Mestizo cats: description and care features

Currently, approximately 256 cat breeds are considered officially recognized in the world. Many of them were recently withdrawn, some are under development. In total, according to statistics, about 600 million fluffy pets live in houses and apartments. Most of them are crossbreeds.

Cats were domesticated by humans over ten thousand years ago. Initially, there were no breeds, the differences between animals were determined by the climate of the area where they lived.

Later, with the beginning of the migration of peoples, the development of navigation, cats began to fall into other regions. As a result of mating of individuals from different territories, the first mestizos appeared. Gradually, separate varieties began to form. Now mestizo or half-breeds are called kittens, whose parents belong to two different breeds.

A mestizo cat carries the features of appearance and character characteristic of the paternal and maternal lines. It is absolutely impossible to guess what will result from such a cross.

Mestizos, having inherited the hereditary characteristics of two or more breeds, most often choose the best of them. This is necessary for the survival of the new species.

Usually such cats are distinguished by better health, docile disposition and quick wits. They easily adapt to different living conditions, are undemanding to food, they respond to the love and care of the owners with affection and devotion.

The character traits of a mestizo cat depend on several factors.

• Origin. If a kitten appeared as a result of mating of purebred individuals, it can be assumed that he will inherit the temperament that is dominant in these two breeds. It is much more difficult to determine the temper of a baby when one of his parents is of unknown origin, there may be the most unexpected situations.
• Accommodations. When a cat grows up at home, in a family, with loving owners who take care of him, he will be calm, benevolent and affectionate. And it is quite another matter if the animal has to get food for itself, to fight for survival on the street. In this case, the manifestation of aggression, distrust of people, fear is possible. At the same time, if you adopt such a cat, it will be very grateful to its owner and become a true friend.
• Appropriate care. Any pet - it doesn't matter whether it is of elite blood or the most ordinary yard cat - needs proper nutrition. It is also necessary to take care of timely consultation with a specialist - veterinarian, who will give useful recommendations regarding vaccinations, diet, and help in case of illness. Of course, when a cat is healthy and well fed, it will show its most positive qualities.

The appearance of mestizos depends entirely on the genetic qualities of the parents. There is a tendency that most often kittens inherit not the obvious features of the breed, but the length and color of the coat, eye color, size and shape of the body, head, muzzle, paws. Moreover, the combination can be the most unpredictable.

Some breeds appeared in this way, when, by chance, an oversight, the mating of representatives of two species occurred, and as a result, the cubs have new, interesting and unusual data.

The undoubted advantage of mestizo is their immunity, which is stronger than that of thoroughbred brethren. These cats are different good health, endurance, get along well with other pets... They also higher levels of intelligence and learning ability.

The so-called disadvantages include the fact that, no matter how prominent and beautiful a cat may be, he will never be able to take part in exhibitions, he will not receive prizes and medals. But this small minus is completely compensated by the huge love, devotion and friendship that he will give to his owners.

Depending on which breeds the kitten's parents belonged to, some characteristic varieties can be distinguished.

The most striking example of mestizo is the well-known breed - the British. They appeared as a result of crossing English shorthair domestic cats with Persian cats, specially brought to the UK. The result was good, and it was decided to recognize the offspring as an independent species. Currently, a cross between a British cat with other breeds is called mestizo.

Concerning maine coon, then crossing them with any other species is not allowed, because the positive intellectual qualities of this amazing breed are completely lost.

However, there are situations when large fluffy kittens are sold under the guise of coons.

The most interesting in terms of exterior are the following mixed breeds.

• Napoleon, Himalayan, Tiffany - were obtained on the basis of Persian cats, their distinctive feature is a long fluffy coat of the most varied colors.
• Neva Masquerade. Bred thanks to the efforts of Russian breeders. A very beautiful cat, a mestizo of Siberian and Siamese individuals. The new variety took the quality of the fur from the Siberians, and the colors from the Siamese.
• Nibelung. A mixture of purebred Russian blue with long-haired breeds. The color of the soft coat is grayish blue.

In addition to those listed, there are many other types.

It so happens that mestizos are radically different in character from their parents. So, cats of the Thai breed are distinguished by an increased level of intelligence, calmness, sociability.

Mixed cats are sold all over the place and are inexpensive. However, in order to avoid disappointments in the future, you should take the purchase of a kitten seriously and take into account some recommendations.

• Be sure to look at mom. Ask the owner what breeds the mating was with.
• Learn as much as possible about the characteristics of both parents, their temperament, behavior, state of health.
• Kittens must be examined by a veterinarian, and the necessary vaccinations must be made.
• Pay attention to the appearance of the kids. Healthy cats have clean, smooth and shiny fur, their eyes look cheerful, they are playful, curious and make good contact.
• You should not take fearful, or, conversely, too spiteful individuals. It is possible that they will have a complex, unpredictable character.

Feeding mestizo cats is easier than feeding their pedigreed brethren. However, there are general rules for those and others that must be adhered to.

• Cats are predators, carnivores, so meat and offal must be present in their diet.
• The second component is boiled vegetables, which are mixed with the main food.
• You can add porridge with meat broth.
• Fermented milk drinks - kefir, fermented baked milk are suitable as a dessert. Yogurt should not be given - it contains sugar and various fillers.
• Fresh greens are useful to improve the functioning of the stomach, moreover, it is an additional source of vitamins and minerals. You can sow special grass for cats in a shallow container, then the pet will not encroach on indoor plants.
• No matter how much you want to treat your pet to some delicacy, you shouldn't do it. It should be remembered that a lot of what a person eats is harmful to cats.

To avoid health problems, the following foods should not be given:

• sweets;
• salty;
• smoked;
• pickled;
• food with a lot of spices and seasonings.

If the choice is made in favor of ready-made commercial feed, then they are selected taking into account the age and general condition of the animal. It is better not to pursue cheapness, as in loose feed of the economy class there are quite a lot of flavor enhancers and other food additives that, with prolonged use, can provoke the development of urolithiasis.

Caring for mestizo is not difficult. The most important thing is to undergo preventive examinations from a specialist - veterinarian on time, follow all his recommendations, and also get vaccinated.

• If the pet belongs to the long-haired variety, it is necessary to periodically brush it.
• Many cats do not like water procedures and often do not need bathing.
• To avoid damage to furniture and wallpaper, you need to equip a special scratching post. Also, to entertain your pet, you can make or buy several toys for him.
• Food and water bowls are periodically washed, the filler in the tray is changed as it gets dirty.

In general, mestizo cats are distinguished by good health and good immunity. If there were no injuries, congenital abnormalities or some kind of genetic abnormality, these animals do not cause trouble for their owners.

Most often, diseases can appear due to improper nutrition. First of all, the following points should be alerted:

• indigestion - diarrhea, vomiting;
• lethargy, loss of appetite, complete refusal of food and water;
• inappropriate, unusual behavior for a given cat - apathy or, conversely, excessive excitement;
• sloppy appearance - discharge from the eyes, nose, drooling, untidy, matted coat.

But disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, preventive measures play a huge role - a balanced diet, timely vaccinations, and maintaining cleanliness.

Thanks to caring, proper care, a mestizo cat will give its owners love and affection for a long time. And it doesn't matter what breed her parents were, this intelligent and devoted creature is able to become a true friend and family member.

You will learn how kittens look from a Bengal cat and an Abyssinian cat from the video below.