The American Curl cat is distinguished by its ears and, although it is a relatively young breed, is extremely popular in its home country, but not so much in Europe or other continents. With curved ears and soft appearance, the “loops” are loving and sociable cats who love the company of their family. Want to know more? Discover in this tab of the Breed Animal Expert all about the American Curl cat, its characteristics, its care and its health.
The very recent American Curl cat was developed in California in the 1980s. In 1981, two breeders found a kitten with curved ears and decided to adopt it. In the first litter were born two other specimens with these characteristics ears, one with short hair and one with long hair.
- This new breed with characteristics of small ears caused a “rage”.
- Many were breeders and admirers interested in getting copies of the cat American Curl.
- Due to this fame and the rapid expansion of the breed.
- It was quickly recognized by the official agencies.
- In 1991 the CFA officially recognized it and a little later.
- FIFE published the standards of the breed in 2002.
American Curl cats are medium-sized, weigh between 3 and 5 kg, females are slightly smaller than males, generally between 45 and 50 centimeters and females between 40 and 45 centimeters. Its body is elongated and very muscular, with rectangular silhouettes. The head of these cats is wedge-shaped, being longer than wide, and a rounded snout with a firm chin. Its eyes are large and rounded, usually yellow or green, although, depending on the pattern of the fur, other colors may appear, such as blue.
The ears, the most striking feature of this breed of felines, are very curious because they seem curved, with a more or less pronounced arc that can be between 90 and 180 degrees. One curiosity is that, at the birth of these cats, the ears are straight, curved during the first week of life. In addition, this curvature only becomes permanent when the animal reaches the age of 5 months.
The hair of the breed can have several lengths, although it is always fine and lustrous. The long-haired Curl and short-haired cat can be found, however, both share very different patterns and colors, as all patterns are accepted except for chocolate or cinnamon, including all possible shades.
This breed of cat is very affectionate and quiet. You like to live with humans and other animals, so American Curl is perfect if you have other pets. Of course, they must always be properly socialized. It is also ideal for families with children, as they are funny cats, but at the same time patient and not nervous. You can prepare shared games or let the kids invent them, so that the two have fun before and during these moments of play. They easily adapt to a variety of environments, whether in apartments, houses with grounds or houses with gardens. They are also intelligent and very curious, interested in new and unknown situations.
In the case of medium-haired American Curl, it is necessary to brush it at least once or twice a week to avoid knots, build-up of dirt and detect possible parasites or abnormalities. If you get used to the puppy stage, you can bathe your cat every two months. However, it is important to remember that cats are cleaned on their own. Therefore, in principle, such a procedure is not necessary.
Due to the curious shape of your ears, it is important to pay close attention to their care and maintenance. As curved ears often accumulate more external dirt, it is recommended to periodically clean the cat’s ears with veterinary products for this purpose, which can be purchased at any veterinary clinic or hospital.
Finally, it is important to highlight the importance of choosing the best cat food, either by following the advice of your veterinarian or by looking for quality food on the market. You can also consult the specialist about the possibility of preparing homemade, raw or cooked recipes, always following the recommendations of the veterinarian.
American Curl cats are generally healthy and robust. However, it should be borne in mind that, being a relatively new breed, possible congenital diseases have not yet been detected, as they have not yet been reported. As mentioned, American curls can have medium-length hair and it is in these cases where dangerous hairballs or tricobezoars can occur, which can trigger a number of negative consequences for your feline’s health. To avoid them, it is recommended to brush the cat’s fur regularly or use products such as malt or paraffin oil.
In addition, it will be necessary to visit the veterinarian between 6 and 12 months to ensure good health, in addition to following the vaccination schedule of the cat and deworming it periodically. With all this, we can detect and improve the prognosis of various health problems that can occur in cats.