Surprisingly enough, this descendant of the Egyptian cat did not reach the United States until the nineteen fifties, when an exiled member of the Russian royalty brought her Maus with her to the United States. For several decades, her two cats were the ancestors of all Maus in North America. However, recently, concerned breeders finally imported additional cats to prevent hereditary diseases and to widen the gene pool.

The Egyptian Mau is on the small side, weighing in at a lightweight five to eleven pounds. This breed has a wedge shaped head that looks a bit small for its muscular, sturdy body and a graceful tail that is approximately two thirds the length of its body. These cats have small, dainty paws and move with a jungle cat’s walk. The recognized colors are smoke, silver tabby, and bronze tabby. All of these cats have a spotted appearance. Occasionally, black cats are produced, but they cannot compete in the Cat Fancier’s Association’s Championship classes. The shape of the Mau’s eyes and mouth give it a slightly startled and worried appearance, but this cat is actually quite a happy go lucky breed. Interestingly enough, these cats actually look as though they have kohl rimmed eyes, just as the ancient Egyptians did.

If you are not found of mewling cats, you will enjoy the Mau’s vocalizations. This breed communicates with a noise that sounds like a little chuckle instead of a cat’s normal mewling. This quiet, pleasant sound makes this breed the perfect apartment pet. In addition, these cats actually wag their tails in a dog like manner when they are happy.

Maus love their families and are very protective of them and devoted to them. These intelligent cats are very playful and need to have plenty of toys to keep them happy. If you cannot spend a lot of time with your cat, you may want to add a second cat to the home. This breed’s loyal and affectionate nature makes it ideal for multiple cat households.

Since this is a shorthair breed, you do not have to spend a great deal of time grooming your cat. However, you should plan to groom him at least once a week to remove loose hair and debris. You may also want to bathe him once a month to control dander. Since cats can develop serious health problems from tooth decay and tartar, you should also accustom your cat to having his teeth brushed several times a week.

If you want a cat that looks wild, but is actually a sweet and loving animal, then you may want to consider owning an Egyptian Mau.

These cats have oversize ears, enormous eyes and a slightly pug nose. This combination of features makes the Devon look like a naughty fairy tale creature or a fun loving monkey. This breed is on the small side, weighing in at a delicate six to nine pounds. However, there is nothing delicate about the breed’s build. These cats have powerful, compact bodies and are actually quite sturdy despite their small size.

The Devon Rex is not prone to serious health problems. This is because breeders have been extremely careful to introduce additional cats into the gene pool by crossbreeding the Devon to both American and British Shorthairs, which are two very sturdy and healthy breeds.

Since this breed has a coat that is much less heavy and thick than the coats of most other cats, it is no surprise that the Devon Rex is a cuddler. These cats love to snuggle up on the nearest available lap in the evening and will often crawl right under the covers to stay warm at night. Although you may think the Devon has a higher body temperature than other cat breeds when you feel the heat that one of these cats emit, this breed just feels warmer to us because there is less hair covering its body. Even a full grown Devon can have such a thin coat that some parts of the cat are almost hairless. In fact, kittens developing an adult coat may end up completely bare as they shed their old coat.

If you are looking for a placid, well behaved cat that is content to meet you at the door when you come home from a hard day’s work, then the Devon Rex is not the right choice for you. These cats will get into more trouble than a houseful of other cats when they are left alone for long periods of time. Since Devons are also the chow hounds of the cat world, this cat breed’s naughty antics often involve food left on the kitchen counters. Your Devon will insist on helping you put away groceries or prepare meals. In fact, since these cats like to help their owners do everything, don’t be surprised if your Devon insists on riding around on your shoulder as you tidy up the house.

Since this breed has such a light coat, you do not need to do much in the way of grooming. You may want to use a grooming glove to remove loose hair once a week. Instead of bathing your Devon Rex, you may want to just wipe him down with a damp cloth once a month to avoid having him become chilled.

If you want a fun loving cat who never seems to grow old, then the Devon Rex may just be the perfect breed for you and your family.

These cats have a build that brings to mind the Italian Greyhound or the Whippet and, just like their canine counterparts, they are very fast animals. The Cornish Rex has a coat that resembles the fashionable crimped hairstyles that were so popular in the early twentieth century. Although it may not look very soft, this cat’s coat is so soft that most people compare it to silk or velvet.

If you think that the Cornish Rex is an ornamental, sedate cat, think again. This breed is downright goofy and playful and never actually outgrows kittenhood. This natural born performer loves to learn new tricks and is quite willing to play fetching and catching games for hours on end. This fun loving nature makes the Rex a natural choice for families, as these cats do not mind children who treat them well.

In fact, this breed loves people so much that it is an extremely bad choice for a career oriented individual who spends a lot of time at work. If no one in your family spends much time in the house, you may want to look for a less sociable cat breed instead. If you do decide that you want a Cornish Rex, consider adding a second cat or a cat friendly dog breed to the household, as well. The company of another animal should help your Rex stave off loneliness.

If you have cat allergies, you may have heard that the Cornish Rex breed is safe for people with allergy problems. While it is true that many people who are allergic to other cat breeds do not seem to suffer from allergies to the Rex, no cat is really hypoallergenic. If you have allergy induced asthma, you may still have a reaction to this breed. However, if you have mild allergies, you may find that you are not allergic to these fascinating cats. Before you buy a Rex kitten, ask the breeder if you can spend some time around a few adult cats first to see if you start sneezing and sniffing.

Since this breed burns a lot of energy, you should look for a cat food diet that is high in protein. Foods that prevent hairballs are rarely necessary, as this breed does not shed a great deal and has very fine hair. If you brush your Cornish Rex once a week to remove loose hair and dander, he should be fine.

So, if you don’t mind having a cat that looks like he could be an alien visitor, then the Cornish Rex may be the perfect breed for you. After all, this cat’s personality more than makes up for his unusual appearance.

When a breeder registers a litter of kittens with the Cat Fancier’s Association, he or she has the option of deciding that the kitten cannot be bred. Only cats with a pin number on their registration forms will be eligible to have their kittens registered. This allows the breeders to continue to better their breeds. Once the litter is registered, each kitten will need to be individually registered by its new owner.

The CFA has placed the cat breeds it recognizes into three categories. These groups are the Championship Class, the Provisional Class, and the Miscellaneous Class. Each of the forty one breeds that the CFA recognizes is placed in one of these groups. When cats are shown, they must win first place in their breed and then their class before they can compete for the title of best in show.

Cats in the Championship Class are those who are solidly established cat breeds. The breeds in the Provisional Class have been more recently established and are still being closely watched to be sure they conform to the new breed standard. Finally, the one breed currently in the Miscellaneous Class is still having a breed standard created and cannot actually compete for the best in show title.

If you live in Canada, you have a second option. You can register your cat in the Canadian Cat Association. This association was formed by Canadians who did not want to register their cats with an association in another country. Other popular cat registries are the Traditional Cat Association, which supports original breed standards and does not uphold current trends that exaggerate breed characteristics, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, which is the United Kingdom’s cat registry, and the Fdration Internationale Fline, which is the European cat registry.

Although there are many breeds of cats, they all fit into one of two categories, short hair or long hair. Short hair cats include breeds such as the Abyssinian and the British Shorthair, while Norwegian Forest Cats and Turkish Angoras are representatives of long hair cats. Of the forty one CFA recognized cat breeds, the most popular is probably the American Shorthair, which has been in the United States for over 300 years. Although non-pedigreed pet cats often resemble this breed, it has actually been carefully and selectively bred for generation after generation to develop characteristics that would appear in every kitten. Other popular breeds are the Siamese, the Rex, the Main Coon, the Persian and the Ragdoll.

Just remember, a pedigree doesn’t make your kitten any more loving and affectionate. There are many wonderful pet cats without a pedigree. However, a pedigree does enable you to pick out a kitten that will have certain characteristics.

These cats have a graceful body, a long, tapered tail, and a tan or white body color. The points, which include the feet, tail, ears, and face, are in a different color. Recognized Colorpoint colors include Red, Cream, Cinnamon, Fawn, Smoke, or Silver. In addition, this breed can have tortoiseshell, tabby, or particolor patterns in any color. These cats have a long, narrow face with an almost triangular shape and almond shaped eyes.

One of the main reasons people decide to own a Colorpoint Shorthair is the fact that these cats are less likely to cause allergies than most other cat breeds. Of course, someone with allergy induced asthma who is allergic to cats still should not add a cat of any kind to the home, but if you or a family member just suffer from mild allergies and you want to own a cat, then you may want to take a close look at this breed. Just be sure to spend some time around a few Colorpoints before buying a kitten so that you know that you can handle your allergies.

Of course, being a low allergy cat is not the only thing this breed has going for it. The Colorpoint is an outgoing, sociable cat breed and loves to spend time with its family and friends. These cats are ideal family pets, since they seem to enjoy all of the comings and goings in a busy household. Of course, they also love to see what is in all of those intriguing grocery bags, as well.

If you are away from home a lot, the Colorpoint is a poor choice, since the breed thrives on attention. If you do own a Colorpoint and work long hours, you may want to add a second cat to your household. Of course, two cats can get into twice as much mischief and these cats are very active and more playful than most cat breeds.

The Colorpoint requires very little grooming. However, if you are allergic to cats, you may want to give your cat a monthly bath to help control dander. Don’t overbathe your cat or he will suffer from dry skin. In addition, you should groom your cat weekly to remove dander and loose hair.

This breed is very healthy overall. However, since the Colorpoint is very active, you should consider feeding your cat a high protein diet to keep him feeling healthy and strong. In addition, you should be sure that you discuss an immunization schedule with your veterinarian to keep your cat from contracting any common diseases, such as Distemper, Rabies, or Feline Leukemia.

If you want a friendly, intelligent cat that won’t send your allergies into overdrive, then the lovely Colorpoint Shorthair may be the perfect breed for you.

The Chartreux cat breed has a thick, wooly coat in a rich gray blue color. This breed is neither a true longhair nor a shorthair, since the outer coat is longer than that of a shorthair, but not as long as that of most longhairs.

A Chartreux cat has a body that is solid and muscular, while its legs are on the short side and slender. Some breeders say this breed looks like a potato with toothpick legs. However, despite its build, the Chartreux moves quickly and gracefully and has a reputation for being an excellent mouser. One of the most eye catching characteristics of this breed is the way his mouth curves in a perpetual, sweet smile. These cats weigh in at anywhere from seven to seventeen pounds, with cats at the heavier end of this weight range being the ideal.

If you enjoy interacting with your pets and teaching them tricks, then this breed is an ideal choice for you. The Chartreux is a breed that loves to hang out with family members and thrives on attention. In addition, these intelligent cats have a reputation for being quick learners. Most of them learn to come when they are called and will fetch toys.

People who do not spend much time at home should consider looking for a different breed, since this dog like cat loves people and is really unhappy spending a lot of time alone. Since the Chartreux is a breed that doesn’t seek out other cats for company, getting another kitten to keep your cat from feeling so lonely when you are working may not make much of a difference.

This breed is on the quiet side. When the Chartreux does talk, it has a high pitched meow. It will also occasionally give a soft chirp instead.

Before you name your Chartreux kitten, you may want to talk to your breeder. This cat breed has an interesting naming tradition. All kittens born in a certain year are given names that start with the same letter. Names that start with the letters K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z are never used.

This breed’s wool like coat does need frequent grooming to avoid matting. You should be prepared to comb your cat’s hair at least once a week to keep him looking beautiful, and you may actually need to groom him more often.

If you want a sweet natured and intelligent cat that is on the quiet side, then the Chartreux may be the ideal breed for you.

You should begin vaccinating your kitten when he is six to eight weeks old. Before this time, his mother’s antibodies have been protecting him from many of the diseases that vaccinations protect against. However, now that he is weaned, he will need to develop his own antibodies.

On your kitten’s first veterinarian visit, your veterinarian will give him a physical examination. He should also complete a fecal exam to be sure your kitten doesn’t have worms. Before your veterinarian vaccinates your kitten, he should do a blood test to be sure the kitten is not already infected with Feline Leukemia. He may also test for Feline Infectious Peritonitis. The tests do not take long. Your veterinarian will have preliminary results in minutes. If your kitten is not already infected with one of these diseases, your veterinarian will give your kitten his first Feline Leukemia and FIP vaccines if he is at risk for these diseases. An only cat who never leaves his home may not need these two vaccines and your veterinarian may recommend against giving them.

However, your kitten should receive his first FVRCPC vaccine whether he leaves the house or not. This vaccine is actually a combination of several vaccines. FVRCPC protects kittens from rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleudopenia and chlamydia.

Your kitten should visit your veterinarian again in two to four weeks, when he is eight to twelve weeks old. At this time, he will get a second FVRCPC vaccine and a second FIP and Feline Leukemia vaccine. If he was wormed during his first visit, he will also receive his second worming. Kittens who are twelve weeks old and spend time outdoors should also receive their first Rabies vaccine at this time.

The third visit to your kitten’s veterinarian should occur when he is ten to sixteen weeks old. During this visit, he will receive his third FVRCPC vaccine. Kittens who were too young to receive their first Rabies vaccine on their second visit should be given the vaccine this time.

Once your kitten has completed his third set of FVRCPC vaccines, he will not need any more injections until he is one year old. At that time, he will need a Rabies and FVRCPC vaccine. As long as the Rabies shot is given within one year of the first Rabies vaccine, it will be good for three years. However, your cat will need to return for a FVRCPC vaccine each year. If your cat received FIP and Feline Leukemia vaccines as a kitten, he will also receive boosters for these shots when he is one year of age.

While vaccines are usually safe, some of them do occasionally have side effects. Feline Leukemia vaccines can actually cause a form of cancer at the injection site. This is the reason most veterinarians do not recommend giving the vaccine to cats who are not at risk. Other vaccines can also occasionally cause tumors at the vaccination site. Many times, the tumor can be removed before it spreads. This side effect is rare enough that the risk of catching a disease without vaccinations is much higher. If you notice a lump develop at the injection site, tell your veterinarian, as these lumps usually are a simple reaction to the injection, but can develop into a tumor.

One of the most common cat health problems is the hairball. Cats groom themselves constantly with their tongues. The loose hair comes off on their tongues and is swallowed. Sometimes the hair gradually forms into a ball instead of passing through the cat’s body. If your cat starts coughing and hacking, he may have a hairball. Usually, the cat will expel the ball on his own. To prevent hairballs, groom your cat frequently to remove loose hair. In addition, feed your cat food that helps control hairballs. Recently, cat treats that help control hairballs have become available, as well.

Another common health problem in cats is the urinary tract infection. This infection is particularly common in un-neutered male cats, although female cats can also develop this problem. If your cat has suddenly stopped using his litter box, a urinary tract infection could be the culprit. If your cat’s urine smells strong, you should suspect a urinary tract infection. These infections need to be treated by your veterinarian. Be sure to ask about cat foods that help alleviate the chance of an infection re-occurring.

There are also several dangerous viruses that cats can catch. Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Feline Leukemia Virus.

FIP is a disease that is related to Corona virus. This problem is serious, because there is no known treatment for the disease. Cats who test positive for this disease may not actually have it, as Corona gives the same result on the titer. There is a vaccine for FIP, but many veterinarians and scientists say that it actually is not very effective. Luckily, this disease is not as easy to catch as some other diseases.

FIV, or cat AIDs, is not always fatal. Some people are afraid that they will catch HIV from a cat with FIV, but that cannot happen.

FLV is preventable if the cat has not been exposed to the virus before being immunized. Although the disease is not always immediately fatal, cats with FLV rarely have a long life expectancy. You should never bring other cats into your household when you have a cat with FLV.

Worms are also a problem for many cats. Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms are the most common types that infect cats. However, they can occasionally develop heart worms, as well. If your cat seems unable to gain wait, is infested with fleas, or has white specks that look like grains of rice in his stools, you should take him to the veterinarian to be tested for worms. A cat with worms is easily cured with a few doses of medication, but worms can prove fatal if left untreated.

Finally, if your cat spends time outdoors, you should keep a close eye on him for ticks. If you find a tick on your cat’s body and he has been acting lethargic or moving slowly and acting as if he was in pain, you should ask your veterinarian to test him for Lyme Disease. This disease is transmitted to people and animals by ticks.

What exactly is a hairball? It is a mass of hair and food that did not digest that forms inside a cat’s body. Loose hair that collects on his tongue when he grooms himself. For some reason, the hair comes together and forms a ball in his stomach instead of simply passing through his body. Since these hairballs aren’t able to break down and be digested, cats often cough them up to get rid of them.

While most cats don’t have a problem with dislodging hairballs, they can occasionally pass into a cat’s intestines and cause a blockage. This can be a life threatening problem. There are a few signs you should look for to find out if your cat’s hairball is dangerous. If your cat seems to be constipated, he may be experiencing a small blockage. If he seems lethargic and his coat is dull and unhealthy looking, or he is eating less than usual, then he may have a serious blockage. Either way, you should take him to your veterinarian to be sure a hairball is the problem and to have it removed.

Of course, it is much better to prevent hairballs than to treat them after they have formed. One of the easiest ways to keep your cat from developing a hairball is to groom him frequently, especially if he has long hair. Thoroughly comb or brush his hair each day to remove excess hair. If you begin this routine when he is a kitten, he will actually look forward to being groomed. In fact, some cats will even bring their combs to their owners so that they can be groomed. If your cat doesn’t care for brushes and combs, try a grooming glove, instead.

If your cat still seems to form occasional hairballs, there are several dietary aids that you can try. One of these aids is dry cat food that was developed to help prevent hairballs. However, don’t just buy the first bag of hairball formula cat food you see. Be sure that it is high in protein and other nutrients, as well. If your cat already has a hairball, you may want to shop for a gel that can be added to his food that will help the hairball pass through his body. This gel is actually a lubricant. Talk to your veterinarian before using one of these hairball remedies for a long period of time, as they can end up removing important vitamins and minerals along with hairballs.

Finally, some people have their own remedies and recipes for removing hairballs. Before using folk remedies to treat your cat, please consult with your veterinarian to be sure you aren’t unintentionally causing harm to some other part of your cat’s body. A few common folk remedies are butter, mineral oil, and pumpkin.