Experts have identified a large number of bone and paw diseases in cats, some of which appear in animals much more often than others. Some paw diseases in cats make themselves known early and can go away instantly if treatment is started on time. In case of hopeless forms, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist as soon as possible so that the veterinarian can prescribe competent treatment.
The most popular problems in cats and cats are:
- breaking, cracking and ingrown claws
- damage, cracks and foreign objects in the paw pads
Problems must be eliminated, so the cat will feel out of danger, feel comfort and care from the owners, and will trust the person more.
Ear shape
In some domestic cats, a clear distinguishing feature that classifies them as a particular breed is their ears - or rather, their unusual shape or size. Pets' hearing organs can be concave (such cats are called fold-eared), everted, or particularly large.
Fold
Scottish lop-eared
Scottish fold
Ears tightly pressed to the head, proportional body of medium size with a round head and round eyes, short hair.
more details
Scottish lop-eared
highland fold
still the same Scottish fold cats, but long-haired.
more details
Ukrainian Levkoy
the tips of the ears are “fallen”, there is practically no vegetation on the body, the eyes are almond-shaped, and the tail resembles a whip.
more details
"Inverted" ears
American Curl
ears wide at the base with rounded and slightly curved back ends, a rectangular body with paws of medium length proportional to it and a tail flexible and wide at the base and tapering towards the end, silky hair (both short and semi-long).
more details
Highlander
experimental breed
medium-sized ears, wide at the base, but with flexible and curved back (no more than 90 degrees) tips, medium to large build with a straight back, well-developed muscles and a rounded head, short tail, short or long-haired.
Elf
unusual ears - wide at the base and narrowed towards the end (and even smoothly curved into an arc at the tips), medium-sized body with a large number of folds, wedge-shaped head with large eyes (similar in color to the main color), dense and “bald” skin (but there may be some fluff present).
Big ears
Maine Coon
large ears with sharp tips, decorated with “tassels” and located at the very top of the “square” shape, a large body with a wide chest and muscular build, a large head with “lion outlines” (especially in cats), a long fluffy tail, long and thick coat that fits tightly to the body.
more details
Savannah
large and wide ears of a rounded shape, located on a triangular head, an elongated body of large size with strong muscles, thin and high limbs and a straight tail, short hair.
more details
Somalia
large, alert ears with a wide base, moderately pointed tips and the inner surface of the auricle covered with tufts of hair, medium build with well-developed muscles and a “fox” tail, long-haired.
more details
Serengeti
high-set and seemingly always “alert” ears of large size, because of which the head seems small, a strongly built body with long and straight legs and a medium-length tail, short and smooth coat with a beautiful spotted pattern.
more details
Kanaani
experimental breed
wide-set ears, set straight, with a wide base and pointed tips (preferably with “tassels”), a slender body of medium to large size with muscular but elegant proportions, with long and muscular legs and a long tail (thick at the base and tapering towards pointed tip), short hair lying close to the skin.
Siamese cat
wide-set large ears with pointed tips, “decorating” an elongated triangular muzzle with almond-shaped eyes of bright blue color, thin and long body with tube-shaped outlines with a very long whip-like tail, short-haired.
more details
Turkish Angora
large ears with straight outer contours and pointed tips, set high and close, an elongated “dry” body with a wedge-shaped head, blue (but possibly multi-colored) almond-shaped eyes, elongated and slender legs and a long tail, semi-long hair (virtually devoid of undercoat) .
more details
Abyssinian cat
large ears directed forward and creating the impression of “alertness”, medium-sized body with a muscular build, proportionally thin and graceful legs and a fairly long and thick tail at the base, short-haired.
more details
Oriental cat
expressively large rounded ears, wide at the base, continuing the line of the wedge of the head, a long slender body with refined bones, strong muscles and a thin long tail, short or long hair, but in any case thin and silky.
more details
Devon Rex
unusually large ears with rounded tips, set low at the edges of a wide flat head, an elegantly built body of medium size with long and strong paws and a whipping tail, oval-shaped eyes far apart from each other, short and curly hair.
more details
Canadian Sphynx
very large wide-set ears with rounded tips, a heavy and muscular body of medium length with proportional paws and a flexible long tail, smooth skin with a large number of folds on the limbs, neck and forehead, and can be either completely without hair or with thin , barely perceptible fluff.
more details
Balinese
Balinese cat
large ears with a wide base, set wide and continuing the line of the wedge, a long body of medium size with slender high legs and a thin whip-like tail, almond-shaped eyes of a rich blue color, thin and silky hair of medium length, gradually lengthening from head to tail.
more details
Bambino
wide-set large ears (slightly tilted forward) located on a medium-sized head, short but muscular legs, a stretched oval-shaped body with a wide chest and a long thin tail, a visible lack of hair (although light corduroy fluff is allowed).
more details
Minskin
rounded head with large, open and seemingly “alert” ears, thick and dense, but short hair growing in islands (on the head, ears, limbs, tail) almost on the “naked” body, short paws (of the same length below and above the knee joint ).
more details
Therapy
Treatment methods and techniques are selected based on the characteristics and type of pathogen, or negative environmental factor, under the influence of which inflammation occurred in each specific case. Thus, antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, acaricidal drugs are prescribed if pododermatitis occurs due to the action of parasitic mites. A therapeutic dose of prednisolone will help combat some of the inflammation caused by the autoimmune disease. In all cases, it is useful to wash the animal’s paws using antiseptic agents.
The risk group for developing this pathological process includes all breeds of cats, regardless of age and environmental conditions.
Hello! We don't live in peace. I have the same problem (as always, I looked too closely at the cat and found something on him. But, as they say, alarmists live longer, that’s why I’m here). I found something like this between the pads on the cat’s hind paw (the photo is not a real eye-catcher, but the cat is spinning and fighting. ): read more It looks like dirt, it doesn’t hurt. I tried to wipe it with a cotton swab, but it was difficult to clean. What should I do? Twist the cat and clean it or veta? (I don’t want to drag him to the doctor again, although the clinic is within walking distance) Thank you!
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable sites, academic research institutions and, where possible, proven medical studies. Please note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to such studies.
We recommend reading: Why does the kitten have loose stools?
, outdated or otherwise questionable, select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Cats need healthy paws for scratching, climbing, and for their famous acrobatic landings. Therefore, it is important to regularly inspect and clean your cat's paws and check for wounds.
Let's start from the beginning - a cat's paws should always be clean. Dirt, litter, or household chemicals should not contaminate her paws. In addition to causing pain, harmful substances that end up on your paws can end up on your tongue when you wash your face. Gently wipe the paws with a damp cloth once a day. Be sure to wipe between the toes and around the paw pads. Keeping floors and other surfaces free of debris and household chemicals will greatly help keep your cat's paws (and your furniture) clean.
Cats are natural explorers who sometimes find themselves in unfamiliar places. This is normal for both indoor and outdoor cats. So, check your little wanderer's paws regularly for any cuts, sores, splinters, or swelling that may require treatment.
Cats need to scratch to shed the outer covering of their claws and keep their claws sharp and smooth. Your cat should have several different scratching posts so that she doesn't get tired of them and doesn't scratch the furniture. To encourage your cat to explore your scratching posts, scent them with catnip.
Prepare your cat for nail trimming by massaging her paws to get her used to having them touched. We recommend trimming just 1 to 2 nails per session at first. When your cat is calm and relaxed, follow these steps:
- Gently press on the top of the foot and the bottom of the toes to force her to release her claws.
- Trim the white tip of each nail down to where it curves using sharp, high-quality cat nail trimming scissors.
- Be careful not to hit a blood vessel inside the claw. This pink area is visible through the claw.
- If you do accidentally cut the pink area, it may bleed, in which case we can use styptic powder.
- Be sure to praise your cat and give her her favorite treat every time you touch her paws and trim her nails.
- Fluffy paws
Long-haired cats may have hair growing between their toes. If this irritates your cat (you'll know if she licks the fur excessively), trim those cute tufts of fur with small, rounded scissors.
Check your cat's paws regularly to make sure there are no wounds or infections. Carefully remove any splinters or splinters using tweezers and clean any cuts. If you notice blood, pus, or an unusual odor, take your cat to the vet to check for infections.
- Protect your paw pads
Be careful with your cat's sensitive paw pads. In hot and cold weather, moisturize them with a product your veterinarian recommends, and try to keep your cat's paws away from cold decks, hot sidewalks, and other uncomfortable surfaces.
If you notice your cat obsessively washing her paws, limping, or not stepping on her paws, have her examined. A veterinarian may be needed.
Most cats do not suffer from paw diseases, but a little research to find out what diseases your cat's breed is susceptible to can go a long way in keeping her paws healthy.
Declaw amputation is a surgical procedure that involves amputating the tips of a cat's toes and causes significant pain during the recovery period. Be sensitive to your cat's need to scratch by providing her with scratching posts, trimming her nails regularly, and exploring other ways to combat destructive scratching.
Check your cat's paws regularly to make sure there are no wounds or infections. Carefully remove any splinters or splinters using tweezers and clean any cuts. If you notice blood, pus, or an unusual odor, take your cat to the vet to check for infections.
Regardless of the problem, it must be resolved quickly so that the animal feels safe, comfortable and cared for by its owners. To do this, you should be observant and try to arrange preventive examinations with a veterinarian from time to time. They will allow you to detect problems and get rid of symptoms in the initial stages of the disease.
We recommend reading: Stomach Infection Encephalitis in Dogs Treatment
Particular attention should be paid to the paws. There are various cat paw diseases that appear early and can be quickly eliminated by removing the symptoms. There are advanced cases when professional help from a veterinarian is needed using a medicinal approach to treatment.
Short tail
It is noteworthy that the presence of a tail in a “rudimentary” state or its complete absence in cats is a sign of “noble” origin (in contrast to the same domestic dogs, whose tails are docked deliberately - to fit the animals to the standards of a particular breed). It is worth noting that there are only a few types of short-tailed/“tailless” cat breeds, which include:
Kurilian Bobtail
a short curved tail approximately 5-9 cm long, resembling a fluffy pom-pom and characterized by mobility, a relatively small body with strong bones, developed muscles and limbs of medium length, a triangle-shaped head with medium-sized eyes corresponding to the color, short-haired or semi-long-haired, but in in any case, with a fluffy collar on the neck and chest.
more details
American Bobtail
a short and flexible tail from 2.5 to 8 cm long (it can be straight, curved, and slightly curled at the end), a body of medium length with an athletic build and strong paws proportional to it, a round muzzle with strong jaws and ears, an internal the surface of which is covered with long fluffy hairs, short or long hair, but always thick and slightly harsh.
more details
Japanese Bobtail
a short tail no more than 12 cm long (straight, curled, curved or in the form of a pompom), a long and lean body with a flat back and slender legs (the hind legs are noticeably longer than the front ones), a muzzle with large oval-shaped eyes and large, wide-set ears, soft and silky coat of medium length.
more details
Mekong Bobtail
a short and broken tail with a length of at least three vertebrae (but no more than a quarter of the length of the body itself), a strong and muscular body of medium size with long legs, a wedge-shaped head with medium-sized ears (with rounded tips) and slightly slanted eyes, always bright blue , short silky coat with minimal undercoat.
Karelian Bobtail
a short tail 4-13 cm long (can be either kinked or almost straight), a strong body with an even posture and proportional paws, a narrow head with a small strong chin and rather large ears with tiny “tassels”, short or long hair ( necessarily dense).
Kurilian Bobtail
“no, not a relative”
short tail 3-8 cm long (with pronounced kinks), strong build with a slightly arched back and powerful paws, large trapezoidal head with a powerful chin and proportional ears, short or long hair (very soft to the touch).
more details
Pixiebob
short straight (but possible kinks) tail about 5 cm long, large and muscular body build with powerful bones and a clearly defined arch on the back, large pear-shaped head, tightly knit and strong paws (the hind legs are noticeably longer than the front ones), short or moderately long hair with different color options, but always with small or medium spots throughout the body.
more details
Manx cat
they may either have no tail completely, or have a small “stump” hidden under the fur, or generally have a tail of normal length, a medium-sized round body with a round head, powerful limbs with well-developed muscles (the front ones are noticeably shorter than the back ones), round eyes with a slight slant, short and thick coat, like “plush”.
more details
Cymric cat
Kymrik
tailless breed (but there can be either a “stump” or even a full tail), a tightly built physique with a wide chest and an arched back, short front and long hind limbs (with heavy shins), thick hair of medium length.
more details
Causes
Of course, a worried breeder will immediately rush to search for a source of information. It’s very interesting to know whether there is banal skin damage, or whether it’s worth preparing for the worst. In fact, there are several reasons why a cat has peeling paw pads:
- Improper animal care.
- Allergy.
- Burns or frostbite of the extremities.
- Fungal disease.
- Plasmacytic pododermatitis.
Each of these factors has its own symptoms. When observing an animal, a breeder can, even without the help of a veterinarian, guess what he is dealing with.
Improper care
The animal needs a whole range of measures. The owner's concern should be manifested not only in constant feeding of the cat. The pet should be periodically combed and bathed; pets are advised to trim overgrown claws, otherwise they may become ingrown.
However, claw trimming is not necessary for animals that visit the street. If you follow the recommendations for proper care and trim the nail plates no matter what, your cat can soon pick up an infection or fungus. The bacteria quickly spreads to nearby tissues, causing the paw pads to peel.
We recommend reading: Dog's Mouth Stinks
A cat should not have its nails trimmed if it goes outside the house. In addition, you need to think about whether your pet is getting enough vitamins. After all, a deficiency of useful elements in the body leads to a decrease in immunity. A loss of strength only plays into the hands of pathogenic microbes - the immune system is unable to suppress the activity of rapidly spreading bacteria.
Allergy
Excessive grooming of your pet can cause allergies. Shampoos and other cosmetics in large quantities are not beneficial. Moreover, if the cat’s paw pads are peeling, but he does not visit public places, you should stop washing him altogether. The luxurious fur coat remains clean for at least a year from the moment of the last water procedure, when the tailed friend does not leave the premises.
Allergies can cause itching and flaking. The problem can spread to any part of the body - be it the fingertips or the tips of the ears. You may also notice sneezing, increased watery eyes, and red eyes.
The problem is solved as soon as the pet stops washing itself with shampoo or soap every day. For deep lesions, you need to give the cat an antihistamine (Suprastin, Diazolin).
Burns or frostbite
Sudden changes in street temperatures negatively affect all life on Earth. Cats that love to walk the streets in any weather often return home with frostbitten ears and limbs. Additionally, the body temperature drops, the animal does not react to touching frostbitten areas. In case of frostbite, it is recommended to warm the affected areas with cotton swabs soaked in warm water or saline solution. You should not rub frostbitten fingers - there is a risk of causing even greater injury. The animal's body is covered with heating pads with warm water, the main task is to warm the pet.
Tissues that have become icy are warmed up. But at the same time, the pet does not get relief. On the contrary, the affected surface begins to hurt. The fingertips will peel off. You can lubricate the sore spot with the juice of the medicinal aloe plant. Tissue necrosis rarely occurs in burns. A cat that has burned its limbs on a hot burner or radiator usually quickly jumps from the dangerous place. In this situation, he risks losing only the superficial layers of the dermis.
To prevent infection from getting on the flaky surface, you need to apply a bandage with an antiseptic. Next, you need to take your pet to the clinic, where, depending on the severity of the lesion, they will prescribe a course of antibiotics, as well as drugs that block tissue necrosis.
Fungus
Fungal infections are quite common in furry animals. One of the manifestations of the problem is that the pads on the cat’s paws peel off. Different types of fungi have similar symptoms. Not only the fingers are affected, the pet’s claws become brittle. In many cases, treatment involves applying bandages to the injured area. An antifungal drug is prescribed only after the type of fungus has been accurately determined.
Plasmacytic pododermatitis
The disease, found only in cats, affects the pads of the paws. Despite their visible increase and peeling, the pet does not feel pain. Therefore, in the initial stages the problem may not be noticed by the owner. With a long course, the pathology progresses. The pads become very inflamed, increase to an unnatural size, and turn blue. An infection may attach to the tissues, and the fingers will become covered with purulent crusts. Because it becomes extremely inconvenient to move, the pet lies down more and more.
The disease has a tendency to disappear on its own. Therefore, breeders are advised to take a wait-and-see approach to minor pad changes. If the disease develops rapidly, complex treatment is prescribed, including antibiotics, vitamins, and systemic glucocorticosteroids.
We recommend reading: What Causes Ear Mites in Dogs
Let's work together to make the unique material even better, and after reading it, we ask you to repost it on a social network convenient for you. net.
Short legs
Oddly enough, “short legs” is a sign of thoroughbred pets, but all cats with similar limbs were bred exclusively artificially:
Munchkin
short straight legs (the hind legs may be slightly longer than the front ones), a medium-sized body with well-developed muscles, a thick neck and a wide wedge-shaped head, short or long hair.
more details
Skookum
skokum
short but strong legs (the front ones are slightly shorter than the hind ones), a compact and dense body with rounded contours of the head and a long tail of medium thickness, curly hair (can be short or long).
Napoleon
neat short paws, a small but strong body with massive bones and a long tail, a rounded head with a flattened muzzle and huge round eyes separated by a short nose, short or long, but always thick hair.
Bambino
short but muscular legs, a stretched oval-shaped body with a wide chest and a long thin tail, wide-set large ears (slightly tilted forward) located on a medium-sized head, a visible lack of hair (although light corduroy fluff is allowed).
more details
Minskin
short legs (of the same length below and above the knee joint), a rounded head with large, open and seemingly “alert” ears, thick and dense, but short hair growing in islands (on the head, ears, limbs, tail) almost on the “bare” body
more details
Longhair
Cats with long hair look especially elegant - it is no coincidence that they were once considered a kind of symbol of wealth and luxury... And even now, even despite the specific difficulties of care, these “fluffy creatures” remain popular pets all over the world.
Maine Coon
long and thick hair that fits tightly to the body, large ears with sharp tips, decorated with “tassels” and located at the very top of the “square” shape, a large body with a wide chest and muscular build, a large head with “lion outlines” (especially in cats), long fluffy tail.
more details
Siberian cat
long hypoallergenic hair coat, practically not wet, consisting of thick undercoat and coarse hair, stocky build with well-developed muscle mass and large muscular paws.
more details
Neva Masquerade
thick and long hair, lush “pants” and a perfectly furred tail, “heroic” physique with strong limbs, necessarily blue eyes of various shades (from light to sapphire), Siamese color with a characteristic “mask” on the face (and with age “dark markings” color" - also on the tips of the paws, ears and tail).
more details
Persian cat
long (up to 12 cm), thick and silky coat (there is a fluffy collar on the neck, shoulders and chest), squat build with short and muscular legs, a characteristic “flattened” face, on which a small, wide and snub nose is especially noticeable.
more details
Ragdoll
"Ragdoll"
long fur of a silky texture, a long and luxuriantly pubescent tail, a long body with strong bones and muscular legs, luxurious white mustache, eyes of an exceptionally bright blue color and a “light-dark mask” on the muzzle.
more details
Norwegian forest
thick and long coat with dense undercoat and characteristic long outer hair on the tail and along the ridge, long and very fluffy tail, there is a rich “collar” and “pants” on the paws, large ears with tassels at the tips and the inside covered with long hair, elongated, strong body with massive bones from medium to large sizes.
more details
Turkish Angora
semi-long silky coat, practically devoid of undercoat, large ears with straight outer contours and pointed tips, set high and close, an elongated “dry” body with a wedge-shaped head, elongated and slender legs and a long tail, blue (but possibly multi-colored eyes) almond-shaped .
more details
Burmese cat
beautiful silky coat with a thick mane on the neck and wavy belly cover (lighter than on the back and limbs), characteristic color (reminiscent of a Siamese) with dark paws, muzzle, ears and tail and white “socks”, strong and massive body with a wide and a rounded head, round eyes are always sky blue.
more details
British Longhair
long “plush” coat, fluffy and full tail, jabot and breeches are desirable, massive body with a short but strong neck and short legs, cute face with large eyes, full cheeks and a straight small nose.
more details
Cymric cat
Kymrik
thick coat of medium length, longer and silkier on the neck, belly and hind legs, tailless breed (but can have either a “stub” or even a full tail), tightly built body with a wide chest and arched back, short front and long hind (with heavy shins) limbs.
more details
Somali cat
Somalia
long hair of a very soft and delicate structure, shorter on the shoulders, large, alert ears with a wide base, moderately pointed tips and the inner surface of the auricle covered with tufts of hair, medium build with well-developed muscles and a “fox” tail.
more details
Balinese cat
balinese
thin, delicate and silky coat of medium length (without undercoat), feathery tail in the form of a fringe, Siamese “exterior” with a mask, paws, tail and ears contrasting with the main color, slender elongated body on long legs with a long neck and tail.
more details
Turkish van
hair of medium length, silky to the roots, without thick undercoat, shorter on the neck and shoulders, but longer on the “pants” and tail, elongated and muscular body with a well-developed chest and strong limbs, pink paw pads, and tufts of hair between the toes.
more details
Ragamuffin
dense, but at the same time smooth and silky “fur coat”, a kind of mane around the neck and outer edges of the muzzle, highly developed decorative hair on the neck and hind legs, a thick tail at the base, covered with long and dense plume-type hair, a powerful physique with a pronounced fat pad on the abdomen, bright and rich eye color (regardless of color).
more details
Nibelung
soft, medium-length coat of solid blue color with a distinct silvery tint, with a thick undercoat and not very noticeable collar and “pants”, slightly elongated and muscular body with long limbs and tail, straight nose with a gray-blue lobe, large, widely spaced oval-shaped eyes and a rich green (possibly amber) color.
more details
Himalayan cat
thick and long coat, Siamese color with a light body and darker muzzle, paws, ears and tail, a characteristic “flattened” muzzle with exceptionally blue eyes, a rounded but strong body with short and muscular limbs.
more details
Does your cat have a special coat color?
So, we learned above that it is quite simple to determine a breed by wool, more precisely by its quality and quantity, but is it possible to determine the breed of a cat by color?
Siamese color
- Siamese cat. Almond-shaped blue eyes and distinctive coloring are the gold standard of the breed.
- The Balinese cat must be color point
- Himalayan cat. Blue eyes, light body with darker paws, muzzle, ears and tail, long hair - something hints at Siamese roots
- Neva Masquerade
- Burmese cat. The sacred Burmese is the owner of a special Burmese color - “gloves” with a point color
- Ragdoll
- Snowshoe - “snow shoe” with a special V mark on its face
Blue color
Sand color
- The Abyssinian cat is one of those who remember how our world began. Reddish undercoat and black ticking are characteristic of the oldest breed
- Somalia
Wild color
Brown color
- Tiffany-chantilly. Because of their color and character, these cats are called “The Joy of a Chocoholic”
- Havana brown. Initially, the breed was called “chestnut oriental” and, in principle, the color is encrypted in this name
“You will recognize her from a thousand. By words, by eyes, by voice...” Please accept our congratulations if, thanks to this material, you found out online which kingdom your purring prince belongs to.
And congratulations if, despite the lack of purebred regalia, the cat remains the most beloved and beautiful!
A distinctive feature of certain breeds, for example, Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest cats, and Siberian cats, are the tufts on their paws. In their natural environment, a thick, long coat and long hair on their paws protect cats from the cold. Long buns are required for these representatives of the breed if they participate in exhibitions, as this is a requirement of the standard.
Long tufts of hair on the paws are more common in long-haired cats. In some individuals, the hair between the toes protrudes 1-2 cm from the paw. Like the paw pads, the extra hair on the paws allows animals to pursue prey without making too much noise. But in street cats or individuals with free access to the street, the hair naturally wears off and becomes smaller. After all, outdoor animals move on rough surfaces more often than pets walking inside the house on soft carpets and polished floors.
The fur between the toes protects the skin from extremely high or low temperatures (moving on snow or asphalt hot in the sun), insect bites, cuts, and exposure to skin irritants (household chemicals). But tufts of hair on the paws of a cat living indoors and not having access to the outdoors can cause inconvenience in moving on a smooth floor covering. When moving, a cat can glide on its paws, which are covered with long hair. The tufts interfere with animals while grooming themselves, the tufts hide claws, it becomes inconvenient to comb out the fur, and too long hair prevents the skin from being cleaned between the toes while licking. Particles of toilet filler can stick to your hair and then spread throughout the house.
In some situations, long hair on the paws can cause discomfort for the cat; plant seeds can get tangled in the hair, dirt can stick and clump. Therefore, after a walk, it would be a good idea to inspect your pet’s paws and remove dirt.
It is important to inspect your pet's paws daily and clean them with a damp cloth to remove harmful substances and prevent them from entering the animal's body during the licking process. It's a good idea to feel the paws to look for tiny foreign objects stuck in the fur. For example, small thorns and pine needles, which can dig into the skin and cause pain to the pet.
Shorthair
There are significantly more short-haired cat breeds than any other breeds - of course, because they are the closest in morphological type to their ancient ancestor in the person of the Libyan (Nubian) dun cat from the North African steppes... Despite the common feature of short hair, they all differ from each other in different ways:
Scottish lop-eared
Scottish fold
short and dense coat, close to the body, with a “plush” texture, ears tightly pressed to the head, proportional body of medium size with a round head and round eyes.
more details
British Shorthair
fluffy and soft, but short hair with a pronounced thick undercoat, a round head with “full” cheeks and a “Cheshire cat smile”, a squat body with a wide chest and a straight back.
more details
Bengal cat
short and thick, but shiny and silky fur, color with the obligatory leopard pattern (contrasting and clear spots, stripes and rosettes), an elongated body of large size with developed muscles, a “tiger” (square-shaped) mouth with thickened anus.
more details
Siamese cat
short coat, close to the body, characteristic color point color (light coat with darker color on the face, paws, ears and tail), wide-set large ears with pointed tips, “decorating” an elongated triangular muzzle with almond-shaped eyes, thin and a long, tube-shaped body with a very long, whip-like tail.
more details
Abyssinian cat
short and thin coat of silky texture with a bright shine and pronounced ticking (zonal hair coloring), eyes with a characteristic “eyeliner” of a thin strip of light wool, large ears directed forward and creating the impression of “alertness”, medium-sized body with a muscular build, proportionate thin and graceful legs and a fairly long and thick tail at the base.
more details
Savannah
thick and short fur, rough to the touch, characteristic cheetah spots of different sizes (but always black or brown), large and wide rounded ears located on a triangular head, elongated, large-sized body with strong muscles, thin and high limbs and a straight tail .
more details
Burmese cat
short shiny coat, completely dyed and without any patterns, a muscular and strong body with graceful legs proportional to it, a muzzle rounded on all sides with widely spaced large eyes of yellow shades (from amber to gold).
more details
Thai cat
short and thin coat, smooth to the touch, a characteristic color-point color with colored limbs, a tail and a “mask” on the muzzle with a light body, a massive body with short and powerful paws, a rounded head with rounded tips of the ears and almond-shaped eyes of a rich sky color blue color.
more details
Exotic Shorthair
exotic
short but very thick and plush to the touch fur, stocky and, at the same time, compact body with rather powerful limbs, “flattened” muzzle with large round eyes, a snub nose and pronounced cheeks.
more details
Ocicat
thin and glossy coat with zonally colored hairs, spots “scattered” throughout the large muscular body, having an elongated shape on the tail, “rings” on the paws and an incomplete “collar” on the neck.
more details
Tonkinese cat
tonkinesis
short coat of delicate texture without undercoat with a characteristic gloss, dark points on the muzzle, ears, limbs and tail, contrasting with the main color, large eyes of a brilliant aquamarine or light turquoise color, a medium-sized body, at the same time round and elegant.
more details
American Shorthair
short and slightly harsh, but shiny “fur coat”, square muzzle with plump cheeks and rounded cheekbones, muscular body with a wide chest and powerful limbs.
more details
Snow-shoe
short and shiny, but elastic and slightly rough to the touch coat, lying close to the body, two acceptable colors (seal point or blue point) with white markings on the muzzle and “shoes” on all paws, harmonious build with medium-strong bones and long limbs, a head in the shape of an equilateral triangle with large blue eyes.
more details
American Wirehair
dense and elastic, but short fur with curled hairs, a flexible muscular body with strong limbs of medium length, a wide, slightly elongated head with wide-set eyes, the color of which matches the main color.
more details
Havana
short, smooth and shiny coat of exceptionally bright solid brown or chocolate shades, large oval eyes always green, a long and small head with a narrow muzzle and brown or purple mustache.
more details
Egyptian Mau
short, but delicate and silky coat of three colors (silver, bronze or smoky), M-shaped pattern on the forehead, dark rings on the tail and contrasting spots “scattered” throughout the body, large almond-shaped eyes the color of “unripe gooseberries”, graceful and muscular body with strong limbs (the hind limbs are slightly longer than the front).
more details
Bombay cat
short, shiny and dense fur of an exclusively monochromatic black color without any spots, large and expressive amber eyes, an elongated body of medium size, but with very well developed muscles.
more details
Arabian Mau
short and smooth coat with a silky texture, a little harsh to the touch, a rounded head with pronounced whisker pads and a prominent chin, a tightly built body with long and strong limbs.
more details
Chausie
short and very thick coat, shiny visually and elastic tactilely, found only in three colors (black, ticked silver, ticked tabby), the tip of the tail and the tufts on the ears are always black, a long and elegant body with well-developed muscle mass, a small head with strong chin and angular cheekbones, slightly slanted eyes of amber color (but green and greenish-yellow shades are also allowed).
more details
Ceylon cat
short, thin and soft fur, reminiscent of silk, a tabi pattern on the back, paws and tail, a slender body of small size with a rounded belly and broad shoulders, large and wide-set eyes, the color of which varies from bright yellow to green.
more details
Toyger
short “plush” coat, longer on the temples and cheeks, color with clear dark (exclusively vertical) stripes on the back, chest, belly, legs and tail, large body with a muscular build, small bright blue eyes, slightly covered by drooping eyelids .
more details
Devon Rex
short and curly but soft fur, unusually large ears set low at the edges of a wide flat head, a small head with large eyes set wide apart and strongly curled antennae, a gracefully built body of medium size with long and strong paws.
more details
Sokoke
"forest" cat
very short coat, hard to the touch and close to the body, base color in different shades of brown tabby, but always ticked, moderately large almond-shaped eyes (colors from amber to light green) with a black rim.
more details
Singapura cat
short and smooth coat with a golden-cream color characteristic only of this breed, lighter shades on the face, chin, belly and chest, dark rims of the eyes and lips, a relatively small but strong body with a rounded chest and arched back.
more details
German Rex
short but soft and elastic coat, slightly curly, curly whiskers and whiskers on the eyebrows, athletic and muscular body of medium size with proportional limbs, widely spaced round eyes of a uniform color corresponding to the main color.
more details
Dragon Li
dense in texture and short fur with its characteristic shine, brindle coat color with contrasting and clear dark stripes and spots, corners of the mouth highlighted in black, creating the impression of a “smile”, always a dark tip of the nose.
more details
Australian mist
smoky
short, dense and glossy coat, main color diluted with the so-called haze and dark pattern, large and wide-set eyes of all shades of green, proportional body of medium size without prominent parts.
more details
Manx cat
Manx
short and thick hair, like “plush”, they may either have no tail completely, or have a small “stump” hidden under the hair, or even have a tail of normal length, a medium-sized round body with a round head, powerful limbs with well-developed muscles (the front ones are noticeably shorter than the back ones), round eyes with a slight slant.
more details
Colorpoint Shorthair
short hair, characterized by softness and silkiness, points on the muzzle, ears, limbs and tail, lean body structure of medium size with an elongated neck, wedge-shaped head with a narrow and long muzzle, large and expressive eyes of blue or deep blue color.
more details
Minskin
thick and dense, but very short hair, growing in islands (on the head, ears, limbs, tail) almost on the “bare” body, rounded head with large, open and seemingly “alert” ears, short paws (of the same length below and above the knee joint).
more details
Brazilian Shorthair
short and silky coat of almost any color, completely devoid of undercoat, large and expressive almond-shaped eyes, slightly slanted, in color compatible with the main color.
more details
Carthusian cat
chartreuse
short and soft, but thick and very dense coat, usually of a light gray-blue tone, nose and paw pads of a bluish-gray hue, large round eyes of copper or dark orange color (without traces of green), strong body with wide bones and powerful muscles, wide head in the shape of an inverted trapezoid.
more details
Korat
sparse, short and fine coat, close to the body and devoid of undercoat, only blue in color with silver tips of hair, muscular and flexible body of medium size with a convex back and proportional paws, a heart-shaped head with large and wide eyes of a brilliant green color (possibly – amber).
more details
Curly
The variety of breeds of domestic cats is truly amazing, since everyone can choose a pet, as they say, “to their own taste and color”... Well, curly-haired animals deserve special admiration, which in terms of external unusualness are often superior not only to their long-haired and short-haired relatives, but even hairless “brothers”.
Cornish Rex
short, soft, silky, relatively thick and, most importantly, curly hair, giving a “astrakhan” appearance, a graceful body with a “dry” build and long paws, an elongated muzzle with large ears and wide-set oval eyes, curly and long mustaches and eyebrows .
more details
Devon Rex
short and curly but soft fur, unusually large ears set low at the edges of a wide flat head, a small head with large eyes set wide apart and strongly curled antennae, a gracefully built body of medium size with long and strong paws.
more details
German Rex
short but soft and elastic coat, slightly curly, curly whiskers and whiskers on the eyebrows, athletic and muscular body of medium size with proportional limbs, widely spaced round eyes of a uniform color corresponding to the main color.
more details
Oregon Rex
curly and silky, but very short hair, sparser on the bristles, a neat elongated body with long legs, a medium-sized wedge-shaped head with high cheekbones and prominent mustaches, while the mustaches themselves are short and curly, large ears with rounded tips and barely noticeable tassels .
Laperm
short or long hair, but elastic and curly, most curled on the belly, neck and at the base of the ears, normal build with paws of medium length, wedge-shaped head with slightly rounded contours and rounded whisker pads.
more details
Bohemian rex
curly semi-long or long hair, most luxurious around the neck and on the “pants”, but without curl on the face and ears, powerful build with a dense and rounded belly, large and expressive eyes with a color that matches the main color.
Skookum
skokum
curly hair (can be short or long), short but strong legs (the front legs are slightly shorter than the back ones), a compact and dense body with rounded contours of the head, a long tail of medium thickness.
Ural rex
wavy coat of short to medium length, dense and full, silky texture, muscular but rather short body of medium size with a wedge-shaped head and slender paws.
Is your cat large?
An ordinary domestic cat has a fairly average size - body length from half a meter to 75 cm, tail 30 centimeters and weight 4-6 kg in cats and 2.3 - 4.5 in cats.
But there are breeds that do not fit into the usual centimeters and kilograms and claim to be cat giants.
How to determine the breed of a cat by size? Let's say right away that this is quite difficult. There are about a dozen cat breeds whose body weight exceeds the standard 6 kg; individual representatives sometimes weigh 15-20 kg!
Perhaps your pet is one of these giants:
- The American Bobtail
is a breed developed from wild North American cats. - Kurilian Bobtail , a Russian breed native to the islands of Kunashir and Iturup
- Chartreux, a breed that the French call cat-dogs
- Pixiebob, an artificially bred American breed similar to the red lynx
- Norwegian forest cat. Males of this breed can weigh 10 kg
- Turkish Van cat, one of the oldest breeds on earth
- Siberian cat
- British cat
- Ragdoll, rag doll
- Maine Coon
- Savannah
Hairless
It is noteworthy that hairless (or “hairless”) cats have been known to mankind since ancient times, and they were “born” naturally, and not as a result of any “laboratory experiments”... Moreover, this is not one specific breed, but the name of a whole type, in which each “hairless” cat has its own phenotype and its own genetics of hairlessness, but in any case, they all have a truly exotic appearance.
Petersburg Sphinx
Peterbald
hairless (although sometimes a small fluff is possible), medium-sized tube-shaped elongated body with rounded ribs, narrow and long head with slanting almond-shaped eyes, whip-shaped tail.
more details
Don Sphynx
completely hairless skin (but hair is allowed), hot and sticky to the touch, with a lot of folds (especially on the head, neck, groin and paws), wedge-shaped head with clear cheekbones and eyebrows.
more details
Ukrainian Levkoy
there is practically no vegetation on the body, the tips of the ears are “fallen”, the eyes are almond-shaped, and the tail resembles a whip.
more details
Elf
dense and hairless skin (but there may be a small fluff present), unusual ears, wide at the base and narrowed towards the end, and even smoothly curved into an arc at the tips, medium-sized body with a large number of folds, wedge-shaped head with large eyes, in color similar to the main color.
Canadian Sphynx
appearance of hairlessness (short, delicate hairs may be present on the paws, tail and scrotum), thick “velor” skin with many folds (especially on the muzzle, around the shoulders and between the ears), heavy and muscular body of medium length with proportional limbs, large ears , open and erect.
more details
Minskin
thick and dense, but short hair, growing in islands (on the head, ears, limbs, tail) almost on the “naked” body, short paws (of the same length below and above the knee joint), rounded head with large, open and seemingly “alert” ears.
more details
Does your cat have a special coat?
Remember the hero of Internet memes, the cat Colonel, who became famous for his displeased appearance? By the way, this cat has the longest fur among cats. 23 centimeters – so much trouble, what’s there to be happy about?
But the record holder among cats is Sophie, whose fur is on average 26 cm!
Armed with a ruler, choose what your pet looks like:
The wool is very long
- The Himalayan cat is a Persian-type cat that carries the Siamese color gene.
- Napoleon. The breed, already familiar to us, can do a “baby face” and this conquers thousands of hearts
- Norwegian forest cat. The standard wardrobe of this breed is long hair, mandatory sideburns, trousers and a winter collar.
- Turkish van. Take a close look at your pet. He's white? Is there a spot on the left shoulder blade? And another one on the head? Yes, under your roof is the belly of a cat, which was destined to defeat the devilish mouse gnawing a hole in Noah's Ark
- Turkish Angora. Snow-white long-haired beauty from Ankara
- Ragdoll
- Persian cat
- Neva Masquerade
- Maine Coon
- Burmese cat. Charming in French, insulated in ours
Long curly coat
“Rex, come to me!” - if your cat has wavy fur, then you can safely call her Rex. No, there is no need to change the name, it’s just that most curly-haired breeds are just rex:
- Bohemian Rex. The breed was born in Czechoslovakia, which in itself is surprising. Its ancestors are Persian cats, but unlike its ancestors, the Bohemian cat has not only long hair, but also curly hair.
- La-perm. Did someone spin this cat in curlers? This is exactly the impression one gets. The tail is especially luxurious
- Silkirk rex
Short curly
- Hermann rex. The breed was born in East Prussia and captivated connoisseurs of beauty with its short hair with “plush” curls;
- Devonshire Rex - the quality and appearance of the wool resembles astrakhan fur. Fans of the breed note the amazing tactility of the Devon Rex;
- Cornish Rex. Americans resemble hounds in build, and rex rabbits in the quality of their fur;
- An American rough-haired cat whose whiskers are even curly.
Hairless cat
You, of course, knew, you suspected that your hairless cat was deprived of fur for a reason. Of course, there is something in it, let's find out from the photograph - what?
- Bambino
- Don Sphynx. Huge ears, “baggy” skin, expressive eyes - yes, that’s them, representatives of the young bald breed
- Canadian Sphynx
- Peterbald or Petersburg Sphinx. Taking something from the orientals, something from the sphinxes, the Petersburg cat turned out to be unlike anyone else
- Ukrainian Levkoy. A breed that cannot be confused with anyone else. Have you seen aliens? No? Look at the naked lefty.