The Asian tabby is the most variegated representative of the Asian group of cats. These royal-looking individuals are sedate and wise. They are not capricious either when choosing food or during hygiene procedures. One look at the cat's smart face will be enough to understand that this is an ideal pet. The Asian tabby cat is kind and sociable, but it is by no means a meek, weak kitty. She is not aggressive or vindictive, but can stand up for herself. He is friends with everyone - both people and animals.
History of the origin of the Asian cat
British specialists managed to obtain the breed in the beginning. 80s XX century. The crossing involved cats of three breeds at once - Burmese, Abyssinians and Persians. The matings were carried out in a certain sequence, but the result really exceeded all expectations - the resulting animal had the structure of a Burmese, with the disposition of an Abyssinian, and a combination of the gloss and modesty of an aristocratic Persian. In addition to the best features of the three breeds, the Asian tabby cat took from all of them a variety of colors, as a result of which several new species appeared in one group: tabby, Burmilla, Asian even-colored, Tiffany and smoky.
The breed was recognized by serious felinological organizations of the world, including WCF, 10 years after its appearance - in the 90s. Initially, the number of wool colors did not exceed three - silver, deep brown and plain. But subsequently the breeders managed to significantly “expand” the range.
Classification
The tabby color is characterized by the presence of thin lines on the muzzle that outline the eyes and create the appearance of the letter M in the forehead area. This coloring of the coat was present even in wild cat ancestors. This coat color perfectly camouflaged the animal against the background of earth and grass.
The second name for the color is wild, since small predators in nature most often have a striped pattern on their fur.
There are several types of such staining. The most common ones include “mackerel” or “tiger”. Subspecies:
- Mackerel – resembles the color of tiger fur. On the fur coat of pets you can see a pattern consisting of vertical lines located parallel to each other.
- Spotted – characterized by the presence of small spots located randomly over the entire surface of the animal. The spots may be elongated, resembling broken lines (dotted line, dash-dotted line).
- Marble – the stripes on the sides of the pet resemble the stains inherent in marble. Three parallel stripes stretch along the spine. The fur on the belly and cheeks has slight spotting, and the limbs and tail are decorated with ring stripes. Marble color is sometimes called classic.
- Ticked color differs from other tabbies in that there are no stripes or spots on the body of the furry pet, but on the face there is a faintly visible letter M. A residual pattern characteristic of tabby colors is visible in the chest area and on the limbs. Ticking is a special hair color formed by alternating black and yellow pigments. If a pet has a dominant Agouti gene in its genotype, then the animal has a ticked coloration. One example of a ticked tabby color is the Abyssinian cat.
Striped colors are the most common in cats. It is believed that all cats are genetically tabby, but not all pets are agouti, which is reflected in the color of their coat. The ability to show a striped pattern is given by the dominant Agouti gene. If the gene is in a homozygous state, then the cat's coat will have a uniform color.
The Agouti gene does not affect pigmentation; it is responsible for the distribution of pigment in the hair. That is, the color of the pigment (black, red, chocolate, etc.) depends on other genes that determine the color of the animal.
The presence of the Agouti gene leads to the appearance of pigment rings in the hairs of the coat of the same color as the main color of the animal. The hairs turn out to be darker at the ends and lighter at the roots. This color subtype is called ticked.
Asian Tabby breed description
The Asian tabby belongs to the group of cats of the Asian line, being their most variegated representative. In addition to their regal appearance, they are distinguished by their wisdom and sedateness. They are not characterized by whims, so they are not picky about food and do not worry during hygiene procedures. The cat's smart face seems to emphasize that it is impossible to find a more perfect pet.
For all its kindness and sociability, the Asian tabby is not at all a meek or weak animal. She is not characterized by aggression or rancor, but she can definitely defend herself. At the same time, it is very friendly with both people and other animals.
The Asian tabby is medium-sized and weighs 4-7 kg. As expected, cats are larger than female cats; they have rougher features and a massive body. Cats are more graceful and sophisticated. The body of Asian cats is strong and long, the bones are strong, and the body is round and quite powerful. The muscles are clearly visible when the animal is active - walking or playing. The back is straight, and the paws are graceful and slender with medium-sized oval-shaped pads.
Thanks to the proportionality of all parts of the body, the Asian tabby cat is graceful, like a true Englishman. His front legs are slightly higher than his hind legs. A straight and fairly thin tail of medium length, slightly tapering to a rounded tassel.
The short neck is crowned with a wedge-shaped head, proportional in shape and medium in size, the contours of the head are soft. The muzzle is slightly flat, quite wide with slightly protruding cheeks. The cheekbones are clearly defined and meet in a powerful jaw. Slightly snub nose. The small ears are set quite wide apart and are rounded at the end, they are slightly tilted forward, and there is a feathering inside.
Asian tabbies have huge eyes, the deep set of which does not in any way reduce their size. The shape of the eyes is round and almond-shaped, slightly slanting. And their color varies from yellow with a slightly greenish tint, all the way to golden. Cats with amber-colored eyes are especially charming.
Sterilization and castration
If you are getting an animal and do not plan to breed it, we recommend spaying or neutering it immediately. Thanks to this, the pet will not suffer at all due to the fact that it cannot continue its family. This is due to the fact that after the operation, sex hormones cease to be produced. Both types of surgery are performed using anesthesia. Surgery should be performed before 1 year of age; the younger, the easier it is for him to undergo surgery and recover. If you have a female, it is best to have her spayed before she gives birth at least once. It will be much easier for her to bear it.
- According to statistics, sterilized animals live several years longer. Moreover, the procedure minimizes the risk of developing diseases such as: oncology of the genital organs;
- polycystic disease;
- hydrometer, etc.
Castration is especially important for males, since cats often suffer serious injuries in the process of “hunting for a female.”
Colors
But undoubtedly the main decoration of a tabby is its chic “fur coat”. Usually the fur of this animal is short and thin, but at the same time it is soft and smooth. The colors are variegated and varied - they range from dark red to light blue. Warm tones include apricot, cream, and a hint of boiled caramel. Cold ones are represented by purple, black, “turtle” and bluish-gray.
Tabby coats are characterized by a special intricate pattern made up of spots and stripes on their coat. Differences in patterns allow tabby cats to be divided into several varieties. And no matter what the color of the Asian tabby, the pattern on their face is always the same. On the cat’s forehead there is a “scarab” sign; the nose, eyes and height are outlined, as if by a contour, with a thin black line. And on the neck it looks like an unfastened necklace is depicted.
brindle tabby
This type of color implies the presence of dark stripes running parallel in a vertical plane. They seem to be imprinted on light fur. Foreign felinologists claim that a similar pattern is present on the mackerel carcass.
ticked
The ticked type is characterized by the “individual” color of each hair. And they are painted in contrast - the dark part replaces the light part. Fur, as a rule, for the most part, has one tone, there are no bright accents on it. Only the paws and tail may contain some graphic elements.
Spotted
This color option resembles a “leopard”. Dark spots of various sizes and shapes are scattered throughout the cat's body. The background on which they are located is lighter.
Marble
A complex drawing that is not so easy to put into definition. It consists of spiral-shaped stripes running symmetrically on the sides. They most closely resemble stains, but they represent a whole “series” of prints.
Breeding
You have decided to become a breeder, in which case you need to take care of the welfare and health of the cat and kittens. This issue should be approached responsibly, disease prevention should be carried out, and an atmosphere of love should be created for pets. In addition, breeders should adhere to the basic rules for knitting cats. For example, a male and a female must be in a closed room, the size of which is at least 6 m. In addition, a special shelter should be provided for partners.
You should not breed animals that have certain health problems. If there are some deviations from the standard, but they are expressed only externally, then you can breed, but they will not be completely purebred and prepare for the fact that it is unlikely that anyone will want to buy them for large sums.
Large Tabby
Character of the Asian Tabby cat breed
Asian tabbies are intelligent and peaceful. Aggression is alien to them, but they are very active. They love communication and affection, and take part in games with pleasure. At the same time, cats will not insist on endless attention from the owner - they have enough intelligence and patience to wait until he finishes his business and can communicate with them. The distinctive character traits of this breed are restraint, self-esteem and excellent upbringing.
As children, Asian tabbies are very curious. Their energy is in full swing, they are ready to play until they drop. Therefore, it is necessary to look after kittens - the surprises they present may not always turn out to be pleasant. Looking for adventure is the main activity of these kittens, especially if they are bored or feel lonely.
When a tabby kitten is left alone at home, it is worth checking whether the windows are closed, as well as the doors to those rooms where the kitten is not allowed to enter, and whether there are breakable or valuable objects within the pet’s access. Otherwise, you can rest assured about the kitten - it will react calmly to separation from its owner.
Tabbie dogs show some wariness around strangers. At the same time, they are invariably “polite” in English. But household members equally bask in their love, since the Asian tabby treats each of them with great warmth, regardless of his age. But these cats have a special love for small children. They strive to surround them with almost maternal care and become very attached to them. But it is not difficult for the Asian tabby to find a common language with other family members.
This is not a weak-willed or helpless mug - a tabby will never allow himself to be offended, because he will easily put in his place anyone who crosses boundaries in communicating with her. At the same time, she will not start fights with other pets, will not bite or scratch the child, and will be careful and patient when playing with children. At the same time, the tabby will prefer to sit out the “storm” somewhere in a quiet corner.
How to choose a kitten
Before buying a kitten, we recommend that you first study the advantages and disadvantages of the breed. Before you bring your kitten home, pay attention to its activity. In addition, check the condition of the baby's fur, ears, and eyes.
Before purchasing, we advise you to talk with the breeders and learn about the basic rules of care.
To choose a purebred kitten, check the pedigree, metrics, and veterinary passport. If you buy an animal in another country, ask for a green card.
Tabby care
Natural cleanliness, accuracy and tact make this cat an almost ideal pet. It will not be difficult for the owner to look after and care for her. But certain recommendations from experts in caring for Asian tabbies must, of course, be followed. So, you need to raise a cat from early childhood. She is very intelligent, so she quickly figures out how to use the tray and what the scratching post is for.
Asian tabbies need to be washed only when absolutely necessary and always with a special shampoo. Frequent contact with water can cause allergies and skin irritation in your cat. After all, there is almost no undercoat, and the fur itself is quite short and not very thick. To keep it clean, you only need to comb your pet once a week, and when it sheds, 2-3 times.
Hygiene
Asian women do not like water at all, so they need to bathe no more than twice a year. Or just monitor the condition of the coat; as soon as it becomes dirty, give it a bath. In this case, you should use only high-quality cosmetics that will not cause allergies. Moreover, the skin is extremely sensitive. Clean your ears more often.
Silver tabby
Approximate price of an Asian tabby kitten
Now the popularity of Asian cats is only gaining momentum in different countries of the world. But in Russia these animals are very difficult to meet, and even more so to buy. The cost of this rare breed varies from several tens of thousands of rubles to thousands of dollars. But, in addition to the fact that such a cat can rightfully be called a luxury item, it is also a loyal, gentle friend, and this cannot be bought.
Nutritional Features
A balanced diet is the key to longevity and excellent health of a pet. Therefore, the daily menu of an Asian cat must be rich in vitamins, minerals and nutritional compounds. If your pet will be given natural food, its menu should include:
- cereals;
- fish with bones removed;
- turkey and chicken meat;
- beef meat (lean);
- fruits and vegetables;
- by-products based on chicken or beef;
- milk;
- dairy products.
An Asian cat can be fed dry types of food. However, products should be chosen as high quality as possible. They must contain vitamin supplements, bone meal and natural meat. The following cat foods meet similar requirements:
- EUKANUBA (from 1150 rubles per pack of 2000 mg);
- HILLS SCIENCE DIET (from RUB 890 per 1.5 kg package);
- N&D (from 855 rubles per pack of 1500 mg);
- ACANA (about 1000 rubles per package of 2027 mg).
Synthetic dyes and flavoring additives should not be in the feed, because... they often provoke the development of allergic reactions. Be sure to place a container near the food bowl that will always contain fresh water.
It is forbidden to give Asian cats and cats tubular chicken bones, food from the master's table and sweet foods.
This is interesting: Munchkin: a cat with short legs
Photo of Asian Tabby
BRITISH MARBLE COLOR (MARBLE)
The British merle color is a very bright, beautiful color, perhaps the most complex in the tabby series. Marbled British cats wear beautiful patterns on their backs (2 stripes along the ridge, closed large circles on the sides, inside of which there is a clear large painted spot. And this entire pattern should not intersect or be interrupted. Also, a British marbled tabby cat has a butterfly pattern on the back of its head, patterns on the cheeks, starting from the corners of the eyes, on the forehead the letter "M". In addition, the British marble cat has closed "necklaces" on the chest (the larger the better), clear rings on the paws and tail. The British marble cat is very valued among breeders for its beautiful design, especially if the color is drawn correctly.
A British merle color may not be contrasting, in which case the color is rejected.
Photo: British cat Emili black marble on gold BRI ny 22 64
The character of the British marbled cat is no different from all other colors, although often future owners are interested in it, thinking that it is a separate breed of cat.
The marbled color of British kittens is visible from birth and is already quite contrasting. The necessary stripes, circles, and rings are clearly visible. The pattern of a British marbled kitten (British marbled kitten) may blend in a little with the main color of the coat, do not worry, most often by 2 months everything evens out and the color becomes most expressive.
Ragamuffin
Ragamuffin! This is exactly how the name of the breed is translated, the creators of which took ordinary street cats as a basis. By infusing them with the blood of a calm, tame and harmless ragdoll, breeders received a completely new breed of long-haired cats, easy-going, suitable for families with children and many pets.
Ragamuffins are rare and expensive cats; the breed is small in number and remains exclusive even in its homeland, the USA. Moreover, the appearance of cats differs little from street cats - this was the main idea. Beauties flaunt in lush fur coats of various colors, with spots and stripes. But the character is unique - playful, but good-natured (despite its impressive size), sociable, but not intrusive, active, but not noisy cat for a fan of natural beauty.
Feeding
In order for your pet to grow up healthy, it is necessary to approach the issue of nutrition responsibly. Food from the human table is not suitable for cats, so there is no need to feed it leftover food from your own diet. You should also remember that nutrition should be balanced.
There is no need to overfeed your pet. It is necessary to carefully ensure that the products consumed contain all the necessary elements for growth, development and a healthy life. It is best if the cat’s diet contains both natural products and ready-made food.
Since cats are carnivores, they need protein foods. Your pet's menu should include meat and sea fish fillets. It is better to give the animal raw beef, boiled chicken and boiled offal. You should not give your cat fish often, otherwise the animal may develop kidney problems.
Milk should only be given to small kittens, as adults cannot digest this product and can cause serious health problems. In addition to meat foods, it is recommended to include vegetables and grains in the diet.
As for ready-made food, it is important not to skimp on your pet. Cheap food does not contain useful elements in its composition, and therefore the cat will not receive the components necessary for life.
Such products are not beneficial, but only temporarily make the animal feel full. Excessive consumption of low-quality feed with excessive amounts of plant components can cause obesity.
Reasons for the uniformity of selection
In Japan, cats are respected, revered and have exclusive rights that they do not have in any other country in the world. This special attitude towards cats is associated with centuries-old culture and religious rituals.
According to local beliefs, the tail of any animal is a concentration of devilish energy, negativity and destruction. Therefore, cats with long tails were not particularly popular among residents, and cats with shorter tails became residents of the imperial palace. Other cats were doomed to a terrible fate: their furry pride was simply cut off by people who wanted to cut themselves off from negativity.
It was here that kittens were born, deprived of this organ. It is possible that similar mutations in cats occurred everywhere, but only the inhabitants of Japan enthusiastically welcomed this fact and began to take special care of animals without a tail, which was the beginning of narrow selection.
This trait quickly caught on and became the main anatomical trait cultivated in Japan. Since the country remained closed for a long time, no changes were made to new standards, and the breed became more and more established and strengthened by crossing similar individuals. This species was named after the Japanese bobtail.
Appearance
Externally, they look luxurious and very expensive. This breed can be found in various colors: from black to beige. A distinctive feature of such a cat is dark eyeliner around the eyes and a small spot on the forehead. In addition, all the owners say that these cats look “from under their brows.” Sometimes it seems that you are not her owner, but she is yours.
Head
Among breeders, especially valuable individuals of this breed are those that have the correct head shape. The muzzle should also not be too large, meeting established standards. Also, your face should have flirty cheekbones. The shape of the head resembles a wedge in appearance, and the muzzle has a rounded shape.
How much can it weigh?
In terms of weight, they are quite large, with strong limbs and a developed body, so their minimum weight is 4 kg. The maximum weight for males is 9 kg. There are, of course, people with different weights, but these are already deviations from the norm that need to be dealt with. Most often, obesity occurs, which is caused by the owner’s negligence and improper nutrition of the animal.
Body
The cat is very graceful, it has a powerful chest, a straight back, and a muscular body. The belly, in this case, is never saggy, only toned. The body is always of medium size, proportional to other parts of the body. In general, it is the representatives of this breed who never encounter diseases with bones and body.
Tabby color
Likoy
Cat-monster - this phrase comes to mind when you see a photograph of this cute and at the same time terrible “beast”. The name of the breed in translation means “werewolf” or “volodak” - a fictional mythical creature that turns into a terrible wolf on a full moon. Contrary to popular belief that Likoi cats have a similar gene pool to Sphinxes and Devon Rexes, it has been scientifically proven that this is not true.
The new breed appeared as a result of a natural mutation, and subsequently crossing with short-haired domestic cats of a suitable color (black and tan). The official date of birth of these originals is considered to be 2011. A standard was drawn up in 2013, but due to the small number of livestock, the Likoi are still classified as provisionally recognized.
Features of appearance - a completely bare stomach and paws, wide-open yellow eyes, bald “glasses” around the eyes. The fur sits on the body in clumps, covering the folded skin, which creates a tousled effect. There is no undercoat. The character of such cats is no less unique than their appearance. In short, complete harmony with the owner and aggressive behavior towards strangers. Has pronounced hunting instincts.
