The unfolding of our sweet felines

Evolution is the process by which species develop, being slowly formed over millennia by pressures such as natural selection and genetic drift. Here’s how our felines tiptoed into our lives….

The Felidae family...

The Felidae family, to which all cats belong, has done well, branching out in all geographical directions with thirty-seven variations on a highly effective blueprint of a top predator, ranging from Sand Cats to Tigers. These all trace back to one common ancestor who lived on our planet between 20 and 30 million years ago: Proailurus. This animal was remarkably like a large domestic cat and probably spent a lot of time hunting in trees for small animals. From this humble beginning the cat’s family tree started to branch out. A legacy of huge and frightening Sabre-toothed Cats, some of whom thought nothing of snacking on a Rhino, spread across the world and dominated it for millions of years. However, these fearsome beasts were outlived by less assuming cousins and all living cat species today owe their heritage to the Cougar-like Pseudaelurus.

Sometimes in the history of an animal’s evolution a change occurs because it develops a symbiotic relationship with another species. That is to say, two unrelated animals find a way to get along and have a mutually beneficial relationship. The youngest species of cat arose in this way and is the cat we all know, love and cuddle on a cold night.

The first domestic cat…

Felis Silvestris Catus or the Domestic Cat developed around 5000 years ago when there was a social shift among the people of North Africa who for the first time ceased a nomadic existence in order to settle on fertile land and farm food. Excess grain was stored for leaner times and this attracted the destructive attention of mice. The sand brown African Wild Cat, Felis Silvestris Lybica, was and still is, present in the area hunting small prey in the steppes, savannas and bush-land. Unlike many small cat species, African Wild Cat kittens can develop a certain level of tameness if raised with people from a young enough age.

Cats in religion…

Cats became increasingly important in religion in Egypt, with the cult of cat goddess Bast elevating their status to sacred and worshipped VIPs. During this time it became common practise to keep cats confined for the first time, and they were bred and pampered in temples.

The sailors…

The Phoenicians were great sea traders sailing all around Europe in boats propelled by muscle-armed galley slaves. One of their great strengths was realising that cats were as vital to successful seafaring as cooperative oarsmen. Between 1200 and 800 BC these ships took cats all around the Mediterranean and beyond and by 500 BC, cats were well established in Southern Europe and traders were taking them on journeys to and from China and Japan where they were invaluable in protecting silkworm cocoons from rats.

Touched by luxury…

It was in Rome that the cat had its first taste of luxury as a pampered pet while the mongoose was sent out to work catching vermin. As the Roman Empire came to prominence cats hitched a ride again to even more countries, including England, where feline footprints on clay tiles date back to 4 AD, and India, where sea-faring Romans had many trade links, especially in the West coast. Then as time passed travel and exploration took ship’s cats across the Atlantic to America and down under to New Zealand and Australia with the first colonists.

Not only had Felis S Catus become a new, distinct sub-species but a highly successful one thanks to its ability to live alongside humans. Our cats had to adapt and change themselves in order to fully exploit this relationship, and several key differences set the domestic cat apart from his wild cousins.

(Anthony Nichols has been showing cats for about 20 years, starting with non-pedigrees, and breeding for about ten years. He has bred Devon Rex and Singapuras, but mainly focuses on breeding LaPerms in a range of colours, particularly the reds, creams, torties, chocolates and colourpoints.) (To be continued…Read our next issue to know how domestic cats are different from wild cats.)

How to bring up a kitten

Bringing up a healthy and happy kitty is an art. In the last issue, we discussed about good mom care, early socialisation, litter training and weaning. Here are some other ways, which can support growing kittens to ensure that the development process goes well.

Regular veterinary check-ups

The body of a small kitten is very vulnerable and her immune system is not as well developed as that of an adult one. This means that any bugs she picks up can be very serious, so breeders and owners should never delay seeking veterinary treatment for any potential infection. Diarrhoea, sore or gunky eyes, sneezes or sniffles should all be investigated.

A kitten exploring a dusty corner under a bed or behind furniture may give a little sneeze without cause for concern, but any discharge should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Bad colds in growing kittens can cause permanent damage to the inside of the nose and long-term respiratory problems. Give them plenty of reassurance and take along some of their favourite treats while visiting the vet.

Making travelling easy

Some cats are also wary of travelling, so any journeys that kittens can be taken on while they are still young and open to new experiences will help to ensure that they feel comfortable on trips to see family, to cat shows, or to the vet. If kittens are going to be shown then they should get the experience of going to shows while they are young. It is a mistake to wait until they are old enough to be entered into adult classes, as cats shown as kittens tend to have a more confident attitude at shows. Kittens who appear a little more nervous can be taken to shows to be put on exhibition only for their first experience, then they will have had an opportunity to adjust to the sounds and smells of a cat show before they go back and are handled by judges. Most kittens love all the cuddles and attention they receive.

Making grooming fun

It is important for cats to be habituated to grooming from an early age, especially longhaired cats who will need more intensive grooming as adults. They should get used to being brushed all over, including the tummy and back of legs, having their ears cleaned and nails trimmed. If kittens are not brought up with this exposure they will often resent being groomed as adults and those with thick coats may end up with painful mats. Create positive associations with grooming for kittens by keeping session short and finishing with a food treat or play session.

Good behaviour training

Destructive behaviour can be a problem, especially with younger cats who have more energy and get bored more easily. It is a good idea to prevent boredom by providing playmates, toys and interactive playtime. However, a certain amount of training can help to bring up kittens with good habits. The earlier in life a kitten learns good house rules the more effectively they will take these on.

Kittens should be strongly discouraged from scratching furniture and encouraged to use a scratching post. If this is done they will associate the post with a need to scratch and seek it out. Other ground rules should be set out from the start and stuck to unswervingly. Kittens will just be confused if they do not get a consistent message about whether they are allowed on the kitchen worktops or in the bedroom.

Outdoor vs indoor

Another firm decision is required about whether the kitten is allowed outdoor access or not. There is no need to give cats outdoor access as all their needs can be catered to indoors. Once given outdoor access cats may not appreciate having it taken away. If a decision is made to provide outdoor access then ways of making this secure should be considered, such as use of leads, runs or cat-proof fencing. Cats should only be allowed out during daylight hours and will require microchipping first. A collar with an ID tag and vaccination against FeLV should also be considered. Owners can also ask their vets if their local area has a high incidence of FIV or airgun attacks.

Anyone with young kittens needs to give special attention to the way in which they bring them up. With the right care and attention they can be well socialised to make them friendly and outgoing, they can be given a healthy start and they can learn to happily enjoy the varied elements of life with a human family. A well brought up kitten should grow into a happy, loving and balanced adult cat.

(Anthony Nichols has been showing cats for about 20 years, starting with non-pedigrees, and breeding for about ten years. He has bred Devon Rex and Singapuras, but mainly focuses on breeding LaPerms in a range of colours, particularly the reds, creams, torties, chocolates and colourpoints.)

LaPerms: all about curves ‘n’ curls

Elegant, athletic, lively, social, shaggy curls and ringlets… the LaPerms are the epitome of beauty and fun.

Large but beautiful

[caption id="attachment_8224" align="alignright" width="250"] Anulika á Chardani DK[/caption]

A curly kitten breed is born… In the spring of 1982 on a farm just near to Dallas, Oregon the LaPerm cat was born. Linda Koehl (founder of the LaPerm breed), was surprised to see an unusual looking bald kitten out of a litter of plain barn cats, and at first dismissed the kitten as a mutant. Linda named her “Curly” after she grew a coat of curls, and her temperament was just as unique as her coat. Curly has left behind her progeny of curly coated, doggedly affectionate kittens who were later named the LaPerm. LaPerm…a kitty of moderation This muscular, medium-sized cat has long neck and legs. Perhaps the most striking feature is her unusual coat, which has a unique textured feel. Velvet-like, their coat is soft to touch. You will be mesmerised with their wavy or curly hair, which forms ringlets on the neck and the ruff. Their head is a modified wedge with gently rounded contours and a muzzle. Broad noses, flared ears are and expressive almond shaped eyes…complete their beautiful looks. The tails of long-haired are curly while that of short-haired is like bottlebrushes. They are available in colours like tabbies, reds and torties, besides lilac, chocolate and colorpoints. LaPerms…pleasure to be with These cats are doggedly affectionate and incredibly docile. They are by far the most intelligent and witty cat. Taking care of LaPerm curls They are essentially lowshedding, low-maintenance pets. Rubber brushes should never be used as they can strip the fragile coats; only a revolving toothed comb will move through the coat easily without pulling out the fur or pulling the lovely curls straight. Too much grooming leaves the coat looking like a frizz-ball and takes away the desired definition of the curls. However, a spritz with plain water and a scrunch will help to redefine the curls. LaPerms…healthy kitties LaPerms are a healthy and robust breed with no known breedrelated health problems. (With inputs from Anthony Nichols and Martine Sansoucy. Martine has been raising and showing TICA Registered LaPerms for almost 12 years in Canada. Anthony Nichols has been showing cats for twenty year and mainly bred LaPerms. He imported the first LaPerms into the UK from the USA (www.laperm.co.uk) and is actively working with other breeders to achieve full championship recognition for the LaPerm in the GCCF.)