A-Z: Goofy Cats

My sister is hiding behind one of those mustaches. Figured out which one?

A-Z: Fat Cat

Fat cats are not limited to any specific breed, though some are more susceptible than others. High energy cats tend to remain lean, while the more placid can easily put on pounds if their diet and exercise aren't regimented.
I highly recommend just feeding your pet twice a day and not leaving a full dish out twenty-four seven. Most cats, like most people, are grazers.  If the food dish is available they'll keep coming back.


What's the problem?  Like people, cats can have heart issues and diabetes.  Have you ever given a cat insulin? It can be done, but why put yourself and your feline through it if a healthy diet can help avoid it? Hopefully watching his diet will help give you and your furry friend many long years together.

Starts today!  For those here to visit Authors In Bloom, please go to the contests page.

A-Z: Egyptian Mau

Mau's are descendants of wild African cats. The term Mau means cat. These felines are built like cheetahs. An extra skin flap makes them one of the fastest breeds and allows them to run up to thirty miles an hour. Their coats are naturally spotted but the spots are only on the edge of the fur. Their coat colors are silver, bronze and smoke. A black rim around the edge of their eyes accentuate their beauty and gives them the look of wearing mascara. Their moon-shaped eyes change as they mature.
These wonderful felines are very loyal and possessive of their owners (and toys).
They do shed. To help keep this down, stroke them with the foot of an old pair of pantyhose on your hand.
They have few health issues and can live past fifteen.
Want one? Check out petfinder.com and your local rescues and shelters.

A-Z Domestic Shorthair

Here's a favorite for almost all of most. How many domestic shorthairs have you had in your lifetime? I can't begin to count. We had cats when I was growing up and I've had them ever since. At one time I ran a small cat rescue and I've fostered on and off for years.  But back on track. Domestics are great cats with varied personalities and weigh between six and sixteen pounds. They're healthy, friendly and come in all sizes and colors. There's eighty million in the U.S. and 600 hundred million in the world.  Two unaltered cats can be the forefathers of eighty million cats.  That is why it's so important that people spay and neuter their pets. I can't stress this enough. For most of the blogsters out there, I'm preaching to the choir, but when two can turn into eighty million, EVERYONE who has a pet needs to make sure their kitty is altered. Many shelters are on a spay/neuter program and have special prices for seniors or low income.  If you think you'd like to add one of these sweeties to your household, visit your local shelter or rescue.  Someone is just waiting for you to take him/her home.

A-Z: California Spangled

Flamingice007sg, Wikipedia

This exotic kitty was created by Paul Casey when he heard that one of the last breeding leopards in the territory of Olduvai had been killed by poachers. He felt that if he could develop a domestic that looked like the leopards it would draw attention to their plight and people would relate to the conservation problems. Casey had an eleven generation plan in developing the Spangles starting with the Siamese and a spotted Angora in the first generation and ending with street cats from Egypt and Malaya. Casey worked from the 1970's to 1985 to develop his California Spangled.
Like the leopard he was bred to emulate, it has a strong body that's long and lean.
The Spangled has wide cheekbones, round tipped ears, and wide almond-shaped eyes. It has a medium length tail and short coat. The coat colors are silver, blue, red, black, gold, brown and charcoal. There is also a Snow Leopard with blue eyes that develops spots as it matures.
In spite of their wild appearance they're a friendly, social cat. They like to play and they're very intelligent. They like children. And for the most part get along with other cats and dogs.
Their average weight is eight to seventeen pounds. Average life expectancy is nine to fifteen years.
If you are interested in adding one of these exotic beauties to your family please try rescue first.

A-Z...Balinese

An offshoot of the Siamese, this cat has brains as well as beauty and is considered one of the smartest longhairs in the cat world.  With this intelligence comes unquenchable curiosity.  Translation: They're into everything. Balinese are recommended for seasoned cat owners and folks that don't mind brushing their felines a couple of times a week. If you don't want an animal that sheds all over the furniture, you probably don't want a Balinese.

The outstanding characteristics of the Balinese are their plumy tails and blue, almond-shaped eyes. 

These beauties can live past twenty and have very few health issues. Interested in one? Please start with petfinders, overstock (Yes they do have an adoption center) or your local rescue.

A-Z: Abyssinian

free-pet-wallpapers.com

Abyssinians

Abyssinians, or Abys as they are known by their fans, are short hairs whose looks hark back to their wild ancestry. There is some confusion on whether Abys originated in Ethiopia or in Egypt. Regardless they're beautiful, fascinating creatures. These cats have a ticked coat. i.e. lighter at the root and darker at the tip. Some folks claim that wild Abyssinians can still be found in North Africa.
These cats come in different colors including Fawn, Silver, Sorrel, Blue, Lilac, Tortieshell, Chocolate, Red, Cream and the ever popular original Ruddy: a brownish-red with black tipping and black feet. The kittens are born with dark coats that lighten as they get older.Abys have long muscular bodies with long tails, wedge-shaped heads, almond-shaped eyes, large ears and petite feet. The dark marking on their foreheads is shaped like the letter M.
If you want a couch-potato this probably isn't the cat for you. These cats are very active and when they aren't playing demand attention. They like their toys. They are also extremely affectionate. They love people and are gentle. If you don't keep them active and give them a lot of time and love they can become depressed. They are highly intelligent and can often be taught basic commands, such as fetching.
They are tolerant of other cats but prefer dogs.
These cats are prone to retinal atrophy.
Their average life expectancy is anywhere from nine to fifteen plus years.
If you are interested in adding one of these exotic kitties to your home, please first try your local rescue, look for an Abyssinian rescue or go to petfinder.com.

~*~

Akasha is a pretty little calico who, along with two of her kittens, has drowned and passed on to Catarau. Now she must journey back to earth to save the kitten left behind.