Cats are probably the most popular pets today. Originally valued for their inbred ability to hunt down various household pests such as mice and cockroaches, cats also offer warm and affectionate company to their owners. In 1987, cats surpassed dogs as the number one pet in the United States (about 50 million cats resided in 24 million households in 1986) and approximately 37% of American households today have at least one cat. The domestication of cats was believed to have originated in ancient Egypt around 3000 BC. C., where cats were also venerated as sacred animals. Different breeds of house cats come in various sizes. Some pet owners prefer small kittens, while others prefer large domesticated cat breeds.
When choosing domestic cats, one must take into account the characteristics of the breeds in addition to their size. These are just a few of the great domestic cat breeds that are popular with cat lovers.
The Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is native to the state of Maine in the US, where it is also the official state cat. It is one of the largest breeds of domestic cats where males can weigh between 13 and 18 pounds (5.9 and 8.2 kg) on average, and females between 8 and 12 pounds (3.6 and 5.4 kg). ). In 2006, a purebred male Maine Coon was named the “Longest Cat” by Guinness World Records. It is 48 inches (120 cm) long, from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, and weighs 35 pounds (16 kg).
The Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin is a long-haired domestic cat. Ragamuffins are fairly large cats: females weigh between 10 and 15 pounds (4.54 to 6.80 kg) and males between 15 and 20 pounds (6.80 to 9.07 kg). Ragamuffins are notable for their sweet, friendly personalities and soft, rabbit-like fur. They are adoptable from four months of age, but do not reach full maturity until around four years of age. The Ragamuffin is an expensive breed and costs can range from $ 900 to $ 1,200 per kitten.
The Ocicat
The Ocicat is a completely domestic breed of cat that resembles a “wild” cat but does not have wild blood. It is named for its resemblance to the ocelot, which is a wild cat. The ocicatos are a very outgoing breed. They are often considered to have the spirit of a dog in the body of a cat. Most can be easily trained to fetch, walk on a leash and harness, come when called, speak, sit and lie down when ordered. On average, ocicats weigh about 12.1 pounds or 5.5 kilograms.
The Turkish Pickup
The Turkish van is a large cat, with medium-long hair and the body of a swimmer. The cat is moderately long and its hind legs are slightly longer than its front legs. The coat is the most fascinating trait of this cat. The only semi-long coat of water resistant hair is thick in winter but very soft, like rabbit fur or cashmere. During the spring and summer months, when it is very hot, the long body hair is shed for a shorter coat that retains the cashmere feel. Male Vans grow to around 16 pounds (7.3 kg), while female Vans tend to be slightly lighter, at 12 to 14 pounds (5.4 to 6.4 kg). Vans, due to their fine fur, are hypoallergenic cats. They are considered excellent pets for people with allergies.
Pixie-Bobs
Pixie-Bobs are a completely domestic breed of cat bred to resemble the North American lynx. Pixie-Bobs are a large breed, with males reaching 18 pounds (8 kg) and females reaching 14 pounds (6 kg). The body of the Pixie-Bob is robust and solid. Pixie-Bobs are also the only polydactyl breed recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA). These cats can have six to seven toes on each foot.
These large domestic cat breeds are just a few of those available for pets. It is important to take note of the qualities of the cat breed before deciding which ones to adopt, as this would significantly affect the way we care for them. Knowing this could help us make things a lot easier for us pet owners as we move forward in our endeavor to raise our pets.
