Description and maintenance of Kurilian Bobtail cats

A cat with a canine character is not a fantasy, but a real-life breed. Kurilian Bobtails combine tenderness, amazing devotion, intelligence and beauty.

The emergence of the breed of Kuril cats closely associated with Japanese bobtails... Their characteristic features are short tails, highly developed hind legs and an unusual "dancing" gait. These cats have long been considered living talismans that bring prosperity and happiness to the house.

In the twentieth century, the active development of the Kuril Islands began. Russian settlers brought pets with them, which could not help but make friends with local animals. After a while, from the crossing of Siberian and Oriental cats, charming representatives of the new breed appeared. The short-tailed Siberian beauties received new, inherent only signs. This is a thicker coat and a robust build.

The genes of Siberian parents had a special influence on the appearance of cats. From the "Japanese" the new breed received only a neat tail, reminiscent of a fluffy pompom.

The harsh Kuril climate contributed to the rapid adaptation of the new breed. The cats have acquired excellent immunity and luxurious thick fur. Also, the conditions contributed to the development of their agility and hunting instinct. At first, animals were simply pets, protecting a person's house from rodents, but when they began to be taken to the mainland, other people began to take an interest in the breed. At the end of the twentieth century, the excellent breed characteristics of the bobtail were appreciated and breeders set about developing standards.

The Kurilian Bobtail is a charming creature. These cats are of medium size, but at the same time they strong and muscular... Males, of course, are larger, and often the weight of an adult cat reaches 8-9 kg. As for the females, the largest of them weigh no more than 5.5 kg.

To date, certain standards for breed characteristics have been established. Let's consider them in more detail.

• Head. Animals are distinguished by a rather large muzzle. The forehead is rounded, the cheeks are expressive, the chin is massive, the nose is neat. The eyes are beautiful, almond-shaped, large, usually yellow or green in color. The ears are triangular, wide, densely pubescent on the inside.
• Tail. A shortened tail is a visiting card of thoroughbred individuals. Outwardly, it resembles a fluffy brush. The length usually ranges from 3 to 12 cm. The number of vertebrae also varies - from 2 to 10. The tails of bobtails are very mobile, according to legends, they helped wild individuals to cling to branches during fishing, eliminating the risk of falling into the water.
• The torso. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by a compact physique. The chest is well developed, the hips are often slightly raised.
• Limbs... The paws of these cats are rounded, wide, powerful. As a rule, the hind legs are longer than the front ones.
• Wool... The fur of bobtails is thick and dense. The coat is usually of medium to short length. The back and "pants" on the hind legs are especially fluffy. In individuals with a long wool cover, the neck is decorated with a luxurious "collar". This breed almost does not shed, the exception is the period of changing children's fur to an adult.

There are several varieties of bobtails by their color. According to the standard, several options are allowed:

• striped - the classic version of the color;
• ash gray;
• tortoiseshell;
• black - such specimens are considered rare and very valuable;
• red - a common option;
• snow-white – individuals of white color usually have a standard greenish-yellow tint of eyes, but incredibly beautiful cats with blue eyes are sometimes found.

White spots on a cat's fur coat with any shade of wool are acceptable. Most often, light spots are located on the chest and legs in the form of socks. Sometimes there are other color options.

If you want not just to have a cute pet, but to acquire a faithful friend in his person, the Kurilian Bobtail is the breed for you. Cats not only look adorable, but they are also different. sociability, patience and friendly character. Animals like dogs become attached to their owners, miss them in moments of their absence.

Short-tailed pets love children... They allow you to play with yourself, stroke and squeeze, absolutely not expressing any dissatisfaction. Such cats are wonderful parents, they take very touching care of their babies.

With other four-legged inhabitants of the house (cats, dogs), the bobtail will easily find a common language. True, it is possible that he will strive to dominate, expressing his superiority. As for hamsters, domestic rats and birds, it is better not to have them if a representative of the Kuril breed lives in your house. The same goes for the fish in the aquarium.

Congenital hunting instinct will tempt the cat to hunt for tempting live food. Activity and agility are inherent in all short-tailed fluffy pets. They cleverly climb onto cabinets and shelves, so it is better to remove from accessible places all objects that can fall and break.

Kurilian Bobtails are very talkative. At the same time, they do not just meow, but make a whole set of sounds with different intonations. The meowing of such four-legged pets can resemble the grunt, chirp of a bird, or even a dog's barking.

The similarity of these interesting cats with dogs is manifested in other nuances. For example, they try to protect their masters. Bobtails are always happy accompany a person and even often sleep nearby, thus showing their care.

Representatives of this breed have high intelligence. Kittens quickly learn to walk in the litter box. At any age, these animals behave with dignity, they rarely sharpen their claws on the upholstery of furniture, do not ride on curtains.

The most surprising is the fact that such cats easy to train. They can be taught to carry out the "fetch" command, stand on their hind legs, and overcome obstacles. For training, it is worth choosing a game form. Commands must be given clearly, and success must be rewarded with a delicacy. It is enough to devote 10-15 minutes to classes a day.

Representatives of this breed usually survive up to 12 years old. Some centenarians reach 17 years of age. The length of the life cycle of an animal is influenced not only by genetic factors. This is due to how well the owner of the cat looks after her. High-quality food, clean water, no stress, timely medical assistance if necessary - all this can extend the life of the bobtail and make it more enjoyable.

Newborn kittens of this breed weigh from 90 to 150 g. The development of females lasts up to 2 years. By this time they can reach in weight 4-5.5 kg. Males develop up to 3 years. The weight of an adult cat varies from 6 to 9 kg.

If you trace the change in indicators in stages, then by 2 months the kitten can weigh 1.5 kg. At 4 months, the body weight of a cat can reach 2.5 kg. After 5 months, weight gain is no longer so fast.

After three weeks of age, kittens begin to change their eye color. During this period, it is already worth carefully trimming the claws of the pet. If there are several kittens, they may accidentally scratch each other.

The fourth week is the beginning of complementary foods. At this time, it is imperative to provide small cats with clean water. Now you can start teaching the kids to the toilet. It is important to consider that the filler must be mineral. Clumping and silica gel options are not suitable because unintelligent kittens taste new things.

Monthly animals can already see and hear. They stand confidently, walk and even run. On the fifth (first time) and seventh week (second time), the animals are treated with anthelminthic treatment. When babies reach the age of two months, they are given the first vaccination.

Three- or four-month-old kittens can be taken to a new home. They can already do without a mother, kittens eat and drink on their own, and learn about the world around them. By this time, the second vaccination should be done.

At the age of eight months, the fluffy ends up changing teeth. Active growth is also coming to an end. This is the ideal time to neuter the animal. If the owner does not plan to breed cats, it is better to carry out an operation, saving the pet from problems in the future.

It is important not to miss this period. An adult animal with established habits may not accept sterilization either physically or mentally.

When the bobtail turns one year old, another antihelminthic prophylactic treatment is carried out. After that, the pet is transferred to adult food. Also, at this time, they make a mandatory comprehensive vaccination. A short-tailed handsome man can be taken to exhibitions after reaching 10 months.

Kuril cats are generally unpretentious. They need standard care. These animals do not mark their territory, which undoubtedly pleases the owners. In addition, they are odorless, which also makes it easier to keep pets.

The main thing is to equip a cozy corner for the cat. It’s great if it’s not just a sleeping place, but a whole game complex. You also need to buy a tray in advance, containers for food and water, toys. Do not ignore the special scratching post.

• Combing. The short fur coat of the animal should be brushed periodically, 1-2 times a week. To do this, you can use a rubber or silicone mitten. If the fur is long, a special brush and coarse-toothed comb may be needed.

The combing process cannot be ignored. Otherwise, the pet may develop dermatological problems. Grooming should be done twice a year.

• Bathing... Surprisingly, short-tailed cats are very fond of water procedures. They splash with pleasure both in natural reservoirs and in the bathroom. It is not necessary to wash your four-legged pet often. Usually this is done as needed: when the fur coat gets dirty or before an upcoming exhibition.

The wool is pre-treated with a disinfecting paste. When bathing, use special shampoo. It is not recommended to use detergent too often. It can dry the skin and dull the fur of the animal. After water procedures, the animal is briefly wrapped in a soft towel or used to dry a hair dryer.

• Hearing Care... You should check your pet's ears periodically. If contamination is found, they should be removed with a cotton swab and an antiseptic. This should be done as carefully as possible, without immersing the object deeply. Also do not use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol-based preparations.

Long hair growing on the inner surface of the cat's ears should be trimmed. This will reduce the accumulation of secretory fluid.

• Cleansing the eyes... To do this, use a soft cloth. First, it must be moistened with eye drops for animals.

• Teeth cleaning... To rid your pet of plaque and prevent inflammation, you should purchase a special paste and brush from a specialty store. Also on sale there are special treats that help clean the teeth and mouth of the animal.

• Arrangement of a toilet. It is better to choose a tray with high sides. Kuril cats are especially active in burying "their affairs". Therefore, the filler can fly around the room.

The ideal conditions for a Kurilian Bobtail are a private house with a lot of space. However, such a cat can also be kept in an apartment. The pet will be happy to go out into the countryside with the owner, go fishing. At the same time, it is important to regularly inspect the cat's fur coat so as not to miss the possible appearance of fleas, ticks or other insects.

The diet of a short-tailed pet must be balanced. Let's list the products that should be included in the Kurilian Bobtail menu, if the owner decided to feed the pet with natural food:

• raw meat is the basis of the menu of a domestic predator;
• boiled by-products are offered to cats;
• boiled fish is included in the diet no more than 2 times a week, it is preferable to use low-fat varieties;
• eggs (yolk) can be given 1 time in 3 days;
• fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt) are more useful for adult cats than plain milk;
• cereals (except millet and rice) perfectly complement meat, porridges from them are boiled in water;
• boiled and raw vegetables are a valuable source of fiber; they are pre-crushed before serving.

If you decide to feed your cat commercial food, then choose the quality premium or super premium options. The main components should be meat and offal. Mixed meals are allowed but not recommended. You can not combine dry food and natural food in one feeding. Regardless of the type of feeding, the pet should always have a bowl of clean water available.

Pouring liquid from the tap to the cat is not worth it. It is better to give your pet a drink of bottled or filtered water. Don't forget about fresh grass, too. All cats love greenery. It saturates the animal's body with vitamins, improves its well-being and mood.

Kurilian Bobtails come from places with harsh climates. Such animals are not afraid of wind and frost, they are distinguished by good health and good immunity... However, cats can still be exposed to diseases of the intestines, genitourinary system, kidneys. This is especially evident in old age. In mature individuals, visual impairment, dental problems may be observed.

If you notice a health problem in your pet, then in this case it is better not to start the situation. Many diseases can be successfully treated early. In addition, it is important from an early age to pay attention to the condition of the animal, to monitor its proper nutrition. At the first alarming symptoms, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and so on, you should contact your veterinarian. It is necessary to get vaccinated in a timely manner, undergo regular veterinary examinations, and carry out mandatory preventive treatment for helminths.

The Kurilian Bobtail is a wonderful breed. Your furry pet won't let you get bored. Remember that a pet is a big responsibility. Take care of your cat, show her your love, take care of her well-being. Then a smart, kind and inquisitive animal will surely answer you with devotion and tenderness.

You will learn even more interesting information about Kurilian bobtails from the following video.