The African Shorthair Cat spends most of its time in trees, greedily preying on insects for a living. It is active, vibrant, independent, and skilled in swimming and climbing. It gets along well with other cats and dogs. It is gentle, affectionate, and makes a great companion for its owner.
In the 1970s, a British woman named JENISLATER, who lived in Kenya, adopted a female cat and her kittens, which later became the ancestors of Sokoke cats. JENI's friend, CLORIAMOLDRUP, a Canadian indigenous person, later took two kittens back to Denmark and started a regular improvement program in 1980. All the cats are from JENISLATER's cattery. MOLDRUP and other breeding experts started a breeding program together. In 1983, the breed was named Sokoke. It was officially recognized in Denmark in 1992 and gradually recognized in other countries. FIFe officially recognized the breed in 1993.
The African Shorthair Cat is gentle, affectionate, and a good companion for its owner.
1. Soft and Watery Stool
Soft and watery stool is a common condition in cats. Normal stool is brownish in color, well-formed, and moderately moist.
Causes: Catching a cold, changing food, poor food quality, stress reaction, parasites, etc.
Symptoms: Loose, sticky, shapeless, watery.
Solution: If it is caused by parasites, it is recommended to deworm. If it is due to stress from a new environment, it is not a problem and it is recommended to observe for a few more days. For dietary reasons, do not change cat food frequently to reduce gastrointestinal burden. Also, pay attention to controlling the amount of food, feed small amounts multiple times a day, and feed on a regular schedule. Pay attention to clean and fresh drinking water as well. Do not give the cat mineral water, as it can easily lead to urinary tract stones.
2. Depression
Cats are sensitive animals and depression is a common condition.
Causes: Lack of companionship, companion's death, abuse, being locked up for a long time, etc.
Symptoms: Loss of appetite, lying around all day, hiding, sensitive and irritable, timid.
Solution: Cat depression is a mental problem, and it is recommended for the cat owner to spend more time with the cat. You can interact more with the cat using snacks or a cat toy on regular days to minimize the cat's stress.
Hygiene: Due to the large amount of fur on cats, they are prone to carrying various types of bacteria and fleas. For the sake of the cat's and the owner's health, the cat should be regularly bathed and groomed;
Diet: Different cats have different food preferences. Owners should not randomly choose cat food available on the market for convenience. They should carefully select cat food based on the cat's breed, growth situation, and physical condition, and also prepare dedicated utensils for the cat;
Health: Like humans, cats can also become sick. When a cat falls ill, it must be taken to a specialized animal hospital for treatment. Regular physical examinations and vaccination injections should also be given to the cat. Only when the cat is physically healthy will it have the energy to play with its owner;
Safety: There is a saying, "curiosity killed the cat." Cats are restless creatures and always have a great curiosity about various things. Moreover, their nature makes them particularly fond of entering enclosed spaces. Therefore, owners must close doors, windows, lids, and other objects to prevent the cat from getting into potential dangers;
Living Space: Cats love to relax and take naps the most, so as an owner, you should prepare a small mat for it to sleep on. After prolonged use, these mats may accumulate a lot of bacteria, so you must pay attention to cleaning and disinfection at all times;
Clumping Litter: The problem of pets defecating anywhere has troubled many pet owners. However, cats are actually very clean animals, so as long as the owner provides the cat with clumping litter, the cat will use it for defecation on its own;
Cats cannot stand being coerced by their owners. When the owner forces the cat to do something, it becomes annoyed. Therefore, the owner should trim the cat's nails regularly to prevent scratches and infections when playing with it.
Grooming time: recommended every three days
1. Relax the cat: before combing, you can give the cat a massage. When the kitten purrs, you can proceed with the following steps;
2. Comb along the hair: from the back -> waist -> hips -> tail; when combing, you can wet the cat's hair with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity. Comb in the direction of hair growth, from top to bottom;
3. Comb from the chest to the abdomen: hold the cat, sit on your lap in a human position, and comb from top to bottom. The cat's belly is more sensitive, so the owner must be quick and accurate when combing;
4. Comb the cat's head and face: you can comb from the cat's head or face towards the neck, but be careful with the cat's eyes;
5. Underarm and abdominal hair: at this time, the cat can lie on its side, lift the cat's front legs, and comb from the armpits to the side of the abdomen;
6. Finally, use a comb to comb again, remove excess hair, and tidy up the cat's fur to finish the whole process.