How Many Breeds of Cats are There?

Posted by Jeanne on January 16, 2009

There are more than 500 million domestic cats in the world with many different breeds. The International Progressive Cat Breeders Alliance (IPCBA) recognizes 73 cat breeds, while the more conservative Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognizes only 41.

Developing and registering a new breed of cat is a long, involved process, and not every attempt is successful. For example, the CFA steadfastly refuses to admit cats bred from “wild stock,” such as the Bengal or the Savannah. However, these breeds are both accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA) and IPCBA.

A cat must have a traceable lineage going back several generations to be registered as a pedigreed cat. The term “purebred” is not used by breeders or the cat fancy in general, but is a popular term among the general public.

Despite the vast number of cat breeds, there are basically only two categories of cat: long-haired and short-haired. Within them there are many recognized breeds and several varieties about whose classification as breeds cat experts and fanciers have earnest, inconclusive discussions. As a type, the cat has been remarkably consistent for a very long time.

In the cat world, as elsewhere, the common people far outnumber the aristocrats. It is a safe guess that 99 out of any 100 cats encountered will be plain, ordinary citizens belonging in the boundless company of Domestic Shorthairs. This is the proper name for the group carelessly called “alley cats,” and while it does contain a number of woebegone and misbegotten creatures, it is not to be sneered at. It is a breed, and prime cats have emerged from it to win top prizes at cat shows.

The deluxe breeds in the remaining 1 per cent include the longhaired Persians (and/or Angoras) and the short-haired Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinian, and Manx. There are also several in-between groupings, such as the Blues and Tortoise-shells, which may be long- or short-haired and are classified primarily by color. The Blues, for instance, include the Maltese, Russian Blue, British Blue, and so on.

How to Protect Your Cat’s Health

Posted by Jeanne on December 23, 2008

Before you decide to take on any kind of pet, you need to understand that different breeds of cat are susceptible to different health issues. Even if it seems like you have a healthy cat in the beginning, it is possible that he will be diagnosed with some sort of disease or health-related issue as he gets older.

There are precautions that you can take as a cat owner to protect your cat’s health and well being:

• Make sure that all harmful plants are removed from the area where your cat lives. Some plants can be poisonous when a cat chews on them.
• Cats can suffer from diabetes. Some people might find it strange that humans and cats can share the same illnesses, but it is quite common for a cat to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you suspect this from your cat, you should definitely call your veterinarian for further measures.
• You might not be aware that certain medications can be hazardous to your cat if not taken correctly or with the right medication.
• If there is anything that sparks your concern, such as if your cat acts listless, has yucky stuff coming from his eyes or nose, or if he looks like he isn’t eating (even though you know he is), you should trust your instincts and contact your veterinarian with your concerns.
• If you notice that there starts to be a buildup in your cat’s ears, he might have ear mites. If this is the case, your veterinarian will be able to instruct you on the best way to treat this and prescribe medication.
• Do not let your cat play with yarn or string. All can be fun and games until your cat swallows it, and then it becomes a serious matter. If such an instance occurs, you need to contact your veterinarian. It might help to know that white petroleum jelly helps to coat the stomach so that the string or yarn can get out of your cat’s tummy with little harm.