by Nomi Berger
 
Cats typically come in all sizes, shapes and colors. But scroll through adoptable cats on the web and you’ll notice that one type surpasses every other: the domestic shorthair (DSH). In fact, most cats in shelters, rescues and in homes are domestic shorthairs.
 
And, contrary to popular belief, DSH is not a breed. 
 
A domestic shorthair is a term for cats with a short coat and mixed or unknown ancestry. On the plus side, the wide genetic diversity of domestic shorthair cats reduces their risk of inheriting many of the diseases seen in some purebred cats. And according to veterinarians, having a wide mix of genes bodes well for the health of domestic shorthairs. Because of this, the average domestic shorthair cat’s lifespan is 12 to 15 years, and many live even longer lives with the proper care. 
 
Domestic shorthairs come in all of the usual cat colors including black, blue, brown, gray, orange, cinnamon, fawn, cream and white. They also range in patterns from solid to bicolor, calico, tabby and tortoiseshell. Their personality, body shape, size and features vary just as much. Some will remain small forever while others will become large and sturdy.
 
If you have a domestic shorthair in your household, you can give them the best chance at a long, healthy life by:
 
Ensuring that they’re being fed a complete and balanced diet: Always select a cat food formulated for your cat’s life stage -- kitten, adult or senior. Ask your vet to recommend the best cat food for your particular pet.
 
Providing them with preventive care: Even if your cat appears happy and healthy, regular veterinary checkups are essential. Adult cats should visit your vet at least once a year and senior cats can benefit from twice-yearly visits, whereas kittens typically go more often to keep to their all-important kitten vaccination schedule.
 
Spay/neutering them: Spaying or neutering your cat can greatly increase their lifespan by reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers, such as mammary cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. It also reduces the likelihood of such behavioral issues as territorial aggression, destructive scratching and escaping.
 
Keeping them indoors: Allowing your cat to roam freely outdoors can significantly shorten their lifespan. They face risks from cars, harsh weather and predators, not to mention exposure to toxic plants and/or substances. They’re also more likely to contract infectious diseases such as FeLV or FIV from already infected cats. However, even indoor cats aren’t fully protected from parasites like fleas, ticks and heartworm. It’s vital, therefore, to keep them on a vet-recommended monthly parasite preventive such as Revolution Plus or NexGard COMBO.
 
Playing and socializing: Regular playtime not only helps keep your cat active, it also helps them maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn can lengthen their lifespan. Daily movement burns calories, strengthens their muscles and provides them with mental stimulation. Even better, regular playing and bonding in the form of gentle petting and grooming reduces stress in both you and your cat.  

by Nomi Berger
 
If you have two or more kitties, do you ever see them grooming each other? Do you find yourself wondering if this is odd or okay?
 
According to veterinarians and behavioral specialists, it’s not only normal for cats to groom each other, it’s a sign of a healthy and affectionate relationship between them. An instinct starting in kittenhood with their mothers, it often continues into adulthood with their chosen kitty companions, indicating that they feel safe and content with one another.
 
Consider these other fascinating feline facts: They’re keeping each other clean. Cats typically spend 30% to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves! They might even be helping one another out when it entails reaching some of those “hard-to-reach” places.
 
They’re building trust and a closer relationship: However strange it may sound, cats actually “share” scents to build trust. Closely bonded cats will groom each other to mix their scents, strengthening their connection and making them feel especially secure -- much like a hug shared between people.
 
They’re relieving stress: Cats find grooming to be self-soothing. Licking their close feline friend’s fur releases endorphins, the mood-elevating hormone, that in turn reduces their stress level and promotes feelings of relaxation. 
 
They’re establishing a social hierarchy: One recent study posited that domesticated cats who were “higher” in the household’s pecking order groomed “lower ranking” cats more often than the other way around. Simply put, more dominant cats may groom less dominant ones to reinforce the household’s social hierarchy.
 
However, not all cats groom each other. Some cats aren’t, by nature, physically affectionate. Some might demonstrate the depth of their mutual, loving bond by playing together, wrapping their tails around each other and/or sleeping near one another. Other cats might not groom each other because they don’t get along.
 
While mutual grooming seldom needs correcting, some instances require redirection on your part. Examples:
If grooming causes a conflict between them. Sometimes the cat being groomed does NOT appreciate it or, at any given point, the cat doing the grooming can become aggressive. Signs of a paw-tential problem include hissing or attempting to escape. If one or both cats are clearly upset, remove one and place them in another room with the door closed until both cats are calm again. Make certain that they each have access to water and food, toys and perches, and views of the outdoors while they’re separated so that neither one becomes even more stressed. 
If grooming becomes obsessive. Compulsive grooming occurs when one cat focuses solely on a specific spot of the other cat’s body, potentially resulting in such skin and coat issues as irritation and/or hair loss.
 
To redirect these behaviors: Practice positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement and consistency are essential in both bringing about the desired change in your cat’s behavior and strengthening the bond between you.
Gently distract your cat with a toy or treat. Whether it’s your feline friend’s favorite catnip toy, wand toy or treat-filled Kong, each can be the most entertaining of distractions. 
 
But, as always, when in doubt, discuss the situation with your own, trusted vet.

by Nomi Berger
 
A protein called Fel d 1, found in cat saliva, skin and dander, is responsible for causing allergies in people. Whenever our feline friends groom themselves, this protein spreads onto their fur and into the air. ACHOO!
 
However, the following 13 hairless and low-shedding cat breeds produce less of this protein, making them a better fit for sensitive pet parents. But even with these “hypoallergenic” breeds, brushing them, vacuuming your homes and using one or more air purifiers might still be needed to manage your allergies.
 
1. Balinese
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10--15 years
Temperament: Affectionate, intelligent and sociable
Producing less Fel d 1 protein than many other breeds, the playful Balinese thrive on interaction and form close bonds with their pet parents, often following them from room to room. Their fine, silky coats rarely mat and require only weekly brushing sessions.
 
2. Bambino
Size: Small
Lifespan: 9–15 years
Temperament: Curious, outgoing and playful
The Bambino is a hairless breed with tiny legs, thanks to their Munchkin ancestors. Despite their small size, Bambinos are active and social, and enjoy climbing and exploring just like larger cats. Because they’re hairless, they need baths to keep their skin clean.
 
3. Bengal
Size: Medium to large
Lifespan: 12–16 years
Temperament: Confident, energetic and intelligent
Created by crossing domestic cats with Asian leopard cats, beautiful Bengals resemble mini-leopards. Because of their curiosity, energy and size, they require a great deal of interactive play and climbing spaces such as extra-large cat trees and cat shelves.
 
4. Burmese
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10–17 years
Temperament: Friendly, loyal and people-oriented
With fine, glossy coats that don’t shed much, the Burmese are good for those who have mild allergies. Affectionate loyal, and known for forming a very strong attachment to their pet parents, they’re purr-fect lap cats for people who covet companionship.
 
5. Cornish Rex
Size: Small to medium
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Temperament: Active, affectionate and curious
Cornish Rexes’ soft undercoats of downy fur reduce both shedding and dander spread. Extremely energetic and endlessly curious, they enjoy daily playtime with numerous cat toys, climbing onto high perches, and then lapping up as much loving as possible.
 
6. Devon Rex
Size: Small to medium
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Temperament: Affectionate, mischievous and playful
Devon Rexes have soft fur that clings closely to their bodies and sheds very little. Highly intelligent, extremely active and endlessly impish, they love frolicking about as much as being with their pet parents, often curling up on their shoulders to prove it!
 
7. Javanese
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Temperament: Intelligent, social and “talkative”
Javanese cats sport a single, fine coat without an underlayer, meaning less shedding and fewer airborne allergens. Impressively intelligent and charmingly chatty, they enjoy playing with puzzle toys as much as engaging in cheerful banter with their pet parents.
 
8. Oriental Shorthair
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Temperament: Affectionate, social and vocal
Slender with big eyes and bat-like ears, Oriental Shorthairs boast a short, smooth coat lying close to their bodies. Supremely social with a distinctive “honking” meow, they thrive in especially energetic homes and become strongly attached to their pet parents.
 
9. Russian Blue
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10–20 years
Temperament: Gentle, loyal and reserved with strangers
Russian Blues are prized for their plush double coats that shed so little that they seldom need brushing. Blessed with a calm, gentle nature and best suited to quieter homes, their love and loyalty lead them to form enviable lifelong bonds with their pet parents.
 
10. Siamese
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 12–20 years
Temperament: Affectionate, chatty and curious
The distinctive blue-eyed Siamese’s ears, faces, paws and tails are a darker color than the rest of their bodies. Always affectionate, always curious and always talkative, they shed less than the typical kitty, making them a good fit for some people with cat allergies.
 
11. Siberian
Size: Medium to large
Lifespan: 10–18 years
Temperament: Affectionate, calm and intelligent
Despite their long fur, Siberians are surprisingly good for those with allergies, but grooming them daily and keeping them tangle-free is key! Manage this and these loving, gentle and adaptable cats enjoy the twin pleasures of playtime and quiet companionship.
 
12. Sphynx
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 9–15 years
Temperament: Affectionate, energetic and friendly
As hairless cats, Sphynxes are one of the best options for allergy sufferers. While they’re affable, athletic and active, they require regular baths to keep their skin healthy and either cat-safe sunscreen or clothing to prevent sunburn if they venture outdoors.
 
13. Tonkinese
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10–16 years
Temperament: Affectionate, outgoing and playful
A cross between Burmese and Siamese cats, Tonkinese have short, fine, lightly shedding coats that are easy to keep. Combining the best of both breeds -- intelligence, affection and a love of play -- their sociability makes them ideal for families and multi-pet homes.

by Nomi Berger
 
Everyone is familiar with the old saying that cats have nine lives. And, apparently, more than 5,000 people search “do cats have nine lives” on Google every month!
 
Where, though, did this expression originate and why is it still so intriguing today?
 
One of the earliest connections comes from ancient Egypt where cats were considered sacred. The sun god Atum was reputed to have taken on the form of a cat when he visited the underworld. Atum was also the creator of the Ennead, a group of nine deities. So, nine lives from one divine “cat.” Then there’s an old English proverb that says, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.”
 
Whatever the number, the message remains the same: cats are survivors. And although they don’t actually have nine lives, they do have an impressive set of physical abilities that inspired this belief.
 
They’re flexible: If you’ve ever seen cats squeeze themselves into spaces that look impossibly narrow, you’ve seen how truly flexible they are -- thanks to their elastic spines and unique clavicles attached, not to bone, but to muscle.
 
They’re agile: When cats get the “zoomies,” navigating around furniture at top speed, then landing gracefully after taking a flying leap, their pliable spines and powerful muscles allow them to make these smooth, rapid movements. 
 
They land on their feet: Their most iconic survival tactic, the “righting reflex” is an automatic response that helps them re-orient their bodies during a fall. A specialized balance system in their inner ears helps them figure out which way is up, and their pliable spine allows for this midair twisting and turning.
 
They’re blessed with amazing balance: Have you wondered how your cat can walk so confidently across the top of an outdoor railing or along the edge of your bathtub? Their inner ear contains sensitive balance sensors (the same ones that help during a fall) that constantly monitor their body position and make automatic adjustments to keep them steady. (Their tail also helps, acting as a counterbalance that assists them in making tiny corrections on narrow surfaces).
 
They have “supercharged” senses: A cat’s hearing is so acute that they can detect sounds up to 1.6 octaves higher than humans, which means they often know danger is approaching long before we do. Their night vision is also far superior to ours. A special reflective layer in their eyes (tapetum lucidum) gives them a large advantage in low-light situations.
 
Cats may be extraordinary in many ways, but they’re not invincible. Consider, then, these steps to protect your own favorite felines and help reduce unnecessary risks so that they can remain both healthy and safe during their (one) lifetime.
 
If yours is an indoor/outdoor cat, whenever you take them outside, ensure that they’re on a harness and leash. This will not only keep them from eating things they shouldn’t, it will keep them away from other animals and from cars.
 
If you take your cat on car trips or on visits to the vet, always keep them secure in a cat carrier or cat kennel. This will prevent them from accidentally escaping.
 
Keep your cat on regular flea and tick and heartworm preventatives, particularly if they frequent the outdoors.

by Nomi Berger
 
Two questions for feline fanciers: “How high can cats jump?” and “How do they do it?”
 
Have you ever been utterly fascinated by the sight of your own kitties leaping effortlessly onto a windowsill or scaling a tall bookshelf in mere seconds? If so, you’ve probably wondered why these “furry acrobats” jump so much and just how they accomplish these feline feats.
 
According to animal behaviorists, jumping isn’t simply an amusing pastime for them. It’s an integral part of the way they explore their surroundings and remain active. From navigating their environment to satisfying their innate hunting instincts and engaging in play, cats rely on their strong sense of balance, powerful hind legs and flexible spine, allowing them to jump vertically up to 8 or 9 feet. And since the average housecat measures about 18 inches long, this means they can jump about five to six times their body length in that single vertical leap!
 
Before your own kitty jumps, you’ll often see her crouch down, in essence, loading her spring-like hind legs with energy for the leap. After launching herself upwards, her flexible spine enables her to adjust herself in midair. Pay close attention and you’ll often see her tail move as she lands, acting as a counterbalance to keep her steady on her feet.
 
Some of the most common reasons that housecats jump include:
· Seeking tall “vantage” points: this behavior is derived from their predator-prey instincts. Being high up permits them to watch for “prey” while also allowing them to keep an eye out for “predators.”
· Hunting: pouncing on “prey” is an important part of the hunting process.
· Playing: jumping for wand toys or toy mice mimics actual hunting and provides them with much-needed physical exercise and mental stimulation.
 
Just as people have different athletic abilities, not all housecats possess the same jumping prowess. Some of the most common factors that impact their jumping skills include:
· Age: senior cats (those 7 years old and older) may be less motivated to jump up to a higher vantage point due to reduced muscle mass, discomfort or other health concerns.
· Body conditions: arthritic and obese housecats and those with extremely weak muscles will see their jumping abilities greatly reduced.
· Breed: Some small cat breeds, particularly those with proportionally shorter legs, like Munchkins, will, naturally, have a more limited vertical jump than athletic cats with longer bodies and legs, like Abyssinians.
 
Sadly, however, cats can often jump up into danger: onto countertops with food that’s toxic to them, onto a hot stove or onto a shelf that can’t quite hold their weight. You, as a pet parent, can discourage your own cat from jumping onto risky spaces by offering her safe and sturdy alternatives. Consider anchoring a tall, well-built cat tree to one of your walls or mounting a series of cat shelves onto a wall as safe places to perch. These features can also help “fraidy” cats gain more confidence in jumping, while helping them exercise and, over time, build up both their skill and their muscles.
 
Keeping your kitty from becoming bored is another way to reduce her jumping. Playing with her several times a day and providing her with interactive toys and puzzle feeders are purr-fect ways to keep her mentally stimulated and physically satisfied – and away from paw-tential danger.

by Nomi Berger
 
Do you have images of bygone days when a cat was always lapping up milk from a bowl? Have you ever wondered if milk is even good for cats? If so, the short answer is “no.”
 
Cow’s milk isn’t good for cats for several reasons. The most important reason being that, as cats mature they produce less lactase, the enzyme needed to properly digest milk. Like so many people with the same condition, these cats are referred to as being lactose intolerant.
 
Without lactase, the undigested milk sugar, lactose, passes through these cats’ intestinal tracts, and as it does, it pulls water into their intestines. This excessive amount of water can result in diarrhea, while bacteria in their colons consume a large influx of sugars, resulting in gas. All of this can trigger vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
 
Any cats showing signs of vomiting, diarrhea and gas within 12 hours of drinking milk are, in all probability, lactose intolerant. Most will bounce back from mild lactose intolerance within 24 hours. But if they’re feeling sick for longer than 24 hours, are vomiting to the point where they can’t keep down water or are especially lethargic, it’s essential to seek prompt veterinary care.
 
Not all cats, though, are lactose intolerant. Can they, then, drink milk? Sadly, the answer is still “no.” Cow’s milk contains quite a lot of fat and many (perhaps even most) cats are prone to obesity. Permitting them to drink milk on a regular basis adds fats and sugars to their diet and almost guarantees that they will become dangerously overweight. If, however, your own cat loves milk and isn’t lactose intolerant, a teaspoon of milk once or twice a week is unlikely to harm her.
 
As to drinking milk alternatives: if cow’s milk is off-limits, can you share your favorite plant or nut-based milk with your cat? Unfortunately, oat milks, soy milks, almond milks and coconut milks aren’t the best of ideas. Why? Some of these milks can be high in fat and cause your cat to become overweight. Some contain sugars, oils and thickeners that can be very hard to digest and lead to gastrointestinal upset. Some contain additives and preservatives that may prove difficult for cats to digest. Some contain added salt. And while a bit of salt isn’t necessarily bad, if your kitty’s prone to hypertension or renal disease, it’s never a good idea to add more salt to her diet.
 
Kittens, on the other hand, can happily drink milk without any signs of gastrointestinal distress. But they can only drink milk produced by female cats, not milk from other species such as cows, sheep or goats. This is due to the fact that kittens are born with the full ability to process cat milk. But as they’re weaned and begin eating the food that they’ll consume as adults, they start losing the ability -- and the enzymes -- to successfully process cat milk: at around 8 weeks of age.
 
There are, however, some commercial products that have been designed to mimic cat milk as closely as possible, such as PetAg KMR liquid milk supplement and PetAg KMR powder milk supplement. These, according to veterinary experts, are the only kind of “milk” products suitable for orphaned kittens and those requiring additional supplementation.
 

by Nomi Berger

Quite a mouthful: superfecundation!

What could it paws-ibly mean? In reference to female cats, fecundity is their ability to produce a large number of offspring. A fecund cat is fertile and capable of giving birth to many kittens. An intact female cat, known as a “queen”, can have either a large litter at one time or a frequent number of litters.

Superfecundation refers to a queen being impregnated by multiple intact males or “toms” and bringing her kittens (from different fathers) to term during the same pregnancy. The result: littermates who bear little or no resemblance to one another and who may only be half-sisters and half-brothers.

Female cats are known as “induced ovulators,” which means that eggs are only released from their ovaries after they’ve mated. Because of this, each ovary may release eggs during separate matings, increasing the probability of multiple fertilizations. Once ovulation has occurred, females will go out of heat within a day or two. An intact female will first go into heat at about six months old and her pregnancy will last for approximately 64 to 71 days, with an average of 65 days (nine weeks). Each heat usually lasts several days, with the average length being seven days. If an intact female hasn’t mated with an intact male when she’s fertile, she’ll go out of heat for a period of time ranging from two to 19 days.

A fertile intact female cat may produce six kittens in a litter, but a particularly fecund one may produce 30 kittens per year for six years or more, reaching as many as 180 kittens in her lifetime. An intact male cat with high fecundity, on the other hand, can father thousands of kittens during his lifetime!

Although more common among intact outdoor and feral cats, intact indoor/outdoor female cats and indoor ones living with intact males are equally at risk of having unwanted, multiple pregnancies. The most notable signs of females being in heat are behavioral. They become very affectionate, even demanding, persistently rubbing against their owners or furniture, and constantly wanting attention. They roll around on the floor more often and become more vocal. When stroked along the spine or back, they will raise their rear quarters into the air and tread with their back legs.

Some will urinate more frequently or spray urine on aka marking vertical objects. Their urine contains pheromones and hormones that signal their reproductive state, thereby attracting any intact males in the house – creating the “purr-fect storm” for copulation. Should these intact females venture outside, they’re certain to mate with one or more intact males in the area before coming back home.

The only solution to the twin problems of unwanted, multiple litters and cat overpopulation is spaying and neutering intact female and male cats. Most veterinarians recommend having females spayed before the age of five months, while kittens as young as eight weeks old can safely be neutered or spayed. Most cats will return to normal within three days following the procedure, with their healing complete within two weeks.

by Nomi Berger
 
Does your favorite feline have a belly that sways from side to side? Could it be … fat?
 
According to veterinarians, it’s not fat at all! It’s a primordial pouch: a loose flap comprised of a mixture of fat, skin and fur on the underside of a cat that hangs between her midsection and hind legs and feels floppy to the touch. Although it may look as if an overweight cat who recently lost weight retained the extra skin, that so-called extra skin has less to do with her condition and more to do with genetics.
 
While all cats have primordial pouches, they vary in size depending on each individual kitty. Cats start developing these telltale stomach pouches during kittenhood, usually around 6 months of age. And, perhaps most fascinating of all is the fact that “big cats” a.k.a. lions and tigers have them as well!
 
Even experts can only theorize as to the purpose of these legendary pouches. Protection: a primordial pouch might shield a cat’s vital organs during rough activities and/or fights. Flexibility: it might allow a cat’s abdomen to stretch during movement, making her even more agile. Food storage: it might help accommodate larger meals when she eats a great deal at once. Heat regulation: it might be of assistance in temperature control by allowing air to circulate more effectively. Then again, the primordial pouch may merely be an evolutionary trait left over from a cat’s wild ancestors.
 
No matter how large or small your own kitty’s swaying belly flap is, having a primordial pouch isn’t an indication of her overall health or whether she’s either underweight or overweight. Like people, a cat’s skin tends to sag, stretch and lose elasticity with age, leading inevitably to a belly that seems to sway more as she matures into a senior cat.
 
If you’re still unsure as to whether you’re seeing your kitty’s primordial pouch or fat, consider the following advice to help you differentiate between the two. Focus less on the size of your cat’s belly flap and more on her body condition score (BCS), a visual tool used by veterinarians to determine if a cat is at her ideal weight. Begin by looking down at her from above. Healthy cats will have noticeable waistlines whereas overweight ones won’t.
 
Then, run your fingers gently across her ribs. If she’s at an ideal weight, her ribs should feel similar to when your knuckles are being rubbed on an open palm. If she’s overweight, you’ll feel a pronounced layer of fat covering her ribs. If she’s underweight, however, her ribs may feel prominent, much the way the backs of your knuckles feel when you make a fist.
 
While helping your cat shed some excess pounds won’t make her primordial pouch smaller, helping her maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise will help prevent an accumulation of unwanted fat. If, however, you’re either uncertain as to whether your cat’s at a healthy weight or want advice to help her reach her ideal weight, reach out to your vet.

by Nomi Berger
 
Curious as to why a cat’s tongue feels surprisingly like sandpaper, so rough and so scratchy, when you’re the recipient of some loving licks?
 
If so, examine the topside of your kitty’s tongue up close and purr-sonal and you’ll see what look like teeny, tiny spikes covering a good portion of it. These are called papillae – pointy, curved cones comprised of keratin, the same material that makes up our human fingernails. According to veterinarians, in cats, they’re known as filiform papillae since the “spines” face towards the back of their mouths.
 
This rough texture helps cats groom themselves so skillfully, drink water and eat food so efficiently, and socialize and communicate so effectively. (While it’s usually harmless when your kitty licks you, if her licking becomes excessive, provide her with lick mats as an alternative).
 
Grooming: cats spend 30% to 50% of their day grooming themselves, and the papillae on their tongues can reach all the way down to their skin. This allows them to detangle their fur, remove loose fur, debris, dust and other particles from their coat and help evenly distribute their body’s oils across their coat, keeping it shiny and smooth. Their tongues also act as a form of temperature control. Since papillae are hollow, they suck up saliva that is then deposited in their fur while they’re grooming, and when that saliva evaporates, it helps keep them cool.
 
Drinking: cats, like dogs, lack the ability to suction water into their mouths. But unlike dogs accustomed to scooping up water with the tips of their tongues, cats extend their tongues to just touch the water’s surface and then deftly and swiftly flick them back in. Water adheres to the top of their tongues, thanks to the papillae, and is pulled into their mouths without even breaking the surface of the water.
 
Eating: purr-fectly suited as efficient eating “utensils,” the papillae on their tongues helped cats in the wild wipe clean the bones of their prey and moved that food towards the back of their mouths. Even if our domesticated cats’ form of “hunting” is finding some long-forgotten treats behind a sofa or a chair, their papillae-covered tongues will ensure that they thoroughly enjoy them down to the very last crumb.
 
Communicating and socializing: cats use licking as a way of bonding both with their fellow felines and with members of their human family – as cat owners already know. But they also use their tongues to understand the world around them, particularly where pheromones (chemical signals released by other cats) and fascinating scents of all kinds are concerned, by opening their mouths, sticking out their tongues slightly, and inhaling!

by Nomi Berger
 
A tabby cat is NOT a specific breed. Rather, a tabby cat refers to that particular cat’s coat pattern. In fact, the tabby coat – the most common pattern of fur paws-ible -- is found on cats of any breed, mixed breed and on both male and female cats. And because of this, it’s extremely difficult to find cats who AREN’T tabbies.
 
Most tabby cats are easily recognizable due to the distinctive M-shaped marking on their foreheads. Tabby cats’ coats come in a fascinating variety of colors, including brown, calico, gray, orange and even tortoiseshell, and have spots, stripes or swirls on their bodies, legs, tails and/or faces. Since the tabby gene is a dominant gene, it only takes one parent with that particular tabby gene to pass the pattern on to a kitten.
 
There are five different types of tabby cat patterns:
· Mackerel: The most common tabby pattern, the mackerel features narrow, tiger-like stripes.
· Classic: Cats with a classic tabby pattern have a marble-like swirl on their sides much like a cinnamon roll.
· Spotted: True to its name, the spotted tabby pattern has spots instead of the more common narrow stripes.
· Patched: Patched tabbies are calico or tortoiseshell cats who not only have the tabby pattern but are known as caliby and torby cats, respectively.
· Ticked: The least common of the five tabby cat patterns, ticked coats are often more subtle than the other varieties. In this particular pattern, each individual hair, called agouti hairs, contains bands of different colors that create an iridescent or shimmering effect.
 
Due to the fact that any cat can inherit the tabby gene, the breeds that recognize a tabby pattern in their breed standard include: Abyssinian, American Bobtail, Bengal, British Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Exotic Shorthair,
LaPerm, Maine Coon, Manx, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Persian, Scottish Fold, Siberian,
Turkish Angora, and Turkish Van.
 
As to how long do tabby cats live? Because a cat’s lifespan varies by breed, tabby cats can live 10 – 15 years. But, blessed with the finest of care, some cats can live well into their 20’s.
 
If your own favorite feline is a tabby, a cat DNA test will tell you which breeds are in her DNA, thereby enabling you to “guess-timate” her lifespan.