One of the most desirable cat breeds today is the Persian cat and it is no wonder since they have such a majestic and exotic appearance. The Persian cat is excellent for those who want a companion who is affectionate, laid back and very devoted. However, before selecting a Persian for your household you should be aware of the care that is involved in having a Persian cat.

Their History

The Persian cat was present at the very first cat show held in London in 1871 and was extremely popular in the United Kingdom by the early 1900s. However, the first reference to Persians was found in the history of the Romans when they were brought on the caravans arriving from Persia, which is now modern day Iran. These early cats arrived in Europe in the 1500s and are now known as the Angora and Persian cat breeds.

In the late 1800s, the Persian breed found its way to the United States where it quickly became one of the most popular cats. Throughout the years, the Persian was changed by breeding into the cat we currently see with the extreme face, long coat and short ears.

Their Appearance

The long soft fur of the Persian cat is perhaps the most notable feature. However, the Persian is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns so you are sure to find the perfect cat for your individual preferences. Persian cats genetically posses a better muscle tone when compare to others cat breeds in addition to its elegant appearance.

The Persian cat has two different types of faces, the extreme and traditional. The difference in these two types is that the extreme face has a very snub-nosed appearance. The face is typically almost completely flat with the nose almost as high up at the eyes. However, the Persian with a traditional face will not have a flat appearance. The prominent faced type has managed to take maximum share of popularity primarily due to its prevalence at public functions.

Their Personality

For those who prefer a cat breed that is laid back and doesn’t show much energy then the Persian cat would be an excellent companion to add to your household. Persians would much rather lounge around all day then chasing after toys. However, Persians are also an extremely affectionate breed and need human interaction and affection. If you pay a proper attention and care to your Persian kitten they will grow as your committed companion for life.

Although Persian breed are fond of attention, they are relatively less demanding in compared to their peers. They are also very responsive to the moods of their owners. They are also a quiet breed, which makes them ideal for apartment living conditions so the neighbors won’t be disturbed by constant vocalization. A Persian cat is a good option for those who want to be comforted and soothed by their pet companion.

Caring For Your Persian

Persian cats require long periods of grooming care otherwise their soft long coat will turn into painful mats that will need to be shaved off by a veterinarian. Every day you should take out at least fifteen minutes in grooming your pet Persian and increase during the months of shredding.

To remove oil buildup you will also have to bath your Persian often, every two weeks is a good recommendation. With Persians tear staining is often a problem so you will have to wash their faces daily.

If you are considering getting your first cat or you have had several before you will always be surprised at the many cat breed options you have. With all of cat breeds out there to choose from how can you be sure that you are getting the right one for you and your family. There are three steps to consider when selecting your cat breed to make sure you are getting a cat that will match with your household.

Noisy Or Quiet?

The first step to considering a cat breed is whether you want one that is vocal or one that will be quiet most of the time. There are some cat breeds that are extremely vocal so you should consider if you can handle this before getting one of these cats. Even if you feel that you can handle a vocal cat you should consider your situation, if you live in an apartment then perhaps your neighbors wouldn’t be so happy with you getting a cat that is extremely vocal.

If you prefer a vocal cat then probably you should go for the following breeds: the Korkat, the Siamese or the Burmese.  For those who are looking for a quieter cat breed you should consider one of the following: the Scottish Fold, Somali or the American Curl.

Distant Or Friendly?

The next major factor while selecting a cat breed is the behaviour of the cat. There are some cat breeds that thrive on human contact while others would prefer to have nothing to do with their human counterparts except for food. For those who don’t have a lot of time to spend cuddling their cat then perhaps a more independent cat breed would be a better choice .However, for those who are looking for a good family cat then perhaps an affectionate cat breed would be the better option.

If you are looking for a cat that will cuddle then you should consider the following: the Snowshoes, Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Tonkinese and the Himalayan Persian. For those who want a more independent cat you should consider the following breeds: the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Nebelung and the Russian Shorthair. Or perhaps you want a cat that is a bit of both and will spend the hours in between your cuddling entertaining themselves. These breeds would be the Sphynx, Siamese, Rex, Balinese and British Angora.

Long Or Short Hair?

This choice can be almost as important as selecting temperament. A short haired cat breed is a good choice for those who may not be able to spend a lot of time caring for their cat. Long haired cats may be cute but you should always consider the amount of time that is involved in grooming them. If you don’t properly take care of a long haired cat coat then it can tangle quickly and may result in shaving the entire cat.

Contrary to what you may be thinking, a Bengal cat is actually a good pet. This cross breed between a leopard cat and domestic cats happens to be one of the best pets that you can have. A Bengal cat loves people and could be a very good companion. The fact is that Bengal cat are surprisingly alert and curious but they prefer an elegant behaviour and rarely demonstrate hyper active traits. If you like tranquil ambiance in the house and do not appreciate an over active kitten in the house playing with the house stuff then the Bengal Cat would surely suit your preference.

Origins Of The Bengal Cat

As mentioned before, this type of catis a cross breed of a leopard cat specifically the Asia leopard cat (ALC) and some domestic cats especially that of Egyptian origins such as the Egyptian Mau. Bengal cats have also been produced through cross breeding of other domestic cats with leopard cats. The domestic short hair, the Abyssinian, the Ocicat and many other unpedigreed cats have been breed the Bengal cat over the years. Some say that there are no longer any authentic or pure breed Bengal cat nowadays since it has been crossbreed for many generations already. However, there are many people who maintain that there are still many pure breed Bengal cats all over the world since there are many second-generation male cats, which have been breed to preserve the Bengal cat breed.

Although the ancestors of this type of cats which are the leopard cat are commonly found in the wilds of Asia, the cross breeding of this wild cats with the more subdued domestic cats helped tame the nature of this cat. Nevertheless, this type of cat still has some of its strong and really independent streak so your should make sure that you know your cat well for you to be able to take care of it better.

How Does The Bengal Cat Look Like?

A Bengal cat is a medium size cat with muscular built. This particular breed of cats carry an aura of wilderness that they have inherited from their wild ancestors. Its coat the spots, rosetted or marbles pattern which it had inherited from its leopard cat ancestors. The most common colors of this type of are the black or very dark brown pattern with sandy beige background. There are also some, which have the silver coat with black patterns and those with dark brown pattern on beige background.

If you are getting a new cat, one of the most important first decisions you will make is which cat food to feed them. Your cat food selection should be made carefully since it has a lot to do with your cat’s health and longevity. At times it becomes really cumbersome to select the appropriate cat food from the pile of options available in today’s market.

What To Look For In Cat Food

When it comes to dry cat food, it is important that you choose one to meet your cat’s specific life stage. If you have just adopted or purchased a kitten then you should only purchase kitten food. When a cat reaches the adult stage then you should use a regular dry food. Once your cat is in the senior stage a food specifically formulated for their age can go a long way to helping them age gracefully.

While picking up the dry food ensure the package is marked with an AAFCO approval sign. This means it will have a seal on the package showing the contents are approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This means the food conforms to the minimal diet standards that the association has set up to guarantee good cat food.

Finally, you should consider what your veterinarian recommends. No one knows better than your cat’s doctor does what food is best for his or her needs. If you do not have a veterinarian recommendation then you should look for food that has high quality and consistent ingredients on the label.

What To Take Into Consideration

The most important aspect of your cat’s health is good nutrition, which as a major affect. This statement is especially true of kittens that are still growing. If possible, you should feed them the highest quality food you can afford without cutting back on your own food.

Before you choose which cat food to purchase you should consider several things. Included in this is your specific cat breed, their age, size and health. It is also a good idea to keep in mind where you will be feeding your cat and how much you are willing to spend on cat food. By keeping in mind these facts, you will easily be able to choose appropriate cat food for your pet, that will ensure your cats health and life.