The largest domestic cats in the world
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Cats are the embodiment of grace and independence. Self-willed beauties delight people with their softness, hiding deadly claws. For about 10 thousand years, a cat accompanies a person, being his companion and protector from rodents and all kinds of evil spirits. Over the centuries, approximately 200 breeds of domestic cats have been bred, among which there are miniature creatures weighing up to 1.5 kg and real giants, whose weight reaches 13 kg or more.
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Peculiarities
All cats are part of the feline family, which is divided into subfamilies large and small. Big cats include such famous predators as:
- lions;
- tigers;
- leopards;
- jaguars;
- Snow leopards.
All other types of cats, as well as cheetahs, cougars, caracals, servals and lynxes, are included in the small suborder.
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The domestic purr is a subspecies of the forest cat from the small feline suborder. Domestic cats are not very large. On average, the weight of an adult cat ranges from 3 to 6 kg, and the body length with a tail is about 90 cm. Cats have the most developed sense organs compared to most animals. Developed hearing, sight, sense of smell, tenacious claws and an ideal structure of the jaws for a predator made this small cute animal an excellent hunter.
Despite the fact that the cat prefers to hunt alone, she knows how to communicate with other individuals using sounds, body movements and pheromones. The range of sounds emitted by the cat is very wide, and the animal uses them to express emotions, often accompanying the "conversation" with movements of the tail, paws or head.
Like humans, some cats are particularly talkative, while others are rare.
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Over the long centuries of life next to a person, a cat has not become completely dependent on him, retaining the ability to survive on his own. But at the same time, she is the perfect companion, gentle and affectionate. It is believed that a cat is able to identify a sore spot in the owner and heal by lying on it or being located next to the source of pain. Stroking the silky fur of the animal relieves nervous irritation and has a calming effect on the psyche.
The small size of the animal makes it possible to keep it even in small apartments, but in recent years, the fashion for large cats is gaining strength. Increasingly, cat lovers are turning their attention to breeds that can match the size of a medium-sized dog.
Such a pussy looks impressive, reminding some wild brothers not only in appearance, but also in character.
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Popular breeds
In the process of many years of selection, about 13 breeds were bred, large cats of which reach significant sizes. Topping the list of feline giants living next to humans is the Savannah cat.
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Savannah
Savannah is an exotic beauty, obtained by crossing a domestic cat and a resident of the African continent, Serval. The breed was bred in America in the early 80s of the last century, when the breeders set themselves the task of getting an animal of the original wild color, but with a soft character.
The breed was based on a wild serval and such types of domestic cats as:
- Egyptian Mau;
- shorthaired oriental;
- Ocicat;
- Bengali.
The very first savannah kittens were born in the spring of 1986, and after a while breed standards were developed. Officially, the savannah was included in the list of breeds at the very beginning of the 21st century. To preserve the species, only Serval and Savannah or cats of the same breed are allowed to cross.
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The height of an adult cat at the withers reaches 0.4 m, and the weight can be about 15 kg. The kitten reaches the maximum size of an adult animal by the age of three, while cats are slightly smaller than cats. The body of the savanna is oval, the neck is elongated, the legs are long, and the fur is thick and speckled. On a round muzzle there are large eyes with a yellow-golden or greenish iris. Shaggy ears of a decent size with a rounded top set wide on a graceful head.
Savannah has calm character and dog loyalty to the owner... Cats of this species are distinguished by high intelligence and friendliness to other pets. Active animals are very fond of walking in the fresh air, are not afraid of water, and they need a lot of space in the apartment.
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For cats of the breed, such colors are characteristic as:
- brown;
- chocolate;
- golden;
- silver;
- cinnamon tabby or cinnamon (this is a new color, much lighter than chocolate brown, with a warmer red tint; the nose and paw pads of a cat with this color are pinkish brown).
The color of the animal depends on the breed of cat that was taken for the base. A feature of the savannah is that males are sterile up to the 4th generation, when the serval blood level is significantly reduced in the blood. In kittens of the first generation, the serval blood count is 50%, but in the next offspring it will be half less, decreasing with each subsequent generation.
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Savannah kittens are considered the most expensive in the world, and the price depends on the amount of blood of the ancestor.
Maine Coon
The aboriginal American breed of Maine Coon cats or the Manx raccoon is a native of the northeastern American state of Maine. The breed turned out naturally under the influence of the harsh climate. The first mentions of Maine Coons date back to the beginning of the 70s of the XIX century, and in the list of cat breeds, Maine Coons are in fifth place. Officially, the breed's standards were fixed only in 1967, and twenty years later the breed began to gain popularity.
Cats of this breed are considered one of the largest domestic cats. The height of the animal varies from a quarter of a meter to a little over 40 cm. The weight of cats is from 6 to 8 kg, cats are much lighter - 3.5-5.5 kg, but emasculated individuals are one and a half times heavier. The length of an adult without taking into account the tail is about a meter, and the full one is 1.20 m.The body of the longest cat reached 123 cm.
Maine Coons reach adult sizes by 3-5 years, in contrast to classic breeds of cats, which grow by a year.
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Manx kittens are born much larger than their counterparts. The smallest viable kitten in a litter weighs about 80 g, while normal newborn babies weigh an average of 150 g. At the same time, cats are much smaller than cats at an early age.
Maine Coons are long-haired breeds with short hair on the head and shoulders, and longer on the sides. Some cats develop a prominent collar on their necks. This breed is characterized by tufts of long hair between the pads of the paws, making it easier to walk in the snow. The thick undercoat and long coat provide protection from the cold and winds for which Maine is famous.
Brushes on the ears are also required to keep warm.
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For purebred cats, any natural color of fur and eyes is allowed, while artificial colors are not recognized everywhere. A violation of the standard is blue eyes or irises of different colors in cats whose color is different from white. Most often, Maine wool is colored brown or smoky tabby, known in our country as "wild". Maine Coons live for about 13 years and are distinguished by excellent health. Of the diseases, they rarely have genetically determined problems with the heart, muscles and joints, as well as polycystic kidney disease.
The raccoon cat is not capricious in nutrition. Anything can eat. It is advisable that ¾ of the diet should be meat, and the rest of the food should include vegetables, grains, dairy and seafood, eggs and vitamin supplements. It is imperative to add vitamins to the diet of kittens, even when using natural food. You can use dry food, but only high quality, suitable for long-haired cats. Canned food can be fed two to three times a week.
It is better to use iron or glass bowls, it is better to refrain from plastic because of possible allergies.
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Siberian cat
In the 16th century, the first representatives of the Siberian cat appeared beyond the Urals. It is believed that the ancestor of the breed is the Bukhara cat, brought to Siberian lands by merchants and settlers. Under the influence of winds, frost and snow, cats have developed a thick fur with a rich undercoat, which protects against adverse weather conditions.
A strong, strong animal of medium size with the makings of an excellent hunter, it has a calm character. Siberian cats are wonderful family men. The cat tenderly cares for the kittens, and in upbringing can replace the deceased mother. Siberians are characterized by stable couples for better offspring survival and community bonds.
And the presence of young rival friends helps the cat to keep himself in the best shape.
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The first impression of a cat is that it is smooth. Everything in it has a rounded shape with smooth transitions. The rounded trapezoidal head sits on a strong, rounded neck that merges into a barrel-shaped body. Round large eyes have a slightly elongated outer corner. The wide-set, rounded ears are crowned at the tips with small tassels. The thick, round tail tapers slightly towards the end. Large rounded legs with tufts of wool between the pads help to run in deep snow, easily support the weight of the animal.
The weight of adult cats and cats is different: the former can weigh 6-9 kg, while females are slightly lighter - 3.5-7 kg. But there are also giants among them, which can be more than 10 kilograms. The semi-long or long coat has a double undercoat that protects in extreme cold.For representatives of Siberians, natural fur colors are characteristic, but rare, artificially obtained colors are not allowed by the breed standards.
The color of the iris can be any, and does not depend on the general color of the cat.
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Although cats have long hair, but they may well be recommended for people with allergies, since Siberians are hypoallergenic. Siberians live up to thirteen years old, maintaining reproductive functions until old age. Since the breed is natural, they are characterized by early maturity. Although Siberian cats mature only by the age of five, the first litter can be given as early as six months. But the best kittens are obtained from cats between the ages of one and a half to six years.
Siberians are particularly tolerant of young children, allowing them to fiddle with and be patient with pain.
They are also characterized by devotion to the owners, but it is better for strangers to be careful in dealing with this soft beauty and keep their hands from strong tenacious claws.
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Norwegian forest
The Norwegian forest beauty is similar in character and origin to the Siberian cat. Introduced to Norway in the 16th century, the Angora cat acclimatized and adapted to survive in harsh conditions, acquiring a thick undercoat and long, smooth guard hairs with water-repellent properties.
They first started talking about this breed in the 40s of the last century, but judging by old engravings, the Vikings kept cats similar to Norwegians a very long time ago, and it was they who brought the ancestors of the breed to their current habitats. The breed was officially recognized in 1977 at a regular meeting of the FIFe, when felinologists presented documents confirming the existence of three generations of Norwegian forest cats. There are suggestions that the Norwegians are one of the founders of Maine Coon cats.
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Cats of this breed are large, with semi-long thick wool of different colors, not afraid of water. The triangular head is crowned with wide ears with tassels like a lynx. The iris of the oval large eyes, according to breed standards, should be in harmony with the color of the coat. Cats of this breed are characterized by the presence of a "collar", "beard", "pants" and a fluffy long tail, the tip of which can reach the shoulders of the cat.
The weight of adult cats can reach 10 kilograms, but this does not prevent them from running freely through the snowdrifts thanks to the soft wide paws with tufts of wool between the pads. Females of Norwegians are slightly smaller than their relatives. The Norwegian Forest is able to descend upside down, unlike cats of other breeds, and is an excellent angler due to the developed strong claws. Norwegian Forest Murka kittens are born healthy and reach adulthood by the age of five.
The characteristic coat appears by the age of five months.
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The character of the Norwegian ideal for families with children... Playful, patient, intelligent cat easily accepts the rules of living in the house, without creating big problems with hygiene training. She is very attached to the owners, demanding attention and communication, but she can sometimes play alone.
The purr is also easy to contact with other pets, and is highly tolerant. But she is in no hurry to trust strangers, showing reasonable caution.
The Norwegian Forest is the perfect human companion.
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Ragamuffin
Ragamuffin or ragamuffin is a breed of cats bred by crossing ragdolls with outbred yard cats to obtain a larger variety of colors. The first time cats of this breed were introduced to the world in 1994. The long, muscular body of the cat rests on strong legs of medium length with large rounded legs, between the pads of which tufts of hair are visible. The tail is long and very fluffy, like the rest of the cat. The coat is long, thick and silky to the touch.
Cats can weigh up to about 10 kg, but they remain active and playful.... Color can be any other than color-point. The character of cats is very flexible. They are playful, easily adapt to any conditions and love to sit in the hands of their owners. A feature of the breed is the complete absence of hunting instincts, therefore, in case of danger, they hide, not trying to resist. But in general it is a quick-witted cat, easy to train and able to get along with any pet.
There are no particular difficulties in caring for ragamuffin. It is only necessary to carefully comb out the thick fur with a rich collar, and when feeding, offer special additives to help get rid of hairballs in the cat's stomach.
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Ragdoll
Ragdoll cats are the ancestors of ragamuffins and differ from them only in color options. The cat got its name for the ability to completely relax in the hands of the owner, drooping like a rag doll (this is how the word "ragdoll" is translated from English).
Breed writer Ann Baker was a breeder of Persian cats. When creating the breed, individuals were selected with a calm, soft character that characterizes this species.
As a result, a cat was obtained, which is very attached to a person and gives him maximum confidence.
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Cats of this breed are rather large, with long thick flowing hair, almost devoid of undercoat. The hair, short on the head, passes into a fluffy collar and lengthens throughout the body, turning into a fluffy long tail. Allowed colors:
- blue;
- lilac;
- chocolate;
- dark gray color point;
- bicolor;
- mitted.
The wedge-shaped head with wide-set rounded ears, which have characteristic tassels at the ends, is decorated with large oval blue eyes. They are the "calling card" of Ragdolls. Kittens grow up by the age of four. Adult males can weigh from 7 to 10 kilos, while females are one third less in weight. Despite its playful nature, the cat never releases its claws when playing.
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British cat
British shorthaired cats and their longhaired cousins are also large cat breeds. The British are distinguished by an extremely independent character, on any occasion they have their own opinion, which they can defend quite aggressively. That's why an important stage in building relationships with a future pet is his upbringing.
A strong, stocky cat with a large round head, on which large, wide-open eyes and small, low ears with rounded tips are clearly visible, has a thick soft coat. Adults can weigh up to 12 kg, but these cats are prone to obesity, so it is extremely important to monitor your pet's diet.
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British cats have strong immunity, but at the same time prone to colds, therefore, you should regularly examine the animal by a specialist. If you take proper care of a cat, then it can easily live up to 20 years, as the British relate to the breed of long-livers.
For a long time, only short-haired individuals of this species were considered purebred. But in the process of obtaining cats of new colors, the British were crossed with Persians and Somali cats, from which new generations received a recessive gene responsible for long hair. At first, kittens with long hair were discarded, but later amateurs achieved recognition of a long-haired breed of British cats, and today both subspecies exist on equal terms.
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The coat of the British is smooth, with a thick undercoat, which requires careful maintenance, especially when the seasons change. The color of the fur coat can be any, but the British of the following colors are most in demand:
- blue;
- gray-blue;
- black;
- purple;
- chocolate;
- tabbies and silver tabbies in various options.
The most common color of the iris of the eyes of the British beauty is honey-yellow.But cats with blue eyes can be found, usually these are individuals of a point color, and in a chinchilla purr, the iris can also have a lavender or emerald green color.
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Thanks to their independent nature, the British do not require constant attention and can be alone for a long time.
Pixie bob
In the 20th century, American breeders set out to get a pet that looks like a forest lynx. The breed was based on a domestic cat and a short-tailed forest cat. For a long time, the work did not give results, until in the eighties of the last century it was not possible to get a kitten, in color and appearance resembling a forest predator. By 1995, it was possible to secure the necessary characteristics, and the breed was entered in the TICA register.
A rather large cat weighing up to 8 kg has a massive body, standing on strong large paws, covered with thick short or semi-long (up to 2 inches) hair. The cat's head is shaped like an inverted pear with lynx-like sideburns. The eyes are set deep and half-closed, which makes their appearance similar to soft triangles. The ears are crowned with characteristic tassels. A short tail stands out with a special detail, just like that of a wild brother.
The animal's coat is painted in all shades of leopard color (Brown Spotted Tabby). Despite the appearance that resembles a wild lynx, the pixie bob or short-tailed elf possesses mild obedient character and does not require any special worries.
Representatives of the pixie bob breed are considered a national treasure of America, and are practically prohibited from export to other countries of the world.
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American bobtail
In North America, in the 60s of the XX century, they began to develop a new type of large cats with a short tail, called the American Bobtail or Yankee Bob. The ancestor of this breed is a kitten found on one of the Indian reservations. The cat belonged to the aboriginal species of domestic cats that lived next to people for more than one century. We paid attention to the baby because of his beautiful color and original short tail.
Already in the 70th year, breed standards were developed and the Yankee beans were recognized as a separate species. Two subspecies of the American Bobtail are now recognized: shorthaired and longhaired. Pretty strong cats weighing up to 7 kg (females can weigh much less) in appearance resemble a forest lynx, from which the ancestor of the breed supposedly descended.
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The large almond-shaped eyes are set deep and have a very expressive appearance. The tail of a bobtail can be very short, almost absent, or slightly elongated. The coat of the American Bobtail is soft and silky, with a thick down. A variety of natural colors are allowed for a purebred cat, but a wild tabby is preferred.
Although the cat looks a lot like a wild animal, her character is affectionate. Purr is strongly attached to the place and person she chooses, and is friendly to all family members and pets living with her in the same territory. An intelligent, intelligent animal is easy to train and has a calm attitude to the leash.
It is noticed that the Yankees do not like loneliness and it is hard to endure a change of residence.
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Due to size and active nature Yankee bobs are best kept in private homes or large apartments, where they will have room to play. But you need to carefully monitor that the animal does not run away, carried away by the awakened hunting instinct. Also, cats try to occupy a leading position, even if for this they have to fight with fellow tribesmen.
Due to the fact that the breed is based on a wild animal, Yankee beans have excellent health. Caring for cats is simple, consisting of combing and bathing. Yankees can live up to 15 years, if you take care of them correctly and avoid stressful situations.Today, the American Bobtail is the pride of the United States, and official kennels are located only in America.
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Kurilian Bobtail
At the end of the last century, an aboriginal cat was brought to the mainland from the Kuril Islands, featuring a short pompom tail. We christened this cat Kurilian Bobtail.
The animal has a muscular body with a slightly curved back and strong legs on round legs. A large trapezoidal head is crowned with wide-set, medium-sized ears with a rounded tip. Eyes slightly slanted towards the bridge of the nose have an iris that is in harmony with the general color of the coat. The weight of an adult male can reach 9 kg, cats weigh a little less.
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Since the Kuril cat is of natural origin, it is distinguished by excellent health and the absence of genetic diseases. A distinctive feature of this breed is a tiny, from 30 to 80 mm tail, decorated with long hair, forming a shaggy ball. A tail shorter or longer than the specified parameters is a violation of breed standards adopted in the USSR in 1991.
Today, two subspecies of the breed are registered: semi-long-haired and short-haired cats. The coat of the Kurilian Bobtail is silky, with a weak undercoat. Many colors are allowed, except for chocolate of any shades, lilac, fawn, acromelanic. The character of the island purr is similar to that of a dog. She is devotee, can carry out some commands, even bring things. A cat is attached to one, maximum two people who will enjoy her full confidence.
The rest of the household will be friendly, but nothing more.
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Cats are active, playful, but rather controversial. For their dislike of water, they are excellent anglers. The saying goes to Kurilian bobtails that curiosity is not a vice, but a source of knowledge. What they actively use.
It is forbidden to mate Kurilian Bobtails with other thoroughbred and not very individuals in order to preserve the breed. And for new representatives of the breed, whose pedigree on the mainland does not have its own line, it is necessary to confirm that they were exported from the Kuril Islands.
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Turkish van
A decent-sized murka with an unusual feline love for water has been known for a very long time. Representatives of this species are found on the shores of Lake Van, located in the Armenian Highlands in Turkey. There is an assumption that the first white and red beauties were brought to Europe by the crusaders returning from their campaigns.
Officially, the formation of the breed began in the 60s of the last century, when the first breeder of Van cats, Laura Lushington, from her trip to Turkey brought a couple of kittens with an amazing character and beautiful color. The species parameters were entered in the breed register in 1971.
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Turkish Vans are distinguished by a muscular structure of a large body with a rectangular back tapering to the sacrum. The limbs of medium length end in large round legs with pink pads, between which tufts of wool are visible. Small, fluffy ears are located on the wedge-shaped head. The iris of the eyes for pedigree cats is allowed in amber, copper and blue, but heterochromia is also acceptable. The body length of an adult cat, from a pink nose to the tip of the tail, reaches 1.2 m, and its weight ranges from 6 to 9 kg. The cats are noticeably smaller in size, and a third lighter in weight.
The semi-long silky wang has no undercoat or is very sparse, which is very convenient for quick drying. The classic color of the fur coat is white, with a medium-length red or cream tail. Small stains are allowed. Additionally, colors are allowed when black, blue or tortoiseshell is present instead of red. Colored spots can be located on the head or on the back in the region of the right shoulder blade, and a fluffy tail is also necessarily colored.
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The fluffiness of a pet only increases with age, but due to the lack of undercoat, there are no problems with grooming. Also, the water-repellent properties of a cat's coat lead to the fact that the dirt simply does not stick to the beautiful purr. The character of a thoroughbred cat is quite independent, but at the same time, friendly and energetic. The animal loves communication, can “talk” with pets for a long time and clearly express its needs. Vans are good-natured to all family members, but most emotionally they are attached to one person.
Due to the playful nature of a large cat, it is not suitable for keeping in small apartments. She needs a lot of space for play and movement. The cat loves to walk, calmly refers to the leash and harness. In a private house, she can be fenced off with an aviary, where she can run freely even in winter. A distinctive feature of the Turkish van is his love for water. Cats love to swim, bathe or just lie in the water. They like to watch the trickle of water flowing from the tap. At home, the Vans enjoyed playing in shallow water and fishing.
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Chartreuse
The blue-gray short-haired beauty Chartreuse is a French-born cat who began her journey around the world from the monasteries belonging to the Carthusian order. They are located in the Chartreuse mountains in France. One of the mountains belonging to the Chartreuse mountain range was named "Mountain of Gray Cats", and is still wearing it.
Medium-sized cats with a powerful squat physique lived in monasteries as early as the middle of the 16th century. Initially, the Cartesian cats had green eyes, but in the process of selection and recognition of the breed, individuals with honey-colored eyes were bred. This feature of the cat was genetically fixed, and today's cats should have a smooth, shiny coat with a thick undercoat equal in length to the guard hair, gray-blue in color, and dark amber eyes without a single green glint. The weight of adult cats is about 7 kg, cats reach 5 kg mark.
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The character of the cat corresponds to the place of their initial habitat. Calm, quiet purrs have a quiet voice that does not disturb the tranquility of the monastery. Their slightly arrogant appearance does not match their good-natured, balanced temperament. The independent nature of the cat allows them to be kept by people who are forced to leave the pet alone for a long time. Peculiar to chartreuse gravity and slowness of movements does not prevent them from being successful hunters.
Since chartreuse is a fairly old cat breed, obtained naturally, individuals of this species can boast excellent health and the absence of genetic abnormalities.
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Chausie
Another representative of large domestic cats is the chausie (houseie). A relatively young breed obtained by artificial means. In order to obtain an animal that looks like a wild one, the Abyssinian cat was crossed with a wild jungle cat. The resulting offspring gave rise to a new species. But the breed is not genetically fixed, and to maintain it requires a constant infusion of fresh blood.
The Hausi have a strong, muscular body resting on long limbs with large paws. The small head is crowned with large ears with tassels. Almond-shaped eyes have a golden or greenish iris. The Chausie's coat is only short, dense, and can have three color options:
- black ticket-tabby;
- silver ticket-tabby;
- tabby.
The first two options are most natural for the wild ancestor of the breed.
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First generation kittens are most similar to a jungle cat, and are not suitable for keeping in apartments. They are very mobile, they do not like to sit on their hands at all, they can show aggression if something does not suit them. While playing, Chausie can jump quite high, therefore, to keep cats of this breed, you need to build a large aviary so that they have where to frolic.
The second generation of kittens is already a little calmer.Adult cats can gain weight of 10 kg or more, which does not prevent them from being good hunters, cheerful and playful. Chausie of any generation get along easily with people and other pets. They can quite get along with the dog. They value human attention and are very loyal to their owners.
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Guinness Book of Records holders
There are many big cats and record holders worthy of being included in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Among them is the world's largest domestic cat of the Maine Coon breed. By the time they reach adulthood (Maine Coons mature by the age of five), Stewie, that is the name of the pet, has grown from nose to tip of tail to 1 meter 23 cm and 19 mm. This record was made to the Guinness book after neighbors and acquaintances of the owners began to often pay attention to the huge size of the pet. And Stewie is also the owner of the longest tail in the world among domestic cats. Its length is 415 mm, while the average length of this process in cats is about 300 mm.
One of the longest cats is also registered in Russia, whose total length is 1 m 20 cm. The Maine Coon cat, nicknamed Pinochet, lives in Novosibirsk and is an unofficial record holder. One of the loudest cats on the planet is the British Smokey, which belongs to the Adams family.
The cat's purr reaches 92.7 decibels, and is capable of drowning out the sound of a Boeing taking off.
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The longest whiskers on earth among domestic moors can be found in the Maine Coon cat Missy. This beautiful cat lives in Finland, and amazes others with vibrissae 190 mm long (on average, cats have a whisker length of 70 mm). The Savannah Island Trouble cat, living in one of the states of America, was recently recognized as the tallest representative of domestic cats. Its height at the withers has reached 483 mm.
Of the long-lived cats, the Maine Coon cat named Rubble, living in the UK, is known today. He was born in 1988, and according to unverified reports, he is still alive to this day.
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How to choose?
Often, future owners, choosing a pet for themselves, do not think about the consequences, being seduced by cute kittens. But when choosing a large cat, it is necessary to take into account several important factors so that later you do not repent of what you have done and do not look for new owners or a place of residence for your pet. Therefore, before you decide to take a kitten home, familiarize yourself with the features of the chosen breed and the conditions of its keeping. Consult with experts, take a closer look at the behavior of adult animals, and only then make a decision.
If you are a busy person who is often away from home, then calm cats that do not require special attention, such as a chartreuse or a British cat, are for you. For families with children, choose playful cats with a patient disposition, especially if there are small children in the house. In this case, you should pay attention to the Siberian cat or ragdoll.
The former are very patient with babies, while the latter always play only with “soft” paws.
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In a private house with the possibility of building an aviary, you can take chausie, bobtail or Turkish van. They are very active and require a lot of free space to play.
The purpose for which the kitten is chosen is also of great importance:
- as a pet;
- for breeding;
- to participate in exhibitions.
In the first case, any cat you like will do, while for participation in exhibitions it is important to pay attention to the cat's compliance with breed standards. After all, any, even the smallest defect, reduces the likelihood of obtaining recognition. For pedigree breeding, health and conformity to the breed in terms of external characteristics is important.
Minor defects that are not inherited are not important for reproduction.
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Purebred cats must have a metric, pedigree and a veterinary passport. All breeders who officially breed cats of certain breeds have a metric for each kitten.Pedigrees are not formalized for everyone, but the new owner, if he plans to take part in exhibitions with his pet or become a breeder, is obliged to obtain a pedigree of a kitten so that there will be no problems with recognition in the future.
A veterinary passport is necessary in order to monitor the health of the pet and mark the vaccinations that have been made. The presence of a veterinary passport is necessary when transporting an animal, especially if you have to fly by plane. It is also impossible to transport a cat across the border without this document. But anyway, before choosing a kitten, you should listen to yourself: are you ready to let into your house and your life a rather independent and willful creature who can become your most loyal friend and devoted fan.
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Features of the content
Domestic cats of large sizes are gaining more and more fans because of their unpretentiousness.
The most difficult thing in keeping cats of these breeds can be the area of a residential building, on which a small, large domestic predator will live. Most large cats carry genes from wild animals that require large hunting spaces. Active, agile, playful, large cats require frequent walks in the fresh air, where they can throw out excess energy and satisfy their hunting instincts.
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The diet for such representatives of the purr should be ncomplete and balancedso that the large weight, laid down by the breed standards, does not become obese. It is best to feed the cats natural food, which includes different types of meat, seafood, eggs, cereals, vegetables and dairy products, you also need to add vitamins. But you can also use high-quality dry food, occasionally supplementing with canned food. Food should be chosen based on the breed of the cat and the length of its coat. For cats with a thick undercoat, drugs that prevent the formation of hairballs in the stomach.
Caring for animals consists in combing the fur coat. If the cat lives in an apartment, then it can sometimes be washed and its nails cut off. But more often than not, these cats are able to take care of themselves on their own, keeping themselves clean, especially those living in an aviary.
Another important requirement for keeping cats is love: love your pets, respect them, and they will repay you with trust and loyalty.
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You can learn how to make a cat happy by watching the video below.