Home » Breeds » About the Chausie cat breed
Let me introduce to the public another very rare and extremely beautiful breed of cat - Chausie. Photo.
Let’s not hide the fact that this is an interspecific hybrid of the domestic Abyssinian and the wild reed cat, the Hausa.
Brief history of the Chausie cat breed
The first hybrids of a domestic cat and a jungle cat began to appear during the times of Ancient Egypt. Although such animals harmoniously combined wild appearance and docile disposition, the inhabitants of the land of the pharaohs were in no hurry to recognize them as a unique breed.
Judging by ancient frescoes and surviving documents, both the jungle cats themselves and their descendants were of no small importance for the Egyptians. They lived next to people and helped them hunt small rodents and waterfowl.
At the end of the era of the pharaohs, extraordinary cats still coexisted in symbiosis with humans, but did not attract the attention of scientists of that time. Everything changed when American tourists saw them.
In 1960, these cats came to the United States and began to participate in breeding work to develop a breed with the exterior of a wild animal and the character of a domestic pet.
The most successful in this regard was a cross between an Abyssinian cat and a jungle cat. In 1995, the Chausie was given provisional status by TICA. And in 2003 the breed was officially registered.
Origin of the breed
There are two versions of the origin of the Chausie cat.
The first claims that this species originated from a sick lynx. The second - Chausie came from crossing the Abassinian cat and the Jungle Cat. The breed was officially registered in 1990.
Interesting Facts
Although Chausie cats have only recently been recognized, a lot of interesting things have happened to them:
- The name of the breed directly indicates its relationship with jungle cats, known in scientific circles as Felis chaus.
- In some countries, representatives of the breed are called Hausie, Swamp or Nile cats.
- Chausie F1 males are completely sterile and are not capable of procreation. The first full-fledged cat was a representative of the third generation named Tasurt Naabhi. He gave birth to numerous offspring and appears in almost all pedigrees of modern Chausies.
- Representatives of the breed are divided into several species, the main difference between which is the ratio of wild and domestic blood. Chausie F1 has 50% of the jungle cat genes. They cannot be fully domesticated and can be dangerous if not handled correctly. F2 generation Houses have 25% wild blood. These cats have a calmer temperament and are easier to tame. Chausie F3 have 12.5% wild genes. In character and appearance they bear little resemblance to a jungle cat. Chausie F4 and F5 each have 6.25% and 3.12% wild blood. Such cats have a calm, peaceful disposition and can be domesticated without any problems.
Where to buy a Chausie F1 kitten?
EXOCATS cattery is the only one in the world that can offer Chausie F1 kittens (wild blood content 63%) with an exclusive “grizzly” color. We have the best producers brought from the famous American nursery “MARECHAL”, one of the very first to start working with this breed.
By purchasing a kitten from us, you can be sure that you are the owner of a unique animal, of which there are no more than a dozen in all of Russia.
Breed description, standards, appearance
Chausies are harmonious, proportionally built cats with well-developed muscles and long, strong legs. Despite the fact that Abyssinian blood flows in their veins, they are distinguished by their large size. The standard, which provides a complete description of the Chausie breed, was developed in 1995.
Dimensions and weight
Due to their relationship with true predators, Chausie cats have impressive sizes. The female's weight is 9-13 kg. The male weighs 10-15 kg. The height of the Hausi ranges from 40-50 cm at the withers, and the length of the body with tail reaches 1.55 m.
Anatomical characteristics
According to the official description, Chausie cats should look like this:
- The head is wedge-shaped, moderately elongated, elegantly outlined, small in comparison with the body. The forehead is wide and flat. High cheekbones. The occipital protuberance is well defined. The muzzle is neat, with a fairly sharp stop. The cat's nose and chin form a straight line. Male chausies have a wider bridge of the nose than females.
- The ears are large, wide at the base, set high and far, with pointed tips, decorated with neat tassels. On the outside of the Chausie's ears there are false "eyes" - small spots inherited from Egyptian relatives.
- The eyes are almond-shaped, closely spaced, slightly slanted. The iris of the Chausie can be a rich yellow, amber or yellow-green hue.
- The body is tightly built, with heavy bones, developed muscles, a deep broad chest, a straight back, a moderately tucked groin line, a short thick neck, narrow shoulders and pelvis.
- The limbs are long, muscular with large paws and loosely gathered toes.
- The tail is mobile, smooth, wide at the base.
Color and coat type
Chausie is a cat with short hair that visually resembles plush. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the animal’s villi adhere tightly and densely to each other. The shiny guard hair of the Housie shimmers in the sun and hides a well-developed undercoat.
The standard allows the following colors of Chausie:
- Black – the fur is evenly colored charcoal. The body of the Hausi is completely free of spots and marks.
- Ticked black tabby - the fur is colored in several tones. The golden-red color of the undercoat is combined with the points on the inside of the legs and tail of the cat. The Housie has lighter hair on his chin and around his eyes.
- Black and silver ticked tabby. The guard hair of the Chausie has dark tips. Each of them has 2-3 ticking stripes in black and silver. The presence of bright points on the body of a Hausi is regarded as a disadvantage.
On a note. Sometimes Housies are born with a different coat color. Such cats are less in demand and are not used for breeding.
Hausie breeding
Despite the value of the breed, there are not many breeders in the world who breed it. Too many difficulties arise along this path. Among the Hausis, the most valuable are representatives of the F1 and F2 subgroups. To obtain F1, one of the parents must be a jungle cat, and the second parent (female) is usually an Abyssinian cat, although there are attempts to use the Bengal or other shorthair cat breeds. At best, only half the litter will meet breed standards.
Chausie F1 is significantly larger than F4 and reaches an average size of up to 55 cm at the withers
At home, you can only count on obtaining subgroups F3 and below, and then in very rare cases, since most male Hoosiers are sterile.
Table: Hausi reproductive abilities
Index | Jungle cat blood percentage | Size | Males |
F1 | 50% (one of the parents is a predator) | Very large, 10–15 kg | Sterile |
F2 | 25% (grandparent is predatory) | Large, approximately 10 kg | Sterile |
F3 | 12,5% | Medium, up to 10 kg | Sterile |
F4 | 6,25% | The size of a normal domestic cat | Sometimes sterile |
F5 | 3,12% | The size of a normal domestic cat | Can reproduce |
Character and temperament
Despite their relationship with a predator, Chausie cats are endowed with a cheerful and sociable disposition. They become very attached to their owners and show them their affection in every possible way. Houseies have developed intuition and often accurately guess the wishes of their owners, for which they are called telepaths.
On a note. Houses of the first and second generations with a large admixture of wild blood have an independent and obstinate character. Therefore, those who want to get a softer and more flexible pet should get a fourth generation kitten.
As a reminder of their kinship with wild cats, the Chausie still has the habit of storing supplies in secluded places. Moreover, this can be not only products, but also any things they like. Therefore, Hausie owners often find cat hiding places during the cleaning process.
Sociable animals easily find a common language with children and take an active part in joint games. True, kids should treat the pet with respect and not hurt it. If children decide to pull the Chausie's tail or ears, the cat may become aggressive.
Representatives of the breed get along without problems with their brothers and small dogs. True, for greater safety, it is advisable to accustom the Hausie to the company of other animals from an early age. But a cat will never be able to make friends with small pets like hamsters or aquarium fish. Chausie has excellent hunting instincts and will regard rodents or birds as living “toys” or prey.
Character and behavioral characteristics of the chausie
Chausie is a real perpetual motion machine. This cat, thanks to its relationship with the active Abyssinian breed and the physical endurance inherited from Felis Chaus, can run and play all day long. On the scale of cat activity, a Chausie would score all eleven out of ten. The first generation of chausies is especially active; they usually require the construction of a separate enclosure. Other generations can adapt to life in a large apartment, provided they take daily walks in nature. However, a small problem can be the curiosity of the chausie - left at home alone, the cat will not leave a single corner unexplored.
Oddly enough, the Chausi inherited activity from the Abyssinian cat, and poise from the jungle cat
The Chausie is very friendly towards most domestic animals. Of course, this does not apply to hamsters, guinea pigs, fish and other small animals - the Chausie perceives them as prey or a toy. But dogs or cats are great company for Chausies. The cat's sociability and unusual habits make it possible to make friends even with chained dogs. But people are of particular interest to the Chausie. They are devoted to only one owner, and communication with him is very important for the cat. Chausie usually does not like to sit on laps or be petted a lot, but with his whole appearance he shows how much he wants to communicate and play.
Chausie children are treated quite loyally, but still you should not leave them alone with the kids: the animal’s wild habits can appear at any moment.
Chausie becomes so attached to his owner that he is able to notice and remember the slightest manifestations of feelings in human facial expressions, movements, and tone of voice. Some Chausie owners say that the cat could guess the owner’s thoughts even before they were spoken out loud. Chausie also truly cares about its human and protects him from danger.
Chausies love active games and walks in the fresh air.
With the help of competent socialization, the Chausie turns into an unusually balanced and intelligent animal. These cats are not afraid of almost anything. In addition, Chausie carefully care for their fur. If from the first day you show your cat what is allowed and what is not, she will never cross the boundaries of what is permitted. Chausies are also very intelligent and can be easily taught tricks and commands. The cat's natural curiosity will also help in the learning process. But the first generation Chausie has a small problem with upbringing: these cats are very difficult to train to the litter box.
Reviews about the breed
I never thought that I would have a pet. Especially, I didn’t think that it would cost as much as a mink coat... Chausie is a cross between a wild swamp lynx and an Abyssinian domestic cat, which is where the wildness and color of the Abyssinian come from in this breed. The weight of such a cat can reach 15 kg. At first my choice was a Bengal cat, an animal a la a tiger cub. But when I saw Chausie live, it was indescribable. The most beautiful domestic predator! The cat is so beautiful! She is very smart and never lets her claws out at her owner. The furniture remained untouched, as did my hands. Very energetic, ready to play with her favorite toy all day long! A very unexpected feature of this breed: when it runs around, it begins to breathe like a dog, opening its mouth and sticking out its tongue. Plus, this cat doesn't meow! Chausie brings so many positive emotions! Her face shows her every mood, she is very funny. From the beast she has tufted ears and powerful fangs, with which she chews pieces of beef and chicken legs. The wild coloring of my huntress gives her an additional animal charm.
pgs150
https://otzovik.com/review_4267563.html
The cat was given to us when she was 3.5 years old. When she went on a spree, she began to mark everywhere like a cat, so they quickly sterilized her. In its normal state it always goes in the tray, you can put it anywhere and there will be no problems. She is kind and affectionate, but does not like to sit in her arms. There are scratching posts, but besides them, it tears up the wallpaper, the bed, or anything else that gets under its paws (backpack, bag, ...). He loves to drink water from the tap, he can sit in the sink and sit there, the same with the bath. Loves to walk on a harness. But you won't get far with her. She likes to walk slowly or just stand. There was a small child at home and when he cried, she came up, bit him and tried to drag him away. After they explained to her that this could not be done, while crying she began to bite the one next to the baby. She is a thief, she can steal a whole loaf of bread and hide it somewhere under the bed. She practically doesn’t meow, and that’s good, because her voice is nasty)) She sleeps during the day, and by night starts playing. He rushes around the apartment like a horse, demolishing everything in his path. She is practically not interested in toys, she needs a person. Attacks legs and arms. Grabs with claws and teeth. It bites very painfully. It can even be scary from her madly wild games. And she’s not aggressive; if she doesn’t like something, she’ll just leave. She has a little fur. In character and appearance it is very similar to the Abyssinian, only much larger. We love our animal very much))
Ssonny
https://otzovik.com/review_5613785.html
How to choose the right kitten
The Chausie breed belongs to the category of rare and very expensive. A little more than 20 nurseries specializing in breeding these cats are registered with TICA. Moreover, the majority of Hausie breeders live in France and the USA. In order not to become a victim of deception and not to purchase a mestizo or outbred animal, you should not contact the first nursery you come across. And when choosing a Hausie kitten, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
- availability of pedigree and veterinary passport;
- health status;
- compliance with the breed standard;
- behavioral characteristics;
- conditions of detention.
Important! When purchasing a Chausie kitten, a special contract is usually drawn up, which stipulates the possibility of participation in exhibitions and specifies issues of breeding use.
Kitten care
Not a single reputable breeder of this breed of cats will sell Chausie before three months of age. By this time, the kitten will have already received preventive vaccinations, become accustomed to solid food, and learned basic self-care skills. Therefore, new Hausie owners will not have any special problems caring for him.
To prevent a curious pet from harming itself, electrical wires, a first aid kit, cleaning supplies, indoor plants and small fragile trinkets are removed from it. You need to be especially careful with kittens of the first and second generation, since these are the ones who are more prone to mischief and adventure than others.
Health
Chausies are healthy and active cats. There are no special predispositions to diseases if they are maintained correctly.
This does not mean that the health of cats of this breed can be ignored. For example, many of them show signs of sensitive digestion. Therefore, it is better to forget about ready-made dry food containing cereals. Grains are difficult for this breed to digest, and the digestive system will be stressed every time they feed industrial foods. This will lead to various problems, ranging from constipation and diarrhea to severe diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Another danger to the health of the Chausie cat breed also lies in the feeding system. It is necessary to control the frequency and dosage of food offered to them, as these animals are prone to overeating. Most likely, this is due to the fact that their wild ancestors “teared” and absorbed food in large pieces and volumes.
Care and maintenance
Chausies are active and lively cats that cannot live in a confined space. Representatives of the F1 and F2 generations should be kept in private houses with an equipped enclosure. Houseies with a small admixture of wild blood can be accommodated in spacious apartments.
Unlike representatives of many other breeds, these cats are not afraid of water and love to swim. Therefore, if you wish, you can equip a chausie with a small pool with clean water. Otherwise, caring for cats of this breed comes down to keeping their teeth, eyes, ears and coat clean.
Hygiene procedures
To ensure that a Hausie cat always has a neat appearance, it is regularly sanitized:
- The eyes and ears of the animal are systematically wiped with cotton pads soaked in a special product without ethanol.
- Chausie's claws are trimmed with a nail clipper as they grow. Only the transparent ends are removed and do not touch the blood vessels. To prevent the cat from damaging furniture and wallpaper, it is taught to use a scratching post from an early age.
- To prevent plaque from accumulating on Hausi teeth and tartar from forming, they are cleaned 2-3 times a week with a non-foaming paste and a special silicone attachment or a soft brush.
Grooming
The short fur of the Chausie does not require complex grooming. To maintain a neat appearance and improve blood circulation, the cat's fur is brushed weekly with a massage brush.
Bathe the Chausie as it gets dirty using special shampoos for short-haired breeds. Since this cat's skin is covered with special oil, frequent washing is contraindicated.
Tray
A spacious closed tray is ideal as a toilet for a chausie. When choosing a litter, it is better to focus on the preferences of the cat itself. Although many breeders recommend using clumping varieties that absorb odors well and do not stain the Howie’s paws.
On a note. It can be difficult to toilet train a Chausie, especially if we are talking about kittens with a large admixture of wild blood. But with some persistence from the owner, this problem can be solved.
Breeding and organizing a chausie nursery
Breeding Chausie is allowed only to people with a felinologist diploma and who understand all the nuances of the breed. Therefore, before taking on this difficult task, you need to attend felinological courses and consult with professionals in this field. It would also be a good idea to spend some time breeding Abyssinian cats, since breeding Chausie cats is allowed only in professional nurseries with responsible breeders.
Breeding Chausie has several disadvantages:
- Firstly, cats of this breed are extremely expensive. In order to buy a pair for breeding, you will have to shell out at least half a million rubles, and to purchase a jungle cat, with which it is best to start breeding Chausie, you will have to shell out at least eight hundred thousand.
- Secondly, this is a very risky business, since the breeder faces many difficulties: infertility and mutations in kittens, inbreeding and many others.
- Thirdly, this business is designed for a very narrow category of people who can afford to spend 200,000 rubles or more on a cat.
But if you have sufficient funds, knowledge and experience and are not afraid of difficulties, then it is quite possible to try. But remember: cats must be purchased only from a specialized nursery with all licenses.
The Chausie breeder will have to work hard to get a cat that fully meets the standard.
Mating
For a novice breeder, the best choice would be an F1 generation cat. Breeding chausie involves many difficulties and nuances:
- Chausie cats up to the third generation are born infertile. Therefore, if you want to buy a couple of studs, then you need to take an F1 female and an Abyssinian cat.
- When you have already gained experience, you can also buy a reed kitten, always a male, since a wild female will not let a domestic cat near her. It should be crossed with an Abyssinian cat. A jungle cat may not agree to a proposed mate, so you may have to go through several females.
- The F2 female is also bred to an Abyssinian cat.
- Make sure your cats are blood type compatible. Cats have only two groups: A and B. Cats A and cats B are compatible with any partner, cats B are mated only with males B, males A are mated only with females A.
First generation Chausies love to hunt
Pregnancy
Some features of pregnancy during breeding should also be taken into account:
- The pregnancy of an Abyssinian cat from a jungle cat will last about 67–70 days, and she will bring two or three kittens. Moreover, some of them may not meet the standard and look more like an Abyssinian cat than a wild cat.
- A female Chausie F1 and F2 will give birth to about 3-4 kittens, which may also not meet the standard.
- Chausie males cannot have offspring until the third generation, so the boy can be sold under the F1 label if he is the son of a jungle cat and an Abyssinian cat; F2, if he is the son of an F1 female and an Abyssinian cat; F3, if he is the son of a Chausie F2 and an Abyssinian cat.
- Only Chausie females that fully comply with the standard are allowed to be selected for further breeding.
As you can see, breeding chausie is a very difficult matter. Only people who have the necessary knowledge and are ready to devote all their time and even their lives to chausie can achieve success.
Chausie needs an owner who can devote a lot of time to them
Note to the breeder
Before you start breeding Chausie, you need to obtain permission to breed Chausie and register the nursery.
- The breed is recognized only by TICA. Therefore, the nursery must be registered there.
- Each cat, both Abyssinian and Chausie, must have a breeding rating of at least “excellent” in the open category or a title certificate. You can get them at the exhibition.
- Each cat must have a confirmed pedigree.
- For each kitten, a birth certificate and a breeding sheet are issued, which is assigned a four-digit number. If you have a felinologist diploma, you can do this yourself.
- Chausies receive the same vaccinations as regular cats. Kittens receive a veterinary passport from 3 months.
Feeding the cat
Chausie inherited from its wild ancestors a shortened intestinal tract, not adapted to fully digest fiber. Therefore, it is undesirable for representatives of the breed to be fed plant foods and industrial feeds.
Complete diet
The basis of the chausie menu should be raw lean meat such as rabbit or beef. Several times a week, your cat’s diet can be varied with quail, chickens or ocean fish. For mechanical cleaning of teeth, it is recommended to give chausie tendons and cartilage.
It is prohibited to include in the daily menu of a cat of this breed:
- pork;
- milk;
- potato;
- beans;
- nuts;
- mushrooms;
- confectionery;
- sausages;
- liver;
- any dishes from the host's table.
Feeding frequency
Unlike ordinary domestic cats, Chausie cats are taught to eat twice a day from a young age. And from 12 months they are fed once a day.
Vitamins and minerals
With proper nutrition, the Hausie does not need additional mineral supplements. Any vitamin complexes are given to cats of this breed only after consultation with a specialist.
Nutrition
Chausie has a special digestive system and a shortened intestine that cannot digest most plant foods, including cereals and legumes found in many foods. Because of these features, inherited from the jungle cat, the Chausie can be fed only with natural food.
What foods can be given to Chausie:
- lean beef;
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- quail meat;
- bird necks (crushed);
- rabbit meat;
- white sea fish;
- feed mice;
- day old chicks;
- raw quail eggs.
Some of the foods on the list are unusual, such as mice and chickens. But they are the ones that make up a harmonious and familiar diet for the chausie; they should be given at least twice a week. You can order chickens from a poultry farm; mice are sold in specialized pet stores as food for snakes. Cottage cheese is given to obtain calcium once or twice a week, 50–80 g.
Chausies should eat natural food from childhood
Chausie loves quail eggs, but you should not abuse them - 4-5 eggs a week will be enough. Meat makes up 80–85% of the chausie’s diet; it is recommended to alternate its varieties: the first day - beef, the second - rabbit, the third - quail, etc. The fish is given boiled or lightly boiled, two to three times a week.
It will also be useful to give Chausie vitamins for cats - this will compensate for the lack of nutrients.
What vitamins are suitable for Chausie:
- Vitamin tablets. 8 in 1 Excel Brewer's Yeast (brewer's yeast).
- Beaphar Kitty's Mix (for kittens).
- AniVital FeliDerm.
- Polidex Immunity up.
- Agrovetzaschita Radostin.
- Beaphar Laveta Super.
- Beaphar Duo Active Paste.
Education and physical activity
Chausies are smart cats with high intelligence and good memory. If you show a little patience and perseverance, you can teach them not only the rules of behavior in the house, but also simple commands. The main thing is to praise the Hausi more often for his successes and do not forget to reward him with a treat.
To prevent the cat from getting bored while waiting for its owners, it is provided with a variety of toys, balls and a sports corner. And to maintain good physical shape, Chausie needs regular walks.
Animal color
The fur of the Chausie cat can be seen in the photo. It is quite dense, but soft and pleasant to the touch. In healthy individuals, it has a characteristic sheen and very warm fur and has a barely noticeable striped color.
The main distinguishing feature is the tip of the tail and tassels, painted black. And on the neck there should be darkening in the form of a “necklace”.
A true chausie usually has at least two colors. In order not to make a mistake in choosing a cat, it is important to know the types of coat colors! There are only four of them:
- Black
- Silver
- Dark brown
- Ticked.
Vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment
To protect Housies from common feline infections, they are regularly vaccinated. The first time a kitten is vaccinated against rabies, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calcivirosis at the age of 7-8 weeks, with a mandatory repeat after 28 days. Subsequently, Chausie is vaccinated once a year.
To kill fleas and helminths, the cat is regularly given antiparasitic treatment. Antihelminthic drugs are given to the Hausi twice a year, repeated every 10-14 days. To combat fleas, a cat of this breed is treated with special shampoos or drops.
Health and Nutrition of Hausie Cats
Health problems can be caused by improper feeding of your cat. Houseies are prone to overeating, so you need to protect your pet from excess food.
Otherwise, this is a healthy animal with good immunity. They are not even prone to infectious diseases such as colds, but preventive vaccination is still recommended.
Table: vaccination schedule for cats
Disease | First vaccination | Second vaccination | Revaccination |
Calcivirosis | 9–12 weeks | in 2–4 weeks | annually |
Rhinotracheitis | 9–12 weeks | in 2–4 weeks | annually |
Panleukopenia | 9–12 weeks | in 2–4 weeks | annually |
Rabies | 12 weeks | 1–3 years | |
Chlamydia | 9–12 weeks | in 2–4 weeks | annually |
Infectious peritonitis | 16 weeks | 20 weeks | annually |
Trichophytosis and microsporia | 8 weeks | 10 weeks | annually |
Catering
Hausie cats have a shorter intestine than normal, so they have trouble digesting food containing grains. Breeders give the following recommendations for nutrition:
- you can use any raw meat, except pork, the best option is fresh dietary meat with bones (to prevent infection with helminths, you can scald the meat with boiling water): poultry, beef, rabbit, as well as fish;
- day old chicks, quails and feed mice;
- It is allowed to add offal to the pet’s diet: neck, heart, stomachs, liver, lungs;
- It is advisable to include in the diet vegetables, raw quail eggs, fermented milk products (fat content no more than 10%): kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk;
Fermented milk products with a fat content of no more than 10% can be included in your pet’s diet
- Flour products, potatoes and cereals are prohibited;
- when using natural food, vitamins and calcium supplements are regularly given;
- the weight of the portion should be 5% of the pet’s weight;
- The Hausi must have free access to clean water for drinking; water can be boiled or filtered;
- for adult animals, you can arrange a fasting day once a week, when they do not receive food and only drink water - this will prolong the life of the chausie and improve health;
- When using ready-made food to feed Chausie, only super-premium grain-free food for animals with sensitive digestion is recommended.
Houseie food is suitable only for animals with sensitive digestion
A well-balanced diet without overeating can ensure a life expectancy of up to twenty years.
Pros and cons of the breed
Like any other breed of cat, Chausie cats have their advantages and disadvantages.
pros | Minuses |
Exotic appearance | Rarity of the breed and high cost |
Good health | Difficulties in breeding Hausie |
Good learning ability | Expensive content |
Chausies are exclusive cats with an interesting appearance and a dash of wild blood. They are highly valued among professional felinologists and will become excellent companions for those who are able to provide them with decent living conditions.
Photo of chausie
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Pregnancy and childbirth
During childbirth it is necessary to help the pet
A cat's pregnancy lasts 63–66 days. The duration is counted from the day of coverage until delivery. Kittens may appear earlier. But if babies are born before day 58, they will not be able to survive.
The signs are as follows:
- The first symptoms of pregnancy are weakness and nausea of the cat for 10 days after coating.
- After 3 weeks, you may notice an enlargement and change in color of the nipples, which turn pink.
- There is a change in appetite. The cat may refuse previously loved food.
- At week 6, the abdomen enlarges, and at week seven, fetal movement is already observed.
For childbirth, prepare:
- The box is 50x60 cm in size. On the walls you can build shelves 5 cm wide, where the kittens will subsequently climb. This will protect children from injury. The cat may lie down unsuccessfully and accidentally crush them.
- Place several layers of newspaper at the bottom of the box; they will absorb moisture. Do not use bedding that wrinkles easily. Kittens can become entangled and suffocate.
- During the first week after birth, maintain the temperature in the box at 29 °C, then reduce it every week by 3 °C to a level of 21 °C. This can be done using a thermostat, air conditioner or infrared lamp (250 W).
You also need to prepare:
- towels;
- napkins;
- scissors treated with alcohol.
Signs of impending labor appear 3–4 days in advance. The cat begins to show anxiety, meow, and refuse food. Her body temperature drops to 36–37 °C, her stomach drops. At this time, you should show the cat the box. If the birth occurs in another place, immediately transfer the babies to the box. The cat begins having contractions 1 hour before the kitten appears and mucous discharge is observed. The birth process lasts from 2 to 6 hours. The intervals between the appearance of kittens are 5–30 minutes.
Within 15 minutes after the baby is born, the cat gnaws the umbilical cord. If this does not happen, cut it at a level of 2.5 cm from the tummy using scissors. Next, the placenta comes out, which the cat eats. After the process is completed, she is laid on her side, and the babies begin to suck colostrum. This way they receive all the necessary substances that form the kittens’ immunity.
Story
The breed was officially recognized only 15 years ago. But breeders have been working on its breeding for decades. The ancestors of the Chausie were jungle cats.
These kings of sand quarries “intermarried” with simple domestic cats. From such unions, hybrids with peculiarities began to appear.
At first, they did not pay much attention to these kittens, until one day the breeders noted the pretty facial features and general beauty of these animals. Then breeders began to breed a new breed. They set themselves the task of breeding a pet with the appearance of a wild cat, but with a kind domestic character. American scientists also pursued the goal of leaving kittens with a savage temperament. That’s why the matter lasted a long time, because there was a struggle between opposites.
The hard work soon brought the first successes. But to this day, breeding Chausie is not easy.
Thus, the first representatives of the breed were bred in the late 60s. But chausie received official recognition only in 1995.
The animal got its name in honor of the jungle cat, which in the original Latin sounds like Felis chaus.
In its homeland, the USA, the Chausie is a very popular cat. While for European countries this cat is very rare.
Name: Jamal. Breed: Bengal cat
At first glance, it is not a cat, but an ideal: the beauty and grace of a leopard, the affectionateness of a domestic animal, amenable to training, clean and does not tolerate dirt, loves to sit in the arms and has a hard time being separated from its owner. The Bengal cat Jamal was the first to appear at Anastasia's, and he was the first to leave the house - to the tears and excuses of the owner. It turned out that the pet had suffered from gastrointestinal problems since childhood, but at the same time loved to eat. When competitors appeared nearby - Salem and Hussein - Jamal, out of greed and jealousy, rushed to their food, devouring even raw meat that was forbidden to him. Nastya had to say goodbye to the spotted animal - for his own good.
“We had to constantly treat him and take him to doctors, but to no avail. As a result, when I had to go on vacation for a month, I decided to give him to my sister for foster care. My sister sent me reports on his condition, and I realized that there was no choice but to give him to her forever... He was comfortable there, because he is the only owner in the apartment, and this immediately affected his well-being and appearance,” Reshetova justified herself. , assuring that he visits and still loves the pet.
- Price : can reach up to 3 thousand euros. In the Moscow nursery, kittens are available for purchase for 40–150 thousand rubles.
Reshetova and Timati's cats: Bengal Jamal.
Photo: Instagram Alisa Osina Anastasia Reshetova Timati’s pets
Reproduction
In many ways, Chausies are so expensive also because they are very difficult to breed. The fact is that in most cases, male kittens in the upper classes (primarily F1 and F2) are sterile from birth.
For this reason, independent breeding, and even in our conditions, where chausies are practically never found, can be considered a matter of the greatest difficulty. The most that can be done is to cross a high-class cat with ordinary domestic cats, producing kittens of class F2 and below. In general, the mating procedure is completely similar to a similar procedure for any other breeds, but it should be taken into account that a semi-wild animal can offend a too timid and domestic cat.
If you have a Chausie cat of a fairly high class and you still decide to cross it with other breeds, please note that in order to preserve the color and most other breed characteristics, you must carefully choose a partner for mating. The best candidate is a representative of the Abyssinian breed, since it was this breed that breeders usually took for crossing with reed cats
Bengal cats and representatives of some short-haired breeds can act as a possible, but still not the best alternative.
Another big problem is that the “wild” genes in cats of the lower classes are no longer dominant, which is why most kittens look completely ordinary, so they have to be carefully selected.