After checking out the new Friends Furever pages on Facebook I’m purring with pleasure. You can chat about all kinds of cat and dog issues; stay up-to-date about our fitness and health; plus take part in all kinds of pet-friendly giveaways, promotions and offers.

To check it out for yourself, click here.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for an email about our new Friends Furever website – coming soon.

Everyone looks great in designer jeans. In the case of the Oriental Shorthair, though, it is designer genes that make it such an eye-catching and popular cat – and as Cat Diaries discovered, it is a relatively new breed with an ancient history.

Origins
Officially recognised as a breed in the 1950s, the Oriental Shorthair has its roots in the Siamese breed originating in Siam (which is now Thailand). British breeders who liked the look of the Siamese but wanted a greater variety of colours began cross-breeding the Siamese with domestic shorthairs such as the Russian Blue, Abyssinian and British Shorthair. The result was a cat that was Siamese in body shape and facial features, but with such a wide variation of colours that it earned the nickname ‘Ornamental’.

Appearance
While the Oriental Shorthair is similar in appearance to the Siamese, it can come in over 300 colour and pattern variations. The Oriental Shorthair has a medium build and triangular face and head with large ears and slanted almond eyes. The hair is much softer and thicker than on many other shorthaired breeds, although it remains close to the body.

Temperament
Like the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair is a brilliant family pet, as it is both people-oriented and affectionate. The Oriental Shorthair craves attention and is both loyal and vocal about its love for humans, often ‘calling’ to owners throughout the house and having ‘conversations’ when spoken to. Many Oriental Shorthair owners report them as being almost doglike in their loyalty and need for company.

The Oriental Shorthair is both aesthetically pleasing and social, making it a wonderful addition to any family. Be prepared to lavish affection on it, however, as the Oriental Shorthair is notorious for loving a good cuddle on the couch!

[IMAGE SOURCE www.pictures-of-cats.org; www.mainecoonbreeders.com]

History
Although there is conjecture – and even a touch of controversy – surrounding the breed’s origins, the most compelling theory suggests that the Dragon Li cat came about through the natural self-domestication of wild descendents of mountain cats. Self-domestication is the adaptation of wild animals to human presence, and there is evidence to suggest this is exactly what has happened as China’s human population grew.

Appearance
Looking at a Dragon Li, it’s not difficult to see the correlations with its wild relatives. The Dragon Li has a distinctive ‘hunter’s’ gate, with more severely almond-shaped eyes and a thick, well-muscled body. Its head is rounded and large, and it features distinctive tipping on the ears.

Temperament
What sets this breed apart is its incredible intelligence and uncanny adaptability. The Dragon Li is said to have a highly instinctual understanding and awareness of its surroundings, and remains calm and oriented in any location. Because of this, along with a love of playing and exploring, the Dragon Li is a well-adjusted family pet and rarely becomes distressed or needy.
With the confidence of the wild in its past and a sharp awareness of its present, the Dragon Li is a brave, happy and content addition to any household.

[IMAGE SOURCE www.cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org]

The recent heavy rainfall hasn’t just caused flooding issues in some parts of the country. For pet owners, it also means this is set to be one of the worst tick seasons on record.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) reports that ticks are thriving thanks to this year’s mild winter and the current wet weather. Plus the AVA warns that the previous years of drought means there is not enough antivenom (a natural product that can only be made during tick season) in stock to cope with this year’s onslaught.

Protect your pet

The recent Advantix Protect the One You Love pet owner survey conducted by Bayer Animal Health has shown that around 30 per cent of pet owners are unaware of paralysis ticks and the risks they pose to their pets.

Cat Diaries is therefore urging pet owners across the east coast of Australia, where paralysis ticks are found, to talk to their vet about the best way to guard against ticks.

‘The holiday season is approaching and many pet owners will be travelling to coastal regions with their pets where paralysis ticks are common. We love our pets and wouldn’t want anything terrible to happen to them, and whilst laboratories are working hard to produce enough antivenom to alleviate the shortage in the next few weeks, it is important to understand the risks and symptoms of tick paralysis and how to prevent your pets falling victim to these dangerous parasites,’ says Dr Bob Rees, Bayer Animal Health Technical Services Veterinarian.

What should you do during tick season?

1.      Prevention is better than cure – repelling ticks before they bite is the key to prevention, so talk to your vet about the best course of action.

2.      Check your pet every day for ticks – the best way is to feel, not look, for ticks. Start in the common places such as the head and neck, but make sure you search everywhere, including the ears, around the eyes, under the collar, between toes, etc. Your pet is also bound to enjoy the extra attention!

3.      Look out for the telltale signs:

• Weakness in the hind legs or staggering, which may be followed by paralysis;
• Vomiting or regurgitation;
• Change in you cat’s meow due to paralysis of the throat and voice box;
• Laboured breathing, which may include a ‘grunting’ sound.

4.      If you are travelling with your pet – check with your vet if you will be travelling to an area where there are paralysis ticks. If so, make sure your pet is treated every two weeks and checked for ticks daily.

5.      If you notice any of the warning signs, take your pet to your vet immediately.

Take the time to protect the one you love!

Image sourced from: about.com

Christmas is family time and for most of us our pets are part of family celebrations. Nearly all of my friends have a little something wrapped for their fur-friend on Christmas day and include their pets in their festivities

With all the hustle of preparation, the joys of family and friends arriving, exchanging gifts and finally sitting down to enjoy festive fare and drinks, it is easy to not notice the mischief, or trouble that the family pet may get up to.

With a little planning and supervision mishaps and mayhem can be avoided this Christmas.

Decoration distractions

There is nothing more enticing to a cat than a tree to climb and how easy it that symmetrical pine tree – plastic or real. The trouble is that the trees were meant to have a star on top, not a 3kg cat, and the cat and tree will likely come toppling over. Cats rarely listen to requests not to do something so it is best to keep the tree and the cat in separate rooms or to make sure the tree is secured.

Tree decorations look like dangly toys to cats, and some dogs. If you have pets it is better to use unbreakable decorations rather than glass baubles. The glass used to make the baubles is very fine and splinters can be hard to remove from pads, or worse if swallowed.Tinsel is glittery and just begs to be played with. However it is usually made of metal or plastic and can cause problems if swallowed.

Gifts under the tree?  Now what self respecting dog could resist opening a gift or two? Not only will this wreck your gift-giving but the contents of some gifts may be harmful to the dog.

Keep pets secure
Make sure that pets are securely confined when guests are arriving.  If young children are visiting, supervise your pets at all times or confine them away from the children. Children can over stimulate pets, especially at a time when the children themselves are likely to be over-excited

Guests sometimes neglect to shut gates and doors. Make sure your pets are secure and cannot escape your property.

Well-meaning people often share their Christmas dinner with the dog but be do be careful.  Rich food, or even just over-indulging, is just as bad for dogs as it is for us- it can cause tummy upsets and pancreatitis.  Cooked bones can splinter and get caught in the mouth or gut. Onions, both raw and cooked are toxic to dogs as are macadamia nuts. Chocolate is also toxic to dogs ( particularly cooking chocolate) and should never be given.

During all the festivity do remember to check on your pets and make sure that they are cool, comfortable and have fresh water. I suggest giving them a safe treat and putting them somewhere quiet during meal time.

[INFORMATION AND IMAGE COURTESY OF www.drkatrina.com

At the end of a long, hard day, sometimes all you need is someone to vent to. You drop your bag in the hallway, kick off your shoes, pour yourself a glass of red and unleash all the day’s worries to your dearly beloved… who sits still, listens dutifully – and when you’re finished, showers you in affection.

Then she licks her paws and scratches herself.

That’s right, we’re talking about the family cat, who, it would seem, is quickly taking her place in the family as resident therapist and sympathetic ear.

A new poll conducted in the US by pet-loving website Petside has discovered that one third of married, pet-owning American women and 18 per cent of their male counterparts admit that their pet is a better listener than their spouse.

With more and more pet owners discovering the therapeutic value of a furry friend around the house, and the amazing connection that develops between people and their pets, this comes as no surprise to us at Cat Diaries. Pets have long been used as natural healers and helpers, with guide dogs, aged-cared therapy pets and companion animals becoming a standard addition to our healthcare system.

So even though this may be a slightly dismal advertisement for married life, we say it’s yet another endorsement of the joy a pet can bring!

Images by: vistawallpaper and dude seriously productions

It was while he was on a trip to Africa in 1971 that Paul Casey (animal advocate, writer and seemingly all-round good guy) discovered that one of the last breeding leopards in the region he was visiting had recently been killed by poachers. Paul immediately decided something had to be done.

After discussing ways of raising awareness about the plight of big cats in the wild, Paul realised that people would have a far stronger emotional reaction to the cause if they could see a wild cat reflected in their beloved domestic pet. Paul’s reasoning was that (unless they had a Cruella De Ville/Monty Burns-like fascination with wearing the skins of domestic animals), people would be less inclined to lust after a fur coat that resembled their pet. Paul set about creating a more manageable version of his much-loved leopard by combining the Abyssinian, Manx, American Shorthair, traditional Siamese, Angora and British Shorthair breeds.

After establishing a stable line, Paul added an Egyptian Spotted Cat and a Malayan domestic cat for the ‘wild’ physical attributes they could bring to the mix.  Once Paul was happy with the result, he called on a group of breeders to help with his cause and established the California Spangled Cat Association (CSCA International) to further promote the breed. When the cats were first advertised to the public in the 1980s, there was a fair bit of controversy surrounding their deliberately engineered development, yet the publicity received ensured that Paul was inundated with orders for this new breed.

Appearance
With its lean, muscular body, spotty coat and hunter’s gate, the California Spangled really does resemble a mini-leopard – one that can’t maul you and eat you for dinner, which is a plus in any pet-choice. The coat of the California Spangled comes in a wide variety of shades and colours due to the mixed bag of breeds used in its creation, although the spots are always well defined and remain the most striking physical attribute of the breed.
Temperament

Don’t let the ‘wild’ physicality fool you… the California Spangled makes an affectionate and devoted pet. Contrary to rumour, there were never any big cat genes included in its creation so there is no need to worry about having a relentless predator or lightning-fast beast out of Africa on your hands. Having said this, the California Spangled does love to play and hunt, and will especially love active games with its human.

It is somewhat ironic that while the breed was established to focus attention on the dwindling of leopards in the wild, the California Spangled is today quite a rare breed itself.

Images sourced from: Dkimages.com and pictures-of-cats.org

Is it a rabbit? Is it a dog? No, wait, it’s a Manx! Easily identifiable due to their short stumpy tail (or complete lack thereof) and hind legs that are visibly longer than their front legs, the Manx is a skilled hunter and was originally sought after by farmers with a rodent problem. However, its affectionate and loving nature – as well as an inclination to be involved in all family activities – soon marked the Manx out as an excellent family pet.

Originating on the Isle of Mann in the United Kingdom before the 1700s, the tailless trait and height difference between the hind and front legs is a naturally occurring genetic mutation of the spine. While often born with no tail at all, Manx cats can also be born with a small stub or a very short tail. Because of the length of their hind legs, Manx cats move with more of a hop than a stride, which has prompted many a folklore tale about a mythic hybrid between a cat and rabbit.

Appearance and temperament
The Manx is a stocky, short cat with a wide chest and a double-coat. The Manx comes in a variety of colours, although the white Manx is supposedly the rarest of the breed and can be quite valuable.

In temperament, the Manx is often called the ‘dog cat’ due to its tendency to follow its owner around the house trying to be involved with whatever task it can. Quiet for its size, the Manx has a unique ‘trill’ sound that it emits most commonly when talking to its offspring, but also as a response to communication from its human, leading many to suggest that these cats actually talk back!

Manxes are also known for their ability to be trained like a dog, and many can learn to play fetch with ease and walk happily on a leash. Another ‘dog-like’ trait embodied by the Manx is an attraction to water seldom seen in many cat breeds. While they may not volunteer to swim in a lake, most Manxes willingly submit to a soak in the bath!

Manx cats are sociable and adaptable with all members of their human families, although they often tend to choose a ‘special person’ and devote a great deal of love and loyalty to them. For this reason, people living alone would find a wonderful companion in this unique feline friend.

Images sourced from Wikipedia

Last month is was Munchkins, and we’re keeping the fantasy theme going at Cat Diaries by profiling the newly established breed, the Elf cat. Combining the distinctive features of the Sphynx and the American Curl, Elf cats are instantly recognisable, and the breed is rapidly growing in popularity.

History
The origins of the Elf cat can be traced back to the US. Some Sphynx breeders dreamed of combining the physical and temperamental characteristics of their beloved Sphynx with those of the American Curl, in order to create a hairless, curly-eared puss with a beautiful personality. According to one of the initial breeders, Karen Nelson, ‘extensive research went into [the Elf’s] health and viability’. She also says approval was also obtained from The International Cat Association geneticists.

Photo courtesy of Karen Nelson

Appearance
The Elf cat appears hairless; however, there may sometimes be a soft coating of hair on the ears and whiskers. The adorable ears of the Elf are primarily what give this breed its name, and are large, pointed and curled.

Sturdy and muscular, the Elf cat has a slightly rounded tummy, as if it has just finished a meal, and because of the inherited hardy nature of its foundation cat, the American Curl, the Elf is a healthy and robust animal with no biological problems resulting from the genetic mutation of the ears and hairlessness.

Personality
Playful, affectionate and very active, the Elf certainly lives up to its mischievous namesake. ‘The Elf is full of energy and is docile and outgoing,’ says another initial breeder, Kristen Leedom, on her website. ‘[It’s] a perfect mix of its two foundation breeds.’

Sometimes described as ‘the thief of hearts’, this fantasy feline is fast securing a place in the hearts of cat-lovers the world over: ‘It is often said that Elf kittens are one part cat, one part dog, one part monkey and one part child – and most people who have had the good fortune to meet one of these individuals are quick to agree,’ says Kristen.

‘The Elf is a very loving and loyal member of the household and has a strong tendency to bond with his or her choice in humans or the pet dog. They will follow that individual around faithfully, winding around legs and wagging their tails happily. The Elf will also greet you with a happy chirp when he sees you get out of bed, or arrive back home from a long day at work.’

The other-worldly Elf is quietly casting its spell over the feline-fanciers’ world, and if you can appreciate their unusual appearance and look past those wrinkles into its big innocent eyes, life with an Elf cat may just turn out to be a fairytale ending for you and your family!

Article image sourced from elfcats.com and Cat Breed Info

While there are a few historical accounts and sightings of cats with short legs, the Munchkin was officially named in 1983, when Sarah Hochenedel, a music teacher from Louisiana in the US, found two ‘normal sized’ cats with extremely short legs and decided that ‘Munchkin’ fitted them just perfectly.

Both of the cats were pregnant, and Ms Hochenedel named one Blackberry and the other Blueberry, and while Blueberry went to live with another family she kept Blackberry for her own. When the litter of kittens was born (some with short legs, some with regular-sized legs) she gave one of the short-legged kittens to a friend who named him Toulouse. To this day, all registered Munchkins can be traced back to either Toulouse or Blackberry.

Good thing, small package
Initially, there was some concern and debate over whether or not the Munchkin would suffer the same health problems that occurred in short-legged dogs such as the Dachshund, but after a seven-year study into ‘Munchkin genetics’, it was found that the only mutation occurring in the Munchkin cat was a distinctly shortened leg bone, which did not inhibit or pain the cat at all. In fact, Munchkins can run just as well and jump just as high as any ‘regular’ cat.

The Munchkin cat owes its distinctive appearance to a dominant autosomal gene, which means only one parent needs to have the dominant gene in order for the offspring to be affected. Munchkins can have any type of colour or hair-length, and in addition to the novelty of their tiny legs (the front legs are always shorter than the rear), they are loving, intelligent and outgoing, and make wonderful family pets. It is often noted by Munchkin owners that they don’t seem to notice that they are shorter than other cats, and that their bold and adventurous natures seem more appropriate to a jungle cat than a domestic moggy!

Health issues
Controversy has always surrounded the Munchkin, and some registries and national bodies do not recognise the breed even today. However, unlike with short-legged dogs, there has been absolutely no human manipulation in its distinctive appearance. And because the feline backbone is different to that of a dog, Munchkins do not suffer from the same spinal problems associates with the likes of Dachshunds and Welsh Corgis.

The playful Munchkin can be expected to live to 15 years, and while a number of rare health issues have been associated with the breed, including lordosis and pectus excavatum, it should be pointed that these issues have also been found in other breeds.

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Images by bullwrinkle, Wikipedia and Agent Pepper