History of the Bombay Cat

In 1943 Nikki Homer began breeding cats at the age of 16. Siamese were the first cats bred at her Shawnee Cattery, but it was her work with Burmese and American Shorthairs that led to the establishment of an entirely new breed, the Bombay cat. Her inspiration was the black leopard of India and she decided to name the breed after the Indian city of Bombay. In 1953 she began by breeding a female sable Burmese cat with a male American Shorthair black cat with the copper eye color she wanted. The first attempt at breeding a Bombay cat resulted in black kittens since black is dominant to sable, but each black cat carried the recessive gene for sable. It took many more litters of line breeding and cross breeding to achieve the breed standard glossy black cat with gold to copper eyes. By 1958 she was consistently producing what we know today as the Bombay cat. The Cat Fancier’s Association was the first to recognize the Bombay cat as a new breed in 1976.

Types of Bombay Cat

There is only one type of Bombay cat. This breed must be a true a black cat. The coat must must be black from root to tip and all pads and nose leather must be black. The only variation is in eye color. Eyes may range from gold to deep copper in color. The Bombay cat is known as “the patent leather kid with the copper penny eyes”. In England black cats of the Asian body type are known as British Bombay. In Great Britain the eyes may also be greenish in color in addition to the American standard of copper to gold.

Physical Qualities of the Bombay Cat

The Bombay cat is a muscular medium sized cat with well proportioned legs and a rounded chest. They are often heavier than they appear. Males generally weigh between eight and eleven pounds and females usually weigh between six and nine pounds. These cats have a medium sized round head and short muzzle. Although the muzzle is short and the nose is slightly rounded, it should never be snubbed. The ears are medium sized and set wide on the head. Their round head and large eyes give them a sweet expression. The Bombay cat’s most arresting feature is it’s eyes. They can range from gold to copper, with copper being the preferred color. For show purposes, the coat is always black, short and fine with a satin-like feel and a patent leather sheen. However, since this is a hybrid breed, there are occasionally sable colored kittens in a litter. They are not allowed in the show ring, but still make excellent pets.

The Personality of the Bombay Cat

Bombay cats are highly intelligent and can often even be leash trained. They love to play fetch and some are quite talkative. They get along well in households with other animals, but do have a tendency to dominate other cats. The Bombay cat is extremely affectionate and when not nestled in the lap, often likes to ride on the owner’s shoulder. Much like the Burmese, the Bombay cat is a heat seeker and when not nestled on someone’s lap, they can often be found snuggled under the bed covers. They are not shy or timid and are frequently the first to greet guests. The Bombay cat has been described as the perfect pet for someone who wanted a panther, a dog, or a monkey. The Bombay cat combines the look of a panther with the loyalty of a dog mixed with the agility and playfulness of a monkey to create a delightful companion.

Caring for a Bombay Cat

This black cat rarely sheds and it’s short, tight coat needs almost no maintenance. Since they love human interaction, brushing is always welcome, but seldom necessary. A Bombay cat will do well on high quality dry food, but will appreciate an occasional treat of canned food or raw meat. The Bombay cat is known to have a hearty appetite and although most do well free-feeding, some have a tendency to gain weight. This can be handled by rationing food or by switching to a low calorie feed.

Black Cat Folklore – The Positive

The Bombay cat is the quintessential black cat. The black cat is the subject of folklore around the world. In ancient Egypt all cats, including black ones, were revered and those who could afford it had their cats mummified in order to be together throughout eternity. In the south of France the black cat is known as the Matagot. This spirit can take many forms, but is most often a black cat. This magician cat is said to bring the family good luck and prosperity as long as it is given the first bites of every meal and treated with the proper respect. In Ireland the black cat is often the helper of those who are healers. On the Yorkshire coast of England a black cat was kept by fisherman’s wives to ensure their safe return from sea. It is said that whoever finds a single white hair on an all black cat and pulls the hair without getting clawed will be both wealthy and lucky in love. A black cat in the theater on opening night assures the play will be a success. In Scotland, if a strange black cat comes to the house, it will bring prosperity. If a black cat walks onto a ship and then walks off, the ship will sink on its next voyage. In Asia a black cat is considered lucky. If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good luck – if it walks away, it takes the good luck back.

Black Cat Folklore – The Negative

During the middle ages people came to associate black cats with witches. Superstition and paranoia were rampant in Europe during this time. Some people believed that the black cat was the witches servant or familiar spirit, sent out to do her bidding. Some people believed that the black cat was the witch herself taking another form. There were even those who believed that a black cat was a magic cat and had supernatural powers of their own. In Finland it was believed that black cats carried the souls of the dead to the other world. In Germany it was believed that if a black cat jumped on the bed of someone who was sick, death was imminent. Practitioners of the occult believed that every black cat had one bone somewhere in its body that could make its owner invisible. The cat was boiled alive and each bone was placed in the mouth while an assistant watched. When the right bone was placed in the mouth, the owner became invisible. The assistant would alert the practitioner when they saw them disappear and this is the bone that would be kept in a secret place until needed.

Black Cats Today

In areas of the south where hoodoo and voodoo are still practiced the black cat is still used today. In hoodoo tradition, the black cat is seen as good luck. A black cat mojo bag is filled with good luck herbs and roots and carried on the person for good luck. These bags either have a black cat charm attached, or can be sewn from black cloth in the shape of a cat. In voodoo, these good luck bags are called black cat juju dolls. Some are plain and some are adorned with buttons, good luck charms, feathers, and ribbons. Even today some people believe that it is bad luck for a black cat to cross your path. In 1969, the Cubs baseball team may have inadvertently proved this theory. The Cubs were having a great year until September 9th at Shea Stadium when a black cat ran across the field and circled the Cubs batter. Not only did they lose the game, they finished the season with a losing record! Sadly today black cats are the most euthanized and least adopted from shelters even though they make wonderful pets.

Bombay Cat Ownership

The Cat Fancier’s Association currently ranks the Bombay cat as 39th in popularity. The Bombay cat is also recognized by The International Cat Association. Both the CFA and TICA have lists of reputable breeders where both kittens and retired adults are available. When a Bombay cat is sold as a pet it will either already be altered or the purchaser must sign an agreement to have the cat altered. In addition, most breeders will want a deposit for those looking to buy a kitten. The Bombay cat combines good looks with a great temperament. Those who choose to become owners will find their investment is well worth while.

History of the Burmese Cat

The Burmese cat is a common pet found in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. History indicates that the Burmese cat came from Thailand, then known as Siam. Based on 17 illustrated poems written in Siam during the period of the Siamese Kingdom, Ayutthaya, there were three breeds of cats mentioned: the Si-Sawat (Korat), the Thong Daeng (copper, known now as Burmese cat), and the Vichien Mat (Siamese). When Burma invaded Thailand in the 18th century, the Burmese soldiers brought the cats with them.

In 1930, a female cat named Wong Mau was imported to the US from Asia by Dr. Joseph C. Thompson. She was bred with Tai Mau, a sealpoint Siamese from Thailand. The offspring was unique enough to be granted its own breed of Burmese in 1937 by the Cat Fancier’s Association.

Types of Burmese Cat Breeds

There are two types of Burmese cat breeds: an American and a British. The American type has four colors that are well known. These include champagne (honey), sable (brown), platinum and blue. The American Burmese are bred in two types: traditional and contemporary. The later breed has a rounded look. The British Burmese cat is brown (sable), blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream and tortoiseshell.

Physical Attributes of Burmese Cats

Due to a separate breeding program, Burmese cats have divided into British or European and American types. The British or European type is more Oriental in appearance, with a triangular face, small oval feet and a blunt muzzle, while the American type is stockier and rounder in the body, head, eyes and feet. It has markedly full cheeks and a short muzzle or “pug-like” face.

The Burmese cat is strong, athletic and elegant. This cat is short haired and well known as a “brick wrapped in silk.” The breed has a fine, close, even and glossy coat that is satin-like in texture. The typical Burmese tail is of medium length, medium thickness at its base and tapering to a rounded tip.

An adult male Burmese is large, while the adult female is more delicate and graceful. The difference in weight between males and females is about two or three pounds. The breed has large and expressive eyes that are slightly slanted. Their eye color is usually yellow and gold.

Personality of Burmese Cats

The Burmese is a person-oriented cat and they love to be around you. They are very friendly and inquisitive, and outgoing, loving nature cats. They like to be near their owners, greet them at the door from work. The strong and loyal bond that forms between a Burmese cat and their owner is dog-like due to their devotion.

Burmese cats are very affectionate and very social. They love humans and other felines as company. When you sit down, they will climb on your lap and start purring. They love to talk and will meow softly and sweet to their owner to get an attention.

This type of breed is also known as a clown, with a complete repertoire of stunts – from tumbling and somersaults – to laying sprawled out on the sofa on the back with four paws in the air. Burmese cats are excellent hunters. They often return with a lizard, a small bird, mouse, or a rat – proudly presented as a gift to their owner.

Caring of Burmese Cats

Despite the distinction between American and British/European Burmese cats, the lifespan of these beautiful felines is considerably longer than other breeds. They have been known to reach an age of between 16 years to 18 years. Their long lifespan is partly due to their size which ranges between nine to 13 pounds, making these Burmese cats a small to medium size.

Burmese cats require little grooming. Due to their short fur, Burmese cats do not shed much. Burmese cats do not like to stay home alone for a long period of time because they are very social animals. If you are not able to entertain your Burmese cat, it is wise if you get similar breed of cat, or you can arrange your neighbor to visit. Your Burmese Cat will be happy to have another cat or a person around.

Burmese cats have a very energetic lifestyle. They act very much like kittens, but as they grow older, this breed will slow down. They also sleep longer. It is very important to play with your Burmese cat no matter how old it is: playing with your cat makes the feline happy.

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History of Turkish Angora Cats

The Turkish Angora Cats have descended from the African wildcats. Traders from Egypt brought cats into Eastern Anatolia, where through natural selection and inbreeding, the Turkish Angora was developed along with the Turkish Van. The Turkish Angora was brought into Europe where it was brought almost to extinction in trying to improve the coat of the Persian cat. Today, the Turkish government runs a breeding program to preserve their national treasure.

Types of Turkish Angora Cats

There are no specific types of Turkish Angora Cats.

Physical Attributes of Turkish Angora Cats

The Turkish Angora have a silky longhaired coat, originally white. Today, there is a large variety of colors in Turkish Angora cats including black, red, blue, lavender, smoke, etc. The eyes of the Turkish Angora cats are blue, green or amber. Some Turkish Angora cats, however, may be odd-eyed- i.e they have one blue eye and the other green or amber. Their eyes are almond shaped and their ears are long and pointed. Their tail is plumed and they usually carry it upright, perpendicular to their backs.

Personality of the Turkish Angora Cats

The Turkish Angora cats are considered dog like in many aspects. They are outgoing, friendly and people-friendly. They are also playful and like the attention of people.

Caring for Turkish Angora Cats

Turkish Angora Cats need minimal grooming, except regular brushing since they are longhaired. It is important to ensure regular brushing especially during summer months when they are shedding. Also, Turkish Angora cats are prone to deafness and genetic diseases like Ataxia and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

History Of Scottish Fold Cats

All Scottish Fold cats can trace their ancestry back to the original Scottish Fold called Susie, who was found on a farm in 1961. She gave birth to two kittens that also had the characteristic folded ears. One of them was bred to then found the line of the existing breed. The characteristic folded ears are a result of a dominant gene. The Scottish Fold cat is also known as the Highland Fold, Scottish Fold Longhair and Coupari.

Types Of Scottish Fold Cat Breed

Scottish Fold cats can give birth to both kittens with folded ears and with straight ears, forming two separate type, although the ones with straight ears cannot be considered Folds.

Physical Attributes of Scottish Fold Cats

The most obvious characteristic of the Scottish Fold Cat is the folded ears. All cats are born with straight ears, but those with fold in their dominant gene will start showing the fold in 21 days. The Scottish Fold cats are medium sized cats. Their bodies, heads, face as well as eyes are rounded. They have medium to short legs. They can be longhaired or shorthaired and can have many different colors and combination of colors.

Personality of Scottish Fold Cats

The Scottish Fold cats are sweet natured and placid and can easily adapt to people as well as other domestic animals. They are very affectionate, intelligent and playful as well as loyal.

They are known for sleeping on their back, in what is dubbed as the ‘Buddha position’.

Caring of Scottish Folds

The Scottish Fold cats do not need any specific grooming apart from regular brushing. However, it should be noted that they are prone to Polycystic Kidney Disease, Cardiomyopathy and Osteochondrodysplasia.

History of the Ocicat Breed

The Ocicat was the result of an experimental breeding program in 1964. The first Ocicat was neutered and sold as a pet. But, when the parents mated again, their litter included many kittens that resembled the first Ocicat and these became the founding line of the Ocicat breed. The Ocicat is so called due to its resemblance to the Ocelot. It was the name of one of the litter, given by the daughter of the breeders and the name has now been given to the entire breed.

Types of Ocicat

There are no separate types of Ocicats.

Physical Attributes of the Ocicat

The most noticeable characteristic of the Ocicat is its resemblance to its wild cousins, although, in fact, its DNA has no wild gene. They are a mixture of the Abyssinian, Siamese and later American Shorthair cats. The Ocicat is a large, athletic animal with a solid and well muscled body. It has a short light coat that glows with a satin sheen. Ocicats come in many different colors- cinnamon, lavender, fawn, silver, blue, cinnamon silver, lavender silver, fawn silver and chocolate silver.

Personality of Ocicats

The Ocicat is an outgoing breed and are extremely dog-like. They can be trained to fetch, walk on a leash, and other basic commands like come, sit, stand, sleep and even speak. They like playing with toys and enjoy splashing in water. They are very people-friendly and are considered to be extremely devoted to their owners.

Caring of Ocicats

Ocicats love the company of people and need cat-friendly people who can spend a lot of time with them.

History of Munchkin Cat Breed

Munchkin cats are a relatively new breed of cats. They are identified by their unusually short legs. This, however is a natural genetic mutation, not manmade. There have been sightings of several short legged cats in the US and in Europe, but a captive breeding program was only introduced in the early 1990’s in the US, which led to the establishment of this breed.

Types of Munchkin Cat Breed

These cats come in four distinct sizes: Standard, Super Short, VW Microbus and Rug Hugger. They are also separated into two groups for shows: Longhaired, which has a semi-long plush coat and Shorthaired, which has a medium plush coat.

Physical Attributes of Munchkin Cats

The Munchkin cat is a small to medium sized cat, with abnormally short legs. This however poses no risk to its spine which is absolutely normal. Their legs may be slightly bowed. The Munchkin cats comes in all colors and patterns.

Personality of Munchkin Cats

The Munchkin cat is considered to be sweet-natured, playful and intelligent cat. It likes being around people and responds well to good handling. This cat is outgoing and often plays with kitty toys. They like to run and chase. They also have a tendency to sit up like a rabbit.

Caring for Munchkin Cats

The Munchkin cats are a happy, healthy and hardy breed of cats and so not require any specific caring measures.

History of Norwegian Forest Cats

The Norwegian Forest cats are known as ‘skogkatt’ or ‘skaukatt’ in Norway, ‘skog’ and ‘skau’ meaning forest in different dialects. It is believed that the Norwegian Forest cat did come out of the forests about 4000 years ago. Legend has it that travelled the world with the Vikings, protecting their grain stores on land as well as on the sea, and even left their progeny on the shores of America.

Types of Norwegian Forest Cats

There are no specific types of Norwegian Forest Cats. However, they were not bred from any particular line and hence differ from line to line.

Physical Attributes of Norwegian Forest Cats

The Norwegian Forest Cats look like two different cats in summer and winter. Acclimatized to cold winters, they have a very thick, glorious coat during the cold months. In the spring, they shed their undercoat and look completely different. They also have fur in their ears, between toes and a large bushy tail to wrap around themselves. They are large cats, with males being larger than the females.

Personality of Norwegian Forest Cats

They are playful, intelligent cats. They love human company and do not enjoy being left alone for long periods of time. They like the outdoors and are considered to be skilful hunters. They like high vantage points and are always climbing trees outside or bookshelves, cupboards, etc. inside the house. They are not high strung, but patient and great to have among children. They are considered to be loyal. They are also known to be highly responsive cats and good talkers.

Caring of Norwegian Forest Cats

The Norwegian Forest Cats do not need much maintenance except regular brushing during the spring and summer when they are shedding.

History of Himalayan Cat

The Himalayan Cat can trace its ancestry to the beloved Persian Cat. It is, in fact, almost identical to the Persian cat with the exception of blue eyes and point coloration. The Persian cat was cross bred with the Siamese cat and the resulting offspring were the founding line of Himalayan cats.

Types of Himalaya Cats

There are three different types of Himalayan cats based on their facial features. Show cats usually have very large eyes with the nose right in between. Breeder or pet Himalayan cats may have longer muzzles. The third type may have longer muzzles as well as smaller eyes than show cats.

Physical Attributes of Himalayan Cats

Not unlike Persian cats, the Himalayan cats have a round body with short legs. The Himalayan cats have very long fur which is usually white or cream in color. Their point coloration may be of a variety of colors like seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, red and cream.

Personality of Himalayan Cats

Himalayan Cats are considered to be intelligent, playful and sweet tempered. They are also very social. They love to play fetch or amuse themselves with kitty toys. They love human company and like to be petted and groomed frequently.

Caring For Himalayan Cats

Since the Himalayan cat is a long haired breed, it needs to be brushed daily and bathed weekly. If you want to enter your Himalayan cat into a show, you may even have to bathe it daily, depending on its coat. They may be prone to Polycystic Kidney Disease due to their Persian ancestry.

History of Havana Brown Cat Breed

The Havana Brown Cat is a hybrid cat, developed with careful planning for a specific genetic design. The aim was to produce a self brown cat. While the breeding suffered during the World Wars, it was taken up with gusto in the post war period. The name Havana Brown has been used to describe the color genetics for self browns. On the other hand, some believe that it was called Havana because it matched the color of Havana cigars. This breed is also called the ‘Swiss Mountain Cat’.

Types of Havana Brown Cats

There are no specific types of Havana Brown cats.

Physical Attributes of Havana Brown Cats

The first noticeable feature of the Havana Brown cat is its glistening mahogany colored coat, which is smooth, luxurious and closely cropped. The other distinctive feature is the head which is longer than it is wider. It has a prominent nose and beautiful oval shaped green eyes. Its body is firm and muscular and they are typically heavier than they look. There are no markings on their body.

Personality of Havana Brown Cats

Havana Brown cats have a charming personality and a melodious voice. They are playful and they often use their extended paw to reach out and touch and feel out curiosities. They also use similar gesture to get the attention of humans. They like human company and can generally adapt to most situations.

Caring for Havana Brown Cats

There are no specific measures prescribed for the caring of Havana Brown Cats. Only love :)