Each breed of cat has some special feature, for example: large ears, a flattened face, a unique leopard coat color, or it became known through advertising, like the cat from the Whiskas advertisement. One way or another, it is usually this special trait that appeals to those who choose one or another breed. In this article, the Murlo website will tell you what kind of cats there are with curled ears . The list of breeds with this trait is small, so these cats are very unique.
History of the breed and photos
The American Curl breed was first discovered in California. In recent 1981, a cat appeared near the home of an ordinary American family. The owners of the house immediately noticed that this cat had unusually curved back ears. They started feeding her and then took her in. The animal was very playful and curious. The owners decided to give her the nickname Shulamith. Immediately, in the first winter, the cat gave birth to small kittens. At first, all the offspring's ears were equal, but after ten days, in two kittens they began to bend back. It is these two kittens that are considered the standard of the American Curl breed. The unusual phenomenon of bent ears, which looks like a mistake of nature, has become a further “calling card” of this species.
A few years later, the popularity of the American curl increased sharply. Felinologists began to become interested in this species, they wrote about them in magazines and took photographs that were unique at that time. However, there were those who tried to study the unusual appearance and prove that the bending of the ears was an artificial genetic mutation or even degenerate. Geneticist Roy Robinsov took up the study of this mutation. As a result of the data obtained, he concluded that unusually curved ears are a manifestation of a natural mutation, without human influence. The gene that is responsible for this is autosomal, dominant.
That is, all future offspring of this species will definitely have curled ears due to a natural pattern. This was the emergence of a new unique type of pet. As a result of research by geneticists, a breed standard was established, and it was also discovered that the American Curl is divided into two subspecies: longhaired and shorthaired. Interestingly, in addition to the curled ears, this breed had another unique characteristic. Representatives of this species could have absolutely any color from solid colors to tabby.
Why should you clean your cat's ears?
Cats, like humans, have wax buildup in their ears. This secretion is produced by the ceruminous glands. Its main function is to lubricate and protect the ear canals from dirt, fungal and bacterial infections.
The amount of sulfur varies from animal to animal. In some cats, the glands work more intensely, so more secretions are produced. If too much of it is released, it can cause traffic jams. Blockage of the ear canal can cause inflammation. This is why it is important to periodically clean the ears of indoor cats.
This is interesting! Sulfur can destroy some strains of E. coli, staphylococci and streptococci. However, with a decrease in immunity, its bactericidal properties weaken.
Sphynxes have completely open hearing organs, not protected by hairs of fur, which is why dust particles, pathogenic microorganisms and insects easily get inside them. Therefore, they need to be cleaned regularly. Due to poor care, representatives of this breed, especially kittens, often suffer from ear scabies and otitis media.
Character and psychology of a cat
A characteristic feature of the American Curl species is its strong powers of observation. In fact, this observation then manifests itself in specific instructions for action. In other words, a cat gains all its skills and habits from close communication with its owner. It is what a person does that will shape the character and psychological portrait of a pet. Since the discovery of this species, owners have noticed the unusual consistency of this species. For example, a cat sat on the owner's lap just when he picked up a book, or when the owner opened a laptop, the cat could press the power button.
The American Curl is very friendly and, for all its playfulness, has a good behavior. Therefore, they are quite easy to teach good manners and can even be taught a few tricks. Typically, the methods of training this breed are very similar to training dogs. For each successfully performed trick, you need to reward the cat with something tasty. Curls are quite intelligent, with well-developed natural intuition, which will allow them to easily perform quite complex tricks and tasks.
They also have a lot in common with the character of Persian cats. They have a balanced character, which eliminates sudden mood swings, always maintaining positivity. This pet does not try to take all the attention of a person. He is not proud and therefore will happily bring thrown balls and various toys into the hands of his owner.
Communication and Relationship
Mutual living with the American Curl breed will bring only pleasure to its owner. This breed is created for communication. Such cats will become the best companions to their owners; they are very loyal and friendly. Moreover, the Curl is friendly not only to members of the entire family. He will be completely calm and friendly towards people completely unfamiliar to him. However, this breed has a special relationship with its owner. They treat various situations very subtly and with understanding, without being intrusive. But at the same time, these cats will gladly take part in all household chores. Together with the owner, they will quietly and calmly watch TV, help press buttons on the laptop keyboard, and will also take an active part in cleaning the room.
The American Curl has a calm character, so it is very easy to get along with small children, despite all the children's antics. They calmly react not only to children, but also to other pets, if there are any in the house. Cats can even make friends with dogs. This especially applies to the Dachshund or Beagle breed. It is with these dogs that the Curl gets along best under the same roof. But, if there are no other pets, then it’s worth purchasing several toys for your cat during your absence and leaving your photo somewhere.
Scottish fold
One of the most popular breeds today appeared in the 60s of the 20th century in Scotland. Scottish cats come with straight ears (Scottish Straight) and with ears bent forward (Scottish Fold). The reason for their unusual appearance is a genetic mutation.
The Highlander is a relatively new American breed. These cats can be called descendants of another unusual cat with the exotic name “mountain lynx”. The animals inherited from their ancestors a lynx muzzle and backward-curved ears.
A breed of elegant, hairless domestic cats with a wonderful character, a smart face and very large ears. The St. Petersburg Sphynx owes its name to the city where it was bred by crossing the Don Sphynx and an Oriental cat.
Choosing the right kitten
The most characteristic feature of the American Curl is the curl on the ears .
This is exactly why you need to choose a kitten. The best time for this is when the curl is visible clearly and clearly - and this is 4 months from birth. It is after this time that the wrapping of the ears ends. It will be immediately noticeable whether it will be a breeding cat, whether your pet is applying for an exhibition or whether it will be a domestic cat: • a domestic cat will have the smallest angle of wrapping (the first degree); • a larger angle or a different degree will show you a breeding cat, it is better to keep this one for breeding; • a steep curl or third degree is a manifestation of an exhibition handsome man.
The price of the kitten will depend on this. Ideally, a kitten's ear curl should be in the form of a neat curve, similar to a crescent. It is worth noting that in advance, before the end of the 4-month period, it is almost impossible to determine to what degree the ear will twist. You don’t even have to take the kitten’s relatives; two show kittens can give birth to both a show kitten and a domestic one.
In addition to appearance, you need to pay attention to the pedigree of the little Curl. The price will also depend on who its parents were: • if the kitten does not have a pedigree, then its price will be in the range of 3-10 thousand rubles; • breeding curls are already valued more - from 10 to 20 thousand; • purebred show kittens will cost the buyer 25,000 or more.
When purchasing, you should read in detail all the documents for the kitten, and especially look at its behavior. They should be calm and not at all shy.
Ear cleaning accessories
Experts recommend purchasing in advance all the necessary accessories for cleaning your pet’s ears. You will need:
- 8-10 cotton swabs to remove wax and dirt from two organs;
- special gel for cleaning ears;
- a towel to effectively and safely hold the cat’s head during the procedure;
- You can also use a small flashlight to illuminate the ear cavity.
It is unacceptable to use regular matches with cotton wool wrapped around them. A homemade accessory can cause ear injury, which will cause many problems.
Care, walking and nutrition
Caring for an American Curl is very easy:
- Wool. Regardless of whether you have a long-haired or short-haired cat, brushing your cat just needs to be done once a week. During the molting period, it is worth purchasing a furminator.
- Claws. You will need to look after them most often, since they grow quite quickly in the Curl. To make this easier and not injure the cat, you should use special tools. You can also purchase anti-scratch pads.
- Ears need to be cleaned when plaque appears in them. To do this you need to use cotton pads. When cleaning, it is important not to deform the ear. Because the curl's ear is dense cartilage and is quite easy to damage.
The Curl breed is a muscular and well-developed cat. In a private home there will be enough room for such a pet to maneuver. But, if the habitat is an apartment, then the cat needs to be walked on a leash. This should be done at least 2 times a week. It is better to choose a park for walking, but it is better to carry the cat there in your arms. Curls are very active and interesting, so they can cause trouble for themselves and others without supervision. You should also avoid paved or bike paths.
Experienced breeders unanimously advise feeding this breed with special food. Moreover, the cat’s bowl should contain both dry food, in the form of granules, and wet canned fish or meat. The main thing is that your pet's diet is well balanced. Also, during meals, there should also be a bowl of clean water near the bowl of food. You should not give the Curl very fatty foods, and also limit the consumption of milk.
Curl health
With proper care and a well-balanced diet, the American Curl should not have any health problems. According to research, this breed does not have a pronounced tendency to common diseases. Twisted ears are natural for them, and therefore this does not entail any disease.
Curl kittens should be purchased from experienced and reputable breeders. It is these people who can provide the buyer with all the information about vaccinations and the general health of the animal. Vaccination of this breed should be carried out according to the general scheme and does not require any specialized procedures.
How to determine the need for ear cleaning in a cat
During a visual inspection, you can determine the need for cleaning. As a rule, the following factors may indicate the need for a procedure:
- Serous deposits inside the ear and ordinary dirt are subject to standard cleaning.
- Lumps and dark spots may indicate the development of unfavorable diseases. The animal may need a professional examination by a veterinarian to rule out complications. Advanced ear diseases, such as otitis media and ear mites, can lead to complete hearing loss.
- An alarming signal is a scratched ear, which also means the development of painful processes.
If you regularly examine the animal’s ears and take timely measures to eliminate the identified factors, such consequences are eliminated.
