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American Shorthair kittens with mama

How to Find a Reputable Cat Breeder

How to Find a Reputable Cat Breeder

Fluffy, independent, incessantly cuddly but also standoffish and unpredictable—cats are companions that bring you as much comfort as some of the best humans you are likely to meet. Whether you live with a warm and loving lap cat, or are lucky enough to share your home with a sassy couch-potato typeAmerican Shorthair cat laying on couch,

choosing your first cat can be a confusing, stressful, and delicate process. Nevertheless, if you’re set on finding the purr-fect feline for you, consider pedigree cats or kittens.

We will go over how to find a reputable cat breeder. Pedigree cats come in a wide variety of breeds. If getting a pedigree cat like an American Shorthair is something you want to do, you can learn a lot from online resources, such as this website, which provides knowledge and tips on a wide range of fashionable cousins of the cute British Shorthair. Whichever pedigree breed strikes your fancy, there is a cat out there that’s just purr-fect for you. Any kind of cat can make an outstanding pet, but pedigree cats are the most socially desirable and the most genetically desirable.

Once you have chosen a breed that you feel the most suited to, you can start the search for a reputable and professional cat breeder.

How to find a Reputable Cat Breeder

Visit a local cat show, and pet expos. These are usually the best places to find a reputable cat breeder. You will see that the cats are very well maintained and are very well socialized. Quality certified cat breeders will know their business and enjoy sharing a wealth of experience with a prospective customer; questions and curiosity are a positive feature, not a hindrance.

Other ways to check on how to find a reputable cat breeder and how responsible and ethical they are, is to find a cat breeder will go above and beyond the call of duty in order to make sure their cats are healthy, happy, and cared for. They put a lot of loving work into every individual they breed. To further your chances of finding registered cat breeders near me, you should ask the registering associations such as The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA) for cat breeder list and if they have a cattery license or accreditation program in place. Because these things are extra hoops and filters that adoptable catteries have to jump through, they are designed to ensure that the people who breed, sell, and care for pedigree cats comply with a high standard of animal care and breeding practices. If a potential cat breeder you are speaking to has their accreditation through one of these associations, you probably already have a good idea that they are reputable and legit, saving you a lot of trouble in the long run.

Showing Cats Symbolizes a Reputable Breeder

To check that a breeder is genuine and dedicated to ensuring the breed remains healthy as well as good looking, ask to see his cats at a cat show. This way, you’ll be able to have a discussion with him openly in a public arena without having to commit to purchasing your cat from him. Note that a good breeder will talk about techniques that he uses to improve upon the breed rather than gloat about his wins.

How to Find a Reputable Cat Breeder

Red Flags to Watch Out for When Selecting a Breeder

  1. Sells distinct cat breeds.
  2. Sells kittens that are not desexed.
  3. Offers low prices for precious pedigree kittens.
  4. Usually sells without signing any contract.
  5. Is hesitant or refuses to disclose where the kittens/cats were born.
  6. Doesn’t provide a guarantee to show that the parents were healthy, etc.

As craftsmanship and dedication are key aspects to breeding cats, not all breeders will allow you to pay visits to their cattery. However, most of them will be pleased to take you on a tour of their facilities. They should have a professional-looking website full of images of their cattery and the places where they keep their stud cats. They may give you an insight into why they breed their cats and what they do with their kittens. The breeder should provide you with information on their registering association standards and all the relevant information about the breed you are looking into.

A good breeder will always prioritize quality over quantity whenever possible and will want to share their pride and appreciation for the breed they’re interested in with you. The very best way to find a reputable pedigree cat for sale in your area is to find a breeder who truly appreciates the feeling of pride they get from caring for pedigree cats and is always respectful and polite in providing information about them.

Finally, reputable cat breeders near me will want to interview you so that they can gain insight into your lifestyle, personality, and expectations so they can get an idea of what you’re looking for. They want to know how determined you are and how committed you will be with your new kitten, and so on.American Shorthair cat laying on lap of owner

A respectable and reputable breeder these days will always have a waiting list of potential adopters for their kittens. They will go above and beyond to ensure the experience for a new family is as smooth as possible.

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american shorthair female cat

16 American Shorthair Facts

16 American Shorthair Facts

The American Shorthair is a medium to large cat. It arrived in America by early settlers. They brought them to keep mice and rat population under control.

Soon it became America’s own cat and developed into a full-time working cat.American Shorthair Facts Because of its closeness to its human companions, the American Shorthair cat became a very sociable and adaptable cat. It’s incredible mousing abilities earned him the title, a “must have cat.” Farms would find themselves lost without these great mousers. Soon store outlets and homes acquired them for the same purpose. Its menu included mice, rats, squirrels and chipmunks.

More American Shorthair Facts. They became fashionable to own. This very sociable, incredibly beautiful cat was very accepting of other pets and children. Soon it found itself in urban homes. It became the companion we see today, lovable, affectionate, active, and sociable.

The American Shorthair was first known as the Domestic Shorthair. Breeders began breeding their finest qualities and soon its name changed in 1966 to the American Shorthair. The name change represented its “All American” character and it was to differentiate them from their short-haired cousins.

Today there are over 210 different color variations. The American Shorthair is known to have the longest life expectancy of any purebred cat. They are also very healthy and have few health issues. Being an active cat, they will soon become your entertainment. They’re very trainable and can be trained with a harness to go for walks. They also like to keep you company and visit pet friendly locations.

Below are some interesting American Shorthair Facts on this precious cat.

16 American Shorthair Facts

  1. American Shorthairs can weigh 8 to 12 pounds (5.44 kg) at maturity.
  2. American Shorthair has a thick, dense coat and comes in over 210 colors variations and patterns. Coat might be pure white, silver, cream, blue, reddish, golden, brown or black, or two- and tri-colored (Silver Tabby is the most popular of all colors).
  3. american shorthair silver tabby kittenAmerican Shorthair has massive head, full cheeks, extensive muzzle and robust jaws. It has broad chest, sturdy, muscular physique, thick legs and tail of medium size.
  4. American Shorthair has large, expressive eyes that may be copper, gold, or green.
  5. American Shorthair is easy-going, calm and clever cat that’s great in homes with children and other pets, including dogs.
  6. American Shorthair is a superb cat for those that live alone.
  7. American Shorthairs are very independent and don’t require a lot of attention.
  8. American Shorthairs like to play with its family and loves puzzles. It can be taught to perform various tasks.
  9. American Shorthairs entertain themselves if they don’t have a companion to play with.
  10. American Shorthair is not very vocal, it doesn’t create a mess in the home when left alone. It likes to relaxation by the window sunbathing and watching birds, squirrels and other animals.
  11. American Shorthair does well in the company of strangers who visit the home.
  12. American Shorthair sheds like all other cat breeds. Brushing them once or twice a week is recommended, it’s both therapeutic and great for keeping the coat healthy.
  13. American Shorthairs have an average littler of two kittens. Because of the square conformation they can only have so many babies.
  14. American Shorthairs are very healthy; however, they do suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  15. American Shorthairs require a well-balanced diet in order to keep good weight and a healthy lifestyle. Raw diets are the best preferred.
  16. American Shorthairs have the longest life-expectancy of 15 to 20 years.

Visit our Available Kittens page to learn more about our litters and upcoming kittens. For more American Shorthair Facts please visit our History page.

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Syringe and pills with petri dish

Your cat and the flu

Your cat and the flu

Your Cat and the Flu

Let’s dive into this subject and find the many common myths and misconceptions out there regarding this very subject.  We want to get down to the nitty-gritty of what our cats can catch from us and what we can give to them.  Let’s face it, we love to snuggle and stay warm under our cozy blankets when sick.

This is an open invitation for our cats to want to come and snuggle in with us.  But is it really healthy for us to be snuggling with our four-legged friends when we are sick? Could we pass this human flu onto our cat?  That is the very thing we want to explore today, Your cat and the flu.

Studies have shown that you cannot catch a cat’s flu.  A cat’s flu is not actually caused by the influenza virus but is a viral infection.  The flu that humans get is caused by influenza A, B, and C.  However, the cat flu is still a virus, meaning that antibiotics will not help treat it.  Some people don’t understand the difference between a virus and a bacterial infection.  A virus is not treatable by antibiotics.

Your cat can catch your flu!

cat, hygene, flu

It is thought that our animals can catch our diseases. In fact, that is why there are so many mutations of a virus. While you are down with the flu, you should avoid the cat as much as you avoid other family and friends. This will help you not spread the virus from you to your cat.

However, there is yet another step that you might consider as well, this is that the cat’s fur could carry the virus to other family members as well.

Think about it, when you sneeze or rub your eyes, you could be picking up the virus and potentially putting it on the cat.  It is important that you are constantly washing your hands and avoiding contact with your cat.

Your cat and the flu are not a good mixture.  However, it is hard sometimes to get the cat to understand.  Especially if you are an on the go person that is now laying there, basically asking for them to lay on you.

Keep hydrated

american shorthair hydratingTypically, your cat’s flu and your flu have pretty much the same symptoms.  For the most part, you will just need to stay in and rest.  Be sure to stay hydrated and get plenty of fluids and always have fresh water out for your cat as well.  To get even more fluids into them, you might moisten their food too.

Sometimes the flu can turn into a bacterial infection such as pneumonia or a sinus infection.  This typically is followed up by green phlegm in both you and your cat.  When looking at your cat and the flu, these have some similarities.  If the cat has green phlegm, this is a good indication that you should probably see the vet.  Bacterial infections can be taken care of with antibiotics.

Make sure you know who the cat has been in contact with.  It may not have been with you. In fact, they may not have had contact with anyone but you.  However, we carry germs from the outside in on our clothing and shoes.  These germs can reach your cat, but they simply coexist with you.  This is not to make you paranoid, but just aware.

There are many reasons for a cat to get sick and just because they didn’t seem exposed, they certainly could have been.

Good Hygiene is important!

Your cat and the fluCat flu comes from other cats.  However, that doesn’t mean that your cat has to be exposed to other cats.  In fact, like all flu cases, the cat could catch it from being around you.  And some cats that are carriers of the disease have no symptoms at all.  This is important to note so you can further understand your cat and the flu.

Cats release the flu bug in tears, saliva, nasal secretions and even in their urine.  It can survive in most environments for up to a week.  Because it is transmitted by saliva, most cats that are sick will have the virus on their fur.  Be sure to always wash your hands well before touching another cat.

When looking for signs notice there are similarities to spreading the disease.  Always wash the hands well and often.  And washing clothing is also important.  Good hygiene isn’t just for the vain but it is to keep you and those around you healthy.

To read more about caring for your American Shorthair cat click here.

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