The smallest breed of cats in the world is characterized by its affectionate and human-related nature. Since it does not like to be alone, it should ideally be kept with someone of its own species. Although the Singapura is a very enterprising and lively pedigree cat, it usually gets along well with housing. However, it is important that there are enough opportunities for climbing and playing. If the Singapura occasionally has the opportunity to retreat to its cuddly cave in peace, it is also happy to have children in the household.

With a maximum weight of three kilograms, the Singapura is not only very light but also the smallest breed of cats in the world.

Although their name suggests otherwise, the origin of the petite cat breed has not yet been clearly established. It was initially assumed that the three breeding stock cats of the Singapura were exported from Singapore to the USA in the 1970s. Today, however, it is assumed that the velvet paws were first brought to Singapore from the USA and then re-imported back to the USA at a later date.

Although Americans Tommy and Hal Meadow adamantly claimed they imported three Singapore-born cats with a Brown Ticked colouration into the US in 1975, this statement has been questioned time and again. This was mainly due to the strong similarity of some Burma-Abyssinian crosses with the Singapura as well as the comparatively small litters of the cat breed, which are considered to be rather unusual for natural breeds.

More recent studies from 2007 also show that there are very few genetic differences between Singaporeans and Burmese. This reinforced doubts about the claim that the Singapura was a naturally originated breed.

Breed-specific traits

Singapura is considered a friendly and uncomplicated cat breed that likes to fixate on its humans. Regular and extensive cuddles with her two-legged friend are therefore very important to her. In addition, she has a habit of following her every step and is usually reluctant to leave his side. However, it should initially behave a little cautiously towards strangers and only thaw out after a shorter or longer period of getting used to it.

Some Singapura owners also report a bit of stubborn behavior from their cats. Since the velvet paws know how to wrap their two-legged friend around their paws, you can seldom be really angry with the smallest pedigree cat in the world.

Attitude and care

Due to their pleasant nature, the Singapura usually get along (and with appropriate socialization) both with conspecifics and other pets such as dogs. In addition, she usually gets along very well with children and likes to play with them – under the supervision of adults, of course. Since Singapura is curious and enterprising, it needs plenty of things to do and toys. Despite its liveliness, this breed gets along well with housing, provided it has enough space, a scratching post, and variety.

The company of humans and other conspecifics needs the Singapura like air to breathe. It is therefore strongly recommended that working cat lovers keep multiple cats.

Pure wellness for tiger tomcat Tim: in the evening lying on the couch with his master, stretching out your paws with relish, kicking a little … and of course purring vigorously! It sounds like a little motor when the striped tomcat enjoys his cuddles. Purr, that is a sound like no other in the animal world!

How does the purr work?

But how does this peculiar sound actually come about, which sounds very subtle with some cats and is as loud as a lawnmower for others? For a long time, purring was an unsolved mystery in cat research. It was known that it was caused by a diversion of the airflow, but no one could really explain exactly how this constant sound comes about. Theories and hypotheses about the vibrations of the vocal cords or about the “vestibule” typical of cats were common. But some also attributed to the hyoid bone or the lungs to be responsible for the purr.

In fact, most experts assume that the sound is caused by the larynx. Accordingly, when inhaling and exhaling, the airflow flows over the tense vocal cords that lie above the larynx. This releases nerve impulses that contract the muscles of the vocal folds in the larynx and generate rhythmic vibrations (and that very quickly, about 20 to 30 times a second). We perceive this vibration as a purr.

Why do cats purr?

Purring is a physically demanding process that the cat has to learn properly. This is why young kittens must first practice for months until they sound like their adult relatives. But why do cats even do that? Interestingly, it doesn’t just have to do with whether the cat feels particularly comfortable or secure. Because even kitties who are alone or in threatening situations make the characteristic noises. The steady hum can also be a sign of fear.

Purring is training while lying down

New scientific studies show that purring is healthy and stimulates bone growth. In addition, it is a kind of muscle training for animals such as cats that sleep for 16 hours a day, lie a lot, or lurk a lot. Because of the continuous stimuli in the skeleton, the metabolism of the bones is stimulated and new bone cells are formed or tissue is increased and repaired. Studies have shown, for example, that broken bones healed more quickly as a result of purring.

The vibration stimulates the bones and muscles continuously in a gentle way, while the cat lolls comfortably on the lap of the master or mistress.

Cats can even purr while they are eating or meowing, and kittens don’t even have to stop purring when they suck on mom’s teats. Supposedly it serves as a way of communication and signals to the mother that everything is fine.

Can big cats purr?

Not only do our house cats purr, but the incomparable sound also occurs with big cats. Puma and lynx, for example, should sound just like our house tigers. The lion and the tiger can purr too. But not like our domestic kitties, who manage to inhale and exhale. With big cats, this is not possible due to the elastic hyoid bone. Lions only purr when they exhale and therefore sound a bit different from their little relatives.

Castration – yes or no?

Miau, miauuuu… Lilly won’t rest all night. The young cat lady is wandering around the apartment restlessly, rolling her back over the carpet again and again. What’s wrong with the kitty? Lilly is in the heat for the first time in her cat life. Pure stress for the cat, but also for its owner.

The mistress, therefore, decides to have her darling neutered. If only because of the neighbor’s father who is going crazy next door because he has the “scent” of Lilly in heat in his nose. And: Lilly should be allowed outside when she is older and has settled in.

Castration is necessary, otherwise, there will be unwanted offspring. Her owner definitely doesn’t want that – after all, too many four-legged friends are already waiting for a loving home in the animal shelter. So a clear yes to castration. For indoor cats and outdoor cats alike.

How often does my cat get in heat?

Anyone who owns a non-neutered cat lady has to deal relatively often with the topic of heat. Because if a cat is not mated, it can get in heat every two to three weeks. Especially in spring, between March and April, as well as between June and September, cats get in heat more often – because the whole thing depends on the season. In autumn, from October to December, cats are less likely to be in heat.

However, this does not apply to indoor cats. These become heat regardless of the season. During heat, people have to pay special attention to the cat ladies. Because the ready-to-mate velvet paws do everything to have a hangover. You overcome the biggest obstacles and squeeze your way through the smallest openings in order to escape. That’s why you can’t be careful enough.

Before a cat is one and a half years old, it should not be mated, either intentionally or unintentionally. Because she is still far too young, her body is not yet fully developed and pregnancy is a risk for cats and kittens. If you do not want any offspring and, above all, have no one who can / would like to remove any kittens, you must speak to the vet about neutering in good time.

How do castration and aftercare work?

Beginners often do not know what will happen to the cat and himself during castration. One thing in advance – castration is an operation that is carried out very often by veterinarians and the risk is comparatively low. The cat is fed for the last time around nine to ten hours before the operation, and water can be consumed up to around two hours before the neutering. No matter how miserably the darling maunts – even treats are taboo! Because some animals feel sick from anesthesia and vomiting is very dangerous when anesthetized.

For the procedure, the cat is fixed on its back and part of the abdomen is shaved and disinfected. During the operation, the abdominal wall is opened first, the ovaries are tied off and then removed. The wound is then sutured in several layers. Sometimes the animals are put on a kind of body/suit afterward so that they do not lick or nibble at the wound. Funnels are uncommon and are more intended for cats who have already been seen trying to pull the strings. If the operation went normally, the cat can be picked up on the same day.

Most vets insist that the cat stays in the practice until waking up. Nevertheless, the house tigers are often not quite fit, but rather unsteady on their feet and in some cases a bit jumpy. A room without climbing facilities, with a warm place to cuddle up, a litter box, and a water bowl is therefore suitable for temporary accommodation. As soon as the cat is really awake again, it can get a small portion of its usual food – a whole bowl is often too much for an empty cat’s stomach. If you have the feeling that your cat is not recovering from the anesthetic, you should contact the vet to be on the safe side. Usually, the kitties are back to their old ones after a day.

After a successful castration, the cat will no longer be in heat. Experts know that pseudopregnancy, as it sometimes occurs in cats, is prevented by castration. The procedure is also said to reduce the risk of uterine disease and mammary tumors.

When should I have my cat neutered?

The best time is at the beginning of sexual maturity, which begins in queens around the fifth to the sixth month. Some breeds are considered to be late bloomers, others as precocious. The castration of cats is still possible without any problems a few heaters later. However, it is not recommended as the cat only suffers during heat if it is not mated. Early castration before the fifth month is not common in Germany.

If the cat is in heat and has not been neutered, it should definitely not be allowed out of the house to prevent pregnancy. Since cats can get a permanent roll, you have to keep an eye on them. The cat should not be neutered during heat, as the tissue is better supplied with blood here. If the cat is pregnant, it must be decided individually whether it would still be justifiable to carry out the procedure.

Castration or Sterilization – What’s the Difference?

As already described above, the ovaries are removed during castration, after which sexual behavior comes to a standstill. Not so with sterilization. Here only the fallopian tubes are cut – the cat is no longer terrible, but the sex drive is retained. Heat is a hormonal and psychological burden for cats that are not mated or neutered. Sterilization is therefore not recommended for cats and is usually no longer carried out.

Wouldn’t it be better to have the cat littered beforehand?

No, even if this rumor persists. The cat does not benefit from a single litter. Usually, it is the human wish to see kittens grow up that should be fulfilled here. Animal shelters are always looking for helpers and foster homes for kitten rearing and care – that’s why you should rather get involved in animal welfare than expect your cat to have a one-time pregnancy.

If you bring a young cat or kitten into your house, it is essential that you deal with the topic of castration in good time. You should inform yourself, especially when it comes to keeping multiple cats with male and female cats. If the animals come from one litter, inbreeding can otherwise occur.

Cats, hangovers, kittens – the spring problem

Little kittens are cute and you would like to hug them all the time, cuddle them, stroke them, feed them, just watch them … But at some point even the cutest kitten grows up and, unfortunately, interest in it usually diminishes a bit. It is not without reason that animal shelters are overcrowded with cats.

Since a cat can have kittens twice a year, sometimes as early as four months (16 weeks), and usually 5 to 6 babies are born, kitties reproduce very quickly. Especially in spring, many cat owners expect “surprising” and often unwanted offspring from their house tigers. Unfortunately, often no or not enough buyers are found for the kittens. The cat owners suddenly have a lot more mouths to feed and the little kittens also want to be vaccinated and dewormed on a regular basis – high costs arise that were not expected.

In addition, the kitty can be infected with various diseases while covering, including FIV, the so-called cat AIDS. Since you cannot vaccinate against this disease, the only possible prevention is to prevent mating.

So if you let your cat outside, you should have it neutered.

When should the cat be neutered?

A cat should be neutered as soon as it becomes heat for the first time. With some cats, this is the case after six months, with others not until much later. The procedure is usually forgotten after two days and the cut on the stomach can hardly be seen after a month. You can find out about the costs from your vet beforehand. As a rule, these amount to around 60 to 90 euros per cat.

Ten days later, the threads can be pulled, but in some cases, a self-dissolving thread is used that does not need to be pulled. Medication is usually not necessary.

Castrating a tomcat – why?

Sure, if you have a hangover, at least you can’t have any unwanted offspring. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t let your domestic tiger wander uninhibitedly on free feet. A tomcat can of course become infected with diseases when mating – and in addition, he can sustain dangerous injuries when fighting for rank with other tomcats who are vying for the same lady. Uncastrated male cats also roam a lot more, looking for cats that are ready to mate – the danger of being hit by a car is much greater.

Also not nice: Unkrastrated male cats tend to mark their territory with small splashes of urine. The urine smells extremely unpleasant to us humans and the smell is persistent. Not all hangovers also mark in the apartment, but some do – to the chagrin of the roommates.

Apart from that, nobody wants to be responsible if the cute offspring of their own tomcat is given to the animal shelter somewhere or, in the worst case, even killed.

When should the cat be neutered?

The castration of male cats can be done from about 5 to 6 months of age and of course at any time afterward. Most of the guys at this age are so advanced that they are sexually mature, and that’s how long you usually wait. Sexual maturity can be recognized by the fact that the urine smells stronger (“like a hangover”).

How does castration work for male cats?

The castration of male cats is a very quick procedure, which is usually very well tolerated by the animals. The testicles are removed and the spermatic ducts and vessels are tied off so that they can no longer bleed. The wound remains open and is not sutured, which is why no sutures have to be pulled.

Only in extremely rare cases do the hangovers lick themselves, which means that the wounds usually heal without any problems. The day after the castration the animals are fit again, only the scrotum is often still slightly swollen from the operation. This swelling will decrease in the following days – after two weeks you will hardly see anything anymore.

Use castration for a microchip

It makes sense to use the anesthesia for a microchip in the open air, in case the cat gets lost on its forays. The chip can be read out in a veterinary practice or in an animal shelter and the cat can be brought back to his home. A precondition for this: The house cat must be registered with TASSO.

The day before the castration, the food should be put away in the evening so that the cat can better tolerate the anesthesia. Only when the house tiger is completely fit again and walks without swaying can you carefully give a small amount of food. Water should also be put away on the morning of the castration and should not be offered again until a few hours after the operation.

Since the colorful mix of Siamese and Burma is comparatively robust, many representatives of the breed are happy about being free. In addition, Tonkanese needs a lot of attention and wants to be employed regularly. The cat is therefore only recommended to a limited extent for full-time workers. At best, it should be kept with a conspecific.

The Tonkinese originated from a cross between Siamese and Burma cats. The characteristic of the medium-sized cat is their special coat gloss, which is described with the main color direction “Mink”.

Since their first parents (Siamese and Burma cats) have lived side by side in Asia since prehistoric times, it is assumed that mixtures such as the Tonkinese have been found in Asia for countless years. In 1930 an American ship’s doctor brought a Tonkanese back from Rangoon from a trip. The cat, named Wong Mau, eventually became the ancestral mother of the breed.

To this day, the Tonkinese is one of the rare cat breeds, as it is not recognized by any cat associations either in the USA or in Europe. While the World Cat Federation (WCF) and the TICA (The International Cat Association) already have the Tonkanese as an independent breed, the FiFé (Fédération Internationale Féline) has not yet achieved recognition.

Breed-specific traits

Tonkinese should be lively and very playful, but by no means hyperactive. In addition, they are considered intelligent and curious. They are sometimes reported to enjoy fetching games and high seats.

The cat breed is described as loving and interested in its people and gets along well with dogs (with appropriate socialization). These are very sociable animals that appreciate family contact and usually do not like to be alone.

In addition, most of the Tonkinese has a good dose of humor and are always in the mood for exuberant pranks. As a holder, you can therefore expect a lot. However, you can’t be angry with the cute pedigree cat for long, as its friendly nature softens almost every heart in a matter of seconds.

Attitude and care

The Tonkinese is actually one of the indoor cats. However, since they are much more robust than their close relatives the Siamese, many representatives of the breed are happy about regular free-run – some representatives of the breed should also like to walk on a cat leash.

Anyone who decides to keep a Tonkanese must be aware that the pedigree cat is very sociable and demands a lot of attention from its master. Since she does not like to be left alone, full-time employees should reconsider the purchase of a Tonkinese or urgently think about keeping a second cat.

The fur of the velvet paw is very short, so it does not require extensive care. It should be combed with a soft brush several times a week and rubbed off every now and then with a damp cloth.

Fortunately, the Tonkinese is one of the very healthy cat breeds. No diseases typical of the breed are known to date.

What is a cat’s favorite pastime? Immediately after eating and playing there is really only one thing to do: sleep. And that for a long time and extensively. To be precise, a kitty spends more than two-thirds of the day (around 16 hours) dozing, sleeping, and sometimes even snoring. Of course, this is only an average and every cat behaves individually, but cats just need their beauty sleep, this is very important. Bedtime takes a little longer, especially when the weather changes.

How long does a cat sleep?

How long it rests each day also depends on the kitty’s age. Very young kittens need much more rest than, for example, cats between the ages of two and three years. As you get older, the amount of sleep increases again.

In addition, it depends on hunger whether your cat allows itself a few quiet minutes or faces you meowing. Because sleeping on an empty stomach is not possible at all.

Indoor cats in particular are very flexible. That means, they imitate the daily routine of humans and adapt themselves ideally. If the mistress and/or master is at work during the day, it is easy to doze off so that there is enough time to play, eat and cuddle later when the can opener is back home. Nevertheless, cats should always be kept in pairs at least in order to be able to occupy each other between naps.

Most cats just doze

By the way: a cat always looks as if it is sleeping soundly, but in reality, it is on constant alert despite the state of rest. Is there a loud noise or something is happening in the vicinity – whether indoors or outdoors – the kitty is very likely to notice it and can react quickly. She will then get to her feet as quickly as possible and possibly crawl somewhere.

It usually takes longer before the kitty gets up and is really awake. First, she yawns long and hard, then she gets up very slowly and stretches so that she can get really fit again and get back to the daily game. By the way, the stretching of the cat doesn’t always look pleasant for us humans – however, the kitty is so agile that we don’t mind absurd contortions.

Don’t forget to wash your cat after sleeping

No stop! One thing still has to be done, of course: the cat wash. After all, the fur could be a little crushed or even dirty while lying down and the beauty sleep should also make you really beautiful …

In some cases, increased sleep can also be an indication of illness. If the kitty changes her sleeping habits within a short period of time and is dozing a lot more than before, you should consult a veterinarian to be on the safe side.

Since the Scottish Fold is one of the comparatively calm cat breeds, it can be kept well in the apartment – as long as it has enough play and activity opportunities. She usually gets along well with conspecifics and other animals (and with appropriate socialization).

However, anyone who brings a Scottish Fold into their home must be aware that even professional breeding of Scottish Folds can lead to numerous health problems for the animals – such as joint deformations, bone defects, and osteochondrodysplasia – with associated pain.

For this reason, the international umbrella organization of cat breeding associations, the Fédération Internationale Féline, has not yet recognized the breed as a breed; numerous studies advocate a general breeding ban because it is torture breeding.

From British Shorthair to Scottish Fold

The special trademark of the Scottish Fold – also known as the Scottish Fold – is their ears folded forwards and downwards. Otherwise, it is completely similar to the British Shorthair or Longhair cat.

The kitten with folded ears was first spotted in 1961 on a farm in Scotland. Here a white, long-haired cat with an unusual kink in its ears saw the light of day. Their folded ears were the result of a spontaneous mutation inherited from an incompletely dominant gene.

In a large-scale breeding program by William Ross and the geneticist Pat Turner, many more fold-ear cats were eventually bred. Today the Scottish Fold is particularly popular in the USA. In addition, however, they are also bred in Germany, Russia, or Australia.

In Europe, however, the breed is only recognized by a few breed clubs, as it is assumed that the folding of the ears can lead to health problems. Therefore, the Scottish Fold is considered a torture breed in many places.

Breed-specific traits

Since the Scottish Fold emerges exclusively from matings of British Shorthair or British Longhair cats, it has the same character and behavioral traits as its direct relatives. She is considered uncomplicated, good-natured, and adaptable. She is happy to accompany her owner every step of the way but is usually only rarely intrusive or annoying. In contrast to other cat breeds, the Scottish Fold is a rather quiet companion and only draws attention to itself through occasional meows.

Attitude and care

Just like its close relative, the British Shorthair or Longhair cat, the Scottish Fold is considered to be very uncomplicated and usually gets along well with other animals, such as dogs. Since they are calmer and less lively than oriental races, they are suitable for keeping indoors but are also happy to have one or the other opportunity to go outdoors.

If the cat is kept only in the apartment, it needs – despite the comparatively calm mind – sufficient play and employment opportunities.

As a rule, their fur does not require any special care but should be brushed regularly. The special folding of the ears also results in special care requirements. For example, significantly more ear wax deposits can form than other cats.

In addition, the fold cat is also prone to a genetic defect in the development of the bone growth zone. This can lead to severe joint deformities and painful movement disorders.

So that’s it with the great designer sofa! It stood there wonderfully and invited me to dream and relax. And now that! The cat Mimi has sharply sharpened her sharp claws on the beautiful part in the absence of her mistress. Now the fabric is torn and the foam is sticking out.

Mum is really angry because she bought her darling a chic, huge scratching post that reaches up to the ceiling. But no – Mimi prefers to immortalize herself on the furniture.

Why does the cat scratch furniture?

Indoor cats don’t just scratch the sofa because they want to sharpen their claws and remove dead calluses. No, it is also a form of marking the piece of furniture. Your house tiger will tell you clearly: This is mine!

How does the cat mark the furniture?

Quite simply: by sharpening its claws, the cat secretes a brand of scent through a film of sweat that is secreted between the soles of the soles. Mieze makes use of this scent and marks her territory with it.

What can you do to prevent the cat from scratching the furniture?

The approach of Mimi’s mistress was pretty good. It is very important to set up enough scratching facilities where Kitty can “quite legally” pursue her need to sharpen her claws. It can be a super-luxury model on different floors, which also offers play, climbing, and lounging opportunities at the same time. However, some house tigers just love the small model in the corner of the room, which they can easily reach. We tested some of the most popular models in our extensive cat tree test. And if you just want to take a look around the market or perhaps already have an approximate idea of ​​the desired scratching post, you will find some scratching post classifieds in our animal market.

Then, of course, it is also important to protect your sofa. For example, you could attach a scratching board to the place where the kitty whets her claws so that the fabric stays intact. Or you use a scent that the fine cat’s nose can’t stand – for example, orange or citrus oil – that is simply drizzled on the spot. So your velvet paw will prefer to stay away from the place in the future!

Education – positive reinforcement as punishment!

You can of course also try education, because contrary to the opinion of some cat owners, it is quite possible to raise cats. One method recommended in some cat-keeping articles is to spray water from a water gun. If the cat is tampering with the sofa again, you can spray them with a little water from the toy (please do not use water pistols with strong pressure) to train them to learn the undesirable behavior. Sounds plausible, but it’s not for nothing that the method is highly controversial.

It is often emphasized that you can punish your cat with water pistols anonymously and at the same time painlessly. However, this is not entirely true: cats are intelligent and after a few shots they know pretty well who they owe the unpleasant shower to. In addition, wet spraying with water is not as harmless as it is often conveyed. Some cats not only find it uncomfortable but also panic when they are hit by the water. In the worst case, it can happen that the kitty perceives its human as a threat and aggressively defends itself against the supposed attacker. So if your cat has a real water phobia, you should NEVER use this method. In principle, positive reinforcement is far more advisable and better for the mutual relationship than punishment.

Training through positive reinforcement: Promote & praise desirable behavior

The best thing to do is to make the cat tree really tasty for the kitty. If the cat wants to scratch furniture, simply pick it up and carry it to the scratching post. If they then sharpen their claws on it, you should reward the correct behavior with praise and treats. Another little trick: you can rub the scratching post with a little valerian or catnip. Most house cats are totally into these scents and will not want to leave the coveted item at all.

Patience is the be-all and end-all in cat training

And if the cat still scratches the furniture after a few weeks, don’t give up. Don’t let the kitty just let it go, stay tuned and try out the various tips. Also, try to get the cat used to the scratching post with your favorite toys, treats, or even fragrances, or find additional scratching options. Maybe your kitty is simply a fan of scratching mats on the wall instead of sisal pillars?

Osteoarthritis: a painful, difficult to diagnose the condition

Ouch, this can hurt! When the joints stop working properly, the cat can suffer from severe pain. A study has shown that 90 percent of all cats over the age of twelve suffer from osteoarthritis – but the disease is not uncommon even in younger years. We’ll tell you more about osteoarthritis in cats and explain what you can do about it.

What actually is osteoarthritis?

An osteoarthritis is a special form of degenerative joint changes. The result is that cartilage tissue is lost, the bones are remodeled and wild bone tissue is formed.

Osteoarthritis usually starts with a defect in the cartilage. This inflames the synovial membrane, which swells and produces more synovial fluid, but which is not of the required quality. It is too thin to protect the cartilage. Since the synovial fluid increases so much, this leads to a so-called irritant effusion. This causes the joint capsule to swell. This is where the big problems for cats begin: the joint becomes thick, hurts, and is only able to move to a very limited extent.

Now the organism comes into play, which wants to ensure that the problems in the joint capsule are eliminated. Large amounts of connective tissue are created to penetrate the capsule and wild bone tissue is also produced to support the diseased joint. These changes are irreversible.

Cat lovers know: It is precisely the supple, soft gait that defines the flowing movements of the velvet paws. The mobility of the joints is essential for this but does not apply in the case of osteoarthritis in cats.

Promotes movement!

In the future, small tigers will only be able to move with great pain and will often walk stiff and lame. In addition, they don’t like to play as much as they did before – the beginning of a vicious circle: Because a lot of movement creates the so important synovial fluid that ensures frictionlessness in the joints. It is therefore important that you continue to play with your cat a lot. The best thing to do is to encourage them to move more with great game ideas such as a cat rod or small fur mice.

One problem with cats suffering from osteoarthritis is that the diagnosis can often only be made very late. Because cats are brave patients – they mostly don’t show their pain. It is therefore important to pay close attention to the warning signals and to react to behavior that is atypical for the cat by visiting the vet.

How do I recognize joint diseases in my cat?

Some of the signs that you can tell that something is wrong with your cat’s joints:

• The cat plays significantly less and no longer likes to move
• Outdoor users prefer to stay indoors than go out
• The cat no longer likes to jump on the sofa and avoids higher places that it used to love so much
• In some places, the animal no longer cleans itself, simply because it can only be reached with pain
• Every now and then she lets out a plaintive sounding “meow”
• Suddenly the kitty doesn’t want to be carried anymore, although it was never a problem
• If you touch certain parts of the body or parts of the body, it will bite (which it has not done before)
• Your kitty is even more affectionate than usual and hardly leaves your side
• Somehow your animal seems to have changed and feels different to you than usual

If one or more characteristics apply to your little tiger, then you should go to the vet. Even if the behavior can change in the course of a cat’s life – only a doctor can determine whether the strange behavior is perhaps due to an illness.

How can the vet tell if the cat has osteoarthritis?

On the one hand, the vet can feel changes in the joints, especially when he bends and stretches parts of your animal’s body. On the other hand, there is the possibility of determining possible joint diseases relatively reliably with X-rays or computed tomography.

What can be done about osteoarthritis in cats?

Even if osteoarthritis cannot be “cured”, it does not have to be accepted without complaint. There are a few things you can do to make your cat feel better and, in particular, not to get worse. The most important thing, for example, is to avoid further inflammation and also to make the pain that has existed so far bearable. There are also drugs that are particularly well tolerated by cats and that does a lot without putting a strain on the organism. Your vet will help you determine the correct means and dosages for your kitty.

Aside from the right medication, there is more that can be done to ease Kitty’s pain. You should always get advice from the vet, as the characteristics/course of the disease of osteoarthritis can vary from person to person. The severity of the disease depends, for example, on when the osteoarthritis was diagnosed and treated, but also how to fit the cat was in general or how old the kitty is.

Tips for relieving pain in osteoarthritis:

• A lot can be done with the right diet. For example, glycosaminoglycans (found in green-lipped mussels, among others) promote joint health;
• Depending on the case of osteoarthritis, you can work with cold and warm;
• Homeopathy can also be used to support the correct medication (here too, always in consultation with the veterinarian);
• Gentle movement and careful play to protect the joints, but to encourage movement;
• Be careful when carrying and lifting;
• Of course, give your cat a lot of love and petting when you feel like it.

So cared for and medically well adjusted, even most cats with osteoarthritis can still really enjoy life and make the environment unsafe!

The Savannah originally descended from the Serval. Therefore, keeping the active and exotic cat breed in an apartment is only recommended to a limited extent. Owning the first-generation Savannah even requires permission from an official veterinarian and an outdoor enclosure that is as large and secure as possible. F4 to F6 generation Savannahs are already a bit easier to hold. However, they still need a lot of attention, space, and plenty of job opportunities so that they don’t get bored and feel completely occupied.

The Savannah is a relatively new breed of cats. Like the Bengal, it is one of the hybrid breeds and was created by mating domestic cat breeds with wild cats (in this case Serval).

Today the Savannah is a TICA (International Cat Association) recognized breed. But it was a long way to get there. The first mating of a serval with a domesticated Siamese cat took place in the 1980s and resulted in a kitten. Patrick Kelley, a lover of exotic cat breeds, bought such a kitten in 1989. However, it took a lot of persuasions before the breeding of this extraordinary breed really got going in the mid-1990s.

Since the male cats were often sterile in the first generation, domestic cat breeds such as the Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Bengal, and even Maine Coons were crossed over and over again.

In the meantime, however, there are enough fertile Savannah males that the mating of Savannahs has become the standard in many cases.

Breed-specific traits

Savannahs are friendly, sociable cats who get on well with other pets and also quickly make friends with children. You should often greet people with affectionate head buttons or pounce on them at an unexpected moment to say “hello”. It is also often reported that they follow their human from room to room in the house in a dog-like manner.

How openly a Savannah reacts to people, other cats or dogs usually depends on the degree of socialization, but also on the respective generation of breeding (i.e. how many wild cats there are in the Savannah).

It is said that Savannahs are very curious and intelligent. Some breed representatives even teach themselves how to open doors and drawers. There are also repeated reports of their great love for water – many play with or in the water. Some Savannahs also learn to fetch and, if they get used to it early, walk on a leash.

Attitude and care

The Savannah attitude is subject to legal requirements. If you want to buy a first-generation Savannah, you should be aware that you must first get permission from an official veterinarian. For example, the breed standard officially recognized by the TICA (International Cat Association) is only achieved with the F4 to the F6 generation.

From a legal point of view, first-generation Savannahs are also not allowed to have a free exit but have to live in an enclosure. You should definitely consult an official veterinarian for more detailed information.

Overall, the Savannah is only suitable for residential housing to a limited extent. If you decide to do so, you need a lot of space and a large and stably attached scratching post. In addition, a Savannah needs plenty of job opportunities and should be left alone as rarely as possible as it quickly becomes boring.