Highland cats review

Many pet lovers think about exoticism and dream of having a miniature predator in their apartment. These include highland cats. These are beautiful independent animals with a patterned coat color (tabby). Despite the predatory appearance, the pets are quite affectionate and loyal. Highlander is divided into short-haired and long-haired.

This British breed has pleased breeders relatively recently. Specialists began work on the removal of highlander in the early 90s of the last century. Unusual pet was born by crossing desert lynx and hybrid jungle curl. Thus, the breeders tried not to lose the predatory spotted color of the animal.

The features of this breed are as follows.

1. Ears sticking up (the tips are bent inward). In small kittens, curl is pronounced.
2. Strong torso with strong muscles.
3. A round head with expressive, slanting eyes. Their colors are diverse: from greenish-gold to blue.
4. Extremities of medium length. The hind legs are longer than the front.
5. Short, thick tail (up to 3 cm).
6. Large paws with pronounced knuckles. For this breed, polydactyly is characteristic (the number of fingers exceeds the norm).

The weight of the highlander varies from 5 to 9 kg. Naturally, males are larger than females. Shorthair and longhair cats are found. The former have shiny fur that fits snugly against the body. Owners of long hair have a movable long tail.Highlander color is unusual and “predatory”. The following varieties can be distinguished.

1. Classical marble.
2. Spotted. The pattern is scattered throughout the body and has different sizes and shapes.
3. Tiger (mackerel). It is characterized by the presence of dark stripes on the sides.

Drawings on the face and forehead of a pet is a typical tabby. Legs and short tail are covered with dark stripes. Note that according to the TICA standard, the color of a cat is determined by the color of the undercoat. For example, if the animal’s fur visually looks black with a silver tint, and the undercoat is dark brown, then the color of the pet is still considered brown.

Cats of this breed, despite the "wild" genetics, are quite peaceful and gentle. They are very attached to small households and do not show aggression. There is no jealousy and malice in them. They calmly respond to other pets (parrots, rabbits and reptiles).

Highlander's favorite pastime is attracting the attention of others with fun antics. Fluffy "clowns" are very curious and are constantly exploring new places. Despite the mischievous disposition, highlanders are easy to educate and quickly remember various teams. They quickly get used to the toilet and love to walk on a leash. Pets are not very talkative and prefer to express emotions in other ways. For example, they wag a short tail or the ingratiating look into the eyes of the owner.

Many breeders are of the opinion that highlanders have canine-like devotion. They are very smart and instantly respond to a name. Highlander is an active cat, but at the same time he won’t be happy to run through the curtains.

The owner should carefully prepare for the appearance of a kitten of this breed in the house. It's about acquiring a tray. Fluffy babies are quite large and playful, so they are likely to play with backfill for the toilet. A great solution would be to buy a tray with a grill. The product will not allow the kitten to distribute the filler throughout the apartment and will be the safest for young animals.

Best for Highlanders wood or corn mixture for the toilet.

A pet should not be placed on the owner’s bed. Joint sleep is not safe for a kitten. The breeder can harm the animal by accident.

The independent nature of this breed begins to manifest itself from childhood, so a kitten must be educated and accustomed to order. A fluffy baby should clearly understand what he can and cannot do. Highlanders are distinguished by their excellent appetite, but they should never be overfed. Super-premium dry food is suitable for your pet. If the breeder makes a choice in favor of natural feeding (the obligatory presence of a large amount of protein), then he needs to remember about supplements that contain vital vitamins and minerals.

Note that mixing dry food and natural products is highly undesirable for this breed. In addition to food, miniature "predators" need a plentiful drink. Water should be fresh, clean and in the public domain. An excellent adaptation for a grown-up cat will be a game complex and some interesting toys.

The long-haired breed species needs to be thoroughly combed out more often than its short-haired relatives. Bathe the cat as needed (every 2 weeks). The same situation is with the claws of the animal. They are cut off when they begin to interfere with the movement of the pet. The animal needs to brush teeth regularly (1-2 times a week). The owner is required to monitor the cleanliness of the ears and eyes of the cat. With abundant discharge from the cat's eyes, it is necessary to promptly show the veterinarian.

Highlanders, like any cats, need a lifelong annual vaccination, treatment for parasites and proper nutrition.The life expectancy of animals is 14-16 years. Despite the fact that the breed is quite strong and hardy, certain diseases are inherent in highlander. For example, cats can suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system. In addition, they are physiologically disposed to the formation of tartar. Thus, the care of the pet's oral cavity should be especially thorough.

Also, representatives of the breed are prone to obesity and are prone to allergic reactions. There will be no such health problems if the breeder takes care of the proper nutrition of the cat. Note that an allergic reaction causes contact with a synthetic litter or a toy. All materials must be environmentally friendly, without perfumes and dyes.

Undoubtedly, the pet must be regularly shown to a specialist. Also, an attentive owner should alert the unnatural behavior of the animal. For example, a playful naughty starts to move a little, does not have an interest in food and sleeps most of the time.

All about the Highland cat breed, see the next video.