Cats are smart. We cat lovers know that. They get bored, like anyone would, if they aren’t stimulated. That’s why cat toys are big business. So my cats have several toys. Toby loves the little mice, while Marnie likes the feather wand. But if your cats are like mine, they get bored and want new toys.
A new bigger mouse? OK, bought one. Bought another, bigger one. Bought an even bigger one…Toby’s bored with them now.
make your own cat toy
I know cats like stuff like balled up newspaper – our late cat Ludlow loved playing with any paper product. So I cut a 2” piece off of a paper towel roll and tossed it in front of Toby. He batted it around for awhile.
Yay! But should you consider your new cat’s gender? Choosing a male or female cat may be based on conditions like: you already have a cat or multiple cats, or if you have small children. Another thing to help you decide the gender of your cat is your lifestyle: are you gone all day working? Maybe you also travel a lot. This is also a kitten vs. adult cat consideration.
male cats who are not neutered have some undesirable habits. They are very territorial and therefore spray, everywhere, to mark their territory. Their spray stains furniture, floors, upholstery and carpeting. It also smells and is nearly impossible to eliminate.
Unneutered male cats want to roam and seek out females and defend their turf: so unfixed male cats are generally more aggressive.
female cats who are not spayed can be problematic too. Once they are in heat, they’ll howl, a lot, and seem restless and uncomfortable. She’ll want to prowl outside for a mate, and if she finds one, you’ll have a litter of kittens to take care of. Sounds fun, but just go to the animal shelter nearest you to see how many kittens already desperately need homes.
altered cats This is a crucial consideration: both neutered males and spayed females tend to be more affectionate and relaxed. Neutred males often tolerate being handled better than spayed females, so if you have small children, perhaps a fixed male is best. Another reason to go to an animal shelter to find your wonderful new cat is because most, if not all, animal shelters spay and neuter stray or unfixed abandoned cats as a policy. As mentioned before, if you are gone from home frequently, select an older, mellower cat (or even better, two cats) and there are so many at our shelters.
Animal shelters have lots of adorable kittens too. Maybe you spend enough time at home to socialize and play with your new kittens. Then you, your family and your kittens will be happy. Small kids and kittens are terrific playmates.
choosing male or female cat for your existing cat assuming we’re talking about adults cats, the general conscencious is that the new cat should be younger than your cat who is already living with you. Also, adopting a cat of the opposite sex is typically recommended. An exception may be young (fixed) males because they can play together, especially if they like to roughhouse. As far as kittens are concerned, being littermates is probably more important for their development than choosing kittens based on gender.
think about choosing a male or female cat, but don’t hesitate to go to your local animal shelter to decide.
Everyone knows about Siamese cats, including people not particularly interested in cats. Siamese cats have a distinctive appearance and a reputation for being quite talkative. But I wanted to know more about them.
What causes Siamese cats markings?
Siamese cats are pointed cats, which creates their distinctive look.
a pointed cat is a cat that has a face, paws, and tail darker than the rest of their body. This coloring are on the extremities of the cat, hence the “points” of the cat.
The pointed colouring is from a mutated enzyme used in the production of melanin. This enzyme is sensitive to heat and becomes active in the coolest parts of the cats skin. This means that the breed have dark coloration in the coolest parts of their body (the face, paws and tail). The breed differ in colour depending on the climate. Hot locales generally produce lighter coats than cold climates.
Siamese cats are generally healthy, but are more prone to cancer, caused by neoplasia, than most other breeds.
There are four primary types of Siamese cats based on points and body color. The early Siamese cats were all seal points and in 1906 the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) recognized the breed as one of the first pedigree cat. Initially, even after other variations of point colors were bred, the CFA only recognized seal points.
Seal Point Siamese
Seal Points have dark or seal brown, nearly black points. Their body color ranges from light brown to ivory
Chocolate Point Siamese cats from siamesecatspot.com
Chocolate Points have milk chocolate points and legs, their bodies taper a pale white
Blue Points have blue-gray points, the body is light gray or beige. Recognized by the CFA (Cat Fancier Association) in 1934
Blue Point Siamese cat
Lilac Point Siamese cat
Lilac Points have pink-gray points and a white body. They were recognized by the CFA in 1955
All Siamese kittens are completely white when they are born. The points that display which type of Siamese they are appear about the same time their eyes start to open, which is about three weeks. .
When kittens open their eyes, all breeds are born with blue eyes, but Siamese keep their blue eyes as adults.
The original Siamese cat was quite different from modern ones. The earlier Siamese were rounder, stockier, and looked sturdier. Their heads were rounder, and all were seal points. Once Siamese were exhibited at cat shows the standard changed for competition. Siamese cats look became slim, elongated, more delicate.
modern Siamese cat
These days there are also red pointed Siamese, tabby pointed, tortie pointed, plus cream, apricot, cinnamon, and a whole range of other colors. Although many people are returning to the older Siamese characteristics.
traditional Siamese cat
Where did Siamese cats come from?
Siamese are considered the earliest breed of cat. It’s believed that Siamese are descended from the sacred temple cats in Siam, now called Thailand. A Siamese manuscript Cat-Book Poems, written sometime after 1350, had pictures of a Seal Point cat.
The first documented import of a Siamese cat shipped to an American was to Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes, wife of President Hayes, by the U.S. Consul, stationed in Bangkok, Mr. David B. Sickels. Here’s a letter from Mr. Sickles to Mrs.Hayes, written November 1, 1878.
Dear Madam,
Having observed a few months ago in an American newspaper a statement that you were fond of cats, I have taken the liberty of forwarding to you one of the finest specimens of Siamese cats that I have been able to procure in this country. Miss pussy goes to Hong Kong, whence she will be transhipped by the Occidental and Oriental line, in charge of the Purser, to San Francisco and then sent by express to Washington. I am informed that this is the first attempt ever made to send a Siamese cat to America.
I am very respectfully,
David B.Sickels, U.S. Consul. from cat-o-pedia.org
In 1884 a breeding pair of Siamese cats was brought to the UK by the British Consul-General in Bangkok as a gift for his sister. The breed soon spread to other parts of Europe and Asia and were appearing in English cat shows almost immediately and in American shows by the early twentieth century.
One of the first American women to start a ‘cattery’ in this country was Adele Locke, wife of the rector of Grace Church, Chicago. She is recorded as the purchaser (or broker) of ‘Lockehaven Siam’ while visiting France, for breeding.
Siam was imported for breeding
Lockehaven’s registration states he was born in 1897 and was directly imported from Siam to France. He was shown as an adult at Mrs. Locke’s Beresford Cat Club in January 1900. Mrs. Locke was the president of Beresford Cat Club.
Siamese cats grew in popularity and are one of the most recognizable breeds in the world. In addition to the distinctive coloring of Siamese cats, they are also known to be friendly, intelligent, outgoing and talkative. They are wonderful cats!
When your cat uses their front paws, altering left and right, gently pushing up and down, it is instinctual. People call it making muffins, kneading, or whatever else you want to call it, it’s something he/she did as a kitten. OK, so want to know why your cat kneads?
The explanation that makes the most sense to me is as kittens, they knead against their mama’s belly to stimulate milk flow from her teats. That association of nurturing and trust stays with cats. So, if your cat has made muffins on your leg or arm they are displaying that same trust and affection. And listen, they’re also often purring!
I hope you have had that kind of bond with your cat and know what I mean, and if you have, your cat is secure enough with you, that you and he/she has formed a strong bond. When my cat Toby makes muffins on my leg or stomach I KNOW he’s relaxed and content. Me too!
