Similar in appearance to Bobcat, since both have a typically short tail, Pixie-bob cats are here to stay. Born in the New World, these American kittens in particular are called by many “cat dogs”, due to their affable personality and incredible fidelity.
With a relatively recent appearance and an uncertain origin, what we know about Pixie-bob is that they have earned the affection and admiration of all those who have been able to spend time with them. Want to know more about these cute kittens? Well, here at Animal Expert, let’s share all the features of the Pixie-bob chat!
- The Pixie-bob breed is one of the feline races of the Americas.
- Specifically.
- Its origin is in a mountainous area of Washington.
- Known as the Cascade Mountains and its appearance is in the late 1960s.
These kittens were born naturally, without human intervention, so it is not clear which specific breeding allowed the birth of the first specimen of the breed. After numerous examinations, experts suggested it was the result of crosses between the American wild lynx, wild cats and domestic cats.
Interestingly the history of Pixie-bob, it can be said that the first cat of the breed was called Pixie, which is why the breed was called pPxia-bob, mixing the name of this precursor with the prefix of Bobcat. Whatever the right crossing, the fact is that the breed was recognized by the CFA in 1998.
Pixie-bob cats are medium to large in size, with an average weight of 5 kg, although most specimens weigh about 4 kg, with males being slightly larger than females. These cats have a very slow maturation since their full development is not given until the age of four, and the normal in the rest of breeds of cats is to have a complete growth at the age of 1 year.
The Pixie-bob cat has a body with a strong bone structure and muscles, elongated and usually with short tail, although there are specimens that do not have tail or do not have a long tail and always thick. The head of the Pixie-bob is long, with a prominent forehead and a strong jaw. The eyes are medium and oval, with a color to match that of the fur. Its ears have wide, rounded ends, with tufts similar to those of the lynx.
The fur of an elf is short, dense and abundant, with woolly and waterproof hair. The colors cover different shades of brown and reddish, with spots to tone with the main color.
One of the most relevant features of Pixie-bob is its special personality, because that’s what makes it so appreciated. These kittens are very friendly and affectionate, so they consider them the ideal cat for families with children, as they are very affectionate and patient. Thus, there is no reason to fear that conflicts will occur between themselves and the smallest in the house.
One of the things to pay attention to when taking care of the Pixie-bob cat is to do daily exercises. Although they are not nervous cats, they are active, so you need to make sure they can exercise every day. You can play or prepare toys of different types to entertain yourself, such as ideas for search games or intelligence games. In this sense, preparing a proper environmental enrichment, providing claw poles from different heights and different toys are more than recommended to incentivize this exercise practice and stimulate the mind at the same time.
As for the care of the fur of the Pixie-bob, you must brush it once a week to make it beautiful and tidy, avoiding the accumulation of hairs that can cause the formation of hairballs in your cat’s digestive system. It is also necessary to offer a healthy and balanced diet, in addition to ensuring that fresh and clean water is always available. In addition, you should keep your ears, mouth and ears clean and be alert to any changes.
Due to the natural origin of the Pixie-bob breed, this cat is healthy, but of course that does not mean that it is immune to everything. Diseases typical of the breed have not yet been detected, however, a number of genetic abnormalities can affect it, although due to its recent appearance and its consolidation as a breed, it is necessary to wait a while to affirm its tendency to suffer. with them.
Some of them are endometrial dystocia or cystic hyperplasia, which affect the female reproductive system making it difficult to deliver and reproduce. Another condition that seems common in Pixie-bob cats is cryptorchidism, which occurs when one of the testicles does not develop or develop inguinal hernias. Finally, it appears that the Pixie-bob cat is more likely to suffer heart disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which consists of a thickening of the cardio muscle for no apparent reason.
To detect any of the conditions mentioned, the most important thing is to visit the veterinarian periodically to carry out periodic check-ups that allow you to know the health of your cat, being able to detect any changes as quickly as possible. If you offer him all the care he needs, you give him all his love and, in general, a good quality of life, the Pixie-bob cat can live to 20 years.