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With Sokoke, you can bring a very lively and curious cat into your home. She likes to climb and therefore needs a lot of space. At best, they should be kept in a large apartment or a house with free-wheeling facilities. The Sokoke is also one of the more sociable cat breeds. If you are working, you must therefore think about keeping a second cat.

The Sokoke is a naturally evolved breed of cats from Kenya.

The breed has been known for some time among the tribe members, the Girima, who are native to Kenya. It is therefore suggested that she could have lived in Kenya for centuries without outside interference.

For a long time, it was speculated whether the Sokoke was a descendant of the black cat or another wildcat species. However, DNA analyzes could rule out this assumption. Today it is therefore assumed that the Sokoke is a feral domestic cat breed.

It owes its current name to Jeni Slater. The so-called Khadzono cats found this in 1978 in the Arabuko Sokoke forest on the Kenyan coast. Her friend Gloria Moeldrop brought a couple of the cats to Denmark as Slater was concerned for the breed’s survival.

In 1984 the Sokoke was shown for the first time at an exhibition in Copenhagen and in 1993 it was officially recognized by FIFĂ© under the name Sokoke.

Currently, the breed is mainly bred in Denmark, Norway, the United States, and Canada.

Breed-specific traits

The Sokoke is considered to be extremely active and shows a lot of fun climbing. In addition, they have some similarities with oriental cat breeds, especially in terms of their ability to speak. Regular conversations with her caregiver are very important to her. The Kenyan cat is also very curious. She loves to explore every corner of the house and yard and is constantly sniffing something. As a rule, she is initially reserved towards strangers and can only slowly build trust.

Attitude and care

Since the Sokoke is a very athletic cat that needs a lot of exercises and likes to climb, it should by no means live in a small apartment, but needs a lot of space and opportunities to run.

In addition, the apartment or house of a Sokoke holder should be equipped with numerous play and climbing options, for example, a sturdy scratching post.

Sokoke is very sociable and would like to be involved in the everyday life of their owners. They don’t like staying at home alone at all. As a working person, you should therefore urgently think about keeping a second cat. Other pets, such as dogs, are usually welcome in Sokoke society.

Since the fur of the Sokoke is short and rough with little to no undercoat, it is reported, at least from Denmark, that the cats can be sensitive to the cold.

One cat is less likely to like the cool water in the bowl, the other one needs more supplies every day when it comes to the domestic water bowl. But how often should the bowl be filled with fresh water and how much do cats drink on average?

First of all, the old prejudice should be dispelled that cats only drink milk. This is absolutely not the case, on the contrary: Many cats like milk, but it can harm them under certain circumstances, even if they could have tolerated the milk like a kitten without any problems. Milk is not dangerous, but it can cause diarrhea and similar problems. Adult cats cannot metabolize the milk sugar (lactose) they contain, as they lack the enzyme (lactase) required for it. So, like many people, you are lactose intolerant. The best (and also the cheapest) drink is not only water for humans but also for cats. If you want to please your cats occasionally, you should give them special cat milk – if at all.

How much water does a cat need to drink each day?

This question is very difficult to answer. First, you can’t watch your kitty all day and check how often she has been drinking, and second, you have to look at fluid intake on an individual basis. Because this in turn depends on whether the cat eats dry or wet food or whether it may have a small amount of both. Because wet food already contains – as the name suggests – liquid.

As a general rule, adult kitties should consume approx. 45 – 50 ml of fluid per kilogram of body weight per day. However, the amount of water or broth in cat food can be included in the calculation. If you want to check your cat’s consumption, you should check the water with a measuring cup.

Is my cat drinking too little?

Even if your cat eats dry food and barely touches the water bowl, this does not have to be a sign that the velvet paw is really not drinking enough. It is possible that your cat prefers stale water and uses other sources to refresh its water balance. Nevertheless, you should keep an eye on your kitty’s drinking behavior. Cats that are fed dry food have a tendency to take in too little fluid over the long term. This can lead to kidney disease and cause problems for them in old age.

To check whether your cat is really drinking too little water, there is a short test recommended by veterinarians: Carefully pull up the fold of skin from the cat’s neck and let go of it – if it goes away immediately, that’s all in order. If, on the other hand, it regresses slowly, this is a sign of insufficient fluid intake. Warning: dehydration can also be a symptom of illness and is a good reason to visit the vet!

What if the cat drinks too much or too little?

If the cat is clearly drinking too little, this can have various reasons. Perhaps the kitty doesn’t like the place of the bowl, the water doesn’t look tasty (some cats only like stale water, others only like running water) or, in the worst case, your velvet paw is actually sick. If you find that the kitty is taking in too little fluid, you should first visit a veterinarian to have the cat’s health checked. This also applies if the cat continues to consume too much water.

Drinking fountains encourage drinking

While some cats only like stale water from various sources such as vases, ponds, or even toilets, other kitties only prefer flowing water. If your velvet paw does not drink much and health problems have been ruled out, it could simply be “just” the water. On the one hand, this should be neither too cold nor too warm (rather slightly cool) and, if possible, be provided fresh twice a day. You can also try using a fountain for cats to encourage your kitty to drink more fluids. However, not every cat is comfortable with the fizzy drink – it is easy to test here. Some cats are spoiled not only when it comes to their food, but also when it comes to drinking little princesses (or princes).

Tips: How do I get my cat to drink more?

Many cats do not like it when the water bowl is right next to the food, as the odor of the food is irritating and the fragrant food is more attractive. So place the water bowl near your cat’s favorite places – it is best to offer your cat several different water points to choose from.

Maybe your cat finds the water too boring? To stimulate interest, you can add a little good smelling (and tasting) liquid – for example a few drops of tuna or sausage water.

The bowl should never be too high or too narrow – it should be wide and flat so that the kitty can easily lick up the water with her whiskers.

Sometimes short-nosed cat breeds, such as Persian or Exotic Shorthair, have problems with deep bowls. Often a flat bowl helps, which is more accessible for the kitty.

If you feed dry food, you can try switching to high-quality wet food or barf. But that requires patience! If the changeover succeeds, however, the animals will in the future take in a large part of their fluid requirements through food.

Conclusion: Drinking and the cat are not that easy. It is best to keep an eye on the kitty at all times and notify the vet of any serious changes – should you be able to observe them over the long term. Important: Do not overestimate anything, but also do not take conspicuous things lightly.

“Smoking is dangerous to your health” – the warnings on every pack of cigarettes sound like this or something like that. But smokers not only endanger themselves and their fellow human beings with the blue haze but also their pets.

At least that’s what a study by the University of Massachusetts says. The researchers found that kitties get sick more easily when they are passive smokers. The risk of cancer is said to be greater in indoor cats that live in a smoker household than in cats whose humans are non-smokers. The differences are not that great for outdoor enthusiasts, as they escape the smoke in between and get more fresh air.

A total of 200 cats were observed for the study. 80 of them suffered from so-called lymphoma (this is how cancer of the lymph tissue is called) and 114 ultimately died of kidney failure (kidney failure is one of the most common cat diseases). The mistresses and masters of the deceased animals were then given questionnaires where details about the smoking situation had to be shown. The result: the more people smoked, the greater the risk of illness for the kitties.

Smoking: Locking a cat out is not enough

It is not only through inhalation that the cat ingests dangerous substances that can increase the risk of cancer. Most of the smoke or ash particles are also absorbed through the fur and thus get into the cat’s body. How does it work? Quite simple: Cats clean themselves daily and through intensive grooming and licking of the hair in which the smoke particles are located, these are absorbed.

So it is not enough to simply chase the cat out of the room if you want to smoke – because smoke and ash (especially through open ashtrays) stay in the air for a certain time.

If you want to protect your cat’s health, you should therefore go to the balcony/terrace to smoke – or ideally (also for your own health) not to quartz at all.

The Snowshoe is a comparatively sensitive cat who appreciates a quiet environment. It can therefore only be recommended to a limited extent for a turbulent family with small children. She feels more comfortable in an adult household, in which life runs smoothly. In addition, the Snowshoe is one of the quieter cat breeds and can therefore be kept well in a large apartment with plenty of space and numerous employment opportunities.

As its name suggests, the Snowshoe is characterized by the white color of its paws. It belongs to the group of masked cats and comes in two forms: on the one hand, there are cats with a limited amount of white, the so-called gloved snowshoes (similar to Burma), and on the other hand the two-tone snowshoes with a correspondingly higher proportion of white on the face and body.

The first attempts at breeding the Snowshoe were carried out in the 1950s when an attempt was made to breed a kind of Siamese cat with white paws. The actual founder of the breed is said to have been breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty. In one litter of Siamese cats, she found three kittens with white markings. In order to create the typical drawing of the Snowshoe, she outcrossed with American shorthair cats and then reared them with Siamese cats.

In 1974 the Snowshoe was recognized as an experimental breed by the breeding associations CFF (Cat Fanciers Federation) and ACA (Asian Cat Association). In 1982 she received championship status with the CFF. The breeding associations TICA (German American Cat Club e.V.) and ACFA (American Cat Fanciers Association) followed. In Germany, the recognition was supported by the families Notzig and Heintrof with the kennel community No-Heis. The Holy Burma, Ragdoll, British Shorthair and European Shorthair served as outcrosses.

Breed-specific traits

Snowshoes are considered good-natured, active, playful, quite noisy (but with a soft voice), intelligent and adaptable.

Sometimes they also show very changeable behavior: It can happen that they behave very sensitively and withdraw when they want to be left alone. On other days, however, they are very sociable and lively. Sometimes the behavior changes from now on, which is typical for cats. As a rule, the Snow Shoe does not tolerate being alone.

Like many other cat breeds, snowshoes often have a mind of their own and do not always listen to the instructions of their master or mistress. But you can’t be angry for long with these pretty velvet paws.

Attitude and care

Since the nature of the snowshoe is usually very balanced, it is well suited for housing. In order for the cat’s everyday life to be exciting and varied, there must be enough play options and a large and robust scratching post.

Due to its sometimes very sensitive nature, the Snowshoe usually feels uncomfortable in a noisy environment. Pedigree cats are therefore less recommended for households with small children. Since the velvet paw is nonetheless very people-oriented, you should plan a lot of time for it and urgently think about keeping a second cat.

The coat of the shorthair cat requires little maintenance by humans, but can still be brushed from time to time to help them change their coat.

Playing is fun – but how much playing time does a cat need?

Whether with a scratching post, paper balls, or a catfishing rod – playing is fun for almost every cat – both outside and inside. And mistress and master are also doing well. Because by playing together you can build a closer relationship with your darlings. Especially if you have a single cat, you should play with it a lot and for a long time. At the latest in the evening when you come home from work, there must be time for the house tiger – by the way, this also has the positive side effect that you can switch off faster and get other thoughts.

A scratching post should not be missing in any cat household

Long stroking or cuddling is also good for the kitty. If, on the other hand, she likes more action, the scratching post has to serve. It is available in all colors, shapes, and sizes – often scratching posts can even be assembled or designed individually. A scratching post is like a small adventure playground made of pipes, ladders, cords, and all the trimmings. This way, the kitties don’t get bored easily, especially when the can opener is not at home. If the cat uses a scratching post, it can sharpen its claws there and won’t break any furniture. This turns venting into an adventure, but only if the scratching post can withstand it.

Anyone who has a particularly active cat who likes to play and jump should be prepared to invest a little more in the cat scratching post so that the kitty can enjoy her personal adventure playground for a long time. In addition, the scratching post should of course be stable so that it does not tip over with the cat and pose no risk of injury to the velvet paw (e.g. from loose screws). Quality here is synonymous with your kitty’s health.

Cat toys: what is particularly suitable?

Catfishing rods, play mice, felt balls, or intelligence toys for cats: pet supplies offer a wide range of alternatives for cats. Every cat has individual preferences. While some can go crazy with catnip or just can’t stop cuddling with the valerian pillow, some house cats have absolutely no interest in toys with fragrances. Basically, you should therefore first find out what your cat particularly likes.

Utensils as cat toys

This can already be seen in everyday life because everyday objects are almost best suited to cats as play accessories: whether film boxes, balls of paper, pens, or feather dusters – hardly anything is safe from the cat. But much of what is lying around at home are poisonous or harmful to the cat (sharp corners or questionable materials). Therefore, it is better to get cat-safe toys that come closest to the beloved everyday objects. For example, if your cat likes balls of paper, it is probably the felt ball type; the feather, on the other hand, indicates a preference for a catfishing rod. But of course, there are also some free, harmless options: Cardboard boxes or toilet paper rolls, for example, reach almost every cat – and that for days.

However, if you make toys yourself or give your kitties something in their paws, you should always make sure that they cannot injure themselves and that small parts are not swallowed. For example, you could make a fiddling board – it’s cheap and easy.

Allow the cat to rest too

Many little tigers are aggressive when they play. In that case, however, the blame must not only be put on the animal; The fault can also lie with us humans. If we play a little too wild with our animal friends or don’t let them sleep when they want to have their peace, they can quickly become abusive and scratchy. Therefore: only play with the cat when it feels like it.

With this in mind: may the games begin …

Ocicats belong to the comparatively easy-to-care-for breeds and look forward to a change in everyday cat life. Therefore, they usually fit well in families with children, where they get a lot of attention and always have someone to cuddle with. Many members of the race suffer when their two-legged friends are away from home for a long time. In particular, if you are employed, you have to think about buying a second cat. Since Ocicats are very active, they should ideally not only have a large apartment but a secure balcony or an outdoor enclosure.

The Ocicat is a comparatively new and relatively rare breed of cats. Because of its dotted fur pattern, it was named after the ocelot. However, a relationship between the two animals can be ruled out.

Even if the Ocicat has the appearance of a wildcat, there are no crossbreeds with wildcat species. Instead, Siamese and Abyssinians were paired with each other and later the American Shorthair (in silver tabby) crossed.

The first breeder of the Ocicat was Virginia Daly from Michigan. She actually wanted to develop a Siamese cat with an Abyssinian pattern on the points. In the second generation of their breed, however, was a spotted kitten named Tonga, which Virginia Daly’s daughter is said to have called “Ocicat” for fun. When the parent animals were mated, other cats with specially colored spots saw the light of day and ultimately formed the basis for the development of the breed.

Breed-specific traits

Ocicats are one of the open-minded and sociable cat breeds and are known for being happy to be greeted and petted by strangers. In addition, they are usually characterized by a friendly nature and need a lot of attention from their two-legged friends. They are very fixated on their people, love to cuddle with them, and are usually just as happy to tell stories as their close relatives, the Siamese.

Some Ocicat owners also report that their velvet paws are anything but afraid of water and like to let off steam in the bathtub or a paddling pool.

Attitude and care

Ocicats are usually well suited as family cats because they enjoy the action in everyday life and like to be around people. They also usually get along very well with other pets and conspecifics. Full-time workers should urgently think about buying a second cat, as the Ocicat does not like to be left alone. In addition, many members of the breed seem to particularly appreciate the freedom of movement. It is therefore advisable to provide the cats with a secure balcony or an open-air enclosure if possible.

The short coat of the Ocicat is very easy to care for. However, loose hair should be removed with a soft brush once a week.

In Europe, the breeding of Manx contaminated with hereditary diseases is prohibited for reasons of animal welfare. As a cat lover, you should therefore carefully consider whether you want to support breeding abroad or whether you prefer to bring another, more robust cat breed into your home. Anyone who decides to keep a Manx despite all their reservations must be aware that the cat is likely to have to struggle with severe physical problems in the course of its life. Since the Manx is a comparatively calm cat breed, it can usually be kept in an apartment without any problems. If you are employed, you should consider keeping a second cat.

Just like the Japanese Bobtail or the American Bobtail, the Manx has a very short tail. This is due to a spontaneous gene mutation. The Manx originally came from the small island of Man, where the mutation was able to establish itself without any problems due to the comparatively small population of Manx cats. Unfortunately, the mutation brings with it other abnormalities such as skeletal and bowel, and stomach problems. Animals with a hereditary gene even die as fetuses in the womb.

Therefore no pure-bred animals may be bred. So-called outcross breeds are always used for breeding. This is usually the British Shorthair.

Breed-specific traits

In general, the Manx cat is considered to be an easy-going, calm, and adaptable breed of cats. She is generally loving and very affectionate towards people. She loves to play and, with the right socialization, gets along well with her fellow species and other pets. On the other hand, she meets unfamiliar people with suspicion at first and only slowly thaws out over time.

Attitude and care

Since the taillessness and the special physique of the breed can lead to considerable health problems, the breeding of the breed is forbidden in Germany for reasons of animal welfare. In contrast, keeping is allowed. Nonetheless, every cat lover should carefully consider whether he or she wants to keep this disease-prone cat breed and thus support breeding abroad. For the well-being of the animals, it is not advisable.

Since the Manx is a comparatively calm cat, it can be kept as a purely indoor cat. However, like any other cat breed, they need plenty of activity options such as toys and a large and sturdy scratching post. If you are working, you should also think about the attitude of a conspecific.

With the Korat, you acquire a comparatively calm and rather reserved cat breed. In a turbulent and very noisy household, it is, therefore, less likely to be in good hands. Nonetheless, she values the company of her people very much and becomes more and more clingy over time. She is reluctant to stay all alone and is happy to have a conspecific with whom she can play regularly and let off steam. Since the Korat is a very adaptable cat breed, it can usually be kept in an apartment without any problems if there is enough space.

The Korat is a slate gray short-haired cat breed and comes from Thailand. There it was previously considered a talisman and good luck charm, as the Japanese Bobtail in Japan. It is also known under the name Si-Sawat. This stands for “color of the sawat seeds”.

The name Korat was given to the breed of cats from King Chualongkorn, Rama V. (1868-1910), as they were found in abundance in the central Thai province of Korat.

Korats are traditionally given in Thailand as a couple of cats to newlyweds or people who are very valued as a lucky charm. The cat breed was first mentioned in “The Cat-Book Poems”, which were written between 1350 and 1767 in Thailand and are now in the National Library in Bangkok.

The breeding of the Korat cat began with Jean Johnson, who brought the first breeding pair from Thailand in 1959 and thus laid the foundation for the success of this cat breed. The Korat was recognized in the USA in 1966 and in England in 1975.

Breed-specific traits

Korats are considered intelligent, reserved, and gentle-voiced. They are affectionate and enjoy the company. Since the Korat is very playful, curious, and patient, it is usually also suitable for families with older children. Of course, the cat and child must always be under observation.

Korats are also very self-confident. She usually gets along with conspecifics, but always tries to push herself into the foreground. Many representatives of the breed, therefore, like to be courted by their humans but thank them with their loving and friendly nature.

Attitude and care

Since the Korat is one of the very adaptable cat breeds, it is usually happy even as a pure indoor cat. Nevertheless, it should be offered enough space and plenty of play and employment opportunities. A large and robust scratching post is also essential for keeping Korat in a species-appropriate manner.

Compared to other cat breeds, the Korat can be classified as comparatively quiet-loving. Although she is very fond of children, she does not feel comfortable in a household with very noisy bipeds.

Although the Korat is happy to be quiet, she still does not like to be alone. You should therefore urgently think about keeping a second cat – especially if you are working.

Anyone who has a cat or a hangover will have already noticed: He or she has a favorite spot that is so comfortable that it is not even worth leaving when there is tasty food. In general, cats like quiet places where they can hide, are nice and warm but still have a good overview of the room.

But what are the cats’ most popular favorite spots and why?

We reveal the top 5 most popular places for cats!

Frostbite and bird lovers: the windowsill

Many house cats love the space on the windowsill. The sun shines here in summer and the heating keeps you warm in winter. Perfect for lounging and lounging. In addition, cats or tomcats can observe what is going on inside and outside at the same time. Anyone who has a cat-like this probably thinks they know everything about you – and that’s probably true too. Big Kitty is watching you!

Wake-up cats and fearful rabbits: the highest point in the apartment

Whether on the cupboard, bookshelf, or the top level of the scratching post – some cats always want to keep an overview and therefore choose the highest place in a room as their favorite place. Others, on the other hand, just want their peace and quiet or are perhaps afraid of chair legs, vacuum cleaners, shoes … It seems a lot safer for the kitty up there.

Action junkies and kitties: electronic devices

Since the good old tube TVs hardly existed, life has become pretty dangerous for the kitty. Because it’s really bad on such a flat-screen TV. Some velvet paws do it anyway – even if the device looks as if it would tip over any second. Washing machines also seem to fascinate some cats and attract them with their vibrations. Other kitties, on the other hand, are not looking for a kick, they simply cannot be without their humans. If he’s busy with the laptop for so long, then you just lie on it! The real favorite place of these cats is the lap of their human – but when he sits in front of the console all the time, the priorities change …

Scary fans and panic kitties: under the bed

Have you ever gone to bed and wondered in the darkness of your bedroom where this deep hum is coming from? Gradually you locate it under the bed and slowly bend down … and there they are: those glowing green eyes! Sometimes you have the feeling that cats like to scare their little ones. Then a place under the bed is of course particularly suitable. In addition, it is usually nice and warm and dark there. The perfect place to relax. But also velvet paws who are particularly panicked have their favorite place under the bed of their master or mistress. Nothing happens there – it is safe there.

Lingerie fetishists and annoyed people: the wardrobe

Oh how nice! Mum’s favorite sweater has just come out of the laundry. The kitty likes to snuggle up in there – or shred it if the food didn’t taste good again. The perfect place for such perfidious plans is of course the closet. Here you can choose on several levels where it is most cuddly, and not only have the smell of the owner around you, but also the opportunity for the perfect revenge. Other kitties, on the other hand, who prefer to hide in the closet, don’t care about the clothes. They just want absolute peace and quiet and are away from all the stress. A half-open wardrobe is a perfect place to hide.

If the cat is hiding in the closet: What to look out for

The kitty’s favorite place depends on various factors and the individual characteristics of your cat. However, it is important to realize whether fear is what causes it to go away. Then it is good that the velvet paw has a place where it obviously feels safe – but if it is panicking about its people, you should work on it.

In addition, it is important – especially with kitties who hide in the closet – to always check where the cat is. Otherwise, it could accidentally be locked in the cupboard or washed with the next wash. With young kittens, you should also think twice about leaving the closet open. The game of hide-and-seek is particularly popular with kittens – but most of them also like the game of “tear up your wife’s favorite clothes”.

In general, however, the following applies: if your cat feels comfortable in one place – no matter how bizarre it may be – then leave it alone. The main thing is that she likes it and does nothing.

The Sphynx is described as an active and affectionate breed of cats. Cat owners should be aware of their sociable, sometimes called intrusive manner. The hairless kitties are pure indoor cats. As a rule, there is nothing wrong with a secured garden or balcony, as long as you watch out for the weather. Otherwise, the kitty could get sunburn or hypothermia. Most representatives of the breed appreciate a cat partner. But he shouldn’t be too calm. There should always be enough food available, as this breed has a higher energy requirement. When someone speaks of the Sphynx cat breed, they usually mean the Canadian Sphynx.

The first known Sphynx breed was created through a mutation and, as the name suggests, comes from Canada. The hairless race is also named after the ancient Egyptian sphinx statues.

The oldest photo of a couple of hairless cats was taken in Mexico in 1902. However, hairless cats have been around since ancient times. The first known Sphynx was born in Canada in 1966 but died without conceiving any offspring. Just a year later, a cat with hairless kittens was discovered in Toronto. The first litter was neutered, but the later offspring of this cat was eventually bred. It was originally thought that the Sphynx mutation was caused by the same gene as that of the Devon Rex. However, it is quite likely that the genes are different.

The truth is that the Sphynx is only hairless at first glance. Her body is covered in light hair fluff. The skin is the color that the fur would normally be. Therefore, the Sphynx can have the same color variations as other cat breeds.

Breed-specific behavior

Known for their alert nature and intelligence, the Sphynx is considered alert and curious. It is not uncommon for her to have a lot of nonsense in her head, which her lovers of the breed are usually happy to forgive. Some describe them as intrusive, for others their people-related and affectionate behavior makes this breed something very special.

Attitude and care

The hairless kitty gives off her body heat directly through the skin. As with the Don Sphynx, this results in a higher energy requirement. The breed, therefore, needs more food than others. Body fat that may be deposited on the cat’s skin should be washed off regularly. Some owners recommend a weekly bath, others recommend cleaning with a soft leather cloth. If the cat is to be bathed, it is advisable to get used to it as a kitten. Otherwise, the bath is associated with great stress for the animal. In the summer, the Sphynx can get sunburned. It is therefore imperative that you limit your time in the sun. But caution is also advised in the cold season: The hairless animals can cool down quickly and should therefore be kept indoors. Otherwise, colds are inevitable! As a rule, there is nothing wrong with a balcony.

Like the Don Sphynx, the Sphynx is often incorrectly referred to as allergen-free. That’s not the case. Most people react to the allergen that is in the sebum glands, saliva, and urine of animals. People with a cat allergy can therefore react more violently to hairless cats than to breeds with fur. An allergy should therefore be ruled out before purchasing