Cats and Dogs: 2014

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

All about "Aegean cat"

The Aegean Cat is intelligent and a very capable predator. Due to this they are mostly used as pest control in rural areas. Aegean Cats share a very good relationship with humans and make good pets. They are very social and communicate well with others. These cats have a very lively nature that easily draws the attention of others. They have strong legs and grasping claws.

APPEARANCE : This breed is a medium sized cat with an athletic structure, muscular frame with a long tail and body. Its tail is of medium length, rounded, with no kinks or knots. The head is broad and ears are widely set on it. Its eyes are oriental in their shape with a color often in shades of green. The legs are strong and its paws rounded. Aegean Cat is a medium sized feline with a predominantly white coat. There are other colors too including red, blue, cream and black, though a third to two thirds of the fur is white.

A predominantly white cat, it is bi-colored or tri-colored, with one of any variety of colors and patterns combined with the dominant white shade. Though less profuse than those of Turkish Angora, hair are longish that protect it against cold winter, with a ruff around neck. There are no down hair.

Built is athletic and muscular and the cat is known to be a good mouse hunter, a source of its admiration, particularly in rural areas. Body and tail are long. Head is broad and ears are widely set on the skull. Eyes are oriental in their shape with a color often in shades of green.

Legs are strong and paws rounded. Their nose is medium sized and they have a small chin. Aegean's are very cute looking. Aegean cat has a broad head and a big face.

PERSONALITY : Apart from its beauty, the Aegean Cat is a very admirable animal. It makes a good pet and is quite comfortable residing in apartments. Also it is considered to be a social, lively and communicative feline. The Aegeans are very good natured and intelligent at the same time. They prove to be great companions.

The Aegean cat is good to children and also adjustable to other pets. They do not like strangers but they are never aggressive. Aegean's love to draw the attention of human beings towards themselves and are very friendly towards all. The female Aegean cats are wonderful mothers. They love and care for their kittens, and they never abandon them.

They love to stay with the family and you should never leave the Aegean alone for a long time. In such circumstance they may become frustrated and that may lead to destruction. Aegean's are very much obedient and listen to their master’s commands. They are very much suitable for the household and are able to mix well with the family members.

There’s one thing that Aegean cat really loves and it’s the sea. You can meet him in the port, asking for fish or you can see him hunting for it on his own. Those cats are independent and perfectly capable of taking care of themselves.

HEALTH : The Aegean cat is considered to be a healthy cat; while all cat breeds can potentially develop health problems this breed is known to have very few genetic health issues. There are no known health issues specific to this cat breed but be sure to regularly consult a veterinarian for routine care and medical advice for your four-legged friend :)

CARE : The Aegean cat is a very active pet, so it should definitely be given an opportunity to play and be regularly walked. It is also important to take good care of the hair, to regularly comb it and use a special bathing shampoo.

Thick, smooth, shiny and soft hair without any tangles indicate a good health of an Aegean. They need, weekly brushing of hair, which is for their fur to be more resistant to weather and also for healthier hair. During the winter season, their coat and fur will need extensive care.

Monday, 14 July 2014

All about "Abyssinian cat"

The Abyssinian cat is a very popular, lively, active, inquisitive and fun loving , elegant, purebred cat. It has athletic tendencies and intelligent personality. plus the special ticked tabby coat, are the reasons for the breed’s continued popularity. Abyssinian's can live to be 15 years and older.

APPEARANCE : This is a medium-size cat weighing 6 to 10 pounds. Abyssinian's are amazing cats through and through; from the distinctive way they look, rather like a mini wild cat, to their remarkable intelligence and inquisitive nature. Not forgetting that they come in an astounding variety of colors, from the more widely seen Usual/Ruddy, Sorrel, Fawn and Blue, to the "unusual" colors – Silver, Chocolate, Lilac, Red, Cream & Tortoiseshell - and combinations of these with the more common colors – all in all producing 28 distinct and recognizable colors.

PERSONALITY : The Abyssinian is an affectionate intelligent cat, very people orientated, extremely active, alert and a cat that thrives on interaction and play. These type of cats are Obedient, a rare personality trait among cats. But beware that although they’ll obey you and want to be part of your family, they’ll also do some shocking and intelligent things. They get on very well with dogs and will quickly teach the dog who is the boss.

They are fearless and can get themselves in trouble if not properly supervised. They wake up with a "to-do" list and don't rest until everything is checked off. Abyssinian's can be very stubborn and difficult to distract once they have an idea. So smart and very active. There are very few places in your home they can't climb to.

Of all the cat breeds, the Abyssinian is perhaps the one who lives life to the fullest. He climbs higher, jumps farther, plays harder. Nothing escapes the notice of this highly intelligent and inquisitive cat, a quality that makes life with him both endlessly entertaining and continuously challenging. A love of heights is a signal trait of the Abyssinian. He likes to be as high up as possible.

Abyssinian's normally get along quite well with other cats, and even with dogs. They are not prolific breeders, rarely having more than three or four kittens in a litter. They are loving, loyal and totally thrive on be involved in every aspect of your life. The Abyssinian easily becomes your friend, devoted companion as well as your confidant who loves you totally and unconditionally. With an Abyssinian or two by your side life will never be dull!

HEALTH : Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature.

Problems that may affect the Abyssinian include the following:

1) Early-onset periodontal disease -

2) Hyperesthesia syndrome, a neurological problem that can cause cats to excessively groom themselves, leading to hair loss, and to act frantically, especially when they are touched or petted

3) Patellar luxation, a hereditary dislocation of the kneecap that can range from mild to severe. Severe cases can be alleviated with surgery.

4) Progressive retinal atrophy, a degenerative eye disease.

5) Renal amyloidosis, a heritable disease that occurs when a type of protein called amyloid is deposited in body organs, primarily the kidneys in Abyssinians. It eventually leads to kidney failure.

6) Abyssinian's can develop a hereditary condition called pyruvate kinase deficiency; pyruvate kinase is a key regulatory enzyme required for energy metabolism in red blood cells. Cats deficient in PK typically have intermittent anemia.

The deficiency can appear in cats as young as six months, as well as Abyssinian's as old as 12 years. The hereditary condition is caused by a recessive gene, which can be easily removed from the gene pool through DNA screening. The test can determine whether a cat is normal, a carrier, and if he’s affected by PK deficiency.

Not every PK-deficient cat develops clinical signs, which can include lethargy, jaundice, pale gums, and an enlarged abdomen. The best treatment for PK deficiency is unknown, but it’s still a good idea to have your cat tested.

CARE : Abyssinian's can develop periodontal disease, so brush his teeth at home with a vet-approved pet toothpaste and schedule regular veterinary cleanings. . Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Trim the nails every couple of weeks. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.