Cat Breeds: American Bobtail Cats

This breed is relatively new in that it began in the 1960's in the United States of America. Apparently, a couple found a male bobtail kitten, which they named “Yodie,” on an Indian Reservation. When the kitten reached maturity, it was bred to a seal-point Siamese female cat. All of the offspring had bobtails and looked like baby Bobcats (a wild feline described in my Sunday, June 28, 2009 entry titled, “Unusual Pets: Bobcats.)

As a result, a rumour started that “Yodie” was actually an offspring of a mating between a Bobcat and a domestic cat. However, scientists quickly countered this rumour with scientific evidence that showed that any mating between a Bobcat and a domestic cat would result in male offspring that were sterile. Since “Yodie” obviously wasn't sterile, this rumour regarding his ancestry quickly died.

However, if you look back in history, you will find numerous mentions of domestic cats that had been abandoned in the United States wilderness mating with other wild “domestic” cats and producing “mutant” offspring with bobtails. “Yodie” was probably the product of such a mating. Since the mutated gene that produces this type of tail is a dominant gene, most, if not all progeny, would have bobtails. Since “Yodie's” offspring had bobtails, this is probably the most logical origin for him.

“Yodie's” offspring were bred to Birmans, Himalayans, Siamese and Ragdolls (Cat breeds, the latter two of which I have previously covered. Friday May 22, 2009 titled “Cat Breeds: The Ragdoll Cat” and Tuesday May 26, 2009 titled “Cat Breeds: Siamese Cats.) Since the gene pool was relatively small, inbreeding lead to medical problems with progeny of the original bloodline. As a result, in the 1980's, breeders chose random bred domestic cats and mated them with American Bobtails. This created a much wider gene pool and eliminated most medical problems and also almost all traces of the original blood line.

The resultant American Bobtail cat is an affectionate, very intelligent, gentle, loving, kind, athletic, well muscled, medium to large cat. The males weigh 15 to 20 pounds (6 – 8 Kg), with the females weighing slightly less. Their average tail length is one to four inches long (2.5 – 10 cm), although some cats have shorter or longer than average tails.

Interestingly, those with shorter tails, or no tails at all, tend to have an increased risk of hip dysplasia, spinal-bifida, bowel and bladder issues.

The American Bobtail appears powerful with its strong, broad, wedge-shaped head, broad, deep chest, distinctive brow, large almond-shaped eyes, strong back legs, which are slightly longer than its front legs, large feet, sometimes with tufted toes, and tufted ears; in short, regardless of colour, it appears in stature, to be quite a bit like a Bobcat.

All cat eye and fur colours are available in this slow maturing cat, which takes two to three years to reach adulthood. The hair comes in two varieties, medium, semi-dense short-hair and medium-length long-hair. Both hair types are water resistant. The long-hair version appears more scruffy looking.

The short-haired varieties do not require much grooming. They usually only need to be combed during the shedding season. Long-haired American Bobtails should be combed at least two (2) or three (3) times a week to prevent tangles and matting of the hair. If started at a young age, most cats enjoy their grooming sessions.

The American Bobtail has a dog-like personality. It enjoys playing fetch and hide and seek and is very devoted to its owners. It can easily adapt to a busy or quiet environment, so will fit into most households. It is leash trainable, so can be taken for a walk. It enjoys climbing and discovering things, so do not let it outside unsupervised, or it will be at the top of the nearest tree.

Because these cats are very trainable, they can be taught to do simple tricks. They are excellent with children because they do not mind being lugged around like a sack of potatoes.

Unlike most cats, the American Bobtail gets along well with most dogs and other pets. They are fairly quiet cats, but will chirp, click and trill when they are happy.

The American Bobtail interacts with humans of all ages, so it is sometimes used as a therapeutic animal for distressed people.

These cats sound like the ideal pet, but one word of caution though. These cats are fascinated by shiny things so you must ensure that jewelry, coins, and small ornaments are always kept locked up, because if they spot something shiny, they will pick it up with their mouth and carry it away. Unfortunately, they sometimes swallow these things which means a quick trip to the veterinarian must occur to ensure that whatever was swallowed does not injure or kill the cat.

American Bobtail kittens usually sell for $400 to $900 (US) depending on their bloodline and what they will be used for. Show animals are, of course, more expensive than companion animals. Breeding rules are almost always part of the sale contract. Be sure to do a thorough check of the breeder before you decide to deal with them.

If you would like to own a bold, people oriented cat that is highly intelligent, somewhat demanding and whose cleverness and dexterity have earned it a reputation of being an escape artist, then an American Bobtail may be the cat for you.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Abyssinian

The origin of this cat is unknown, although many stories exist about it. Unfortunately, none of them have any hard evidence to back them up, so they just remain stories. In fact, one story has it originating in Egypt, but DNA testing has revealed that it likely originated near the Indian Ocean.

The Abyssinian cat has a very distinctive ticked coat as exhibited in the above picture. The Abyssinian is one of the most popular short-haired cats in the United States. This cat's body is medium in length and lithe, with well developed muscles. Its tail is broad at the base and slowly tapers almost to a point. The legs are slender and fine boned; the paws small and oval shaped. Its eyes are nearly almond shaped and can be green, gold, copper or hazel in colour. The head is broad and wedge shaped. If you view a profile of this cat, you will see that the nose and chin form a vertical line. The Abyssinian's ears are broad and cupped at the base, tapering to a rounded point at the tips. Most Abyssinians have hair tufts on their ears, a must have feature for show animals. A “M” shaped marking often appears in the forehead hair, above the cat's eyes, which has led to it being referred to as “frown lines.”

All Abyssinians have a darker shade on the backs of their hind legs and the pads of their paws. The original Abyssinian's coat was a warm, reddish-brown with black ticking, however, over the years, other colours have been developed. New colours are Sorrel, which is a cinnamon (yellowish-brown) base with chocolate brown ticking, paw pads and the back of hind legs. Fawn Abyssinians have a light-cream base with darker cream ticking, pads and backs of hind legs. Blue Abyssinians have a light-beige base colour with blue ticking, paw pads and backs of hind legs.

A separate group among Abyssinians is the Silver Abyssinian, which is not recognized by the Cat Fancier's Association, even though this colour has be around for a long time. Silver Abyssinians have a silvery-white base colour, with tickings of black, blue, warm dark cream or cinnamon.

Rare colours include Red, Cream, Tortoiseshell, Lilac and Chocolate, which are bred on a small scale in Great Britain and Holland.

Abyssinians are very active and playful. They can become depressed without daily activity and attention. As a result, Abyssinian cats should not be considered as “lap cats,” because they have to be doing things. If allowed outside, they are great hunters as they are physically capable and intelligent animals.

If you are interested in a cat that is active, good looking and loves to play games, then an Abyssinian is a cat that you should consider.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Tigers

Every time dad thinks of Tigers, he recalls attending the Clyde Beatty Circus as a child. The biggest feature at the show was the animal trainer. He was an older man dressed in a fancy gold uniform and he carried a large whip and had a revolver strapped to his hip. The cage in which he performed was about 30 feet in diameter. There were seven pedestals lined up across the middle of the cage. Leading from the outside of the tent and connected to the cage was a heavy steel tunnel. The announcer introduced the animal trainer, whose name dad can’t recall, and then said, “He will be working with six Lions and one Bengal Tiger. The Bengal Tiger is the largest of all Tigers and the most fierce. You will notice that the trainer is an older man. Very few trainers live to be his age. He learned early in his career never to turn his back on a Tiger because even if they appear tame, they never really get tamed. They will always remain a wild beast and very unpredictable.” The show was very good and the trainer got the animals to do many neat tricks. Near the end of the show, one of the Lions started to act up. The trainer was standing near the Tiger at the time. He turned slightly toward the Lion and in the blink of an eye the Tiger lunged for him. He dropped to the ground and the Tiger sailed over top of him. He quickly got back to his feet and cracked his whip near the Tiger’s back end. The Tiger became quite unruly, so one of the employees standing near the tunnel opened the gate and the trainer used his whip to chase the Tiger into the tunnel which was then closed. The trainer got the Lions back to their places and finished the show. After the trainer got out of the animal cage, he went to the announcers booth and got the microphone (this was in the days before remote mikes were invented) and told the crowd that the incident with the Tiger was not part of the show. He advised that the big cat was becoming too hard to handle and that it would no longer be part of the show. Arrangements would be made for it to be sent to a zoo or wild animal park in the United States.

Tigers are felines which are extremely popular among pet lovers who have immense passion for exotic animals. At the same time they are also the most dangerous of all the exotic pets. In the first place, it is really difficult to get a permit to keep them as pets. And even if you get the permit, you have to face other issues like finance, responsibility, threats and regulatory issues so much so that even the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspector drops by every now and then to inspect the animal and the living conditions you provide for your Tiger. And, you mustn’t forget about PETA, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals group which will be a constant thorn in your side with constant harassment, rallies and legal challenges to your right to own a Tiger. Although owing a Tiger sounds impressive, it is more like trying to build a castle on sand, everything is always sliding around, with public opinion and legal requirements frequently changing. A good example of this is the current uproar concerning the place that an aging elephant at the Edmonton zoo should spend her remaining years of life. PETA, celebrities and special interest groups feel she should be sent to a wild animal park in the United States where there are other elephants while the zoo staff feel she should remain where she has spent most of her life.

You should understand the challenges you will have to undergo during the whole process. First, you should work as a volunteer at a zoo which has adult Tigers to understand what you are letting yourself in for. Cubs may be cute and cuddly, but a full grown Tiger is another thing all together.

Cubs usually like to cuddle and sleep with humans around. They can be fed with milk bottles like a human baby. They need to be taken out for a walk, frequently. They won’t complain if you keep other pets along with them. Tigers like to play wild games around the house. They attack a piece of furniture multiple times and drag it from one corner to another because of their wild hunting instincts. They will get companionship from your other pets and will enjoy playing both inside the house as well as outside. Problems arise when the Tiger outgrows your other pets, as it will start biting and attacking the weaker ones. At this point, your growing Tiger should be moved out of the house and into a bigger cage. The expense for building a larger cage will be huge. When full grown, your Tiger will need a cage which is at least eighty-seven feet long, fifty feet wide and thirty feet tall. A small swimming pool, shade trees and a warm comfortable “den” should also be built for it.

Another thing that you must consider is that when they are full grown they become very heavy and you will find it difficult to take it outside for a walk. At 13 feet in length and weighing around 600 pounds you will find it impossible to manage it on a leash. The animal will then begin to miss its freedom and will probably get aggressive and start roaring a lot. To keep your Tiger occupied, you can place things strategically, so that the animal gets involved in the activity of sniffing for new things and for its food. Your Tiger can be given toys to play with, but the toys won’t last for long and should be replaced by new ones frequently. The Tiger may even throw the toys outside its cage. You should get the toys and give them back so it can play again. When you leave the house, even for a while, the Tiger should be securely locked within the cage. You don’t want to take any chances that it can break out and attack humans in the neighbourhood.

Around 18 months of age, your Tiger will shed its baby teeth and grow four inch canines. That’s when most owners freak. Up until that point it is usually still thought of as a tamed animal, but when you see those huge teeth you know that the wild predator will always dwell in the animal. At this point most owners no longer go inside the cage to feed the animal and even if they do, they carry pepper spray along with them. Special protective measures should be taken to ensure the safety of not only people in the area, but your own family as well.

One of the most hectic parts of keeping a Tiger is cage cleaning. There are chances of algae growth in damp areas which requires a lot of scrubbing. The old hay bedding should be changed weekly, which will start to make a large pile of hay that must be disposed of and then there is smelly animal droppings which must be removed from the cage daily and disposed of. In addition, the water in the swimming pool should be replaced often. Because Tigers are fed with whole animals, the remains have to be removed frequently as they will begin to decay fairly rapidly, especially during the summer.

So, as you can see, keeping a Tiger as a pet is a big responsibility, expensive and dangerous. In my opinion, if you are really interested in Tigers, you should apply for a part time job at a zoo that has proper facilities to look after Tigers. In that way you can interact with them, but you won’t have the problems associated with owning one.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are marsupials belonging to Indonesia, Australia and New Guinea. They are small gliding possums and weigh from three to five ounces. They have silky fur usually pearl grey in colour with patches of cream and black. The black colour is usually on their ears and end of their tail. They are named sugar gliders because they eat sweet sap, pollen and nectar and are able to glide because of the skin membrane (called the patagium) which connects the first toe of the hind foot with the fifth finger of the forelimb, on either side. They expand them to create an aerodynamic plane to glide from one tree to another. Apparently they can glide up to 50 meters (approximately 162.5 feet).

Sugar gliders have the habit of nibbling on each other. This shouldn’t be confused with biting. They nibble to do many things, like testing food, to show affection, to exhibit force, to groom, etc. Babies initially are taught by biting. When sugar gliders are angered, they get aggressive and bite really hard. So, new owners should be alert until the pets become familiar with them and stop biting. Care should be taken that this biting shouldn’t turn into a habit. If it turns into a regular behaviour, you should hold the animal firmly when it bites so that it cannot move. It doesn’t care for this. Although it could take quite a while, the pet will eventually get over its natural instinct. It should also be released very slowly; otherwise it will bite again and flee. Also, they can be fed with some tasty food to reward them for learning that they are not to bite. They can become very affectionate with their owners if they are shown a lot of attention. Usually female sugar gliders are difficult to tame, especially those which come directly from the wild.

Sugar gliders come from a very wild and exotic environment. Therefore, they should be provided with a rich environment so that they don’t become emotionally upset. The cage should be quite large so that they can leap freely. Small cages hinder the health of the animal. They are also very active and need exercise. Their cage should be equipped with toys like exercise wheels with a diameter of eleven inches. They are also very inquisitive animals, so new things like cardboard boxes, should be introduced into their cage from time to time to prevent boredom. Their food can also be placed in different places to keep them entertained. Food can also be hidden in branch holes, so that they can dig it out. Their favourite food is the sweet sap of certain types of acacia, gum and eucalyptus trees, although they also eat insects and small vertebrates.

The cage of sugar gliders should be cleaned every week to ensure that it remains hygienic. The urine should be spot cleaned as the ammonia in it can be very harmful to the respiratory system of sugar gilders. Also, the moisture can encourage the growth of harmful fungus. If the cage isn’t cleaned for a long time, not only will the occupants become sick, but the house in which the cage is located will also be filled with a strong odour. While cleaning the cage it should be sprayed with disinfectant, so that all germs and bacteria are killed. When doing this, the sugar gliders, their toys, dishes etc. should be removed from the cage. Once the disinfectant has been wiped off, the animals can be returned to their cage. Then each toy and other item removed from the cage should be disinfected, wiped clean and then returned to the cage. Make sure that the disinfectant is thoroughly cleaned off everything so that the chemicals don’t harm your pets.

Sugar gliders are used to living in groups. Because of this, they should never be kept alone as pets, as this will adversely affect their health. They also require attention from their owners so that they bond and become tame and affectionate to all the humans in the home.

They cling onto each other when they sleep, so that they can keep warm. They communicate with each other by squeaking, chirping and barking. They have a good memory and will retain a grudge against anyone who has hurt them, even if it was caused by accident.

Females have the ability to beget offspring every seven to ten months. They give birth to one or sometimes two baby sugar gliders, which usually weigh only 0.2 grams, after sixteen days of pregnancy. After the birth, the baby shifts to the mother’s pouch, where it stays for seventy days and feeds on milk from the nipples. Both the mother and father have equal participation in bringing up their offspring. Captive sugar gliders can live up to fifteen years, whereas in the wild, most newly independent offspring die before they reach the age of one year.

Because of their popularity as pets, a number of breeding farms have surfaced in the United States. These farms, many similar to puppy breeding mills, supply the pet trade in North America. Australia has strict laws on the exporting of all species of native animals, birds, lizards, reptiles, flora and fauna. Wild species of this animal can be obtained from other countries where they are one of the native species. As noted above, the wild born animals, particularly the females, are much more difficult to tame.

Before considering the purchase of sugar gliders as pets, check with your local and national authorities to make sure that they are legal to have where you live. Having exotic pets is very closely monitored and regulated in most countries because if they get loose, they could cause major damage to the local ecology. Just ask the Australians, who have major problems with the rabbits that well meaning British visitors released there many years ago. Or you can ask anyone living on southern Vancouver Island about the Ontario bull frogs that an ex-Ontario resident brought to his back yard pond. These bull frogs, which have no natural predators on Vancouver Island have expanded like wild fire. Everywhere they go, they kill the small native frogs and overwhelm the ponds and swamps. So, if you are an exotic pet owner or want to become one, please be a responsible owner. Or, check with the authorities in Florida where careless owners of Burmese Pythons released them causing a state disaster. It is now estimated that there are over one hundred thousand of these snakes in the state wiping out many of the native species of wildlife and posing a severe threat to people and their pets. No one wants an ecological disaster caused by carelessness.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Stick Insects

Stick Insects belong to the Phasmatodean Family. Other insects that also belong to the same family are Leaf Insects, Ghost Insects, and Walking Sticks. There are nearly twenty-eight hundred species within the Phasmatodean Family. The striking feature of this family is that the species have a body structure which helps them to blend in with their surroundings. Stick Insects belong to areas having tropical climates. Some Stick Insects have wings. Stick Insects that are kept as pets can grow up to four inches long and can live up to one year.

Among all the insects which are kept as pets, Stick Insects are the most desirable. Some of the favourites are Indian Stick Insects, Vietnamese Thorny Stick Insects and Pink Winged Flying Stick Insects. They are all desirable because they are low maintenance and because of their unique appearance. Their surroundings in captivity should be similar to that of their native surroundings. The temperature and humidity should match exactly with their original habitat.

Also the food resources provided to them should be close to the foliage available to them in their natural habitat. Their diet can also be supplemented with Blueberries, which are among the most favourable alternate foods of Stick Insects. Other supplemental foods that they can be given are raspberries, ivy leaves, oak leaves, privet leaves and hawthorn leaves. These insects can be kept in a vivarium or a circular jar, which has some small holes drilled into the solid top. The width of the jar should be at least three times the length of the insect and it should be tall in height. The holes shouldn’t be so big that the insect can escape through the holes. To be extra careful, a net can be placed over the holes, to completely prevent the insects from escaping. The jar or vivarium can contain some ivy, bramble and privet stems and leaves.

The temperature within their container should be maintained as close to the temperature of their native habitat as possible. At night the temperatures can be lowered to the high sixties Fahrenheit. The humidity within the vivarium or jar should also be close to that of their homeland. Stick Insects are very fragile insects and should be handled with extra care. A water container can also be placed in the jar or vivarium each day and the insect should be allowed to drink from it, but only under careful supervision as the insect can fall into the water and drown.

Stick Insects shed their skin often. Once they shed their skin, they eat it. When the insect sheds for the sixth time, it indicates that the insect has reached sexual maturity. All of the Indian Stick Insects are female as they reproduce by parthenogenesis or the eggs are laid and they do not need fertilization by a male. Owners that are interested in breeding can spray water on the eggs and wait till they hatch. After the eggs are hatched, offspring can be managed with the help of paintbrushes. Sometimes the tail has some remains of the egg, which can be gently brushed off with the help of the paintbrush. Also, care must be taken to not to leave pools of water as there can be a chance of insects drowning in them. Owners that aren’t interested in breeding should completely destroy the eggs by boiling, burning, or crushing them. This is to prevent them from hatching outside of the jar or vivarium.

These insects should not be let out from captivity into the wild. Since they do not belong to your environment, there is a possibility that they can harm the ecosystem by reproducing young ones. Insects which dwell in environments other than their natural habitats, are known as pests. In United States, Indian Walking Stick Insects are classified as plant pests. Therefore, a special permit is needed to import them.

As a matter of fact, no matter where you live, if you are thinking of importing insects, please ensure that you check with local and national authorities to determine if it is legal and what type of permits are needed.


Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Skunks

Skunks are famous for their ability to produce foul smelling odour to defend themselves and to protect their prey from competitors. These mammals belong to the Mephitidae family. Eleven species of Skunks exist in the world today. These species are divided into four genera: Spilogale or spotted Skunks, Mydaus or stink badgers, Conepatus or hog-nosed Skunks and Mephitis or stripped and hooded Skunks. Skunks are found in North America, South America, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Skunks vary from forty centimetres to seventy centimetres in length and from one pound to ten pounds in weight. They have long front claws which help them to dig easily and have short muscular legs which propel their moderately long body in an waddling stride. Commonly, their fur is white and black in color, but there are Skunks with gray, brown and even cream coloured fur. Striped Skunks are striped from birth. Some Skunks have a thick stripe which runs from their tail to the top of their head, while others may have two thin stripes, broken stripes or white spots. Some skunk’s legs are also striped.

Some countries have laws about keeping Skunks as pets. It is legal to have a Skunk as a pet in Great Britain and Canada, but in some states in the United States it is illegal to have them as pets. So, if you live in the United States check with your state authorities before deciding to get a Skunk as a pet. Usually the mephitis genera are preferred as pets because they are more social than most other genera of Skunks. Before selling a Skunk, breeders usually remove the scent glands. Skunks usually live longer in captivity than they do in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity is from ten to twenty years. In the wild their average lifespan is three years with the occasional one living as long as ten years. Keeping Skunks as pets in not new. They were kept as pets by some of the Pilgrims and other early European settlers in the United States and there are reports that some native North Americans also kept Skunks as pets.

Skunks feed on both plants and animals, so they are called omnivorous animals. In addition to plants, they eat insects, earthworms, lizards, frogs, rodents, salamanders, snakes, moles, birds and eggs. When they cannot find meat, they feed on wild fruit and seeds. Some Skunks even feed on garbage in urban areas and this is where they frequently meet and spray dogs, much to the dismay of the dog‘s owner.

Skunks are crepuscular animals (active during twilight). Skunks stay aloof when not breeding, but stay in communal dens in the winter. They do not hibernate in the winter, but become inactive and do not eat on a regular basis. They live in burrows dug by them, man made pits, or natural pits, depending on what they can find in the area where they live. In winter, a huddle, with one male and up to twelve females, will live in a den. They frequently use the same den every year in the winter.

Skunks have superb hearing and smelling capabilities, but their vision is poor. They can not see clearly more than three meters. This is a factor in the numerous Skunks killed in road accidents. According to one study, nearly 50 percent of Skunks die due to road traffic, which is probably why few wild Skunks live longer than three years.

Skunks can carry rabies and it is reported that nearly thirty one percent of them are infected with it. However, there have not been many reported cases of humans catching rabies from a Skunk. The stink they can unleash if threatened is enough to ensure that most humans don‘t get close enough to them to be bitten. However, if you decide to keep a Skunk as a pet, they should be vaccinated to avoid any mishaps.

In the event that you do get bitten by a Skunk, clean the wound thoroughly with an antibacterial solution and water. If the wound is bleeding put a light gauze pad over the bite area and apply an ice pack to slow the bleeding. Seek medical help immediately and call the police or animal control and advise them that there is a possible rabid Skunk in the area. When you arrive at the doctor’s office or emergency department of the local hospital, insist that you be given a tetanus shot. Also request that a test be performed to see whether they can tell if you were exposed to rabies or not. If the Skunk is captured or killed, request that it be tested for rabies.

My mom had a Skunk for a pet when she was a teenager. It was a friendly animal, but even after having its scent glands removed, it still had that lingering musky smell. It’s hard to get friendly with an animal that has that kind of odour. Fortunately for mom, her sense of smell is very limited, so she didn’t notice it, but when dad met “Suzy” he wasn’t all that favourably impressed. A few weeks after mom and dad started dating, mom found a new home for “Suzy” so dad didn’t have to worry about her odour any more. He doesn’t know if all pet Skunks have an odour, because that is the only one he has been around. It could have been that the person who removed the scent glands didn’t do that good of a job.

If you do get a Skunk as a pet, you have to be careful with it because Skunks tend to over eat and if you over feed them they will become obese in a short period of time. This obesity will lead to medical problems, so make sure that you only feed the prescribed amount of food, or you will be faced with large veterinarian bills.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Raccoons

Raccoons are sometimes called masked bandits because of the black fur near their eyes, which resembles a bandit’s mask. Their fur is usually white, black, grey and brown. They can be found in major parts of North America and Europe. Their native habitats are deciduous and mixed forests. Ever adaptable, they have also learned to live very well in big cities. When mom and dad lived in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, they were awakened one night by a noise in the back yard. Quietly looking out the upstairs bedroom window, they discovered a mother Raccoon showing her three kits how to open a garbage can and sort through the garbage for tasty tidbits.

Raccoons have five long fingers on each limb, which help them in easily opening latches, boxes and jars. They can even open trash cans and turn knobs on doors. Their prints have a close resemblance to a human baby’s handprints. In the wild, Raccoon tracks are found mostly in mud near water, where they usually wander when searching for food. Their body weight can vary from six to thirty-five pounds and the length of their body can vary from twenty-four to thirty-six inches. Their bushy tail measures up to ten inches in length and has an alternate coloring of white and black. The black circle around their eyes makes them look mischievous and gives them the image of a thief. That is substantiated by the fact that they are often sighted in urban areas stealing human garbage or eating some pet animal’s food.

Raccoons are omnivorous and apart from eating nuts, berries, corn, mice and human garbage, they also eat fish, shellfish, salamanders, eggs, birds, frogs, insects and amphibians. They have a habit of appearing to wash their food before consuming it, but these same actions are seen when they do not have any water. The actions are believed to be a way of feeling the food, although no one has yet determined why the motions look like washing something. However, if water is available, they will soak their food in it, especially those who live in captivity. Pet Raccoons can also be fed cat food, as they enjoy it very much. A female Raccoon gives birth to two to five offspring at a time. Raccoons mate in January or February, followed by giving birth in April or May. They don’t hibernate in winter, but do become much less active.

Besides rabies, Raccoons can also be the carriers of parvovirus, canine distemper and roundworm. Nearly thirty-eight percent of cases of rabies, in the United States, are the result of Raccoon bites. However, only one human death has been recorded in the United States from rabies contracted from a rabid Raccoon. If any Raccoon is spotted in your neighbourhood during the day, contact the local health department or the SPCA immediately as you definitely do not want to take the chance that it is rabid. Raccoons seldom show signs of rabies, but their body fluids will have the virus if they are infected.

It is illegal to keep Raccoons as pets in the majority of states in the United States because they could be a carrier of rabies which could risk human life. In states where they are permitted, a special exotic pet permit should be obtained before getting a Raccoon as a pet. Orphan Raccoons which are rescued from the wild have a higher risk of being rabies carriers, and because they are wild animals they will be very difficult to tame. If you get a Raccoon as a pet, it should be vaccinated. Raccoons can be bought from special breeders who will make sure that the animal has its first vaccination and that it has been tamed.

Raccoons have a natural tendency to bite so be careful when handling them. When dad was a teenager, his father cut down a tree for firewood. They discovered a baby Racoon in a nest in a hole in the tree. The baby Raccoon was small enough to sit on the palm of dad’s hand, but full of snarling, biting fury. Dad wore heavy leather gloves to feed the little fellow. He kept him about two weeks, but instead of getting more friendly, the baby Racoon became more vicious. It was decided that the baby Raccoon should be taken out to the forest behind dad’s home and released. When the little fellow was let out of the box he had been kept in he stalked away snarling. Every few feet it would stop, turn around and glare at dad and snarl ferociously. Finally after the baby Raccoon had gone about 50 feet, it climbed a tree, snarling all the way until it disappeared in the heavy boughs. This experience made dad realize that wild Raccoons, even baby ones, would make very poor pets. They also may contaminate the food of other animals you have by urinating on it. Raccoons are nocturnal by nature, so they require a lot of time and hard work. With training, they can be made to sleep at night and stay awake during the day.

Raccoons held in captivity face health problems like obesity because they do not get enough exercise and they have a ready source of food. Because Raccoons are omnivorous, they should be fed a diet consisting of vegetables, raw eggs, raw meat and fruit. If you decide that you want a Raccoon as a pet, it is a lifelong commitment because captive Raccoons cannot be released into the wild. Once they have become domestic pets, they cannot survive in the wild. Dad was able to release the Raccoon he found into the wild because it had never been domesticated.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Bobcats

Bobcats are small wild cats found in North America. They range from southern Canada throughout the United States and into Mexico. With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face and black-tufted ears, the Bobcat resembles other species in the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is smaller than the Canadian Lynx, with whom it shares parts of its range, but about twice as large as a domestic cat. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name. A Bobcat's weight ranges from twenty-four to thirty-five pounds.

Owners of Bobcats compare their pet to a tabby cat, but a Bobcat's requirements are much more demanding than those of a domestic cat. Bobcats require special care and extra attention. Similar to Servels, Bobcats also have the habit of spraying their urine to mark their territory. Bobcats are very hyper and they have an aggressive nature. Bobcats need to be brought up in an outdoor enclosure where they have plenty of space to play, similar to life in the wild. If they don’t get adequate space and exercise outside, they will run around the house destroying things. Some owners are very content with their pets and others find them very time consuming and troublesome, so it is recommended that potential owners do their homework before making up their mind about having a Bobcat for a pet.

Because a Bobcat is a wild animal it is illegal to have them as a pet in a lot of locations. Before considering a Bobcat as a pet make sure that you check with local wildlife authorities and get all the necessary permits, licences and other paperwork showing you have the right to keep this animal as a pet.

Their diet shouldn’t be like any other domestic pet. Since they are exotic pets and come from the wild, they have different nutritional requirements than domestic cats. A meal for a Bobcat would consist of a whole chicken, which should be presented intact, feathers and all. They can also be given fresh killed squirrels and rabbits. They can eat raw beef, but they fair better on small wild animals and birds. They do not eat as much during the summer, but make up for it during the winter. They also require special medicine and vaccine doses. A normal dose of sedative given to other domestic pets can kill a Bobcat. They should be left with their claws and teeth so they remain healthy and able to protect themselves and eat their meals. If an owner decides to remove the claws of his pet Bobcat, then only the front claws should be removed.

Other than their playtime, they can be kept in a two-cage home which overall is fourteen feet tall and twenty-four feet wide. The two twelve by fourteen cages should be connected by a six-foot wide by six foot high walkway. The cages in which they are kept should have ramps, platforms and toys to keep them occupied. Some Bobcats are really affectionate and like to lick the face of their owner, but be ready for their tongue, which feels like sandpaper. Well trained Bobcats even sleep with their owners, but the owners that allow this need to get used to their loud purring. Bobcats get up early, around five o’clock in the morning and start playing, which means that they will start playing in the bed itself. They play really hard, putting all their energy into it, so be prepared for a damaged bed or bedding if you allow them to sleep with you.

Bobcats enjoy water and they especially like it when it rains. If there are puddles nearby, there is a good chance of the entire house getting messed up. Keep the toilet seat down and do not leave an unattended container of water around or it will be splashed all over the place. While they roam around in the house, it is a really bad idea to do the dishes or mop the floor.

Bobcats are good with people that they are familiar with. However they get very anxious when guests drop in. At such times, it is better if they are kept in their cage. When strangers are near, Bobcats become motionless. They hide and remain scared until the stranger leaves their territory. When the guests leave the Bobcat(s) will come out and sniff all around until they are sure that everything is all right and no “danger” remains.

Owners of Bobcats cannot go on long vacations or even go away for a weekend and leave the animals alone at home. If a babysitter is appointed, care must be taken that it is someone the pet(s) are familiar with. It should never be a stranger because the Bobcat(s) could be permanently traumatized by the experience. When owners start to realize that they have gotten more responsibility than they asked for, they start thinking of giving up the pet by either releasing it in the wild, which is extremely dangerous, or giving it to someone else. In the latter situation, Bobcats find it extremely difficult to trust and bond with the new owner. When you are dealing with a wild animal like a Bobcat, there are many responsibilities associated with it that never come into play when you are dealing with a domestic pet. And, as stated above, many jurisdictions have laws preventing you from keeping a wild animal as a pet. One of the most important reasons for this is that if you give up the wild pet, it will most likely have to be destroyed because it cannot be returned to the wild and going to a new owner very seldom works.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds - Persian Cats

The exotic and majestic appearance of the Persian cat captures the attention of cat lovers everywhere, making it one of the most desirable breeds of cats today. Their dense and lush long-haired coat, short legs and broad head with round eyes and flat muzzle faces are distinct physical traits that make them easily identifiable to just about everyone.

According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, (website http://www.cfa.org/) there are seven main categories of Persians. You can visit their web site for specific information on each group and to view pictures.

1. Himalayan

2. Solid Colors

3. Silver and Golden

4. Calico and Bicolor

5. Smoke and Shaded

6. Tabby

7. Parti-color

Within these categories, there are many colors and variations. The many different kinds of Persians that are available permit anyone to pick the perfect companion. However, before running out and snatching up the first Persian you see, there are several factors for purchasing a Persian you ought to consider.

First, give some thought on how this new addition will get along with any pets you already have. Then assess if you are able to take the time to groom this cat properly EVERY day. The next issue might be the hardest thing to decide. That is, narrowing down which of the seven types of Persians you like the most. Once that is resolved, you can determine which color you would prefer. After that, you may have a partiality for the specific sex of your pet. A significant issue to consider is if you intend on entering your cat in show competitions or if you are just looking for a buddy. A show quality Persian will generally cost more than one that you want just for a pet. As a side note to this, many Persian breeders will require you to sign an agreement not to breed any cat purchased from them and others will also request that you not enter your cat into shows, even local ones. Getting a Persian cat that you are allowed to enter into shows and breed can become quite expensive.

Show-quality Persians have an extremely long thick coat, short legs, a wide head with the ears set far apart, large eyes and an extremely foreshortened muzzle. As a result, it is fairly common for Persians to have moderate discharge from their tear ducts. This is easily cleaned and should be maintained consistently by you or another member of your family.

The breed was originally established with a short muzzle, but over time this feature has become extremely exaggerated, particularly in North America. The extremely short muzzle was not recognized by the Persian Breed Standard for some time. Howerver, in 2007 the Persian Breed Standard was altered to reflect the flat face and it now states that the forehead, nose and chin should be in vertical alignment.

Persian cats can have any color or markings including pointed, golden, tortoisehell, blue and tabby. Tipped varieties are known as Chinchilla. Point varieties are called Himalayan in the United States and Colorpoint Persian in Europe.
Since Persian cats have long, thick dense fur, as mentioned above, they need daily grooming. Persian cats need to be bathed regularly, dried carefully afterwards and then brushed thoroughly. Their eyes also need to be checked for problems on a regular basis because some animals have trouble keeping them clean. Likewise, Persians are particularly susceptible to a genetic disease, Polycystic kidney disease, PKD, which causes kidney failure. However, cats can now be DNA screened for the gene that causes PKD, so affected cats can gradually be removed from the Persian gene pool by responsible breeders. Persian cats usually live from 10 to 19 years on average. The Persian cat is the most popular breed in the United States.

If you decide that a Persian cat is going to be your next pet, you have to make another decision. Depending on your personality and time constraints, do you want and are you able to raise a kitten? If you do, then you will want to locate a reputable breeder. This is an important matter because the better the breeder, the better your chance of acquiring a strong and healthy kitten. See if the kitten appears to be properly taken care of and is being raised in clean surroundings. Has a veterinarian done a complete checkup for health problems and is it up-to-date with shots? Is the breeder aware of any genetic conditions that may run in this kitten's pedigree lineage? Remember to obtain a health contract or guarantee from the breeder. An honest breeder will have no problem supplying you with one. Additionally, you will need the vaccination certificate. If the kitten is registered or you are planning to register it, you will need these papers from the breeder too.

Perhaps you are leaning toward an older cat. Adopting from a shelter or rescue group could be a rewarding experience, not to mention saving a life. Just realize that this cat might have been abandoned due to a major health or personality problem. Ask a lot of questions and spend as much time with the cat as you can to determine if it will be a good pet for you.

No matter what cat you ultimately select, by doing your homework and being honest with yourself on your particular personality and situation, picking the perfect Persian can be a fun experience that later grows into a long loving relationship.

Until next time,

Teia