When you consider getting a purebred cat, you might consider Persians and Himalayans. If so, you haven’t done enough research to own either breed, since Himalayans actually are Persians. They are the same breed!
Himalayan cats are essentially a cross between a Persian and a Siamese. This gives the cat the long coat of the Persian, with the striking marks of the Siamese. Among Persian cats, the Himalayan is the most popular Persian.
While Himalayans are Persians, however, there are some marked differences between purebred Persians and Himalayans. For example, Himalayans are known to be more vocal than Persians are. Persians have eyes of varying colors, but most Himalayans have beautiful blue eyes. However, the most common difference between Himalayans and purebred Persians are the colors, known as Color Points.
Himalayan color points include blue, red, cream tortie, seal, lilac, chocolate, blue-cream, chocolate tortie, lilac-cream, red lynx, blue lynx, seal lynx, cream lynx, blue-cream lynx, tortie lynx, chocolate lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx, lilac-cream lynx, and lilac lynx.
In the case of Purebred Persians, the color points aren’t as well defined as they are with Himalayans. However, most people cannot distinguish the differences between Persians and Himalayans.
Because Himalayans are actually only part Persian, many people think that they should be priced lower than purebred Persians. In most cases, this isn’t what you will find. Himalayans are priced just as high as purebred Persians because of their beauty and their show quality. Of course, if they are the product of champion status Persians and champion status Siamese, their price only tends to rise higher.
So, why would one choose a Himalayan over a purebred Persian? Some like the darker markings on the Himalayan – the Siamese look combined with the long hair, while others prefer the more solid, non-marked look of the Persian. Other than vocal differences, there really is no difference beyond that.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Teaching Persians Good Behavior
Your Persian is beautiful. You could spend hours just looking at him and watching him. The problem is seldom the way he looks…the problem with Persians – or any other breed of cat – is their behavior.
The first thing to realize is that Persians are not dogs. While a dog will do anything in his power to please you, a Persian wants to know what it is that you are going to do to please him. You own a dog…a Persian owns you. Once this has been established and acknowledged by you, you will be more likely to be able to teach your Persian some good behavior.
Cats have their own unique personalities. Each one is different. Some are naturally well behaved, while others are not. Often, the environment determines whether or not they are well behaved. For example, if the Persian gets a lot of attention from you and has plenty of toys to entertain him, you can expect good behavior for as long as that attention continues. However, if you take that attention away, the cat will most likely start acting out in a way that is unacceptable to you.
Note that you cannot really discipline a cat – or any other animal. Animals don’t learn from discipline. They learn from negative results associated with what it is that they are doing. If your cat is swinging from your drapes, and you yell and swat at him, this tells him to fear you, and not to swing from the drapes when you are in the vicinity…he will save drape swinging for when you are not around, but he will still be swinging from the drapes. Squirting with a water bottle doesn’t work….again he associates this with you, not with swinging from the drapes.
However, if the drapes fell each time the Persian felt the need to swing on them, and he hits the floor enough, he will associate that negative result with the drapes, and not with you – and this is what you want. This is how he will learn to stay off of the drapes.
If you want you’re Persian to stay off of the furniture, or to stop scratching the furniture, you have to make the furniture unattractive. There are many products on the market that you can treat your furniture with that will make it unattractive to your Persian.
Each time you find a way to redirect your Persian attention or behavior, you must provide an alternative. If he is swinging from the drapes and scratching the furniture, a good alternative is a cat tree that provides plenty of scratching posts and rope type swings that he can swing from. It takes time, attention, and a little ingenuity on your part, but you really can turn a Persians bad behavior into good behavior that you can both live with.
The first thing to realize is that Persians are not dogs. While a dog will do anything in his power to please you, a Persian wants to know what it is that you are going to do to please him. You own a dog…a Persian owns you. Once this has been established and acknowledged by you, you will be more likely to be able to teach your Persian some good behavior.
Cats have their own unique personalities. Each one is different. Some are naturally well behaved, while others are not. Often, the environment determines whether or not they are well behaved. For example, if the Persian gets a lot of attention from you and has plenty of toys to entertain him, you can expect good behavior for as long as that attention continues. However, if you take that attention away, the cat will most likely start acting out in a way that is unacceptable to you.
Note that you cannot really discipline a cat – or any other animal. Animals don’t learn from discipline. They learn from negative results associated with what it is that they are doing. If your cat is swinging from your drapes, and you yell and swat at him, this tells him to fear you, and not to swing from the drapes when you are in the vicinity…he will save drape swinging for when you are not around, but he will still be swinging from the drapes. Squirting with a water bottle doesn’t work….again he associates this with you, not with swinging from the drapes.
However, if the drapes fell each time the Persian felt the need to swing on them, and he hits the floor enough, he will associate that negative result with the drapes, and not with you – and this is what you want. This is how he will learn to stay off of the drapes.
If you want you’re Persian to stay off of the furniture, or to stop scratching the furniture, you have to make the furniture unattractive. There are many products on the market that you can treat your furniture with that will make it unattractive to your Persian.
Each time you find a way to redirect your Persian attention or behavior, you must provide an alternative. If he is swinging from the drapes and scratching the furniture, a good alternative is a cat tree that provides plenty of scratching posts and rope type swings that he can swing from. It takes time, attention, and a little ingenuity on your part, but you really can turn a Persians bad behavior into good behavior that you can both live with.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Spaying or Neutering Your Persian CatThe Right Choice?
Most pet owners these days immediately have their animals spayed or neutered, in an attempt to control the pet population – and this is recommended and commendable. However, in the case of Purebred Persians, you might want to put some serious thought into this.
First, depending on the requirements of your breeder, you may be forced to have your Persian spayed or neutered – or it may be done by the breeder before the cat is even allowed to go to your home. If the cat is not to be spayed or neutered, you can and should expect to pay a great deal more for it – because this gives you breeding rights for the cat – which of course puts you in direct competition with the breeder.
You must also consider cat shows when you are determining whether you will spay or neuter your Persian cat. Most cat shows have divisions for altered and unaltered cats – they are seldom judged together, but beyond this separation, they are judged in much the same way. Obviously the behavior of unaltered animals is different than the behavior of altered animals.
This brings us to the case for spaying and neutering. If males are not neutered, they will spray to mark their territory. This is a urine odor that can be quite overwhelming and unpleasant for the owner of the cat. The only way to stop a male cat from marking his territory through spraying is to have him neutered.
In the case of females, an unsprayed female will go into heat several times throughout the year. This is usually accompanied by horrifying sounds at all hours of the day and night, which can be quite bothersome. Of course, if there is an unaltered male in the house, or able to make physical contact with the female cat, this results in a litter of kittens – which may not be wanted.
Spaying and neutering cats has become very commonplace, and is quite affordable. Of course, it costs more to have a female spayed than it costs to have a male neutered. You should make an appointment with your veterinarian by the time the cat is between three and six months of age to have the cat altered. You will be instructed not to allow the cat to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, and to have the cat in the office early in the morning.
The veterinarian will perform the procedure, and you can typically take your cat home by that evening. The veterinarian will give you instructions on caring for the area where the cat has been cut, and if any sutures need to be removed, you will return to the veterinarian’s office in about ten days so that this can be done.
First, depending on the requirements of your breeder, you may be forced to have your Persian spayed or neutered – or it may be done by the breeder before the cat is even allowed to go to your home. If the cat is not to be spayed or neutered, you can and should expect to pay a great deal more for it – because this gives you breeding rights for the cat – which of course puts you in direct competition with the breeder.
You must also consider cat shows when you are determining whether you will spay or neuter your Persian cat. Most cat shows have divisions for altered and unaltered cats – they are seldom judged together, but beyond this separation, they are judged in much the same way. Obviously the behavior of unaltered animals is different than the behavior of altered animals.
This brings us to the case for spaying and neutering. If males are not neutered, they will spray to mark their territory. This is a urine odor that can be quite overwhelming and unpleasant for the owner of the cat. The only way to stop a male cat from marking his territory through spraying is to have him neutered.
In the case of females, an unsprayed female will go into heat several times throughout the year. This is usually accompanied by horrifying sounds at all hours of the day and night, which can be quite bothersome. Of course, if there is an unaltered male in the house, or able to make physical contact with the female cat, this results in a litter of kittens – which may not be wanted.
Spaying and neutering cats has become very commonplace, and is quite affordable. Of course, it costs more to have a female spayed than it costs to have a male neutered. You should make an appointment with your veterinarian by the time the cat is between three and six months of age to have the cat altered. You will be instructed not to allow the cat to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, and to have the cat in the office early in the morning.
The veterinarian will perform the procedure, and you can typically take your cat home by that evening. The veterinarian will give you instructions on caring for the area where the cat has been cut, and if any sutures need to be removed, you will return to the veterinarian’s office in about ten days so that this can be done.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Should You Declaw Your Persian Cat?
You love your Persian – but you love your furnishing, drapes, and carpeting as well. Unfortunately, Persians, as well as other cat breeds are notorious for absolutely ruining furnishing, drapes, and carpet, and even walls and baseboards because they use these objects as scratching posts.
First, if your Persian is making a mess of the furnishings in your home, you really can’t blame the cat. He’s just doing what comes naturally to him – and because you haven’t provided any other alternatives that are suitable, you have only yourself to blame. Alternatives must be provided, because you are not going to stop the cat from scratching when the need arises.
At one point, the answer was to declaw the cat. Today, you will be hard pressed to find a veterinarian who is willing to perform this surgery on your cat. More and more, the practice is being deemed as cruel, because research has shown that declawing a cat is the equivalent of cutting off a humans fingers at the first joint.
In many countries, it is now illegal to declaw a cat, and in many others, it is just a matter of time before this is the case. Countries that frown upon declawing cats, and which may have passed laws against declawing cats include Scotland, Brazil, Wales, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Yugoslavia, France, Australia, Italy, England, Austria, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Slovenia, Netherlands, and Portugal.
In the United States and Canada, the practice of declawing cats is not yet illegal, but it is being frowned upon more and more. In fact, if a cat is declawed, he will be automatically disqualified from most sanctioned cat shows.
When a cat is declawed, more than his toenail is being removed. In fact, this is actually an amputation of the last joint of the cat’s toe. No matter how old or young the cat is, the animal experiences a great deal of pain following the surgery – for a long period of time. Often, this changes the personality of the cat – forever.
Today, there are numerous alternatives to declawing. Cats can be trained to use alternative scratching sources, such as scratching posts. You can also use caps that cover the cat’s nails. These caps stay in place for about three months, and are becoming better and better as time goes on. Today, you can even purchase these nail caps in a multitude of colors. You can also trim the cat’s nails, which will minimize the damage that they can do to your furniture.
First, if your Persian is making a mess of the furnishings in your home, you really can’t blame the cat. He’s just doing what comes naturally to him – and because you haven’t provided any other alternatives that are suitable, you have only yourself to blame. Alternatives must be provided, because you are not going to stop the cat from scratching when the need arises.
At one point, the answer was to declaw the cat. Today, you will be hard pressed to find a veterinarian who is willing to perform this surgery on your cat. More and more, the practice is being deemed as cruel, because research has shown that declawing a cat is the equivalent of cutting off a humans fingers at the first joint.
In many countries, it is now illegal to declaw a cat, and in many others, it is just a matter of time before this is the case. Countries that frown upon declawing cats, and which may have passed laws against declawing cats include Scotland, Brazil, Wales, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Yugoslavia, France, Australia, Italy, England, Austria, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Slovenia, Netherlands, and Portugal.
In the United States and Canada, the practice of declawing cats is not yet illegal, but it is being frowned upon more and more. In fact, if a cat is declawed, he will be automatically disqualified from most sanctioned cat shows.
When a cat is declawed, more than his toenail is being removed. In fact, this is actually an amputation of the last joint of the cat’s toe. No matter how old or young the cat is, the animal experiences a great deal of pain following the surgery – for a long period of time. Often, this changes the personality of the cat – forever.
Today, there are numerous alternatives to declawing. Cats can be trained to use alternative scratching sources, such as scratching posts. You can also use caps that cover the cat’s nails. These caps stay in place for about three months, and are becoming better and better as time goes on. Today, you can even purchase these nail caps in a multitude of colors. You can also trim the cat’s nails, which will minimize the damage that they can do to your furniture.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Finding A Good Veterinarian for Your Persian Cat
Most people, regrettably, do not put much thought or consideration into choosing a veterinarian for their pets. But because you spend a great deal of money on your Persian, it is essential that you provide him with the best possible healthcare, which means that you must choose the best possible veterinarian for him.
Many pet owners mistakenly wait until a veterinarian is needed before they begin their search for one. Don’t do this! You want to have your veterinarian selected, and have already started building a relationship with that veterinarian before your Persian cat needs one. Ideally, you will purchase your Persian, and drive straight to the veterinarian’s office that you have selected, so that you can introduce the two, and so that the veterinarian can immediately examine the Persian.
It is also important to note that when it comes to your Persians health, you will be dealing with more than just the veterinarian. You will be dealing with his entire staff – from the receptionist, to the assistant, to technicians. You want to be sure that the entire staff is suitable, as your animal will be subjected to each and every one of these people at some point.
When you start your search for a veterinarian, start by asking the breeder for a recommendation. You might also ask other Persian owners who they use, as you will want a veterinarian that has experience with this breed. Ideally, the veterinarian that you choose will be a member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and you can contact that agency to find out if there have been any complaints against the veterinarian or their staff.
You don’t have to own a pet to make an appointment with the veterinarian. Simply call and tell the receptionist that you are on the verge of getting a Persian, and you want to establish a veterinarian for him. Visit the facility, and take a tour. The tour should include an introduction to the veterinarian as well as all staff members.
When you arrive, you want to observe closely to ensure that the facility is clean and well maintained. Find out the requirements for setting and keeping appointments. Find out about emergency hours, and who will care for your animal in the event of an emergency if his regular veterinarian is not available. Find out about fees, and check the area where the animals are kept before and after treatment. If you have pet insurance, find out if that insurance is honored at this particular veterinarian’s office.
You may need to visit several different veterinarians until you find the veterinarian that is the right fit for you and you’re Persian. Don’t give up the search, and don’t settle until you are one-hundred percent satisfied!
Many pet owners mistakenly wait until a veterinarian is needed before they begin their search for one. Don’t do this! You want to have your veterinarian selected, and have already started building a relationship with that veterinarian before your Persian cat needs one. Ideally, you will purchase your Persian, and drive straight to the veterinarian’s office that you have selected, so that you can introduce the two, and so that the veterinarian can immediately examine the Persian.
It is also important to note that when it comes to your Persians health, you will be dealing with more than just the veterinarian. You will be dealing with his entire staff – from the receptionist, to the assistant, to technicians. You want to be sure that the entire staff is suitable, as your animal will be subjected to each and every one of these people at some point.
When you start your search for a veterinarian, start by asking the breeder for a recommendation. You might also ask other Persian owners who they use, as you will want a veterinarian that has experience with this breed. Ideally, the veterinarian that you choose will be a member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and you can contact that agency to find out if there have been any complaints against the veterinarian or their staff.
You don’t have to own a pet to make an appointment with the veterinarian. Simply call and tell the receptionist that you are on the verge of getting a Persian, and you want to establish a veterinarian for him. Visit the facility, and take a tour. The tour should include an introduction to the veterinarian as well as all staff members.
When you arrive, you want to observe closely to ensure that the facility is clean and well maintained. Find out the requirements for setting and keeping appointments. Find out about emergency hours, and who will care for your animal in the event of an emergency if his regular veterinarian is not available. Find out about fees, and check the area where the animals are kept before and after treatment. If you have pet insurance, find out if that insurance is honored at this particular veterinarian’s office.
You may need to visit several different veterinarians until you find the veterinarian that is the right fit for you and you’re Persian. Don’t give up the search, and don’t settle until you are one-hundred percent satisfied!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Would Your Persian Enjoy A Cat Tree?
Cat trees can be expensive, but if you have a problem with a cat using your furniture as a scratching post, and using your drapes to climb, you may find that the cost of the a good cat tree is well worth it to you and your Persian cat.
Climbing is important to cats. First, they like high places. Second, the climbing action helps to keep them in good physical shape. Again, if you don’t provide the cat with a cat tree for climbing, he will form his own ‘cat tree’ using the furnishing in your home.
Cat trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be purchased from pet stores or from online sources. They come in a wide range of prices, depending on the size of the cat tree that you purchase. You also have the option of designing and making your own cat tree. For this, you will need wood, screws, and carpeting or strong fabric to cover the cat tree with.
The cat tree that you purchase will depend on two things – how many cats you have, and how much space you have for the cat tree. If the cat tree will run from the floor to the ceiling, you will also need a way to bolt the cat tree to the ceiling, or to the wall for stability – otherwise, the cat tree will easily tip over and the cat won’t get much joy from it.
A good cat tree will have a variety of perches, and one to three hiding places or cubby holes. Some have running boards or ramps that lead into the hiding places and most will provide places for you to hang various dangling toys from as well. Some may even have small hammocks on them and small rope type swings.
Again, the cost of the cat tree depends on the size that you need – but prices also vary by the source. Cat trees typically run anywhere from $80 to $300, although really nice floor to ceiling cat trees can be purchased in the $100 to $150 range.
You will find that the cat tree that you select will become a favorite to your Persian. You can expect him to spend a great deal of his time napping in the cubby holes, scratching the posts, and of course climbing and playing all over the cat tree. Cat trees can be placed in the center of the room, or in a corner for your convenience as well.
Climbing is important to cats. First, they like high places. Second, the climbing action helps to keep them in good physical shape. Again, if you don’t provide the cat with a cat tree for climbing, he will form his own ‘cat tree’ using the furnishing in your home.
Cat trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be purchased from pet stores or from online sources. They come in a wide range of prices, depending on the size of the cat tree that you purchase. You also have the option of designing and making your own cat tree. For this, you will need wood, screws, and carpeting or strong fabric to cover the cat tree with.
The cat tree that you purchase will depend on two things – how many cats you have, and how much space you have for the cat tree. If the cat tree will run from the floor to the ceiling, you will also need a way to bolt the cat tree to the ceiling, or to the wall for stability – otherwise, the cat tree will easily tip over and the cat won’t get much joy from it.
A good cat tree will have a variety of perches, and one to three hiding places or cubby holes. Some have running boards or ramps that lead into the hiding places and most will provide places for you to hang various dangling toys from as well. Some may even have small hammocks on them and small rope type swings.
Again, the cost of the cat tree depends on the size that you need – but prices also vary by the source. Cat trees typically run anywhere from $80 to $300, although really nice floor to ceiling cat trees can be purchased in the $100 to $150 range.
You will find that the cat tree that you select will become a favorite to your Persian. You can expect him to spend a great deal of his time napping in the cubby holes, scratching the posts, and of course climbing and playing all over the cat tree. Cat trees can be placed in the center of the room, or in a corner for your convenience as well.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Persian Cats And Hairballs - How To Treat Them
For the most part, if you own a cat, you will have hairballs. This is especially true for long haired cats such as the Persian. However, there are steps that you can take to reduce the number of hairballs that you and your Persian have to suffer. The first step is to realize that something must be done about the hairballs, because they are more than a nuisance, they also pose a danger to your cat!
Hairballs have the potential to block the intestines, which in turn blocks the digestion of food. This can cause the cat to become impacted – at the worst – and to not be getting the proper nutrition – at the least.
Hairballs occur when cats groom themselves. They often swallow the hair that is coming loose. We seldom think about the fact that hair cannot really be broken down and properly digested. Your cat is having to deal with hairballs when you hear them hacking and they throw up cigar shaped looking objects on the floor. It’s pretty easy to realize what you are looking at when you see one.
The first step to cutting down on hairballs is to brush your cat daily! This helps to keep loose hair removed – before your Persian gets the opportunity to swallow all of that loose hair. This is the number one way to prevent hairballs, although all it really does is cut down on the number of hairballs that your cat has to deal with.
You can use hairball products that are available in most stores as well. These products include hairball reduction food and hairball supplements. These don’t prevent the cat from swallowing loose hair. Instead, they give the fur more oils, which makes it easier for the hair to pass through the digestive tract.
If you do some basic research on hairballs, you will also find many home solutions that cat owners swear by. One such home remedy includes feeding the cat about half a teaspoon of butter several times a week. Another is giving the cat pureed squash or canned pumpkin. There is a good chance that you won’t be able to force your Persian to eat any of these things.
Again, the best remedy for hairballs is to keep the Persian well brushed. Occasional bathing isn’t out of the question either – but daily brushing is a must. Not only is this required to keep Persians beautiful and tangle free, but as you can see, it’s also the most effective way to cut down on the number of hairballs that you and your precious Persian have to deal with.
Hairballs have the potential to block the intestines, which in turn blocks the digestion of food. This can cause the cat to become impacted – at the worst – and to not be getting the proper nutrition – at the least.
Hairballs occur when cats groom themselves. They often swallow the hair that is coming loose. We seldom think about the fact that hair cannot really be broken down and properly digested. Your cat is having to deal with hairballs when you hear them hacking and they throw up cigar shaped looking objects on the floor. It’s pretty easy to realize what you are looking at when you see one.
The first step to cutting down on hairballs is to brush your cat daily! This helps to keep loose hair removed – before your Persian gets the opportunity to swallow all of that loose hair. This is the number one way to prevent hairballs, although all it really does is cut down on the number of hairballs that your cat has to deal with.
You can use hairball products that are available in most stores as well. These products include hairball reduction food and hairball supplements. These don’t prevent the cat from swallowing loose hair. Instead, they give the fur more oils, which makes it easier for the hair to pass through the digestive tract.
If you do some basic research on hairballs, you will also find many home solutions that cat owners swear by. One such home remedy includes feeding the cat about half a teaspoon of butter several times a week. Another is giving the cat pureed squash or canned pumpkin. There is a good chance that you won’t be able to force your Persian to eat any of these things.
Again, the best remedy for hairballs is to keep the Persian well brushed. Occasional bathing isn’t out of the question either – but daily brushing is a must. Not only is this required to keep Persians beautiful and tangle free, but as you can see, it’s also the most effective way to cut down on the number of hairballs that you and your precious Persian have to deal with.
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