We are used to seeing in our lives only cats with triangular ears, which have small tassels at the tips, and they do not stand out so much from the whole body. But there are some types of ears that cats have that are breathtaking, and many people wonder about this incomprehensible appearance. There is a special breed of cats with round ears. You may be surprised to meet such a cat, because the appearance of such animals is not the same as we are used to seeing. Such cats are very rare, but they do exist. These cats are representatives of a group of genetic mutants who at birth acquired this interesting feature - round ears. It is very interesting to find out how this happened and what breeds exist.
Ukrainian Levkoy
The Ukrainian Levkoy is an original looking hairless fold cat. The Levkoys contain the blood of Donchak and Orientals (via Peterbalds), and to obtain lop-eared blood, the blood of Scottish Folds was once infused, but indirectly, that is, through a mestizo.
With a slender build, graceful long neck, expressive coordination and folded back ears, these are elves. If we omit the breeding branches and simply say, then Elves are a mixture of curl and sphinx.
American Curl
This breed of cats with round ears is now at the peak of popularity; besides, the pets themselves have not only an unusual appearance, but also a friendly disposition, they are very sociable, devoted to their owner, and play with pleasure. Distinctive features of the appearance of these animals are as follows :
- Elegant graceful physique.
- Flexible long tail (its length matches the size of the body).
- The average weight is small - 5-7 kg (males), 4-5 kg (females).
- The coat can be either long or short, with long-haired Curls being the most popular among breeders.
But the most striking detail of the pets’ appearance is their rounded, curved ears, the unusual shape of which is explained by a mutation of the hard ear cartilage. In the photo you can see that the inclination of the shell is individual for each cat, it can be 180°, or it can have a more modest value - 90°. A characteristic feature of the breed is that the round tip should not exceed 1/3 of the ear. One of the difficulties faced by pet owners is the fragility of the ear cartilage, so you need to be very careful with your pet.
Big-eyed Internet celebrities
Hermann
His popularity is just beginning to gain momentum, because Herman is still very young. This unusual kitten lives in Copenhagen. He appeared in Shirley's family quite recently - the girl adopted the animal from a shelter and at the same time his appearance did not bother her at all.
When Herman was very young, he had certain health problems: he gained weight poorly and grew slowly. But now this is in the past - the pet is happy in his new home, he is full of energy and surrounded by care, and has become popular on Instagram, more details on this page: https://ololo.tv/bug-eyed-cat-German-conquers-insta/.
Snoopy
This is the cutest cat in the world. His face is captivating and makes you smile sincerely. Snoopy was born in May 2011. And he appeared on the Internet thanks to his owner Nin. One day she posted a photo of her pet on Weibo and within two months this cute kitten had tens of thousands of fans.
Snoopy the cat has the funniest appearance
After some time, Snoopy's popularity became incredibly huge, which forced his owner to create a blog, and then his personal page on Instagram and Facebook. Today this cat has several million fans around the world and their army continues to grow inexorably.
What are the main components of his success? Everything is very simple - in addition to natural charm, this cat has rather large brown eyes with which he looks at everyone with an innocent look.
Kobe
Kobe is a white cat with large blue eyes, which has become a rare, but at the same time very successful exception of its breed. British shorthaired chinchillas, which include Kobe, have a bluish-gray coat color and brown eye color. But this cat is a bright blue-eyed blonde.
Cobia has about 350 thousand followers on Instagram and approximately 6.5 thousand fans on Facebook. The owner of the beautiful Cobby Rebecca describes her as an extremely loyal pet who constantly follows her wet nurse, sleeps exclusively on her pillow and loves to play with water. Plus, as we all have seen, the fluffy blue-eyed blonde is incredibly photogenic and all her pictures turn out well.
On a note! Rebecca compares her favorite Kobe to the famous singer Frank Sinatra, who was nicknamed Mister Blue Eyes.
Matilda
This cat with big eyes is called an alien. And her eyes really are like an alien's. Today, Matilda has about 35 thousand followers on Instagram, which is slightly less than Gimo, but much more than most of us.
At birth, Matilda had normal eyes and was no different from other cats. Upon reaching the 12th week of her life, she found a new family, in which she lives to this day. Matilda grew up and after a while the owners noticed that her eyes began to change: the pupil stopped narrowing and a squint appeared. Upon examination by a specialist, it turned out that the cat had a congenital pathology called spontaneous lens luxation. Moreover, this disease affected both eyes.
This disease has practically deprived Matilda of her sight: the cat sees very poorly, distinguishing only movements and light. Matilda is constantly monitored by a veterinarian and receives proper treatment. However, despite long-term therapy, experts believe that the animal still needs surgery.
On a note! The cost of the operation is 2.5 thousand dollars! Despite the fact that this amount is quite large, it was possible to collect it for only 3 days, and all thanks to fans and caring subscribers!
Gimo
This cat has huge round eyes and a constantly dumbfounded look - no matter where he is and no matter what he does at the moment, this individual feature is always with him. Just one look at Gimo's photo is enough to remember him forever.
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Gimo's hypnotic eyes have conquered Instagram. This black cat with big eyes is one of the most famous and recognizable representatives of the feline world.
On a note! Gimo's bottomless eyes have currently won over 160 thousand subscribers on his page on the social network Instagram and his popularity continues to grow!
Maine Coon: photo and description of the breed
These are large cats with large ears and eyes. They are very beautiful, they have a magnificent coat and an undercoat.
Representatives of the breed have tassels on their ears. These cats are known for their size, because they are truly giants among pets. The weight of adult representatives reaches fifteen kilograms. They are very similar to forest cats with their muzzle and cone-shaped ears. These cats have a fluffy tail. Representatives of the breed have a strong character. Therefore, the owner should spend a lot of time raising the animal.
Representatives of the breed are not couch potatoes, but they are not too active either. Cats are quite playful, but at the same time they don’t mind lying on the owner’s sofa.
Oriental cats
The Oriental cat is one of the most popular and promising breeds. They are the closest relatives of the most famous oriental breed - the Siamese. These are graceful, graceful cats of a thin build with long legs, a wedge-shaped muzzle and large pointed ears.
Each breed of animal is determined by specific features in appearance and character traits that are unique to it - this is called the breed standard, which must be recognized by various organizations of felinologists (TICA, FIFe, WCF, CFA, IFA, ICU, WACC, etc.) for each of them own rules of recognition. All purebred cats are given pedigrees.
Savannah
This species is a hybrid of a domestic cat and an African serval. Representatives of the breed are large, strong and graceful. This cat has a really wild look and a spotted color. The height at the withers of the representatives of the breed reaches sixty centimeters.
These big cats adapt well to any conditions. Although it is best to keep a savannah in a private house. After all, such cats need a lot of space to move and play.
Features of care
When caring for big-eared cats, you must first take into account the characteristics of the breed to which they belong. But proper ear care is extremely important for all “mouse cats” - after all, the larger the ears, the more problems can arise with them.
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Each breed has its own maintenance nuances, but ear care is the same for all cats.
Ear hygiene
Cleanliness, as they say, is the key to health. Timely and high-quality hygiene of cat ears is the prevention of infection, and, consequently, various serious diseases. Check your pet's ears regularly and contact your veterinarian immediately if the following symptoms appear:
- redness and itching;
- swelling;
- unpleasant odor;
- painful sensations.
If you have any problems with your ears, contact your veterinarian.
For preventive care at home, you should choose a ready-made product for this purpose - the choice of ear drops is quite large. The use of alcohol, peroxide and other homemade products can lead to irritation and even burn the delicate surface of the ear.
Contamination and the occurrence of inflammatory processes can be caused by hairs growing too densely inside the ear - they must be removed, but only very carefully so as not to cause pain and discomfort to the animal.
The cat's ear should be clean and free of excess hairs.
Before proceeding directly to the procedure of cleaning the ears, it is recommended to do a light massage - lightly rub and knead the ears for five to ten seconds. Then give the cat a couple of minutes to shake its head - this will cause the softened wax to come out of the ear canals. Wipe it with cotton pads or swabs soaked in ear cleaning fluid, but be sure to use different swabs for your ears. Try not to go deep into the ear canal.
Ear cleaning is a regular and responsible process.
Video: “pockets” on a cat’s ears
How to choose a kitten
The choice of a kitten depends entirely on what breed you want to take home. There are no special rules here, but you should know that:
- When choosing a kitten, read carefully everything about the breed you have chosen. It is better to familiarize yourself with the nuances before purchasing than after. Be sure to look at photos of newborn babies or adults.
- Choose from the price range you are willing to bear.
- It is better not to keep wild cats indoors, so think about why you need such a cat.
- Carefully study the pedigree of the breed. Find out your kitten's mom and dad, look at your ancestors.
- You should adopt a kitten after three months from birth. So, the kitten’s breeders will already give him two vaccinations and accustom him to the litter box.
- Be sure to determine whether the baby is healthy. Assess the condition of the coat, face, paws and tail. Take a look at the torso.
- Take the kitten in your hands. If he feels good with you and doesn’t run away, you can safely take him home.
- Many people think that the kitten itself should come running to the owner. This will be considered a good sign. You can try it.
- Having chosen a kitten, look at its activity, monitor its daily routine. Teach him in advance to all the things he will do every day. Show a place for food and toilet, buy a scratching post.
Source
List of cat breeds with ear defects
- American Curl;
- Scottish fold;
- Highland Fold;
- Peterbald;
- Ukrainian Levkoy;
- oriental cat;
- munchkin;
- poodlecat;
- elf;
- Kinkaloe;
- Dwelf.
Kittens of these breeds are in demand - everyone wants an unusual cat. But it is important to understand that these are breeds with ear defects, so the pet will require special attention. There may be some characteristic diseases, so before you decide to buy, you need to weigh everything.
American Curl
Bred in America. These are cats with ears folded back, which gives the face a slightly surprised look. Very similar to owls. Kittens are born with normal ears, but after a week they turn up.
The gene for curled ears is unique; there is no breed with similar characteristics (unless the Curl is involved in breeding, of course). The history of American Curls began with one black cat found on the street.
Price – about 25,000 rubles.
Why does a cat have big ears?
Ears mean a lot and people don't even realize how interesting and wonderful a tool they are for cats. If you look at these cats, you might be surprised how big their ears are. Interestingly, there is a special application on the Internet that creates a breed of cats with mouse ears. Such cats automatically become like mice.
First of all, ears are hearing, and cats have very good hearing. Why are cats given such hearing? It all starts with the fact that their auricle is very unique in structure. Each shell has 32 muscles that are very mobile. Thanks to these muscles, cats' ears turn into unique locators. Cats can hear any sound source, no matter how far away.
An interesting information is given that a person can catch a sound in the range of 18 kilohertz, while a cat can catch a sound in the range of 60 kilohertz. Imagine how powerful this is.
Also, thanks to their ears, cats can remember sounds and information that a person tells them. It’s not for nothing that they say that cats understand everything. Pets with large and round ears quickly recognize the voice of their owner.
Scientists suggest that cats are very smart, and we don't even know how smart. They can remember various commands and know more than a hundred words. This is a fascinating fact.
Cats' ears also play an important role in thermoregulation. They are the first to take on heat or cold. And the temperature of the ears affects the entire cat’s system.
Why big?
Some breeds of eared cats were obtained thanks to the long and hard work of breeders. But still, most of these cats have ancestors who live in hot countries, for example, Africa. Large ears in such a climate are a device for comfortable living.
The fact is that there are a large number of blood vessels on the surface of the skin of the ears. The blood, passing through such a vast surface of the capillaries, cools. Thus, long-eared cats can easily withstand the heat.
What to watch out for
Be careful when choosing a kitten. Do not tempt fate and seek advice only from registered nurseries. The symbolic price should be alarming - this is how scammers can profit from gullible citizens by offering mestizos. Before purchasing, request a pedigree and veterinary passport. Avoid brokers who promise to do all the necessary paperwork later.
Let us recall that the physiological feature of females is to bear 1-3 kittens in one litter. This means that the future buyer has a high chance of getting in line to buy the desired pet. Often breeders resort to a pre-booking system.
Remain vigilant throughout the process of finding and buying a kitten. Fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways to scam people out of money. Among the new schemes are contacting the owner of the nursery, fishing for photographs of young animals against the background of pedigrees, and using the photos for personal gain. The deceivers will demand a deposit on a bank card, promising after the “advance payment” to send Bobcat to new owners.
Scottish Fold
Another cat with round ears is called the Scottish Fold. This is a very cheerful and friendly animal that does not require special care. The characteristics of the breed are :
- Medium-sized body with thick, pleasant-to-touch, plush-like fur.
- The head has a rounded muzzle and round whisker pads.
- The wide-set ears have an unusual shape - their upper part is bent so that it hides the pinna.
- Round big eyes. We allow them to have different colors, but they must match the color of their coat.
- The nose is wide.
- The tail is medium in size, tapering towards the end.
The round shape of the ears is the result of a genetic mutation in the simplest domestic cat. Animals with good care can live up to 15 years, but owners should remember two weak points of the breed. These are diseases of the joints (the tail is especially dangerous) and the heart. Cats are also prone to overeating.
Wild pets
There are a couple of breeds that are derived from wild relatives, but can still live comfortably within four walls.
Serval has the largest ears of all cats. A medium cat, the size reaches a height of up to 65 cm. It can weigh up to 20 kg. Bright and orange colors with black spots. The body is athletic, graceful and has attractive curves.
- They are distrustful of people because of their savagery.
- They easily get along with ordinary domestic cats.
- Not everyone can have such a cat at home.
- It is necessary to start her at home from a very early age, taking her away from the female.
Savannah - the height of this species reaches 60 cm, weighing up to 15 kg. Large and very strong. The color is also spotted.
- Very smart and resourceful.
- Energetic.
- The habits are more like those of a dog.
- They hate the cold.
- They love to walk and swim.
- They adore their owner.
The sand cat is smaller in size than a domestic cat, with an approximate body length of up to 90 cm. The fur is thick and soft, sandy or gray in color. The ears are widely spaced and very huge.
Highlander
A new breed, the Highlander, also has round ears. These are very unusual animals of an exotic species, which also have the name “mountain lynx”. However, among the ancestors of these cats there were no dangerous predators; their ears are slightly curved back, and their muzzle in its expression resembles a trot. The distinctive features of the breed are:
- Powerful muscular body.
- Short tail.
- The eyes are large and round in shape.
- The acceptable colors are varied, the standard recognizes the presence of 1-2 colors, as well as color point colors.
Cats with round ears are diverse, among them there are long-haired and short-haired, large, medium and small in size, but they all look bright, unusual and attractive.
Canadian Sphynx
This breed is quite ancient. She won love thanks to the extraordinary appearance of the representatives.
The cats have a very intelligent look, lemon-shaped eyes. The representatives' skin feels like velor to the touch. For the first time such a cat appeared in Egypt. This blue-eyed handsome man guarded the Sanctuary of Ancient Egypt.
There are other types of sphinxes: Don and St. Petersburg. These cats also have big ears. The breeds were developed in Russia. These cats are hairless and require special care.
You need to take care of your skin daily, it needs to be cleansed. The diet of representatives of the breed should be balanced. Also, these cats need to be dressed in special clothes so that they do not freeze. Cats have a dog-like disposition. They are very smart and loyal.
