Manx Cat : A neighbor or someone you know has a tailless cat. You've never seen anything like this so you inquire, they tell you it's a Manx cat.

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A neighbor or someone you know has a tailless cat. You've never seen anything like this so you inquire, they tell you it's a Manx cat. They got it from a shelter or SPCA. The breed is very unique, it has no tail, hind legs longer than it's front, sort of hops when it runs, is very affectionate and has a high intelligence level. The breed interests you so you set out to find out more about it, perhaps get one of your own. 
 
It's not long before you realize how unique the breed really is, there aren't many Manx cats or breeders to be found, easily. You decide to search the internet, there you find web sites, breeders and loads of information. You make contact with a registered Manx breeder who informs you the tailless cat you thought was a Manx cat might not be an actual Manx cat. This puzzles you, so you inquire further. You learn that not every tailless cat is a Manx. In fact, the genetic mutation which causes the actual Manx breed cat to be born without a tail can happen in "any cat" spontaneously. This happening in "any cat" does not then automatically make that cat or it's offspring born without tails Manx breed cats. Shelters, SPCA's, back yard breeders and even Veterinarian's are the largest source of spreading the myth about all tailless cats being Manx.
 
Manx cats are "best known" for being tailless cats however, there are fully tailed kittens born in just about every registered litter. The true Manx cat has traceable descendants from the Isle of Man, a small island located off the coast of England. Several hundred years ago a spontaneous mutated gene carried a dominant trait which occurred at some point on the island. 
 
This mutation caused some kittens to be born without the vertebrae that form the tail of normal cats. With the passage of centuries and due to the isolation of the cats from outside breeding, the taillessness eventually became a common characteristic among the Isle of Man cats. So, just as people who may "look" to be a specific nationality, yet can't actually claim that nationality without having actual ancestry, it's the same with the Manx breed cat. Registered Manx breeders are finding this happening more and more and have sought out to educate the public. These tailless cats with unknown origin are referred to by registered breeders as Domestic Tailless cats. 
 
Their origin and ancestry is not usually known, chances are they have no actual Isle of Man descendants. There are several cat breeds with shortened tails, one can't assume a cat is a Manx due to it's shortened tail or lack of tail. Domestic Tailless cats are not bred selectively like registered Manx cats. The genetic mutation which causes the Manx breed to be born tailless has limitations, there can be health complications in some cats who carry it and are not monitored how they are bred. Tailed Manx are very important in a breeding program, they give it stability and soundness. I've had many instances where people contact me about their Domestic Tailless cats with heart wrenching stories. The out comes is usually the same, it always ends in heart break. They thought they were doing something good or saving a few bucks by picking up a tailless cat that was unregistered. If you want a Manx cat bottom line is your best choice is to purchase one from a reputable, registered Manx breeder. Choose a breeder who is actively showing their cats, they will be most informed on the breeds standard and be looking to produce kittens that model it for shows. 
 
Seek breeders who are willing to supply other breeders actively showing their Manx as references. (Who best to tell you if the person is a good breeder than their peers!) Registered breeders take great pride in their breeding programs and offspring, they don't sell their Manx to pet stores, allow their cats to be used in back yard breeding programs or end up in shelters. They have a sales contract with a written health guarantee, require the cat be returned if things don't work out and are there long after the money has been spent and the sale is complete. 
 
These breeders place their cats spayed or neutered or have an altering clause in their contract and with hold the registration papers until proof has been supplied it has occurred. You can expect not to permitted to declaw these cats, this is very inhumane and painful. How would you like your fingers cut off at the first knuckle? Since there are many dangers most pet owners aren't aware of for cats outside you can expect your breeder to never allow their cats to be outside cats. Owning a Manx cat be one of the most enjoyable pleasures in life. 
 
They've been known to live up to the ripe old age of 17. Once you've been owned by a Manx your life will never be the same without one in it. 
 
by Karen Slemmer 
of Karello Cattery/PA 
<a href="http://www.karellomanx.com">www.karellomanx.com</a>

This Article was provided by CatNews.org 
<a href="http://www.catnews.org">Give your cat and kittens a longer and healthier 
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The Manx Cat Myth

A neighbor or someone you know has a tailless cat. You've never seen anything like this so you inquire, they tell you it's a Manx cat. They got it from a shelter or SPCA. The breed is very unique, it has no tail, hind legs longer than it's front, sort of hops when it runs, is very affectionate and has a high intelligence level. The breed interests you so you set out to find out more about it, perhaps get one of your own.

It's not long before you realize how unique the breed really is, there aren't many Manx cats or breeders to be found, easily. You decide to search the internet, there you find web sites, breeders and loads of information. You make contact with a registered Manx breeder who informs you the tailless cat you thought was a Manx cat might not be an actual Manx cat. This puzzles you, so you inquire further. You learn that not every tailless cat is a Manx. In fact, the genetic mutation which causes the actual Manx breed cat to be born without a tail can happen in "any cat" spontaneously. This happening in "any cat" does not then automatically make that cat or it's offspring born without tails Manx breed cats. Shelters, SPCA's, back yard breeders and even Veterinarian's are the largest source of spreading the myth about all tailless cats being Manx.

Manx cats are "best known" for being tailless cats however, there are fully tailed kittens born in just about every registered litter. The true Manx cat has traceable descendants from the Isle of Man, a small island located off the coast of England. Several hundred years ago a spontaneous mutated gene carried a dominant trait which occurred at some point on the island.

This mutation caused some kittens to be born without the vertebrae that form the tail of normal cats. With the passage of centuries and due to the isolation of the cats from outside breeding, the taillessness eventually became a common characteristic among the Isle of Man cats. So, just as people who may "look" to be a specific nationality, yet can't actually claim that nationality without having actual ancestry, it's the same with the Manx breed cat. Registered Manx breeders are finding this happening more and more and have sought out to educate the public. These tailless cats with unknown origin are referred to by registered breeders as Domestic Tailless cats.

Their origin and ancestry is not usually known, chances are they have no actual Isle of Man descendants. There are several cat breeds with shortened tails, one can't assume a cat is a Manx due to it's shortened tail or lack of tail. Domestic Tailless cats are not bred selectively like registered Manx cats. The genetic mutation which causes the Manx breed to be born tailless has limitations, there can be health complications in some cats who carry it and are not monitored how they are bred. Tailed Manx are very important in a breeding program, they give it stability and soundness. I've had many instances where people contact me about their Domestic Tailless cats with heart wrenching stories. The out comes is usually the same, it always ends in heart break. They thought they were doing something good or saving a few bucks by picking up a tailless cat that was unregistered. If you want a Manx cat bottom line is your best choice is to purchase one from a reputable, registered Manx breeder. Choose a breeder who is actively showing their cats, they will be most informed on the breeds standard and be looking to produce kittens that model it for shows.

Seek breeders who are willing to supply other breeders actively showing their Manx as references. (Who best to tell you if the person is a good breeder than their peers!) Registered breeders take great pride in their breeding programs and offspring, they don't sell their Manx to pet stores, allow their cats to be used in back yard breeding programs or end up in shelters. They have a sales contract with a written health guarantee, require the cat be returned if things don't work out and are there long after the money has been spent and the sale is complete.

These breeders place their cats spayed or neutered or have an altering clause in their contract and with hold the registration papers until proof has been supplied it has occurred. You can expect not to permitted to declaw these cats, this is very inhumane and painful. How would you like your fingers cut off at the first knuckle? Since there are many dangers most pet owners aren't aware of for cats outside you can expect your breeder to never allow their cats to be outside cats. Owning a Manx cat be one of the most enjoyable pleasures in life.

They've been known to live up to the ripe old age of 17. Once you've been owned by a Manx your life will never be the same without one in it.

by Karen Slemmer
of Karello Cattery/PA
www.karellomanx.com

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Homemade Kitten Food

Do you need a cheap, healthy alternative to store bought kitten food to help wean your kittens off their mother's milk and transition them to traditional canned kitten food? More than likely, they have shown little interest in regular canned food, preferring the milk to anything you might put in their bowl. Dry food will also be too hard on their developing teeth. The best option would be to start them on a food that reminds them of what they prefer, but can be mixed with traditional wet food to help transition them over. This recipe is simple to make, and kittens find it delicious.

Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and mix in one envelope of unflavored gelatin. Be sure to mix thoroughly, and do not boil the gelatin. If the water tastes bad or has a heavy chlorine taste when it comes out of the tap, consider using filtered water instead.

Pour this mixture into a blender along with half of a 12 ounce can of goat's milk. Blend just long enough to combine thoroughly. Do not substitute cow's milk because cats tend to be lactose intolerant. Using cow's milk can lead to discomfort, diarrhea, and worse if fed to kittens.

Add the following ingredients one at a time. After each addition, blend briefly to combine before moving on to the next. You will want to use the lowest setting to avoid overmixing. Add: 3 tbsp full fat yogurt, 3 tbsp real mayonnaise, 3 tsp light corn syrup, and 1 raw egg yolk. Concerning the egg yolk, raw eggs carry a small risk of salmonella poisoning. To eliminate any risk of accidentally passing this on to your kittens, use eggs that have been pasteurized in their shells.

You can serve the completed homemade kitten food the way it is, or you can store it for use later. To store for later usage, cover the mixture tightly in a small container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to ten days or in your freezer for up to three months.

If you are going to use food that you have prepared in advance, you will want to warm it up before serving, especially if it is coming from the refrigerator or freezer. Cold food causes severe stomach upset in kittens. Warming it up will also make it more aromatic, and thus more appetizing to the kittens.

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Trouble, Patches, and Sweetie Pie enjoying a sunny San Antonio Day. (What a life!)

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QUICK CAT FACTS

ARE GINGER CATS ALWAYS MALE?
No. This is a common misconception. Ginger cats can be either male or female although ginger females are less common.

The genetics of ginger is explained in more detail in Tortoiseshell and Tri-Colour Cats (ginger is caused by the same gene as tortoiseshell), but this is a short version for those wanting a quick answer.

The ginger gene changes black pigment into a reddish pigment. The ginger gene is carried on the X chromosome. A normal male cat has XY genetic makeup so he only needs to inherit one ginger gene for him to be a ginger cat. A normal female is XX genetic makeup so she must inherit two ginger genes to be a ginger cat. If she inherits only one ginger gene, she will be tortoiseshell with some ginger areas and some black/brown areas.

The ginger gene is called a sex-linked gene because it is carried on a sex chromosome.

Also, if you look closely, ginger cats have tabby markings though these may be faint or only visible on the face, tail and lower legs. They are also visible in the ginger areas of tortie cats. This is because the gene that turns off tabby to give solid colour cats does not work on the ginger colour.

ARE GINGER FEMALES RARE?
No. They are less common than ginger males, but they are not rare. It is possible to selectively breed ginger female cats by mating ginger males and ginger females together. They will have ginger offspring.

ARE GINGER FEMALES STERILE?
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Focus On Cat Health

As Old as He Feels – Caring for Your Elderly Cat

They say old age creeps up on a person like a thief in the night. This is especially true of your cat. Cats seemingly race through adolescence and adulthood, and suddenly at around 8 years of age, they are entering their golden years. As our cats age, they may have specific needs or problems that must be addressed. The aging process brings about a gradual decline in a cat's physical and sometimes mental abilities. Becoming aware of these issues allows you to provide the best possible care.

Not all cats age at the same rate. A cat's biological age depends upon genetic background, the quality of his diet, his general state of health, and the quality of his living conditions. Research estimates that old age for cats begins somewhere between the 8th and 9th birthday. This is the equivalent of about 55 human years.

Ideally, caring for the geriatric cat should focus on preventive measures.

Whenever possible, it is better to prevent a problem from occurring, rather than to wait for a problem to develop. Detecting diseases in the early stages greatly improves the outcome. Different cats have specific risk factors that influence the diagnostic approach to geriatric medicine. Characteristics of the breed, genetics, environment, and lifestyle of your cat may put him or her at greater risk of developing a particular disease or other age-related changes.
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PICA In Cats: EATING THE INEDIBLE

Pica means eating non-food items. The behaviour ranges from sucking, chewing and biting through to swallowing bites of items. Pica (from the Latin for "magpie"). It should not be confused with the suckling/nursing behaviour that some cats retain into adulthood. Commonly consumed target items include wool, string, elastic bands, electrical cords, tissues, tinsel and houseplants. Other objects have included cassette tape and the rubber "teat" section of a child's dummy (pacifier). Eating a little grass or herbs is normal cat behaviour; indoor cats may eat houseplants if there is no grass accessible.

Like many obsessive or abnormal behaviours, the cat persists in doing it because the it is comforting or rewarding. The reward might be a nice taste, a full stomach or simply getting attention from the owner. The challenge is to make the behaviour unrewarding and redirect the behaviour into something rewarding for the cat and acceptable to the owner. Sometimes it is a displacement activity where an abnormal activity is substituted for normal behaviour because the cat can't express the more normal behaviour i.e. the normal behaviour is being thwarted.

PICA, WOOL-SUCKING OR PREY-PLUCKING?
Wool-sucking (or fabric-sucking) is a misdirected form of nursing. It's similar to a child's thumb-sucking in providing comfort.. Though sometimes mistaken for wool-eating, the item (sweater, blanket etc) is only sucked, not chewed, bitten or swallowed. Other commonly suckled objects include the cat's own tail, other cats or pet dogs. Behavioural treatment may be needed to build up the cat's confidence so it no longer resorts to "comfort nursing".

In general, the younger a kitten is when it is weaned, the stronger the urge to nurse and the more persistent the comfort-nursing. Usually it decreases naturally as the kitten grows up, but it may persist or resurface in early-weaned or hand-reared cats, particularly at times of stress. More rarely it becomes a compulsive behaviour or progresses to pica.

Some owners provide an old sweater for the cat to suckle on while protecting other garments by storing them away from the cat or dabbing hot chilli sauce onto them.

Plucking the target resembles pica but is a misdirected prey-related activity. The cat holds down the (often woollen) blanket or garment with its paws and uses its teeth to pluck or tear at it. This is the same behaviour found when a cat plucks or tears fur, feather or flesh from larger prey items (e.g. pigeons). The clothing/blanket isn't swallowed anything the cats tears off is discarded. One of my cats, Sappho, exhibited this behaviour towards crochet blankets.

In the case of one Siamese cat, it took a sock to its eating area and plucked at it periodically during the meal (canned food). The owner attributed this to "teeth cleaning" but it was probably misdirected prey-plucking/tearing behaviour as it only occurred at mealtimes.

BREED PREDISPOSITIONS
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Focus On Cat Breeds

History, Temperament of the Maine Coon.

History of the Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coons have been on this earth for many centuries, they were well documented at being in large numbers at American Cat Shows in the mid 1800’s alongside the other popular breed at the time the Persian cat.

There are several theories as to the origin of Maine Coons, the Darwin Theory of an animal’s origin being disregarded and obscured, from being an outcross between a Bobcat/Wildcat and a domestic, coming across as ship cats from Scandinavian countries as Forest type cats and mating with the domestic cats, to Marie Antoinette sending her royal cats on a ship to the safety of Maine, prior to her beheading. Nobody really knows and the cat’s aren’t saying.

Maine Coons are a natural breed of cat or at least the original ones were, and anyone who has ever met one and to everyone who has ever lived with one, the Maine Coon is a very special breed of cat. [1]

Appearance of The Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coons are the largest breed of domestic cat and have a rugged, working cat appearance. They have a lovely semi-longhaired coat of varying lengths and were well built to survive in the harsh North American winters. This coat is very water repellent, but quite soft to the touch. An amazing plumed tail of large proportions finishes off this wonderful coat. They come in a large variety of colours and in several tabby patterns as well as solid and particolours. Brown tabby is the original colouring of a Maine Coon but the rainbow of colours range through blues, reds and creams, silvers tortoiseshell and solid blacks through to solid white.
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