Category: cat-breed-variation

Ragdoll cats are beautiful felines famous for their size and floppiness. They are not the most energetic animals, but they are quite friendly and tend to be affectionate and laidback.

This makes them wonderful family pets because they can be playful but will also stick to their humans like Velcro.

Breed Overview

Flame Point Ragdolls, also called Red Ragdolls, are gorgeous, loving cats with luxurious medium to long fur. Flame point is just one color variation of the Ragdoll. They can also be seal, chocolate, lilac, cream, fawn, cinnamon, and blue. This breed is quite large, with some cats weighing up to 20 pounds!

Flame Point Ragdolls have a creamy white body with red points, which means they have reddish-colored fur on the face, tail, legs, and ears. The points can range from a light orange to a deep fiery red.

Ragdoll Cat Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Ragdolls in History

Ragdolls were developed in 1963 by Ann Baker in Riverside, California. Ann was breeding a specific cat at the time, a kind of experimental Persian, when she noticed that a white Angora-type cat by the name of Josephine had given birth to unique kittens. They craved human affection, were calm, and had coats that didn’t mat. They also went limp when someone picked them up.

These are all the characteristics of the Ragdoll that we know today. Ann took three kittens and started line breeding them to lock in those traits, and the resulting offspring were called Ragdolls.

Other than Josephine, the three cats that led to the Ragdoll were Daddy Warbucks, a seal point-mitted male; Fugianna, a seal bicolor cat; and Buckwheat, a black furry cat.

How Ragdolls Gained Popularity

Six years after the origins of these cats, the first Ragdolls were sold in 1969 to Laura and Denny Dayton, who started breeding the cats, which is where today’s Ragdolls can trace their ancestry. Unfortunately, Ann decided that she wanted total control of the Ragdoll breed. Over time, breeders of the Ragdoll stopped working with her.

The Daytons continued to breed Ragdolls from the original lines until the ‘80s. The Daytons were pivotal in the history of these cats and created the standards for the breed today.

Formal Recognition of Ragdolls

Ann Baker established the International Ragdoll Cat Association in 1971, which set out strict rules on the breeding of this cat. But the Daytons formed their own association, known as the Ragdoll Fanciers Club International (RFC), in 1975.

Ragdolls were formally recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1993, but The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized the Ragdoll as early as 1979.

It was in 2006 when the RFC added the red gene for both registration and championship status. The red pointed color of the Ragdoll is also a part of the standardization of the breed in the CFA and TICA.

 

Top 10 Unique Facts About Flame Point Ragdoll

1. Flame Point Ragdolls are born all white. The orange and red points slowly appear as they age, typically when they are adolescents or adults.
2. Flame Point is somewhat of a rare color for Ragdolls but is quite popular. The rarest is lilac, followed by chocolate and red. In any case, these cats may not be easy to find.
3. All Ragdolls have blue eyes, so if you find one that doesn’t have blue eyes, they’re not a Ragdoll but likely a mixed breed.
4. Ragdolls were named as such because of their tendency to go limp in your arms when you pick them up.
5. Ragdolls all have medium to long fur but don’t tend to mat as much as other cats with long hair.
6. They are often referred to as “puppy cats” because they tend to follow their people around and will even play fetch.
7. Ragdolls are often the size of a small dog. When you add in that fluffy coat, they can weigh up to (and sometimes over) 20 pounds. These cats are big!
8. They are a quiet breed and are not known for being chatty.
9. Ragdolls are slow growers compared to other breeds and are not fully grown until they are about 4 years of age.
10. They are among the longest-living cats out there, with an average lifespan of between 15 and 20 years. Keep in mind that this life expectancy is for indoor cats only.

Does the Flame Point Ragdoll Make a Good Pet?

Flame Point Ragdolls, or any other Ragdoll cat, absolutely make excellent pets! They are fantastic with children and other pets, including dogs. They are gentle and relaxed but still playful enough to entertain the kids.

Just keep in mind that these cats are laidback and not that talkative, so you’ll want to find another breed if that isn’t your cup of tea. They can sometimes act almost dog-like with their love of playing fetch, and they are friendly and intelligent.

Ragdolls need a fair amount of grooming because of their semi-long plush coats, but they might only require brushing about once a week with a stainless-steel comb. You should also do the usual trimming of the nails every few weeks and brush their teeth a few times a week.

Conclusion

The Flame Point Ragdoll is a beautiful cat that makes a loving companion suitable for most families. Their unique way of flopping when you pick them up and those blue eyes make them popular cats, and they are also loyal and loving.

Since they are so people oriented, they need someone to be home with them most of the time. This way, they get all the attention and love that they deserve. So, if you decide to get yourself a Flame Point Ragdoll, you’re in for one of the best pets that you’ve ever had!

---

Featured Image Credit: Carolyn R, Shutterstock

The post Flame Point Ragdoll Cat: Pictures, Facts & History appeared first on Pet Keen.

The Tortie Maine Coon is a Maine Coon cat with a tortoiseshell pattern. The gorgeous bicolor design and long hair make the Tortie Maine Coon a unique feline that looks like no other. They are lovable, loyal, independent, gentle, and mischievous.

If you’re looking for a cat that you don’t have to spend all day with but who will curl up in your cat to watch TV when it feels like it, the Tortie Maine Coon is for you. We’ll provide you with a few pictures, facts, and history about the exceptional Tortie Maine Coon below.

Breed Overview

The Tortie Maine Coon isn’t a separate breed; it is simply a Maine Coon with a genetic mutation that gives it the “tortoiseshell coloring.” Despite merely having a different coloration, tortoiseshell cats tend to have personality differences from those without the bicolor pattern, creating an independent, loving, and mischievous feline.

Tortie Maine Coon Breed Characteristics

The Earliest Records of the Tortie Maine Coon in History

We don’t actually know where the Maine Coon comes from. We know the breed originated in Maine and is the US’s oldest native cat breed, but the ancestors of the Maine Coon remain a mystery. Although they are basically guesswork, there are two theories.

The first theory is that they descended from Norwegian forest cats that were brought over by the first American settlers to New England. The second and far more interesting theory is that they descend from Marie Antoinette’s cats brought to America as part of a plan to break her out of prison.

So, the story goes that after the French royal family attempted to flee from the royal palace in Paris to escape the French Revolution, they were arrested and imprisoned. Royalists concocted a scheme to smuggle the royal family out of the country to America, which most likely would’ve granted them asylum since King Louis funded the American Revolution. A ship called “The Sally” was docked and preparing to head back to Maine, and Captain Clough was willing to take the royal family with it.

The royal family never made it to the ship as they were executed first, but some suggest that a few of Marie Antoinette’s Turkish Angoras may have been on the boat and sailed to Maine.

How the Tortie Maine Coon Gained Popularity

The Maine Coon gained popularity very quickly by being a standout in many cats shows across the nation, including the very first. The first cat show in the United States of America was won by a Maine Coon named “Cosey” in 1895. This, along with their unique and striking appearance, quickly made the Maine Coon a favorite of the American people.

Despite the breed’s popularity waning in the early 20^th century, due to the popularity of the Persian, they made a full recovery in the 1950s and haven’t stopped since.

Formal Recognition of the Tortie Maine Coon

The first mention of a Maine Coon was in 1861, but it would take a long time for the breed to be recognized. The first Maine Coon club, the Central Maine Cat Club, wasn’t set up until 1950. The Central Maine Cat Club helped the Maine Coon regain the popularity it had begun to lose 50 years earlier but was dissolved in 1960.

In 1968, another club known as the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed and continued promoting and preserving the breed. The breed was finally recognized by The Cat Fanciers Association in 1975 and then by The International Cat Association in 1979.

Top 4 Unique Facts About the Tortie Maine Coon

1. Male Tortoiseshell Cats are Extremely Rare

Only 1 out of every 3,000 tortoiseshell cats is male, and they’re usually sterile. Add to that the fact that Maine Coons aren’t the only cat that can have the tortoiseshell pattern, and a male Tortie Maine Coon is even rarer.

---

2. Edgar Allan Poe Owned a Tortoiseshell Cat

Famed writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe owned two cats, one of which was a Siamese and the other a tortoiseshell cat named “Catarina.”

---

3. Maine Coons Like Water

It’s common knowledge that cats hate water, but the Maine Coon is the exception. They have water-resistant fur, are strong swimmers, and many seek out the water.

---

4. Argus Filch’s Cat was a Maine Coon

The caretaker’s cat from the Harry Potter series, Mrs. Norris, was a Maine Coon.

Does the Tortie Maine Coon Make a Good Pet?

The Tortie Maine Coon, like most tortoiseshell cats, is fiercely independent and mischievous, so if you want a docile lap cat, you’re looking in the wrong place. The Tortie Maine Coon makes a perfect pet for an adventurous owner who wants a cat that doesn’t require constant attention but is still loving and loyal.

The Maine Coon is also an easy cat to look after because of its independence, but it requires daily grooming to prevent tangling and mats in its coat. It may be too large and energetic to live with young children but gets along with older children and other pets.

Conclusion

The Tortie Maine Coon makes a great pet, though it is pretty independent. If you’re looking for a loving cat that never fails to entertain you, the Tortie Maine Coon is the right breed for you. It doesn’t mind spending time alone and rarely suffers from separation anxiety, but because of its thick fluffy coat, it requires daily grooming to keep its fur healthy and shiny.

---

Featured Image Credit: Akifyeva S, Shutterstock

The post Tortie Maine Coon: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures) appeared first on Pet Keen.

Savannah Cats are generally rare, but what’s even rarer is the Black Savannah Cat. Black Savannah Cats are a type of Savannah Cat that have black coats with black spots and tail rings that are usually only visible in good lighting.

These mysterious cats are difficult to find, so consider yourself lucky if you come across one. Black Savannah Cats are a relatively new breed, so there’s still much to discover and learn about them. Here’s what we know so far about these beautiful cats.

Breed Overview

Black is a color for Savannah Cats that’s recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA)¹. Other than color, Black Savannah Cats don’t have particularly distinguishable traits from Savannah Cats with other coat colors. Their temperaments don’t tend to deviate from the breed temperament, so you can expect caring for them to be similar to other Savannah Cats.

Black Savannah Cat Characteristics

The Earliest Records of the Black Savannah Cat in History

The Savannah Cat is a relatively new cat breed that’s a cross between a wild African Serval and a domestic cat. The first recorded Savannah Cat was born on April 7th, 1986. This kitten had an African Serval parent and a Siamese Cat parent, and she was given the name, “Savannah.”

After the birth of Savannah, breeders by the name of Patrick Kelley and Joyce Sroufe decided to work together to develop a new cat breed. They initiated a Savannah cat breeding program, and more breeders eventually joined the movement and helped to boost the appearance of more Savannah cats in the 1990s.

How the Black Savannah Cat Gained Popularity

Black Savannah Cats started to become popular due to their exotic looks. They were a more friendly and manageable option than exotic wild cats, like bobcats and lynxes. So, they became a sought-after option for people who wanted to care for a cat with an exotic appearance but didn’t have the means, resources, and experience to care for an actual wild cat.

Many people are also drawn to rare pets. It’s already difficult to breed Savannah Cats because African Servals and domestic cats have different breeding seasons and mating behaviors. On top of that, Black Savannah Cats are even rarer because their coat type is caused by an uncontrollable gene mutation. So, they became more popular as they’re more difficult to produce than Savannah Cats with the typical brown and black spotted tabby coats.

Formal Recognition of the Black Savannah Cat

Breeders Kelley and Sroufe began the movement of establishing breeding programs for Savannah Cats, and they developed the breed standards that are used by The International Cat Association (TICA) today. More Savannah Cat litters started appearing in the 1990s, and TICA eventually accepted them for registration in 2001. Savannah Cats recently received Championship status in 2012, and the black coat is an accepted color that’s listed in the breed standards.

A non-profit organization by the name of the Savannah Cat Association was created to protect and preserve the breed and provide education to the public². This association also provides information on ethical breeding practices and has a registry of reputable and vetted Savannah Cat breeders.

Top 3 Unique Facts About the Black Savannah Cat

1. There are several generations of Black Savannah Cats

Breeders often breed different generations of Black Savannah Cats. You can tell the generation of a Black Savannah Cat by the prefix of the letter F and then a number following it. For example, if you see an F1 Black Savannah Cat, it means that this cat has one African Serval parent and one domestic cat parent. An F2 Black Savannah Cat has an African Serval grandparent.

As you move down the generations, the Black Savannah Cats will have less African serval in their DNA. Black Savannah Cats also tend to get smaller as you go further down the generations. They tend to adopt more docile and friendly personalities due to having a higher percentage of domestic cat in their genetic makeup.

---

2. Black Savannah Cats get their coat color from a recessive gene mutation

Black Savannah Cats are especially difficult to breed because their coat color comes from a genetic mutation. This gene mutation is often referred to as melanism. It causes the overproduction of melanin, which causes a darker coat color. This is why Black Savannah Cats are also known as Melanistic Savannah Cats.

---

3. Black Savannah Cats are illegal to keep as pets in certain states

Some states don’t allow F1 and F2 Black Savannah Cats as pets:

Other states may allow F1 Black Savannah Cats if you obtain a permit. Most states will allow Black Savannah Cats to live in homes as pets if they’re in the F4 generation and later generations.

While each state has its own rules on permitting Black Savannah Cats as pets, local municipalities may have more specific and stricter rules. For example, the state may allow the care of Black Savannah Cats as pets, but a county within the state still may not allow them in its neighborhoods. So, it’s important to check with your local municipality before bringing home a Black Savannah Cat.

Does the Black Savannah Cat Make a Good Pet?

Black Savannah Cats can be wonderful pets. They’re known to be loyal to their families without being too shy or aloof around strangers. These cats can grow to large sizes and be highly active, so they’re best suited for experienced cat owners. They’re very intelligent and get bored easily. So, if they don’t have healthy outlets to let out their energy, they can quickly get into trouble and get into your cupboards and pantry and destroy furniture.

Because of their large size and energy, Black Savannah Cats tend to do best in single-family homes with ample amounts of space. Smaller Black Savannah Cats of later generations usually have an easier time adjusting to apartment life.

Conclusion

Overall, Black Savannah Cats are beautiful and mysterious. They come in several different generations, and their temperaments may vary based on which generation they’re in.

If you’re interested in bringing home a Black Savannah Cat and have experience with caring for cats and understanding their behaviors, you may want to consider bringing home an F1 or F2 Black Savannah Cat. If you’re a new cat owner, an F4 or later generation of Black Savannah Cats is probably a better fit for you. These cats are truly wonderful and unique, and they deserve the respect and adequate care that ensure that they live long and happy lives.

---

Featured Image Credit: kuban_girl, Shutterstock

The post Black Savannah Cat: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures) appeared first on Pet Keen.