Description and content of Kurilian Bobtail cats

A cat with a dog character is not a fantasy, but a real breed. Kurilian bobtail combines tenderness, amazing devotion, intelligence and beauty.

The appearance of the breed of Kuril cats is closely connected with japanese bobtail. Their characteristic features are short ponytails, very developed hind legs and an unusual “dancing” gait. These cats have long been considered living mascots, bringing prosperity and happiness to the house.

In the twentieth century, the active development of the Kuril Islands began. Russian settlers brought with them pets that could not help making friends with local animals. After a while, from the cross of Siberian and Eastern cats, charming representatives of a new breed appeared. Short-tailed Siberian beauties received new traits inherent only to them. This is a thicker coat and strong physique.

The genes of Siberian parents had a special influence on the appearance of cats. From the "Japanese" the new breed received only a neat tail, resembling a fluffy pompom.

The harsh Kuril climate contributed to the rapid adaptation of the new breed. Cats have acquired excellent immunity and chic thick fur. Also, the conditions contributed to the development of their agility and hunting instinct. At first, animals simply were pets, protecting a person’s house from rodents, but when they began to take them to the mainland, other people began to be interested in the breed. At the end of the twentieth century, the excellent breed characteristics of the bobtail were appreciated and breeders began to develop standards.

Kurilian Bobtail is a charming creature. These cats are medium in size, but they are strong and muscular. Males, of course, are larger, and often the weight of an adult cat reaches 8-9 kg. As for the females, the largest of them weigh no more than 5.5 kg.

To date, certain standards of pedigree traits have been established. Let's consider them in more detail.

• Head. Animals have a rather large muzzle. The forehead is round, the cheeks are expressive, the chin is massive, the nose is neat. The eyes are beautiful, almond-shaped, large, usually yellow or green. Ears are triangular, wide, densely pubescent on the inside.
• Tail. A short tail is the hallmark of thoroughbred individuals. Outwardly, it resembles a fluffy brush. The length is usually from 3 to 12 cm. The number of vertebrae varies from 2 to 10. Bobtail tails are very mobile, according to legend, they helped wild individuals cling to branches during fishing, eliminating the risk of falling into the water.
• Torso. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by a compact physique. The chest is well developed, the hips are often slightly raised.
• Limbs. The paws of such cats are rounded, wide, powerful. Typically, the hind limbs are longer than the forelimbs.
• Wool. Bobtail fur is thick and dense. The coat is usually medium or short. Especially fluffy are the back and "panties" on the hind legs. In individuals with a long woolen coat, the neck is decorated with a luxurious “collar”. This breed almost does not shed, with the exception of the period when the children's fur changes to an adult.

There are several varieties of bobtail by their color. According to the standard, several options are allowed:

• striped - a classic version of the color;
• ash gray;
• tortoiseshell;
• black - such specimens are considered rare and very valuable;
• red - a common option;
• snow-white – individuals of white color usually have a standard greenish-yellow shade of eyes, but incredibly beautiful cats with blue eyes are sometimes found.

White spots on a cat's fur coat with any shade of wool are acceptable. Most often, light spots are located on the chest and paws in the form of socks. Sometimes there are other color options.

If you want to not only get a cute pet, but to get a faithful friend in it, the Kurilian Bobtail is the breed for you. Cats not only look charming, but also differ sociability, patience and friendly character. Animals, like dogs, become attached to their owners, miss them at the moments of their absence.

Short-tailed pets adore children. They allow you to play with yourself, stroke and squeeze, absolutely not expressing any discontent. Such cats are wonderful parents, they are very touching to take care of their babies.

With other four-legged inhabitants of the house (cats, dogs), the Bobtail will easily find a common language. True, it is possible that he will seek to dominate, expressing his superiority. As for hamsters, domestic rats and birds, it is better not to get them if a representative of the Kuril breed lives in your house. The same goes for the fish in the aquarium.

Congenital hunting instinct will tempt the cat to hunt for seductive live food. Activity and dexterity are inherent in all short-tailed fluffy pets. They cleverly climb onto cabinets and shelves, so it’s better to remove all objects that could fall and break from accessible places.

Kuril Bobtail is very talkative. Moreover, they do not just meow, but make a whole set of sounds with different intonations. The meowing of such four-legged pets can resemble grunts, tweets of a bird or even dog barking.

The similarity of these interesting cats with dogs is manifested in other nuances. For example, they try to protect their masters. Bobtails are always happy accompany a person and even often sleep nearby, thus showing their care.

Representatives of this breed have high intelligence. Kittens quickly learn to walk in the tray. At any age, these animals behave themselves with dignity, they rarely sharpen claws on the upholstery of furniture, do not ride curtains.

The most amazing thing is that such cats easy to train. They can be taught to carry out the “aport” command, stand on their hind legs, and overcome obstacles. For training, it is worth choosing a game form. Teams must be given clearly, and success must be rewarded with a treat. It is enough to give classes 10-15 minutes a day.

Representatives of this breed usually survive. up to 12 years old. Some centenarians reach the age of 17. The life cycle of an animal is affected not only by genetic factors. This is due to how well the cat owner cares for her. High-quality nutrition, the availability of clean water, lack of stress, timely medical care if necessary - all this can extend the life of the bobtail and make it more enjoyable.

Newborn kittens of this breed weigh from 90 to 150 g. The development of females lasts up to 2 years. By this time they can reach weight 4-5.5 kg. Male representatives develop up to 3 years. Adult cat weight varies from 6 to 9 kg.

If you follow the change in indicators in stages, then by 2 months the kitten can weigh 1.5 kg. At 4 months, the cat’s body weight can reach 2.5 kg. After 5 months, weight gain is no longer so fast.

After three weeks of age, the color of the eyes begins to change in kittens. During this period, it is already worth it to carefully trim the pet's claws. If there are several kittens, they can accidentally scratch each other.

The fourth week is the beginning of complementary foods. At this time, it is imperative to provide small cats with clean water. Now it’s already possible to start accustoming kids to the toilet. It is important to consider that the filler must be mineral. Coming together and silica gel options are not suitable, because thoughtless kittens try everything new to taste.

Monthly animals can already see and hear. They stand confidently, walk and even run. In the fifth (first time) and seventh week (second time) anthelminthic treatment of animals is carried out. When the kids reach the age of two months, they are given the first vaccination.

Three or four month old kittens can be taken to a new home. They can already do without mom, kittens eat, drink, learn the world around them on their own. A second shot should be given by this time.

At the age of eight months, the fluffy ends the change of teeth. Active growth is also coming to an end. This is an ideal period for sterilizing an animal. If the owner does not plan to breed cats, it is better to carry out the operation, saving the pet from problems in the future.

It is important not to miss this period. An adult animal with established habits can poorly perceive sterilization both physically and mentally.

When the Bobtail is one year old, another antihelminthic preventive treatment is performed. After this, the pet is transferred to an adult feed. Also at this time they make the mandatory comprehensive vaccination. Short-tailed handsome man can be shown at exhibitions after he reaches 10 months.

Cats of the Kuril breed are generally unpretentious. They need standard care. These animals do not mark the territory, which undoubtedly pleases the owners. In addition, they are odorless, which also facilitates the maintenance of pets.

The main thing is to equip a cozy corner for the cat. It’s great if this is not just a bed, but a whole game complex. You also need to buy a tray in advance, containers for feed and water, toys. Do not ignore a special clawing point.

• Combing. A short fur coat of the animal should be combed periodically, 1-2 times a week. To do this, you can use a mitten made of rubber or silicone. If the fur is long, you may need a special brush and a comb with large teeth.

It is impossible to ignore the combing process. Otherwise, the pet may begin to have dermatological problems. Twice a year you should do grooming.

• Bathing. Surprisingly, short-tailed cats are very fond of water procedures. They splash with pleasure both in natural ponds and in the bathroom. Often washing a four-legged pet is optional. Usually this is done as necessary: ​​if the coat is dirty or before the upcoming exhibition.

Pre-wool is treated with a disinfecting paste. When bathing use special shampoo. Too often use detergent is not recommended. It can dry the skin and make the animal’s fur dull. After water procedures, the animal is briefly wrapped in a soft towel or a hair dryer is used for drying.

• Hearing care. It is necessary to periodically inspect the ears of the pet. If contaminants are found, they should be removed with a cotton swab and antiseptic. This should be done as carefully as possible, without diving the subject deeply. Also Do not use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-containing drugs.

Long hair that grows on the inside of a cat’s ears should be trimmed. This will reduce the accumulation of secretory fluid.

• Eye cleansing. To do this, use a soft cloth. Previously, it needs to be moistened with eye drops for animals.

• Tooth cleaning. To save the pet from plaque and prevent inflammation, you should purchase a special paste and brush in a specialized store. Also on sale there are special goodies that help cleanse the teeth and oral cavity of the animal.

• The arrangement of the toilet. It is better to choose a tray with high sides. Cats of the Kuril breed especially actively bury "their affairs." Therefore, the filler can fly around the room.

Ideal conditions for the Kurilian Bobtail - a private house, where there is a lot of space. However, such a cat can be kept in the apartment. The pet will be happy to go out with the owner to nature, go fishing. In this case, it is important to regularly inspect the cat's fur coat so as not to miss the possible appearance of fleas, ticks or other insects.

The diet of a short-tailed pet should be balanced. We list the products that should be included in the Kuril Bobtail menu if the owner decided to feed the pet with natural food:

• raw meat - the basis of the home predator menu;
• offal offers cats boiled;
• boiled fish is included in the diet no more than 2 times a week, it is preferable to use low-fat varieties;
• eggs (yolk) can be given 1 time in 3 days;
• dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt) are more useful for adult cats than plain milk;
• cereals (except for millet and rice) perfectly complement meat, cereals from them are boiled in water;
• boiled and raw vegetables - a valuable source of fiber, before serving, they are pre-crushed.

If you decide to feed your cat industrial food, then choose high-quality premium or super-premium class options. The main components should be meat and offal. Mixed meals are allowed but not recommended. It is impossible to combine dry food and natural food in one feeding. Regardless of the type of feeding, a bowl of clean water should always be available to the pet.

Pouring liquid from the tap is not worth the cat. It is better to give your pet bottled or filtered water. Do not forget about fresh weed. All cats love greens. It saturates the animal’s body with vitamins, improves its well-being and mood.

Kurilian Bobtail hails from places with a harsh climate. Such animals are not afraid of wind and frost, they distinguished by good health and good immunity. However, cats can still be exposed to diseases of the intestines, genitourinary system, and kidneys. This is especially evident in old age. Mature individuals may experience visual impairment, dental problems.

If you notice a health disorder in your pet, then in this case it is better not to start the situation. Many diseases can be successfully treated in the early stages. In addition, it is important from an early age to pay attention to the condition of the animal, to monitor its proper nutrition. At the first alarming symptoms, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and so on, you should contact a veterinarian. It is necessary to timely vaccinate, undergo regular veterinary examinations, and perform mandatory preventive treatment for helminths.

Kurilian Bobtail is a wonderful breed. Your furry pet will not let you get bored. Remember that a pet is a big responsibility. Take care of the cat, show her your love, take care of her well-being. Then a smart, kind and curious animal will certainly answer you with devotion and tenderness.

You will learn even more interesting information about Kurilian Bobtail from the next video.