He angora cat Is one of the most elegant and enigmatic animals that exist. This breed is considered by many people as one of the best companions that can be had. And his affection is won precisely because of his great personality and character.
Among the many varieties that exist, the angora cat is one of the most special. Not only for its history but also for its friendly personality and intelligence. One of the characteristics that stands out in this race is its long, shiny and silky coat.
Its origin
The angora cat breed originated in the mountainous area of Ankara, formerly known as Angora, in Turkey. From there came his name.
Because of its place of origin was that developed the layer of hair so soft that characterizes it, which has a length that goes from medium to long to protect against hard winters. It is likely that the angora cat evolved from the cat manul, a small cat that was domesticated by the Tartars.
For centuries, cats have been very attractive memories for invaders or visitors to Turkey. In fact, it is said that this race was one of the first to reach Europe from the East in the sixteenth century, specifically England and France. So much so that there is a theory that suggests that the Vikings took them from Turkey more than a thousand years ago.
After his arrival in Europe, he became the favorite breed of cat, especially for its long, silky coat. It became a cat very popular in the aristocratic circles of the eighteenth century because of its elegance.
However, they eventually lost interest in them and became scarce to the point that they were near extinct during the first half of the twentieth century. And one of the factors that contributed to its near disappearance was the fact that it was used indiscriminately to create different breeds of long-haired cats. This led to the specimens losing the unique characteristics of the angora cat.
Fortunately, the angora cat could be recovered thanks to a breed recovery program implemented by the Ankara zoo. And in the decade of the 50 was obtained to have the first pair of copies of the race.
The second couple would arrive a few years later and these were the ones who gave rise to the current breed of angora cats. At that time the Turkish authorities came to prohibit the export of this breed. And those who broke this measure could even face death as punishment.
In any case, the measures were effective and, today, the angora breed has more than assured continuity. The first specimen was exported to the United States in 1954, but it was not until the mid-1960s that the breed became large enough to seek recognition from the CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) of the United States.
At first they were registered with the name of 'Longhairs', but by 1968 they defined themselves like race angora. It was in 1970 when the breed was finally recognized by the CFA.
Physical characteristics
Among the physical characteristics of the angora cat the first thing that stands out is its elegance and athletic bearing. This is because their rear legs are higher than the front legs. These are also small, round and delicate.
The angora cat is a very proportioned animal. These have a muscular and robust body. But with a long tail that is wide at the base and thin at the tip. Right in this part has a high density of hair.
Another characteristic that characterizes this race is its long and soft coat that when moving appears as if it shines. Although it should be noted that this does not finish developing until the cat reaches two years of age.
On the other hand, the length of the coat layer may vary depending on the body part. They usually change it quickly during the summer, but recover it in the fall.
Your skin is another striking feature. Thanks to their coat they can keep it at a suitable temperature especially in the winter times.
Its head is small and has a triangular shape. Its snout is pointed and has ears that stand out because they are big and stiff. These are placed in a higher position than the head itself.
Your nose may be straight or slightly curved. His eyes are large, have an oval shape and are usually amber or copper. However, in some cases there may be varieties of white fur with one blue eye and one yellow eye.
As for the weight of an angora cat, a male adult can weigh more than 4.5 kilos. And in the case of an adult female, the weight is between 3 and 4 kilos. Therefore, those who have this type of cat at home, should avoid giving food that can make them fat.
Having a few extra pounds can affect your agility, especially those of cats living in small apartments. In that case you will have limited space to move, jump or exercise. Which means that if you do not control the amount of food you eat depending on your age, you could end up suffering from obesity.
Although the white variety of this breed is still quite popular, breeders have increasingly focused on cats with different colored fur. Angora cats can now be seen in solid colors such as black, blue, red, cream and even spotted and shaded, with their physical characteristics intact and their usual elegance and bearing.
Personality
Beyond its beauty and elegance, angora cats possess a great personality. These can surprise their owners with their athleticism and intelligence. No shelf is too high to reach it. And no closed door is safe from being opened by its legs. But they are not only intelligent. They are also very adaptable, affectionate and playful.
Baby angora cat
Therefore, contrary to what is thought about cats, the angora breed is an excellent choice as a family pet, especially if you have children. And is that these felines are very patient and loving. They are also wonderful as companions of older people.
Like any other cat, the angora will demand the attention of its owner. And while they quickly accept dogs and other pets, their alpha nature makes them want to be the king of the house.
For this reason, it is usual for them to be the first to welcome visitors into their home. Nor is it strange that they act as"hosts"at a party or meeting, interacting with each guest. On the other hand, they may not show too many emotions when they are young.
However, if adopted large, they often value greatly the second chance given them. And they appreciate their owners so much that they are incredibly devoted to them. In addition, this breed maintains its playful attitude until old age. And because they are so sociable, they fit better in a house where they can have the company of other animals while there are no people in the home.
Once this cat gets an idea in the head about how it should behave, it can be difficult for it to change. But in turn it is usually so charming that probably nobody notices it. They are usually an excellent pet because they are affectionate, gentle and dedicated to their family.
But his precocious intelligence, ingenuity and incessant desire for interaction and play, as well as his demand for attention, can turn him into a real challenge for coexistence. Therefore, to live happily with an angora cat at home it is important that both the owner and the animal have a matching sense of humor, as well as a lot of patience.
Your health
Both purebred and mixed breed cats may have genetic health problems. In the case of angora cats, these are usually very healthy and have a long life expectancy. In fact, they can live to be between 12 and 18 years.
However, some varieties may suffer from some conditions. The white variety, for example, that has one or two blue eyes are prone to deafness in one or both ears.
Other problems that have been seen in the angora breed are the ataxia And hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The first is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by the lack of coordination in the movement of some parts of the body.
It can affect the fingers and hands as well as the front and back legs. But also the body and eye movements. It usually affects cats of the breed between 2 and 4 weeks of age. However, early and careful detection can greatly reduce the incidence of this disease.
In the case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, it is a type of heart disease that causes the heart muscle to enlarge. Both pure and mixed breed cats can suffer.
On the other hand, some specimens of this breed can suffer from tricobezoars for the length of their fur. This means that you could accumulate hairballs in your digestive system. However, this problem can be solved with simple treatments for the expulsion of the balls. In case the problem is more serious, it is probable that the cat needs surgery for the extraction.
Care
One of the main care is about their fur. Although the angora cat has a mantle that lacks internal fur and because of this there are no tangles. The above facilitates your brushing, which should be daily so that the hair stays shiny.
Also, it is important to brush your teeth to prevent periodontal disease. The ideal would be to take a daily dental hygiene. But if it is not possible, a weekly brushing is better than nothing. When it comes to nails, they should be cut every two weeks.
Another care that must be taken with the angora cat has to do with his eyes. It is necessary to clean the corners of these with a soft, damp cloth to remove anything that may obstruct your eyesight. It is important to use different areas of the cloth in each eye so you do not run the risk of spreading any infection you have.
Ears are also an essential part to care for. If they look dirty, they can be cleaned with a cotton ball or with a cloth moistened with a mixture that is 50% cider vinegar and 50% warm water. It is best to avoid using cotton swabs as they could damage the inside of the cat's ear. It is also essential to keep your litter box completely clean. Cats are fussy with bath hygiene.
On the other hand, it is better to have angora cats as pets indoors. That is, prevent them from coming out and mixing in the outdoor environment. This serves to protect them from diseases spread by other cats, as well as attacks from dogs or other animals. This measure also helps to protect them from other hazards such as being hit by a car or even stolen.
Another type of care that can not be overlooked has to do with vaccines and visits to the vet. The first three things you will need are the feline leukemia vaccine, rabies vaccine and a treatment for parasites. You will also need remedies for fleas, if you have them. But these can be eliminated with aerosols, drops or some other treatment recommended by the veterinarian.
References
- Feline Encyclopedia (2011). Recovered from animalespfi.com
- The Cat Fanciers' Association (no date). About the Turkish Angora. Retrieved from cfa.org
- Cattime (no date). Turkish Angora. Retrieved from cattime.com