What Are the Signs of an Inbred Cat?

Penelope- inbred Persian dumped at cat shelter

Cat inbreeding causes what is described as “inbreeding depression” which is another term for general weakness. Robinson’s Genetics for Breeders and Veterinarians provides a list of signs of inbreeding depression which are as follows: There may be a decline in birth weight. The kittens may be small, thin or lethargic. The kittens may demonstrate …

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Shock horror: first Ragdoll cats were like ragdolls because they were drugged!

Ragdoll cat

What can I say? I am horrified. But I am not surprised. Sarah Hartwell, the internet’s doyenne of cat fancy history, has a shocking snippet of information regarding the early days of the Ragdoll cat breed tucked away within one of her comprehensive articles. The Ragdoll cat breed history is convoluted and tortous thanks …

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What are britches on a cat?

People ask about britches on a cat. The use of language concerned with Western clothes and applying it to the appearance of cats is quite common amongst cat breeders. Personally, I don’t like it. The ‘ruff’ is another term. I think the word ‘britches’ when applied to a cat is actually slightly misleading. The …

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What is a Lynx Point Siamese?

A lynx point Siamese cat has tabby markings within the usually pointing. The extremities of a Siamese cat are darker than the other areas. This is called ‘pointing’. The pointing colour varies and is nearly always a solid colour such as ‘seal’ (very dark brown) or ‘blue’ (a light bluish-grey). But with the lynx …

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Award-winning Bengal cat breeder with best of intentions banned from keeping animals for three years

This bengal UK cat breeder, Elizabeth Richmond-Watson, with a posh name, won numerous awards for her cats including the best bengal cat in the world in 2002 with Mr Marbles (TICA made the award). I believe her breeding cattery is Owlsdene Bengals. Her Bengals were featured in the Channel4/National Geographic program “Animals in the …

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Scientists criticise cat breed standards which promote flat faced cats leading to breathing problems

Flat faced cats and health

We know it and now scientists have confirmed it: snub-nosed cats (heavily shortened muzzles) are vulnerable to breathing problems. Cat purchasers should be very clear on this. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh conducted a questionnaire survey involving 1000 cat owners in which they reported that their cats with flat faces – the contemporary …

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