By Robert Benjamin
Thought to date back to the time of the Vikings, the Norwegian Forest Cat is an old breed. References to this type of cat can be found in Norse mythology and Norwegian fairytales, but the true origins of his breed are unknown. Domestic breeding of the Norwegian Forest Cat, known as 'skogkatt' in Scandinavia, began in the 1930 by farmers, but it was not recognized as a breed until the 1970s, when breeding of 'Wegies' (a nickname derived from the word 'Norwegian') became popular.
Norwegian Forest Cats lived in a harsh and cold climate for most of the year, so their coats are adapted to this environment. It is long and thick to protect them from the hash winters and virtually waterproof. They get a summer coat in spring, resulting in shedding that needs to be attended to. Some say that grooming so not necessary, regular grooming of a Norwegian Forest Cat is a useful tool in combating shedding, though they shed far less than other longhairs. They require regular brushing to help deal with tangles and matting and may require a bath at times if they get too oily (the oil is what makes the coat water resistant). The coats themselves appear in many colors and patterns.
Adult male Norwegian Forest Cats will reach an average weight of thirteen to twenty-two pounds and females will be about half that size. They will live anywhere from fifteen to twenty years. Norwegian Forest Cats are intelligent, kind, and patient, making them a good family pet for those with children. They are also friendly and gentle, so they get along well with other family pets. This breed loves to climb, so a cat condo is a must.
If a Norwegian Forest Cat is not allowed to climb on a regular basis, he may become irritable or bored, which can result in destructive behaviors to alleviate the boredom. The meow of a Norwegian Forest Cat is described as not a meow, but as singing a soft melody. This is a hearty breed, though some may be prone to glycogen storage disease.
There is a website that has great information on Norwegian Forest Cats and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:
http://www.dogandcatfacts.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2007
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
About the author:
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.
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Ragdoll - Wonderful Pets
By: Ron King
Is the Ragdoll the Right Breed for You?
Anyone looking for a cat that is laid back and gentle should look at the catbreed "Ragdoll." The breed was developed during the mid-nineteen hundreds by a cat breeder in the US. He bred a cat that when people handled it, it would lay limp like a Raggedy Ann doll. The breed was a cross between a Birman cat and another type of longhair cat from an unknown ancestry. The Ragdoll had a calm, relaxed demeanor, and although the Cat Fancier's Association did not originally acknowledge the Ragdoll, their later generations became the gentle Ragdolls we know today.
This breed is one of the biggest of the cat breeds, weighing between ten and twenty pounds. It is no surprise that such heavy cats have big, muscular bodies. Their heads are slightly round, their ears are small and rounded, and a Ragdoll cat's large eyes are bright blue in color. This breed's tail is a bit bushy and tapers at the end.
The Ragdoll does not come in a wide range of colors and patterns. In fact, there are actually only 4 colors accepted by the Cat Fancier's Association, Seal, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac. You can find these colors in pointed, mitted, or bicolor patterns, but some breeders avoid mitted cats because they look similar to the breed's Birman ancestors.
The Ragdoll's calm personality makes it the best choice for families. These cats are almost dog-like in their demeanor, greeting family members at the door, following them through the house, and snuggling down beside them on the sofa. If you do not believe in de-clawing your cat, but are concerned about having your furniture shredded, you should want to consider this breed as well. Some Ragdoll owners say their cats have learned to use a scratching post instead of furniture arms to sharpen their claws much more quickly than their other cat breeds. Because these cats seem to make an effort to keep from scratching people, as well, they may be less likely to scratch furniture as a choice.
While this cat breed does not need the company of other pets and seems to prefer to spend time with family members over cats, it does not mind habituating with other animals. Perhaps it is because this breed is so much larger than other cats, but it is more likely because the Ragdoll is just so mellow.
Since the Ragdoll is a longhair cat, many prospective cat owners are a bit hesitant about choosing this breed. They are afraid they won't have time for the frequent grooming most longhairs require to have. However, this breed's silky coat texture makes it a very low care cat. Combing through your cat's hair weekly to remove stray hairs or debris is all that is necessary to keep his coat looking fantastic. One thing you may want to remember is that although most longhairs are prone to hairballs, Ragdoll cats rarely develop them.
If you want a sweet-tempered, family oriented animal, then the big Ragdoll may be the best breed for you.
For more info, see Ragdoll and Catbreed. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Birman Cat. Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
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Is the Ragdoll the Right Breed for You?
Anyone looking for a cat that is laid back and gentle should look at the catbreed "Ragdoll." The breed was developed during the mid-nineteen hundreds by a cat breeder in the US. He bred a cat that when people handled it, it would lay limp like a Raggedy Ann doll. The breed was a cross between a Birman cat and another type of longhair cat from an unknown ancestry. The Ragdoll had a calm, relaxed demeanor, and although the Cat Fancier's Association did not originally acknowledge the Ragdoll, their later generations became the gentle Ragdolls we know today.
This breed is one of the biggest of the cat breeds, weighing between ten and twenty pounds. It is no surprise that such heavy cats have big, muscular bodies. Their heads are slightly round, their ears are small and rounded, and a Ragdoll cat's large eyes are bright blue in color. This breed's tail is a bit bushy and tapers at the end.
The Ragdoll does not come in a wide range of colors and patterns. In fact, there are actually only 4 colors accepted by the Cat Fancier's Association, Seal, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac. You can find these colors in pointed, mitted, or bicolor patterns, but some breeders avoid mitted cats because they look similar to the breed's Birman ancestors.
The Ragdoll's calm personality makes it the best choice for families. These cats are almost dog-like in their demeanor, greeting family members at the door, following them through the house, and snuggling down beside them on the sofa. If you do not believe in de-clawing your cat, but are concerned about having your furniture shredded, you should want to consider this breed as well. Some Ragdoll owners say their cats have learned to use a scratching post instead of furniture arms to sharpen their claws much more quickly than their other cat breeds. Because these cats seem to make an effort to keep from scratching people, as well, they may be less likely to scratch furniture as a choice.
While this cat breed does not need the company of other pets and seems to prefer to spend time with family members over cats, it does not mind habituating with other animals. Perhaps it is because this breed is so much larger than other cats, but it is more likely because the Ragdoll is just so mellow.
Since the Ragdoll is a longhair cat, many prospective cat owners are a bit hesitant about choosing this breed. They are afraid they won't have time for the frequent grooming most longhairs require to have. However, this breed's silky coat texture makes it a very low care cat. Combing through your cat's hair weekly to remove stray hairs or debris is all that is necessary to keep his coat looking fantastic. One thing you may want to remember is that although most longhairs are prone to hairballs, Ragdoll cats rarely develop them.
If you want a sweet-tempered, family oriented animal, then the big Ragdoll may be the best breed for you.
For more info, see Ragdoll and Catbreed. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Birman Cat. Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Iberian Lynx
By Omer Ashraf
The most endangered cat in the world, the Iberian Lynx, is also the most threatened European carnivore. Found solely in Iberian peninsula in Spain, the wild cat is likely to be the first to go extinct among feline species. Closely related but smaller than the Eurasian Lynx, the Iberian Lynx weighs in the range of thirty to sixty pounds with a more cat-like face and distinct skin markings than its European cousin. Rest of the attributes, including prominent facial ruff, short tail, longish legs and tufted ears, are similar to other lynx species.
A solitary hunter and nocturnal predator the Iberian Lynx relies largely on stealth and stalking to bring down prey. It often lays hidden in wait for hours before pouncing on the hunted animal in as few bounds as possible. Chief prey animal is the rabbit, with birds, rodents and hares less commonly taken. In times of desperation, such as these, when the prey base is thin - deer and mouflons are also attacked and killed by the lynx. The ear tufts aid the cat in locating its prey while thick hair on paws enable it to tread on snow and move silently.
Also known as Spanish Lynx, the secretive cat mates at the beginning of the year and cubs are usually born in the months of March and April. Usually three to four babies are born and gain independence at around eight to nine months of age.
For much of history, the Iberian Lynx was a part of Spanish fauna and flora - having a marked influence on the ecosystem. Throughout the last century there has been a steady decline in the cat's population, largely due to loss of its main prey animal - the rabbit - to disease. Other elements like roadside kills, poaching, hunting and habitat destruction with the development of Spanish infrastructure have also played a part. Despite warnings by eminent conservationists in the past decades, little government action has been taken to preserve the lynx or its habitat. With nearly one hundred adults remaining in areas the size of pinpricks on the map of Spain - it is now or never for the Iberian Lynx.
There is the tiniest flicker of hope with birth in captivity of few of these beautiful cats and some incentive shown by authorities in recent times to protect their reserves in the wild. The situation is still critical though and demands swift and sustainable action if the Iberian Lynx is to survive as a specie!
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Iberian Lynx
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
The most endangered cat in the world, the Iberian Lynx, is also the most threatened European carnivore. Found solely in Iberian peninsula in Spain, the wild cat is likely to be the first to go extinct among feline species. Closely related but smaller than the Eurasian Lynx, the Iberian Lynx weighs in the range of thirty to sixty pounds with a more cat-like face and distinct skin markings than its European cousin. Rest of the attributes, including prominent facial ruff, short tail, longish legs and tufted ears, are similar to other lynx species.
A solitary hunter and nocturnal predator the Iberian Lynx relies largely on stealth and stalking to bring down prey. It often lays hidden in wait for hours before pouncing on the hunted animal in as few bounds as possible. Chief prey animal is the rabbit, with birds, rodents and hares less commonly taken. In times of desperation, such as these, when the prey base is thin - deer and mouflons are also attacked and killed by the lynx. The ear tufts aid the cat in locating its prey while thick hair on paws enable it to tread on snow and move silently.
Also known as Spanish Lynx, the secretive cat mates at the beginning of the year and cubs are usually born in the months of March and April. Usually three to four babies are born and gain independence at around eight to nine months of age.
For much of history, the Iberian Lynx was a part of Spanish fauna and flora - having a marked influence on the ecosystem. Throughout the last century there has been a steady decline in the cat's population, largely due to loss of its main prey animal - the rabbit - to disease. Other elements like roadside kills, poaching, hunting and habitat destruction with the development of Spanish infrastructure have also played a part. Despite warnings by eminent conservationists in the past decades, little government action has been taken to preserve the lynx or its habitat. With nearly one hundred adults remaining in areas the size of pinpricks on the map of Spain - it is now or never for the Iberian Lynx.
There is the tiniest flicker of hope with birth in captivity of few of these beautiful cats and some incentive shown by authorities in recent times to protect their reserves in the wild. The situation is still critical though and demands swift and sustainable action if the Iberian Lynx is to survive as a specie!
About the author:
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Iberian Lynx
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com