The American Curl has a clever and gentle temperament, full of curiosity about the outside world, and has a certain alertness. It is highly dependent on the owner and is an excellent family companion suitable for various households. The main feature of it is that the lines between the ears and neck are smooth, the ears are curled and the ends are round, and the body size is medium. The fur of the American Curl is very soft and silky, with very little undercoat. The short-haired variety has elastic fur and the tail of the long-haired variety is fluffy.
The American Curl originated in California, United States, but it was not until 1983 that breed selection began and it became a rare new member of the cat world. By 1986, it was registered by the Cat Fanciers' Association and in 1993, it set a precedent for a breed to have two types of coat length eligible for champions at a championship. It is said to have originated from a black female cat abandoned in 1981. Only 50% of the kittens born to American Curl parents have curled ears. They look no different from other kittens at birth and gradually develop curled ears after 4-7 days. Their popularity has increased due to their adorable nature that matches their appearance.
1. Distemper
Symptoms: Cats with distemper may have fever, depression, gradually decreasing body temperature, weakness, dehydration, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Solution: Choose a good pet hospital to vaccinate on time, keep the house clean and tidy, and isolate appropriately. Rabies vaccine can start at 3 months old; a three-in-one vaccine for cats can be started at around 2 months old, with a booster shot every month.
2. Cat flu
Symptoms: Fever, excessive nasal secretions, frequent sneezing, accompanied by conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and excessive tearing.
Solution: Once found, seek medical attention promptly. This virus can be transmitted through the air, so it is important to isolate the affected cat from other cats.
3. Hairball
Symptoms: Cats may vomit, lose appetite, and pass hairballs in their excrement.
Solution: Regularly feed cats with hairball remedy and it is best to have some cat grass at home.
4. Gastrointestinal discomfort
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Solution: First, let the cat fast, and then feed some probiotics for regulation. If the condition is severe, seek medical attention promptly. Prevention: 1. Maintain a light diet; 2. Do not frequently change cat food, and when changing cat food, follow the seven-day transition method.
Hygiene: Because cats have more hair, they are prone to carrying various bacteria and fleas. For the sake of the health of the cat and the owner, the cat should be bathed regularly and its fur should be combed;
Diet: Different cats have different preferences for food. Owners should not randomly choose cat food on the market for convenience. They should carefully select cat food based on the type, growth situation, and physical condition of the cat, and prepare dedicated utensils for the cat;
Health: Like humans, cats can also get sick. When a cat is sick, it must be taken to a specialized animal hospital for treatment. Regular physical examinations and vaccination injections should also be given to the cat from time to time. Only when the cat is physically healthy, it has the energy to play with its owner;
Safety: There is a saying "Curiosity killed the cat." Cats are restless and always have a great curiosity about various things. Moreover, their nature makes them particularly fond of entering enclosed spaces. Therefore, the owner must close doors, windows, box lids, etc. to prevent the cat from getting into potential danger;
Residence: Cats love to lie down and sleep lazily, so as an owner, you should prepare a small cushion for it to sleep on. After these cushions are used by the cat for a long time, they will have a lot of bacteria. Therefore, you must pay attention to cleaning and disinfection at all times;
Cat litter: The issue of pets defecating anywhere has troubled many pet lovers. But cats are actually very clean animals, so as long as the owner provides the cat with cat litter, the cat will go to the litter box for defecation on its own;
Cats cannot tolerate being provoked. When the owner forces it to do something, it becomes annoying. Therefore, the owner should regularly trim the cat's nails to prevent scratching and infection during playtime.
Grooming Time: Recommended once every three days
1. Relax the cat: Before grooming, you can give the cat a massage. When the kitten purrs, proceed with the following steps;
2. Brush along the fur: From the back → waist → hips → tail; you can dampen the cat's fur with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity, brush along the direction of hair growth, and brush from top to bottom;
3. Brush from the chest to the abdomen: Pick up the cat, sit it on your lap in a human posture, and brush from top to bottom. The cat's belly is sensitive, so the owner must be quick and accurate when grooming.
4. Brush the cat's head and the area around the face: You can brush from the cat's head or face towards the neck. Be careful with the cat's eyes while brushing.
5. Hair under the armpits and on the abdomen: At this time, the cat can lie on its side, lift up its front paws, and brush the hair from the armpits to the side of the abdomen.
6. Finally, use a comb to brush off any excess hair, straighten the cat's fur, and finish the entire process.