Eyes may be blue, green or amber, or even one blue and one amber. The W gene responsible for white coat and blue eye is closely related to the hearing ability, and presence of a blue eye can indicate the cat is deaf to the side the blue eye is located. However, a great many blue and odd-eyed white cats have normal hearing, and even deaf cats lead a very normal life if indoors.
Ears are pointed and large, eyes are almond shaped and the head is massive with a two plane profile. Another characteristic is the tail, which is often kept parallel to the back.

Behavioral characteristics

Turkish Angora is an intelligent, adorable and a very curious breed which is very active throughout their life-span. Some Turkish Angoras will bathe with their owners (another link to the cousin Turkish Van, which is known as "the swimming cat"). They also tend to bond with their owners and try to be the center of attention, often doing their part in conversations. They usually don't like to be held for long, but like to stay in human presence, happily playing for hours.

History

Like all domestic cats, Turkish Angoras descended from the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). The mountainous regions of Eastern Anatolia isolated cats brought by traders from Egypt, and through inbreeding and natural selection they developed into longhaired breeds like the Turkish Van and the Turkish Angora.
Longhaired cats were imported to Britain and France from Asia Minor, Persia and Russia as early as the late 16th century, though there are indications that they appeared in Europe as early as the 14th century due to the Crusades. The Turkish Angora was used, almost to the point of extinction, to improve the coat on the Persian. The Turkish Angora was recognized as a distinct breed in Europe by the early 17th century.[2]
In 1917, The Government of Turkey in conjunction with the Ankara Zoo began a meticulous breeding program to protect and preserve what they considered a national treasure, pure white Turkish Angoras with blue and amber eyes.[3] The program continues today. The zoo particularly prized odd-eyed Angoras (ie. Turkish Angoras with one blue eye and one amber eye).[4]. The Zoo has its own cat facility which houses the white Turkish Angoras for its breeding program.

Turkish Angora, which was most recently brought to the United States in 1963, was accepted as a championship pedigreed breed in 1973 by the Cat Fanciers' Association[5] [6]. However, until 1978 only white Angoras were recognized. Today, all North American registries accept the Turkish Angora in many colors and patterns. While numbers are still relatively small, the gene pool and base of fanciers are growing.

Health considerations

In the Turkish Angora, an autosomal recessive hereditary ataxia is found. The kittens affected by this ataxia do not learn to move and die young. The genetic cause of this ataxia is not yet known. Another genetic illness known to the breed is HCM, which is an autostomal dominant gene which affect many other breeds (from Maine Coons to Persians).

Info :http://www.cats.alpha.pl/english/turkishangora.htm

Fabulouse Pets Haus @Puchong Utama 8