Cats Breeds 101 ~ Exotic Shorthair

A breed with only 50 years of history, the Exotic Shorthair, also known as the Shorthaired Persian, is a popular breed for cat fanciers who walk on the calmer side of life. This breed has its playful side, but it prefers to cuddle and relax for most of the day. Perfect for urban homes, or for country living, the Exotic is plush and beautiful to look at, with the added benefit of being one of the more affectionate breeds. A Persian without pretension, the Exotic is also easy to care for, with a minimal shedding but still luxurious coat.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Exotic Shorthair can be succinctly described as being a short-haired Persian, since for all intents, it meets every standard for the Persian breed, except for the coat. Where the Persian has a long thick coat that requires daily combing for prevention of mats and tangles, the Exotic has a medium length coat that is dense and plush, with a thick undercoat.

The Exotic does not require daily combing, nor does it shed heavily ~ in fact, it sheds so little as to be considered a “non-shedding” breed. Weekly combing is recommended simply for the purpose of beautifying the Exotic, and for keeping hairballs to a minimum. The fur on the Exotic is so thick, that this is one of those particular breeds of cats that looks much bigger than it truly is; needless to say, it is a big cat.

The Exotic may grow to be up to 15 pounds, but in height it remains fairly short and close to the ground. The appearance is cobby with short, stout legs holding up a round, muscular physique. It is compact, not fat, with the weight being attributed to the density of the bones. Proceeding upward to the crown, the neck carries the athletic build: short and substantial, topped by an impressively sized head. Exotics are acceptable in any color and in any coat pattern, including color point (like Siamese), white, striped, and calico.

The face of the Exotic is identical to the Persian, with the same standards in place. There are two features which particularly cause the Exotic to stand out. This breed is categorized as brachycephalic, which means that the skull, and by extension, the face, is short and broad, with a flattened muzzle. The other natural characteristic this breed has, and which boosts its popularity, is its pedomorphic appearance, meaning that the face of the Exotic retains its kittenish expression, with large, round, widely set eyes, small ears, a short nose, and a large, round head. This “cuteness”, along with its ease of grooming, and its agreeable and playful nature, make the Exotic one of the top choices for companion animals.

The Exotic is not especially prone to disease or genetic abnormalities, and this is largely due to the precautions early breeders took in the beginning. But, being a brachycephalous breed means that it has the usual problems that result from having the nose and eyes in such close proximity to each other. The tear ducts have a tendency to overflow, leaving stains along the facial fur. This is easily remedied with a damp cloth. There may also be occasional sinus problems, or problems with tooth alignment due to the shortened jaw and the possibility of tooth crowding.

Finally, the shorter nostrils make the Exotic more sensitive to heat. High temperatures may lead to breathing problems. Add that to the heavier coat, and you have a breed that will look for ways to stay cool.

Although the Exotic loves human contact, and will spend much of its time as a lap cat, it will also look for spots where it can cool down, such as uncarpeted floors, bricks, and tiles.

PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT

Early Exotics were a bit more active than their Persian relatives because of outcrossings for the short hair gene, but over the last four decades, since the breed began, the Exotic has come to be more like the Persian in behavior as well as appearance. It is still more playful that its relative, and its easy going nature and calm attitude are ideal for families with children and without, and for both rural and urban homes. The Exotic gets along well with other animals, but it tends toward people. Quietly, with a soft voice when it does have a need to speak, the Exotic will greet you when you arrive, and make you feel welcome, contentedly curling up on your lap.

This breed is amused by the simple pleasures of life. A string or a paper ball are enough to keep your Exotic pleased. They are not jumpers, nor do they dash around the house or make trouble on shelves. Their preference leans more toward lounging around and being caressed. They are amongst the most affectionate and loyal of cats breeds, a true companion pet.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The birth of the Exotic Shorthair began in earnest in the late 1950s, when American cat breeder Carolyn Bussey crossed a Persian with a brown Burmese, in the hopes of designing a brown colored Persian. She ended up with black kittens, but she had made the serendipitous discovery that the resulting kittens were strikingly cute. She believed that cat fanciers might take to the idea of a shorter haired Persian, one especially that would be easier to groom, but that retained the same beauty and easy nature of the Persian.

At this point, the short-haired breeds had been pretty well weeded out of the cat fancy because of the surreptitious crossings that had been conducted by less than honest breeders. While American Shorthairs were being crossed with Persians to produce better coats and to recreate the appearance of the Shorthair, the Shorthair breed itself was losing most of the qualities that made it a distinct breed.

The breeders of these cats fudged their papers to make it appear as though these new physical characteristics were naturally occurring, and cat fancy associations had no option except to all but end the registration of the Shorthair.

Ms. Bussey's exacting standards on breeding brought a more ethical approach to the cross breeding, and the result of her campaign to engineer this new breed was its registration as the Exotic Shorthair. Beyond the initial outcrosses between the Burmese and the Persian with the American Shorthair, the Exotic has been limited to crosses with the Persian, so that the breed can maintain its pedigreed status.

Outcrosses have not been a part of the Exotic breeding program since 1975, when the gene pool was deemed large enough to reliably produce both vigorous and attractive cats that met the standard.

This breed was granted Championship Status in 1967 by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). The Exotic made rapid progress from there, and was soon in demand. In 1971, the first Exotic Shorthair achieved the status of Grand Champion, and in 1991, an Exotic was the CFA's Cat of the Year.

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com

Contrary to Some Beliefs ~ Cats Are Very Affectionate Pets

While dogs are known for being friendly and affectionate, our lovely feline friends are sometimes known as being aloof. But, that is hardly the truth. There are tons of affectionate cats out there. Many cats will lick you and greet you, while other cat’s signs of affection can be a little more subtle. In fact, if you learn to understand a cat’s body language and signals, you will see how they are showing their love.

* Head Rubs ~ If your cat rubs her face on you, she is marking you as her property. There are glands on her face that secrete pheromones which act to mark your feline’s territory as well as signal comfort and familiarity. Each cat's pheromone is unique, just as our fingerprints are. When he or she leaves behind this calling card, she's saying that you are all hers.

* Needs to be Near You ~ If your cat follows you from room to room and hangs out wherever you are, it's a sign that your beloved is interested in you and wants to be where you are. Some cats who otherwise do not display affection can still express their love just by being around and in your close proximity.

* Slow Eye Blinks ~ When a cat encounters strangers or other cats, they usually greet them with an unblinking stare (or if they are mad at you!) However, slow eye blinks are a sign of contentedness and affection. You can make a game of this by slowly blinking back at your cat and see how long the interchange can last between the two of you.

* Greets You at the Door ~ Most cats that are bonded with their owners will respond with excitement when they hear your car in the driveway, or when you make distinctive sounds (like unlocking the door) when returning home. If they run to the door when you come through, it obviously means they've missed you and are happy that you’re home. Or they might just meow from afar and then approach. (Our kitty always greets us at the door and meows . . . a lot!).

* Rolls Over ~ When your cat rolls over and exposes his or her belly to you, he or she is signaling that she trusts and loves you. By exposing her belly, he or she is exposing her vulnerability. If she did that outside, she would be attacked. However, in the comfort of your home, this tummy exposure is a signal that she’s comfortable enough with you to let down her guard.

* Kneading ~ This instinctual gesture originates from birth, when your cat kneaded her mother to stimulate milk flow. In later life, kneading signifies contentment, pleasure and adoration, especially if accompanied by drooling. This is one of the greatest expressions of love that your cat can show you. Cats will sometimes knead your arm, leg or somewhere close by you.

We all love our kitties . . . and they love us, even if they don’t always ‘meow’ their affection, they certainly show it in so many other ways. Take the time to understand your cats and their distinctive language!

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com

Guinea Pigs as Pets ~ Things You Should Know

Guinea Pigs can be lovely pets, but there are a few things you should know before getting a pet Guinea Pig. From expected life span to the social nature of Guinea Pigs, here are some things to consider before choosing a Guinea Pig as a pet.

1. Guinea Pigs Are a Long Term Commitment ~ Guinea Pigs live on average around 5-7 years, sometimes longer, so be prepared to provide care over the long term.

2. Guinea Pigs are Social - Plan on Keeping More than One ~ Guinea Pigs are very social animals, and will be happiest living with other Guinea Pigs (and don't worry, they will still bond with their owners, too). Keep a same sex pair; females can be kept together as can males, though sometimes individual differences will mean certain Guinea Pigs won't get along. Introducing them as babies is the best way to get a pair to bond, though even adults can usually be introduced with care.

3. Guinea Pigs Need a Large Cage ~ Guinea Pigs need a lot of floor space, and most cages marketed as Guinea Pig cages are much too small, especially for a pair. Making a homemade cage is very easy, though, and since Guinea Pigs are a good size and not escape artists, making homemade cages is a great option.

4. Guinea Pigs are Generally Quiet, But Can Wheek Loudly ~ Guinea Pigs make a distinctive wheeking or whistling type sound, often in anticipation of getting a favorite treat or when in need of some attention. Though generally not loud enough to annoy the neighbors, a wheeking Guinea Pig can be surprisingly loud.

5. Guinea Pigs are Generally Easy to Tame ~ While Guinea Pigs may be nervous or skittish at first, with consistent gentle handling, they usually become tame very easily. Careful handling is a must, and children should be supervised with them, but they are unlikely to bite even when stressed.

6. Guinea Pigs Require Vitamin C ~ Guinea Pigs are one of the few animals (humans are another) that cannot manufacture their own vitamin C, so they will need to get adequate vitamin C from their diet. Choosing a good quality diet and providing a variety of fresh foods is important, but most owners choose to also give a vitamin C supplement ~ and tablets are generally a better way to supplement than adding vitamin C to the water.

7. Guinea Pigs are Often Available at Shelters ~ Before heading out to buy a Guinea Pig, please check with your local shelters or rescues for Guinea Pigs in need of a new home (or check on Petfinder.com). Many Guinea Pigs end up at shelters, and are in need of a second chance at a forever home ~ and Guinea Pigs are generally so social and easy going, it should still be easy to bond with even an older piggie! ♥

Adopting vs. Shopping . . . .

People are often unaware that a local shelter has guinea pigs, or that a cavy rescue is located nearby. In many parts of the country, hundreds of rescued guinea pigs need homes-primarily as a result of caretaker surrenders. Doug Duke, director of the Nevada SPCA in Las Vegas, finds that half are turned in by owners and the other half are rescued from the county. He notes, “We try to keep the county shelter, which shares the complex with us, from euthanizing any who are healthy.”

A prospective guinea pig guardian typically visits a pet store first. But many pet stores house both males and females together and occasionally sell incorrectly sexed cavies. This increases the odds that a breeding pair has been sold or that a young undeveloped sow is already pregnant when purchased (sows can become pregnant as early as four weeks of age). Other pet caretakers intentionally breed their guinea pigs “to see what it’s like”; add in the many non show-quality cavies produced by breeders and the number of guinea pigs needing homes continues to grow.

A pet store guinea pig purchase is often unplanned and unresearched. Getting information on proper care into the hands of prospective new guardians helps them make better-informed decisions. Since January 1, 2003, California pet stores have been required by law to provide care sheets with the purchase of each animal. Several dedicated guinea pig people were instrumental in getting this legislation passed. Be proactive: encourage your state representatives to address this important issue for all pet-store animals in your state.

Julie Morris, ASPCA senior vice president for National Shelter Outreach, designated March as Adopt-a-Rescued-Guinea Pig celebration month. “The idea behind the celebration month is to encourage future adopters to think of shelters and rescue groups first.” Her promotional team has assembled an online page hosted on www.petfinder.com with fun and educational materials contributed from various sources. Internet sites like Petfinder.com, are an invaluable resource for people who wish to adopt homeless guinea pigs from shelters and rescue groups. Last year Petfinder alone listed over 10,000 guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs are not for everyone. They’re definitely not just for kids! But an informed, committed guardian who is willing to care for them day after day and seek health care when needed will find them charming companions.

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com